Game Thread: Spurs (16-15) at Timberwolves (16-14) Dec. 29, 2024, 7:00PM Central time / 3:00AM Riga time / 3:00PM Hawaii time

[Mal]

my only question is: why did Sochan not pass the ball to Barnes who was wide open in the corner?

DiVincenzo close the passing lane. He knew what he was doing.

[R. DeMurre]

To sum it up, front office has a decision to make.
If they actually want to compete, we need a backup big and another 6'8+ wing with a reliable shot.
If they're content with missing out, Castle's development has to be the priority.

Playing Tre and Keldon so much serves no purpose.

I was thinking along these lines too. Who are your candidates? I have two: Goga Bitaze and Jake LaRavia. Both guys are currently getting extra playing time due to team injuries, but play on teams with lots of depth at their positions. LaRavia will be a free agent this summer, and Goga is signed through '27 on a a sub-MLE contract. Both guys share the characteristic of steady improvement in a three year period, solid net positive impact this year, and the possibility of being truly impactful if their developmental arc continues for a 4th year. LaRavia's 6'8" and shooting 44% from three, and his assist & rebounds per 36 have taken big leaps this year, along with his BPM, WS/48, and TS%. Goga for me has the potential to be one of the best back up centers in the league.

[LeBowen]

I was thinking along these lines too. Who are your candidates? I have two: Goga Bitaze and Jake LaRavia. Both guys are currently getting extra playing time due to team injuries, but play on teams with lots of depth at their positions. LaRavia will be a free agent this summer, and Goga is signed through '27 on a a sub-MLE contract. Both guys share the characteristic of steady improvement in a three year period, solid net positive impact this year, and the possibility of being truly impactful if their developmental arc continues for a 4th year. LaRavia's 6'8" and shooting 44% from three, and his assist & rebounds per 36 have taken big leaps this year, along with his BPM, WS/48, and TS%. Goga for me has the potential to be one of the best back up centers in the league.

No way Spurs would even consider Bitadze, he punched at coach when he was with the Pacers. (would probably be useful in our case )
Valanciunas is the obvious backup big answer.
Since you mentioned LaRavia, I'm interested in Aladama, he didn't sign an extension with the Grizzlies, will hit RFA this summer.
6'11, 13/7/3 on 50/39/77 this season, 4.5 3pta, 25mpg, solid enough defensively.
I'm not sure Grizzlies would be willing to go way over the cap for him, but they also probably don't want to trade him right now, he's their 6th man.
Could be our budget Markkanen.

Good wings are really difficult to find, I honestly have no idea who could we get other than those obvious names.

[R. DeMurre]

I really like Aladama too, but he's restricted while LaRavia is unrestricted in free agency, and probably one rung higher in the rotation. Memphis has done a really great job of scouting for picks outside of the lottery.

[Jordan Jackson]

I really like Aladama too, but he's restricted while LaRavia is unrestricted in free agency, and probably one rung higher in the rotation. Memphis has done a really great job of scouting for picks outside of the lottery.

They hired some of the Spurs scouts. Jokes on us, I guess.

[Ice009]

Just watched the game as I couldn't watch it live. Another crushing loss. Yet another game this season the Spurs could have won . Darn, these types of losses suck.

[scott]

Comment of the season on this forum was when someone said they completely forgot about Keldon's existance during a win while he was injured. That's how impotant he is to the team. We simply must get rid of him and all of his horrible tendencies.
With all their flaws, it's one occasion where it's actually addition by subtraction and we have the personnel to replace him without adding anyone.

That was me, and it's still the most damning thing one can say about Keldon (or anyone for that matter). He's been a good soldier and seems like a great dude, so I feel bad for him, but not that bad because he's a young millionaire with an Olympic gold medal. He'll be fine in SAC, they wear Cowboy hats there too.