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It’s tough. Spurs players are rallying for Pop’s record I’m sure.
Lebron ain’t letting anyone shut him down while he’s chasing Kareem’s scoring le. Get real.
Spurs will likely be selecting 8-10 though sadly, as Portland and Indy are clearly tanking, and LA is at the moment. We might even pass the Pelicans in the lottery with our easy upcoming schedule. Spurs simply won’t tank and that’s likely gonna cost us a few spots in the draft.
Last edited by BatManu20; 03-09-2022 at 10:41 AM.
It’s tough. Spurs players are rallying for Pop’s record I’m sure.
Pop talks about not tanking but he’s also pretty good at saying the company line. He’s obviously going to get the record. I see him resting some players to test others for evaluation purposes. It’s not Houston style tanking but it isn’t always focused on winning either. Kicking the tires on all these multiple overlapping players is smart and it would be dumb not to. So, like always, Spurs are doing it their way.
This. If you've been following the season closely, it's hard to say that Pop has been doing his best effort for winning games - especially when it matters most in the 4th quarters. Obviously a big part of it is young players not knowing how to close games out, but Pop's subs ution patterns, playmaking (or lack thereof), his "throw them into the fire and see what happens" at ude, and uncharacteristic reliance and prominence of playing rookies and young players, not to mention any lack of reinforcements at the trade deadline, all point to a "stealth tank".
Of course, the Rockettes-style tanking is better if you're chasing that #1 pick, but I don't think that's really what the Spurs have been aiming for. Looking at both teams' seasons, I'm sure if you asked Pop, he'd much rather have had the Spurs' than Houston's bottoming-out.
There's something about Pop that I doubt he would ever agree to the Rockette's style of tanking. I mean he'd throw players in the fire, experiment on different line-ups, and make situational learning experience for the players, and be indifferent of winning the game per se. But to lose for the purpose of tanking? I doubt it.
Houston doesn't really have the players to try to win games. Of course they'll win some randomly, but they're not really gearing up for a future of any kind.
Of course the Rockettes have the roster to win more games. They're just deliberately tanking, which Spurs should've been doing. I wouldn't doubt Rockettes would be contending next season with another high pick.
Indy’s not tanking. They were buyers at the deadline, acquiring Haliburton from Sacto. They’re pretty bad, though. Portland is absolutely tanking.
Lol no it's a terrible roster with young players with no coaching. You hilariously overate them.
lol. The Cavs also had the worst records the previous 3 years. What they also had a terrible roster? Don’t be naive. The Rockettes are doing the same. They lost 3 future hofers the last 2-3 years and on a heavy rebuild. But they’ll get another high pick this summer and they’re back. Spurs should’ve been doing the same, but they’re doing the Spurs way.
Just having a ty roster doesn't automatically = having a promising roster. GTFOH.
Why are you saying the Rockets have a terrible roster? Just because they have a losing record right now?
I agree, and that's the point, Pop's gonna do things his way. And tbh, beyond what any Exhalers on this forum may say, Pop's way has objectively brought the Spurs more high and sustained success than almost any other NBA team, nevermind a small market one. I'm not fully on board with some things he does, but the results have been there in the past, and I'm aboard the "process", so far at least. I also take issue with the bottoming-out style of tanking, it really erodes team morale and culture, and those aren't things so easily built back up once you get the top picks you're after. It's easier to end up on a Kings-style debacle than a Sixers-style Process, so to speak.
I disagree, they have some players that could very well win them games, it's just that they don't GAF about any of that. The last time we played them was disgusting - Wood literally calls his own number and plays 1vs5 at the expense of the team, chasing his stats (and bag), Green is/was selfish and could really use some coaching to reel him back in, lest he develops bad habits (not that I care too much), and I don't even remember other notable pieces that they have.
What I mean when I say I disagree is, it's not that they don't have the players - it's that they chose not to have the players. Sounds obvious, but it's a stark contrast to the way the Spurs have approached tanking/rebuilding, when even knowing they wouldn't be good this season, they made some signings like McB to try and keep a semblance of floating. Houston just took the biggest anchor they could find, and tied their feet well around it. They didn't even sell on Wood at the deadline, which surprised me tbh.
No way, I disagree entirely (are you a Gambit's alt by any chance?). There's no signs that the Rockettes have the better future or are moving towards championship contention in a "better" way than the Spurs. High picks ain't if you can't build around them or keep them (just ask the Kings, a revolving door of top picks over the years, who've just shed this season both Hali and Bagley, a #2 pick). It's easy to look at their picks and the Spurs', and assume they'll do better just because they're picking better, but there's no real historical evidence that it's gonna be the case. Most championship winners weren't built through the draft, and even those who were, weren't built entirely around it but on trades too, and the Rockettes have little to no assets there either, while the Spurs could perfectly consolidate some of their picks into better players/picks.
There's no one way to a championship, and sinking to the bottom is hardly a fast-track there, as history shows.
Badly constructed. Terribly constructed, really. They have some chuckle s they'll have to get rid of. Some vets they need to finally trade. There's no rhyme or reason to anything they've done this year or the way they play. Unless someone ins utes an iden y and method of team improvement, they'll circle around aimlessly.Why are you saying the Rockets have a terrible roster? Just because they have a losing record right now?
Of course they'll win some games. Green will go off, or somebody else. The point is sustainable success where they don't take an opponent by surprise every once in a while. Wood has to be moved. Gordon needs to be moved to a contender. Green needs to be taught that basketball is a team sport and before those house habits lock in. (May be too late.) Porter is a head waiting to happen. A guy like Sengun needs a healthy team environment or he's going to rot quickly.
It's not simply about talent, it's about a system of improvement, accountability, and team desire. A team like the Spurs struggles to close games, but they're trying. Rockets are jacking up shots and running around before hitting the clubs, plus they seem to be giving the reins to a guy like Green who isn't going to lead you anywhere. He, and they, need discipline and some vets that can help them grow.
^But the Rockets are not the Sacto. Houston had rings and championship dna, and has had good teams in the recent past. They put another high pick with Jalen/Porter Jr/Wood/Sengun? I’m just saying, it’s far from saying they are losing because Rockets have terrible players.
Of course they’re doing that. They’re tanking. Watch they get another high pick this summer and you see those players you mentioned starts getting moved.
Outside of the longtime obvious needs (superstar/star + modern four), it'd be nice to see a modern skillset for once. Granted Primo was a stab at that, but he's also a project.
It's laughable that this team has neither someone adept at getting to the line or providing versatile (namely pull up), volume 3-point shooting.
If not that, at least consolidate and prioritize quality over quan y with the (likely) four picks + expendable players. For as much relative youth as they have, right now the only three prospects are Johnson, Vassell, Primo and it'll be an uphill battle for any to reach top 3 player on a good team status.
Because they have a ty rosterWhy are you saying the Rockets have a terrible roster? Just because they have a losing record right now?
Primo is literally the volume three point shooter
Good loss vs. the Raps.
Raps with FVV back look like a PO team and showed some hunger.
NYK crushed Dallas and their skid seems stopped. It feels right now like the tank teams to worry about are Sacramento, Indiana, Portland, with those last two looking to lose a lot.
Those days are long gone and theres no structure from those winning days. Winning in the mid 90s is completely meaningless now
Correct if they can out lose Indiana and Sacramento and get to 5, thats a nice place to be, and with a little luck either get to 4 or someone like Smith or Banchero falls
I don't think they'll outlose either. Definitely not the Pacers. Best case scenario to me is sticking at #7.
They can outlose Sacramento IMO if they can concentrate on it. Still holding out hope Halliburton and Turner can get on a streak down the stretch against resting teams and the bottom feeders
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