Observations From the Opener

[Blue-Lightning]

1. Spurs are still working on finding a rhythm for LMA. Although he receives isolation post-ups from time to time, he's still not a part of many plays others than screens at the top of the key. Once those change to pick and rolls with less awkwardness, good things will happen. In the meantime, LMA will be lucky to average 15 ppg.

2. I'm not anti Tony Parker at all. At all. That said, facts are stubborn things, and Pop is going to have to adjust to the fact that Tony Parker is a MAJOR liability on defense. Players are most fresh at the beginning of the season, and I was amazed at how slow Parker's footwork has become. He will still make some tear drops and contested layups, but this is a grim problem for the Spurs. The decline in speed for TP has been dramatic. Which leads to #3:

3. The Spurs cannot afford to keep Manu Ginobili out of the rotation to end games if he continues to play as well as he has throughout the preseason. It is imperative that he play less than 25 mpg, but Ginobili was a fabulous catalyst for good things while on the court... and when he left it was put totally on Kawhi's shoulders to make things happen. I don't care about Parker's psyche, if things continue as is for the next few games, it's time to consider playing Ginobili at PG in the final 3 minutes of close games.

4. Tim Duncan shows zero signs of deterioration from last year and amazes with his selflessness. Duncan never demanded the ball, never took an unnecessary shot. He is the greatest Hall of Famer to care so little about stats. Fantastic.

5. David West is completely and utterly lost. His effort was there, but he has no idea what is going on around him. Hopefully he can get things fixed by the midway point, because right now he's a detriment to offensive movement.

6. Kawhi is a top ten player now and will be the alpha in front of Aldridge. Whether or not that causes issues with Aldridge and why he came to the team waits to be seen. Leonard's defensive a en and physical prowess have maximized and his offensive skills have amazingly caught up completely. Few players ever see such a huge increase in offensive abilities from their rookie year to their prime. Kawhi has gone from a defensive role player a la Bowen in his rookie year to a legitimate destroyer of teams.

7. The Spurs have zero, and I mean zero, means by which to stop premier scoring point guards. There are no bandaids for this issue with the current roster.

8. The experiment of West and Diaw on the frontcourt is an experiment that will not work. Though the effort is there, the size is just too lacking. This combination along with Parker's defense in the fourth quarter were the two glaring reasons the Spurs lost a game while looking much better.

[HarlemHeat37]

West will be fine, as long as he isn't asked to create for himself..he hesitated on jump shots last night, but it was evident that he's still working his way into the system..virtually every time the camera zoomed in on him, he was seen talking to his teammates on the court and discussing plays(pointing at spots on the floor, nodding his head, etc)..

As long as he takes those mid-range Js all day, he'll be fine IMO..

The frontcourt defense in the 2nd unit is definitely a concern, but there aren't many teams that have a player with Kanter's ability coming off their bench(Rockets have Montejunas, but he doesn't have size..Warriors don't have anybody of that nature, etc)..he's a huge liability in a starting lineup, but his lack of defense is mostly irrelevant coming off the bench..

[ElNono]

Good writeup.

About #7, I think Danny can be that guy. Maybe not stop, but do a solid job. It's more complicated, because if #2 happens often and players get confident, then it gets harder to slow them down. On the other hand, it's good we had a solid look in game 1 on this. Plenty of time to work out solutions.

Also #8 will take time, and, as you say, it might not work in the long run, but I also though Boris was pretty lazy, and the P&R defense was just too bad with him and Patty. Boris is really important for what we want to do with that 2nd unit, and I didn't think he was really engaged on both ends last night. Hopefully it doesn't become "bad Boris" as it has happened previously in his career, tbh...

[BillMc]

I wonder if playing Timmy some more time with the bench, in place of West, would help some of these rebounding/defensive issues. I'm not saying bench Tim (heave forbid!) but match the subs uion patterns so he has more time with them. Conversely West or Boban could get some run with the starters. LMA at 6-11 and when engaged defensively can do things Boris and West can't, so maybe he can take up the slack without Duncan and let Duncan help out the backups.

One wonders if Simmons has the speed to guard quick pgs? But his offense, particularly his handles, are such a liability that I don't think Pop can play him.

[Brazil]

Good writeup.

About #7, I think Danny can be that guy. Maybe not stop, but do a solid job. It's more complicated, because if #2 happens often and players get confident, then it gets harder to slow them down. On the other hand, it's good we had a solid look in game 1 on this. Plenty of time to work out solutions.

Also #8 will take time, and, as you say, it might not work in the long run, but I also though Boris was pretty lazy, and the P&R defense was just too bad with him and Patty. Boris is really important for what we want to do with that 2nd unit, and I didn't think he was really engaged on both ends last night. Hopefully it doesn't become "bad Boris" as it has happened previously in his career, tbh...

wtf

you did not watch or something ?

Despite the fact Bobo played his first meaningful minutes of the year last night, he had a very solid 20 mn that even translated to the box score, 4/5 on shooting, 6 assists !! (second best of the team) with 2 stl, 3 blocks ! Along with Kawhi and Manu, he was the best Spurs. He had a couple of clutch plays in defense that put the Spurs in excellent situation to win the game. The only down side was his lack of effort in the rebound department. For the rest you can't ask better impact for a player off the bench logging 20 mn

[Fireball]

I also vote for Timmy to get a quick break in the 1st and 3rd quarter so that Diaw or West play with LMA ... and Timmy later plays with Manu in the 2nd unit

[Blue-Lightning]

wtf

you did not watch or something ?

Despite the fact Bobo played his first meaningful minutes of the year last night, he had a very solid 20 mn that even translated to the box score, 4/5 on shooting, 6 assists !! (second best of the team) with 2 stl, 3 blocks ! Along with Kawhi and Manu, he was the best Spurs. He had a couple of clutch plays in defense that put the Spurs in excellent situation to win the game. The only down side was his lack of effort in the rebound department. For the rest you can't ask better impact for a player off the bench logging 20 mn

Diaw played great... but when paired with West, our rebounding becomes atrocious. When playing with Duncan or LMA, Diaw is a tremendous asset.

[Brazil]

Diaw played great... but when paired with West, our rebounding becomes atrocious. When playing with Duncan or LMA, Diaw is a tremendous asset.

this is what I mentionned, the only drawback of Boris night is the rebound but it is one stuff in an ocean of good things... great effort on Defense, great playmaking, great shooting night... you can't seriously ask for more for his first real game of the season

[tmtcsc]

I'm not worried about West. He missed some shots last night but he'll be fine. I am concerned about rebounding the most. Tim needed to be on the floor for more minutes.

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

We played well overall, can't knock this team. If we lose to Brooklyn, then there's a reason to panic.

- Aldridge was nervous, he just needs to get put into the offense more and take a few more shots.
- Green looked cold, but we know Green starts the year off slow, and finds his mold.
- We should try to run Diaw at the 3 and Boban at the 5 at times with bigger line-ups. Absolutely no excuse for Boban not to dress up.
- West looked fine. His midrange jumper is good. Rebounding we all knew was going to be an issue with him and Diaw in.

[sananspursfan21]

wtf

you did not watch or something ?

Despite the fact Bobo played his first meaningful minutes of the year last night, he had a very solid 20 mn that even translated to the box score, 4/5 on shooting, 6 assists !! (second best of the team) with 2 stl, 3 blocks ! Along with Kawhi and Manu, he was the best Spurs. He had a couple of clutch plays in defense that put the Spurs in excellent situation to win the game. The only down side was his lack of effort in the rebound department. For the rest you can't ask better impact for a player off the bench logging 20 mn

I agree. Hasn't Diaw's style of play always looked lazy and effortless? That's kind of why I crack up at him every time he's on the floor. It's so sloth like, yet, somehow effective. Not to say that at times he's off his game, it's not annoying either. He's a little like Ginobili in that sense.

[sananspursfan21]

We played well overall, can't knock this team. If we lose to Brooklyn, then there's a reason to panic.

- Aldridge was nervous, he just needs to get put into the offense more and take a few more shots.
- Green looked cold, but we know Green starts the year off slow, and finds his mold.
- We should try to run Diaw at the 3 and Boban at the 5 at times with bigger line-ups. Absolutely no excuse for Boban not to dress up.
- West looked fine. His midrange jumper is good. Rebounding we all knew was going to be an issue with him and Diaw in.

Aldridge missed a lot of "Aldridge type shots". I would chalk it up to nervousness or overthinking as well. He had a lot rim out. I just wish the first game of the season would have been a warm up, kind of a shame it had to be a test type game....

[baseline bum]

I wish they would have gone to West more when Kanter was on him in the third. Kanter is basically the center version of Parker on defense.

[ElNono]

wtf

you did not watch or something ?

Despite the fact Bobo played his first meaningful minutes of the year last night, he had a very solid 20 mn that even translated to the box score, 4/5 on shooting, 6 assists !! (second best of the team) with 2 stl, 3 blocks ! Along with Kawhi and Manu, he was the best Spurs. He had a couple of clutch plays in defense that put the Spurs in excellent situation to win the game. The only down side was his lack of effort in the rebound department. For the rest you can't ask better impact for a player off the bench logging 20 mn

I watched the whole game, that's why I'm not going by boxscore numbers... I even made this same point in the game thread...

He was extremely poor in the P&R in the 3rd quarter (Patty too to be fair), not bodying up his big, and I know for a fact he can play a lot more physical defense. On offense, I remember one or two postups, nothing notable though.

It's not a big deal, he had a long summer and missed a bunch of the preseason games... but something to keep an eye on as the season moves along.

[Russ]

7. The Spurs have zero, and I mean zero, means by which to stop premier scoring point guards. There are no bandaids for this issue with the current roster.

No one does. Most elite point guards can't play D and aren't expected to. And it's usually the other PG trying to stop the scoring PG.

[Brazil]

I watched the whole game, that's why I'm not going by boxscore numbers... I even made this same point in the game thread...

He was extremely poor in the P&R in the 3rd quarter (Patty too to be fair), not bodying up his big, and I know for a fact he can play a lot more physical defense. On offense, I remember one or two postups, nothing notable though.

It's not a big deal, he had a long summer and missed a bunch of the preseason games... but something to keep an eye on as the season moves along.

I saw your comments in the game thread but they still don't make sense... I'm not sure where you see he was not engaged... a dude not engaged don't give you 9 pts, 6 assists, 3 blks and 2 stl... Diaw always look nonchalant, it does not mean his effort is lacking

Thinking he could body up more his opponent during a stretch in the 3rd is quite different than "he was not engaged on both end of the floor"... On the offensive end particurlay you cannot be serious... nothing notable ? 4/5 and 6 assists are not notable.. in 20 min... that's 16 pts and 10 assists per 36 on 80% shooting ? smh

[Blue-Lightning]

No one does. Most elite point guards can't play D and aren't expected to. And it's usually the other PG trying to stop the scoring PG.

That's the problem - Parker can't defend.

[Brazil]

That's the problem - Parker can't defend.

that's not his point

[ElNono]

I saw your comments in the game thread but they still don't make sense... I'm not sure where you see he was not engaged... a dude not engaged don't give you 9 pts, 6 assists, 3 blks and 2 stl... Diaw always look nonchalant, it does not mean his effort is lacking

Thinking he could body up more his opponent during a stretch in the 3rd is quite different than "he was not engaged on both end of the floor"... On the offensive end particurlay you cannot be serious... nothing notable ? 4/5 and 6 assists are not notable.. in 20 min... that's 16 pts and 10 assists per 36 on 80% shooting ? smh

My main complain was in the 3rd quarter defending the pick & roll, with Adams basically dropping one floater after another over him. There's no reason for that, he can body him up, but did not.

I actually though his defense outside of that was okay, mostly stand up defense, like in that little stretch with 7 mins left in the 4th...

On offense, I remember he had a nice postup, a missed postup right at the rim, and a basket in transition... that's half his 4/5 right there... I didn't think he stood out, but it could easily be my eyes deceiving me...

We disagree, I guess... only one game, not really worried, tbh

[silverblackfan]

Good points. I am glad that Pop held out his largest point guard and center for this game. It was a tough game in a tough place to win. Spurs still looking solid for the first road game. The closing of quarters will hopefully be fixed in the next 10 games.

[Brazil]

My main complain was in the 3rd quarter defending the pick & roll, with Adams basically dropping one floater after another over him. There's no reason for that, he can body him up, but did not.

I actually though his defense outside of that was okay, mostly stand up defense, like in that little stretch with 7 mins left in the 4th...

On offense, I remember he had a nice postup, a missed postup right at the rim, and a basket in transition... that's half his 4/5 right there... I didn't think he stood out, but it could easily be my eyes deceiving me...

We disagree, I guess... only one game, not really worried, tbh

let's agree to disagree...

[Horse]

All this said Danny hits either of his wide open 3's and they may have blew it open. I'm not worried at all.

[TrainOfThought5]

Good writeup.

About #7, I think Danny can be that guy. Maybe not stop, but do a solid job. It's more complicated, because if #2 happens often and players get confident, then it gets harder to slow them down. On the other hand, it's good we had a solid look in game 1 on this. Plenty of time to work out solutions.

Also #8 will take time, and, as you say, it might not work in the long run, but I also though Boris was pretty lazy, and the P&R defense was just too bad with him and Patty. Boris is really important for what we want to do with that 2nd unit, and I didn't think he was really engaged on both ends last night. Hopefully it doesn't become "bad Boris" as it has happened previously in his career, tbh...

Holy ing ... bobo mightve been the second best spur last night. Only Gino was giving him a run for his money.

ElNono gettin old. ElNono needs glasses

[dabom]

Bobo and west were getting killed on the boards to scrub kanter. Did ya not see that ?

[Keepin' it real]

First, it's so refreshing to see a decent post on Spurstalk for a change, so thanks OP.

1. LMA had a bad shooting night and still managed 11. I think he will easily average 16-18 ppg in the very near future.

3. The Spurs must limit Manu's minutes at all costs, even if it means sacrificing several regular season games.

5. West was completely and utterly lost? I didn't notice that. I noticed some tenacity and a good putback. Sure, he doesn't have the corporate knowledge of Matt Bonner, but that will come with time.

7. No means of stopping top scoring PGs? I seem to remember Kawhi holding his own against MVP PG Steph Curry last year. Plus, no one can stop Westbrook.

8. A Diaw and West frontcourt is light years ahead of where the Spurs were just 3 years ago with Bonner and Blair. The Spurs' frontcourt is likely the team's greatest asset. Pop will figure out the rotations. Not worried about this in the least.

My takeaways from the game were:

• Wow, LMA and West are such HUGE upgrades over Splitter and Baynes. It was a joy to watch, even if neither had a stellar night.
• So fun watching Kawhi be a two-way beast. I only hope he can bring the O every night because his scoring is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.
• Can you imagine how deadly this team will be by the playoffs? Barring injury, I see no way any team can beat the Spurs in a 7 game series.