This is why offensive structure matters. I've been harping on Pop actually calling actions much more frequently, on having guys play more traditional and limiting how often folks can break off plays to go for their own points. All of those play a role in Victor struggling. Sochan is going to get better, but the position isn't a natural fit for him, and the sacrifices the offense makes by not having a guy with legit guard agility were more obvious than ever. Because there were no sets, players weren't able to have landmarks for when to pass the ball and where to be to receive that pass. A lot of that depends on chemistry, but there are actually rules to movement and passing windows. The chemistry plays into that by guys trusting each other to read the contingencies correctly. As I've said before, as much as the "Beautiful Game" looked organic, it was built out of a complex offense with a number of options, reads and actions planned out. The team isn't running anything like that right now, and that's led to guys decided to get their own shot way too much. Everyone is taking bad shots, dribbling into trouble, throwing wild passes, setting bad screens, etc. It's a selfish thing. It comes from guys trying to get open rather than being a cog and waiting their turn. When you don't run things to get guys good shots, they look for any shot they can get. That last offensive possession showed everything we needed to see to get a sense of where the team is right now in terms of its offensive coaching.
Defensively, it is what it is. The Mavericks showed why having a legit vet guard matters. There is no sure ball-handler who can get their own shot on the Spurs, and SA saw down the stretch how such guys put pressure on defenses that can elevate role-players. Yes, they fouled too much. Victor can learn; the others will probably just slightly improve. They have to throw their hands in there because their feet aren't going to get it done. Collins is going to be hit or miss, and as long as he stays out of foul trouble, he'll probably be okay. Bassey shows the limits to jumping when one's a short as he is. Vassell wasn't bad, but he's not going to hold up much as the primary perimeter defender. Jones was the best defender on the team last year, and he showed that type of solid play tonight, even if he's going stopping Luka.
No changes should be made in terms of rotation after this game. Too early, and Dallas has some unique attributes that allow them to match up with this version of the Spurs in a way many other teams won't be able to. If Victor played the first three quarters like he did the last, the Spurs might've even won the game. He needs to figure out that he should only expose himself to a foul in certain situations. He showed he can not foul for stretches. That needs to be the default, and the lunges and pokes should be used strategically. As he gets more accustomed, the times where those actions make sense will increase in frequency. He doesn't have to be flashy right away. But this game was enough to show Pop can't be as laissez-faire about the offense if he wants a successful rookie season. He needs to get the reins on some players, and that could mean something like bringing Jones and Osman to the first unit and sending Johnson and Sochan to the bench. That's not starting your best five or whatever, but it is making a function unit on both sides of the ball along with making a more functional bench that isn't relying on Branham carrying.
That would be for later, though. For now, play those five but give them assignments and have them play within those. Have Wemby run certain actions and lead to him getting the ball in the high post or moving toward the rim and let him establish himself offensively. Run actions with Collins to try to get some vertical spacing going. Have Keldon drive -- he flubbed it up at the end, but he had a very good game actually. Take out most of the long passes until they learn to throw them accurately. When Bassey is in the game, have him PnR with whomever is handling the ball. Limit Branham's on-ball time to whenever Wemby isn't playing. Bring Jones in early, probably for Keldon. Continue to limit McDermott's minutes until the offense has enough structure to reincorporate him or until the team finds a perimeter player to replace him. I think it's perfectly fine if the Spurs don't prioritize winning games this year. But it would be nice if they tried something different in terms of their player development. As much as their guys have flashed talent, it's amazing how far they have to come to be role-players. That's what the majority of them are going to be in this league, and they really seem to struggle with it, and I think that lays at the coaching staff's feet.
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