Game Thread: Spurs @ Hawks -- Wed. 2/5/2025 - 6:00pm CST (2:00am RIGA) - De'Aaron Fox's Debut!!

[DPG21920]

I hate Castle to the bench even though it was likely given what we’ve seen this season with guys healthy. Castle and Fox are the future (at least next few years) and their minutes need to be prioritized. Fox needs ball in his hands more than CP and Castle off ball does more things. Let CP lead the bench.

[scott]

CP3's leadership and presence is obviously invaluable, but if he's going to insist on starting, just let him go somewhere else...if there's even a single serious team that would start him.
We can't set one of our most promising players just because of a 40 year old. Not after we acquired an all-star point guard.

And CP3's style doesn't really fit this roster that wants to run instead of playing it slow.

Agreed. I put up some CP3 to OKC or HOU scenarios in the trade ideas thread that could be worth looking at if you're the GM.

If he doesn't get moved, then I at least hope that PopaMitch will at least have the wherewithal to see the obvious solution of either CP3 or Devin to the Bench so that Castle can start. Might be time to expect a bit of a Castle slump, though I think Steph has the mental toughness to just use this to push himself harder.

Of course, this also means Castle and Sochan on the bench unit together which also makes zero ing sense.

Do the Spurs not employ anyone in the analytics department?

[heyheymymy]

Mitch says Fox starts and has no restrictions and they want him to go out there and immediately produce

This reminds me of Spurs got Sjax or Boris Diaw and things took off fast as they seamlessly dropped in. I think that was corporate knowledge with Jackson and Bobo had chemistry with Parker and they ran Team France plays they both knew. But Fox seems intuitive and I wonder if his impact isn't going to be surprisingly immediate to a degree

[LeBowen]

Of course, this also means Castle and Sochan on the bench unit together which also makes zero ing sense.

Tbf, it's not as bad when Jeremy is the backup C...except that Jeremy being the backup C is awful.

[Ice009]

, that is not what I expected. Not sure if Mitch genuinely thinks he should start or if this is some sort of agreement that they're following through from CP3s signing? Chris Paul having an agreement is one thing, but if he still insists on starting now with De'Aaron Fox being traded here and seeing first hand Steph playing as well as he is (continuing to improve/grow a lot throughout the season and make leaps in the SL), it's just selfish IMO.

[spurraider21]

Agreed. I put up some CP3 to OKC or HOU scenarios in the trade ideas thread that could be worth looking at if you're the GM.

If he doesn't get moved, then I at least hope that PopaMitch will at least have the wherewithal to see the obvious solution of either CP3 or Devin to the Bench so that Castle can start. Might be time to expect a bit of a Castle slump, though I think Steph has the mental toughness to just use this to push himself harder.

Of course, this also means Castle and Sochan on the bench unit together which also makes zero ing sense.

Do the Spurs not employ anyone in the analytics department?

oddly enough phoenix could use him

[Spurs Brazil]

Castle to the bench is so stupid. Who is going to guard the other team best player? Vassell?????

Pop needs to come back ASAP

[LeBowen]

Our matchups will also get ed up with CP3/Fox/Devin.

I guess Fox can be the POA defender on Trae, but it won't work against teams with bigger star players.
Start those three together in Boston and it's going to get really ugly. We need size.

[Mugen]

thinking the old man would be starting Castle over CP3 tbh

[scott]

oddly enough phoenix could use him

::me, running straight for the lab to work up 5 team scenarios to get CP3 to PHX and a backup big to SA::

[RedAzSa]

Either Fox or CP3 has to be on the floor for the sake of consistent offense. Gonna be interesting to see how Mitch staggers their minutes with both of them starting.

Castle has played much better next to a lead ball handler. If we can effectively stagger them, then he shouldn't see a big drop in effectiveness coming off the bench.

[spurraider21]

funnily enough starting fox over castle improves our spacing

[NASpurs]

CP3 services aren't needed anymore... let me take that back. His services can be used from the bench.

It's bad enough that we become midgets in the backcourt on defense.

[Mugen]

Give it until after the trade deadline or even a few more games after that before you get too upset tbh.

CP3 will miss a few games or something and they'll come up with some BS minute management excuse on why he needs to come off the bench. It's what they're doing with Sochan when he's obviously been healthy for a few weeks now.

It's all just so everybody can save face. Relax

[scott]

I'm (probably predictably) going to be paying close attention to Devin when he gets the ball. Now that StarFox is on the team, I'm going to be especially frustrated if he does his Kobe bull . There is rarely a need for Devin to ever take more than 3 dribbles. And De'Aaron is the new end-of-quarter play man. Devin, you stay in the corner and out of the way.

[Spurs Brazil]

The Spurs ruled Bassey out because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. After trading another reserve big, Zach Collins, to Chicago on Monday, the Spurs will be forced to use either Jeremy Sochan and Harrison Barnes, both forwards, as backups to Victor Wembanyama at center.

The Spurs are hopeful Bassey can return after the All-Star break when they return to action on Feb. 20 against Phoenix in Austin. If that's the case, he will have been sidelined for five games.

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/s...r-20148353.php

[scott]

Oh yeah, don't know if this has been said yet... but obviously a must win game tonight. Need to go all out for this one, Mitch. Have Pop on FaceTime if you need to.

[Leetonidas]

Johnson smh

[timtonymanu]

thinking the old man would be starting Castle over CP3 tbh

People are so desperate to get rid of Mitch, they forget how bad pop’s rotations were.

[NASpurs]

It's funny watching Wemby shooting behind Sean and just clanking every shot.

[BatManu20]

Starting a 40 year-old PG who slows the game down beside your new, lightning-quick PG who likes to speed the game up because you don’t want to hurt the 40 year’old’s feelings while simultaneously tanking your star Rookie’s surging ROY campaign when it’s his to lose

I’d expect nothing less from this Coaching Staff and Front Office tbh.

[onechance87]

for sure must win...Cp3 can start...but castle better be first off bench and get 30 mins

[LeBowen]

Tbh, Mitch started DNP-ing Collins and will always have my gra ude.
But he has to show he's an actual NBA level coach over the next few months.


Great, no Spurs feed on LP, just ing ESPN and Richard Jefferson.

[BatManu20]

[Mugen]

The Spurs ruled Bassey out because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. After trading another reserve big, Zach Collins, to Chicago on Monday, the Spurs will be forced to use either Jeremy Sochan and Harrison Barnes, both forwards, as backups to Victor Wembanyama at center.

The Spurs are hopeful Bassey can return after the All-Star break when they return to action on Feb. 20 against Phoenix in Austin. If that's the case, he will have been sidelined for five games.

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/s...r-20148353.php

I honestly dont know what else Mamu can do to earn minutes with this f'n organization tbh