So are we ready to stop playing Sochan out of position?

[R. DeMurre]

Murray could barely dribble when he came into the league, look at him now. Not sure why them being guards had anything to do with this? If (and admittedly a big if) Sochan makes the transition, wouldn't that then make him a guard?

It is kinda crazy to think that in 2017 the Jamal Murray vs Emmanuel Mudiay debate was a legitimate topic for Denver.

[JeffDuncan]

Sochan would be the backup SF/PF. …

You asked why Sochan was playing PG. Pop wants Sochan in the starting lineup, and the other four spots are taken. Thus, Sochan plays point.

Of course Tre Jones is a better point guard. Sochan isn’t really a point guard at all.

For the question of why Pop wants Sochan to start, even tho putting him at the point is rather ludicrous, the answer has to be defense. The Spurs defense was so bad last year that it set records, records of the wrong kind. Sochan is, or certainly ought to be, better for the defense than Tre.

Defensive improvement is a higher priority than the offense. That’s the view they’ve adopted, obviously. I can’t say they’re wrong, again looking at how bad the defense was last year.

[PrimeMinister]

not everything needs an immediate reaction

give him time and opportunity against teams that dont have 2 of the best scorers in their backcourt

tre jones was running with the starting unit for much of the 4th with jeremy out. pop will adjust situationally as needed.

[jmard5]

Give them time. Let's recall a favorite Spurs quotation of a certain stonecutter hammering away at his rock...

[TD 21]

Draymond, Bam, Jokic, Giannis. They all started off as spotty passers in their careers. They didn't necessary became PGs, but they are the central points of the offence using their height as an advantage. Giannis and Jokic are likely models for Wemby's growth, but the point is none of them were born with PG skills to direct the offence early in their careers either, but they were all given opportunities and improved drastically over their careers.

Murray could barely dribble when he came into the league, look at him now. Not sure why them being guards had anything to do with this? If (and admittedly a big if) Sochan makes the transition, wouldn't that then make him a guard?

They were all more advanced or at least showed more promise than Sochan early on and I'd argue only Jokic is the hub of the offense (Antetokounmpo was) and the only one capable of being so for an elite half court offense.

Yeah, but Murray was always going to be a guard with a shaky jumper, so he had to become a competent ball handler, play maker and pullup shooter to stick, just like the rest you named. I just don't believe Sochan has that in him, but fortunately for him, he doesn't have to.

The comp I see is less athletic Aaron Gordon, who after masquerading (partially the Magic's fault) as a point forward early in his career, bulked up, accepted he was a PF (the modern type), was traded into the perfect situation and has become an elite role player.

[ambchang]

They were all more advanced or at least showed more promise than Sochan early on and I'd argue only Jokic is the hub of the offense (Antetokounmpo was) and the only one capable of being so for an elite half court offense.

Yeah, but Murray was always going to be a guard with a shaky jumper, so he had to become a competent ball handler, play maker and pullup shooter to stick, just like the rest you named. I just don't believe Sochan has that in him, but fortunately for him, he doesn't have to.

The comp I see is less athletic Aaron Gordon, who after masquerading (partially the Magic's fault) as a point forward early in his career, bulked up, accepted he was a PF (the modern type), was traded into the perfect situation and has become an elite role player.

Draymond and bam sucked.

[KingKev]

Coach Pop is the Joe Biden of the NBA

[scott]

Game One:

Sochan -8
Tre: +7

Game Two:

Sochan: -8
Tre: +14

For those keeping score at home.

[spursparker9]

Currently Tre is the best player that can feed Wemby...

Also interesting to note that Pop played Tre instead of Sochan in late 4th Quarter and starting of OT.

[CGD]

Game One:

Sochan -8
Tre: +7

Game Two:

Sochan: -8
Tre: +14

For those keeping score at home.

Everyone knows that if the Spurs really wanted to try to win they’d start Tre. They’re clearly looking at what they have.

It’s noteworthy that to close the game (one they really wanted to win) they both: 1) benched Jeremy in favor of Tre + the 4 starters; and then 2) shifted to Wemby at the 5 and Sochan at the 4, which I think is inevitable.

[scott]

Everyone knows that if the Spurs really wanted to try to win they’d start Tre. They’re clearly looking at what they have.

It’s noteworthy that to close the game (one they really wanted to win) they both: 1) benched Jeremy in favor of Tre + the 4 starters; and then 2) shifted to Wemby at the 5 and Sochan at the 4, which I think is inevitable.

and in reality I’m good with all of that. I just want this message board to stop pretending like Sochan is the better PG than Tre right now. It’s not even close. Just call it what it is, development for Sochan. But I also don’t want Vic’s development to be held back because we are trying to turn Sochan into a PG.

[benefactor]

[SpursFan86]

Rooting hard for Sochan but hard to deny how much smoother things ran with Tre tonight…will be interesting to see how long Pop keeps up the experiment.

[BacktoBasics]

and in reality I’m good with all of that. I just want this message board to stop pretending like Sochan is the better PG than Tre right now. It’s not even close. Just call it what it is, development for Sochan. But I also don’t want Vic’s development to be held back because we are trying to turn Sochan into a PG.

This is exactly what’s up. I don’t have a problem developing Jeremy in this area. It certainly won’t hurt long term. But Tre is the best PG on the team and when they eventually address the long term starting PG position it’ll be neither of those guys.

[MannyIsGod]

Lol Ngl tre not playing was killing me tonight until the 4th

[benefactor]

This is exactly what’s up. I don’t have a problem developing Jeremy in this area. It certainly won’t hurt long term. But Tre is the best PG on the team and when they eventually address the long term starting PG position it’ll be neither of those guys.

Agreed. Lets all not forget Wemby is not some star on his last contract or a veteran that is needing a true set up man right this minute. I personally think that Tre starting at the point and either Sochan or Keldon coming off the bench would be better, but right now I just want us all to agree that Sochan is definitely being played out of position. Seems to be a lot of posters who think he is the point guard when the evidence is glaring he is not. We aren't winning a le tomorrow. I will concede there are merits to Sochan developing in this area that will become valuable later...I just want those who think this is any good idea long term to see that the proof it isn't has been made pretty clear.

[onechance87]

Cant lie tre seems like hes earning his starting pg job back

[benefactor]

Lol Ngl tre not playing was killing me tonight until the 4th

Ive pretty much accepted Pop is going to mad scientist with this for a few minutes. We will just hope it plays out the right way. Im thinking it will

[TekXX]

Ive pretty much accepted Pop is going to mad scientist with this for a few minutes. We will just hope it plays out the right way. Im thinking it will

So you think he abandons the Sochan as point gaurd experiment? That's the only way it works out.

[poopbox]

You asked why Sochan was playing PG. Pop wants Sochan in the starting lineup, and the other four spots are taken. Thus, Sochan plays point.

Of course Tre Jones is a better point guard. Sochan isn’t really a point guard at all.

For the question of why Pop wants Sochan to start, even tho putting him at the point is rather ludicrous, the answer has to be defense. The Spurs defense was so bad last year that it set records, records of the wrong kind. Sochan is, or certainly ought to be, better for the defense than Tre.

Defensive improvement is a higher priority than the offense. That’s the view they’ve adopted, obviously. I can’t say they’re wrong, again looking at how bad the defense was last year.

This needs to be stickied at the top of every PG thread that gets made. It can't be summed up any better than this.

[Mr. Body]

This forum is going to swing wildly back and forth depending on how things go game by game, isn't it?

[Obstructed_View]

Game One:

Sochan -8
Tre: +7

Game Two:

Sochan: -8
Tre: +14

For those keeping score at home.

The Matt Bonner defense.

[benefactor]

So you think he abandons the Sochan as point gaurd experiment? That's the only way it works out.

It won't happen immediately....because Pop is the kind of guy when he gets an idea he tends to roll with it for a minute longer than he should...but he will. We are all going to lose our minds being reactionary to his weird lineups throughout the season but this is the type of season that will be. Lot's of figuring out what players work in what lineup. The hope is around halfway through we have a rotation that is starting to look like what we will roll with until we get the rest of the pieces needed to make this team into a contender

[benefactor]

This forum is going to swing wildly back and forth depending on how things go game by game, isn't it?

Look at this team and the hype existing behind its soon to be franchise player. Of course it is. We are full speed ahead back into the golden years of ST

[benefactor]

Let's make something very clear...this group of players is not going to be the group of players that surround Wemby that he takes to a le. I see a few that will likely be a part of it, but there are some that will likely be moved and we will add some via the draft and free agency that will ultimately build the team that gets this franchise back to what we are all familiar with. Until then, we will do what we are all doing right now...over ing analyzing everything and trying to feel out who is going to be a part of that and who is not. I don't know about you guys, but I am having a great ing time so far. I feel basketball in my bones for the first time in forever. Its bringing me back to my old school days of posting up here...something I thought was done.