Game Takeaways: Raptors @ Spurs

[SAGirl]

A takeaway that hasn't been mentioned: BP3 showed some nice playmaking on the few minutes he played.

Agreed. Pleasant surprise with him. He also was shooting well in preseason and summer. He looks like he will be solid.

[emanueldavidginobili]

My god Pau doesn’t even look like he belongs in the NBA right now.

[Dex]

Buddy of mine caught DJ's game-worn sleeve after the game.

[Chinook]

We will have to see what happens when kawhi gets back. Those touches will recede. I hope they find a way to make it work.

It's not just LMA. Aldridge, Green, Anderson and Murray may all regress to their previous forms when the entire foundation of then starting unit shifts to Kawhiso. Of course if that happens, you'll have folks going " this team outside Kawhi "

[BillMc]

Does anyone think LMA is really doing that much better? I mean he's happier, so that alone is good. But he's shooting a worse percentage. His minutes are up which probably accounts for the additional rebounds. And he busted his butt on d last year too. So, he's got more volume, but is he better? The narrative is the "old LaMarcus is back". But I think its more like "LaMarcus takes more shots, plays more minutes, is about the same, maybe a little worse."

Of course when Kawhi returns his efficiency should improve, but the shot volume and probably minute volume will decrease. I think he's a raw numbers guy and so is the media.

[RD2191]

Does anyone think LMA is really doing that much better? I mean he's happier, so that alone is good. But he's shooting a worse percentage. His minutes are up which probably accounts for the additional rebounds. And he busted his butt on d last year too. So, he's got more volume, but is he better? The narrative is the "old LaMarcus is back". But I think its more like "LaMarcus takes more shots, plays more minutes, is about the same, maybe a little worse."

Of course when Kawhi returns his efficiency should improve, but the shot volume and probably minute volume will decrease. I think he's a raw numbers guy and so is the media.

Bill dropping truth nukes.

[sasaint]

With all the good Murray brings right now ... Pau Gasol is awful ... and just when I wanted more of his minutes for Lauvergne the man gets injured

Exactly. I even think Pop was wanting the same thing. Now Pau has to get his act together.

[BillMc]

Bill dropping truth nukes.

How'd the pistols at dawn go? Since you're here alive and breathing you must have won.

[sasaint]

Does anyone think LMA is really doing that much better? I mean he's happier, so that alone is good. But he's shooting a worse percentage. His minutes are up which probably accounts for the additional rebounds. And he busted his butt on d last year too. So, he's got more volume, but is he better? The narrative is the "old LaMarcus is back". But I think its more like "LaMarcus takes more shots, plays more minutes, is about the same, maybe a little worse."

Of course when Kawhi returns his efficiency should improve, but the shot volume and probably minute volume will decrease. I think he's a raw numbers guy and so is the media.

LMA showed what I have wanted on one play last night - his bullying Serge on Serge's sixth foul. Otherwise, I agree. He is not a very efficient offensive player. Period. I am concerned that he will go into pouting doldrums when Kawhi returns and he becomes a second banana again - especially if Dijon continues to play at a high level and get a lot of media attention. I just hope that when Tony and (especially) Kawhi return that the transition will be smooth both on and off the court.

[BillMc]

LMA showed what I have wanted on one play last night - his bullying Serge on Serge's sixth foul. Otherwise, I agree. He is not a very efficient offensive player. Period. I am concerned that he will go into pouting doldrums when Kawhi returns and he becomes a second banana again - especially if Dijon continues to play at a high level and get a lot of media attention. I just hope that when Tony and (especially) Kawhi return that the transition will be smooth both on and off the court.

All valid points. I share your concern.

[r0drig0lac]

Does anyone think LMA is really doing that much better? I mean he's happier, so that alone is good. But he's shooting a worse percentage. His minutes are up which probably accounts for the additional rebounds. And he busted his butt on d last year too. So, he's got more volume, but is he better? The narrative is the "old LaMarcus is back". But I think its more like "LaMarcus takes more shots, plays more minutes, is about the same, maybe a little worse."

Of course when Kawhi returns his efficiency should improve, but the shot volume and probably minute volume will decrease. I think he's a raw numbers guy and so is the media.

[RD2191]

How'd the pistols at dawn go? Since you're here alive and breathing you must have won.

Yeah, I took out that dirty imposter. If he comes back it'll be as a ghost and I'll be screwed.

[BillMc]

Yeah, I took out that dirty imposter. If he comes back it'll be as a ghost and I'll be screwed.

Hey, its almost Halloween so you never know.

[Ice009]

After Duncan left I lost a lot of interest in the team and missed a lot of games last year but with Murray in the fold and playing like this, my interest level is pretty high again. It's gonna be fun watching this kid progress and develop. Who knows what he is capable of. Apology thread? or to soon...

I'm sorry, but you kind of lost me here. Did you not get excited seeing all of Kawhi's hard work pay off last season, culminating in the playoffs with Kawhi turning himself into a Superstar through sheer hard work and will?

You're excited about three good/great games from Murray at the start of the season, but Kawhi himself last season playing as a top 3 player on the planet didn't really do much for you last season?

[Prose]

1.murry is amazing. 15 boards from the gaurd position! 4 assist shy of a tribute doub. Westbrook like.
2. Manu continue to show he is a living ledgend
3. Lma playing with a passion he has not shown in a spurs jersey, looks to lost 10 pounds
4. Jeffrey crashing the boards and playing with a high energy level. Just imagine when he starts finishing off plays. Sucks he got hurt but I guess now we can see Davis.
5. Gay continues to impress. He is longer than I thought seeing him out on the court. Just wish he would lose maybe 5-10 pounds seems to have gained after the injury
6. Mills continues to be a non factor. What happens when tony returns
7. Kyle playing well even at his Molases pase
8. Gasol continues to struggle.
9. Paul thrown into the fire to gaurd derozana and was impressive
10. For all the green hater he continues to improve. He added a step back jumper and is more agressive

[duncan2k5]

kyle is horrible! he made some HORRIBLY ill-advised passes...missed wide open layups, played bad defense, and had them raps all over the boards...im not sure why he gets so much of a pass...to the point where ppl actually think he needs to start, but murray makes one mistake, and ppl think he isnt NBA material...he cant pass, shoot,nor layup...his defense consists of him reaching around for the steal after his defender blows by him...trade fodder, tbh

[rjv]

no opponent over 100 yet this season and that is what i am most pleased about. defense has been great because the effort has been great. the energy has been contagious. with the exception of gasol who seems to me moving at the pace of a largo measure sung by placido domingo.

[Chinook]

Does anyone think LMA is really doing that much better? I mean he's happier, so that alone is good. But he's shooting a worse percentage. His minutes are up which probably accounts for the additional rebounds. And he busted his butt on d last year too. So, he's got more volume, but is he better? The narrative is the "old LaMarcus is back". But I think its more like "LaMarcus takes more shots, plays more minutes, is about the same, maybe a little worse."

Of course when Kawhi returns his efficiency should improve, but the shot volume and probably minute volume will decrease. I think he's a raw numbers guy and so is the media.

It was never about efficiency with LMA. He was never going to be as efficient as the first option. Danny's efficiency is pretty bad this year too, for example. Instead, it's about at ude, tone and predictability. An Aldridge who runs down the court, pins his man and moves faster is just much more or the opponent to deal with. Him being ready to go faster and more consistently gives makes everyone get into their sets earlier. Him being more decisive means the offense can progress to the next option faster and in a way where guys can do things off the ball without needing a specific play called.

LMA can definitely play better, which is one of the things that really makes this team's potential scary. They aren't feeding him right yet, and he's still fading away way too much instead of trying to get to the basket. Dude still loafs every once in a while too. But an Aldridge that feels like he controls the fate of the team seems more inclined to get back on D and up on O. He's had at least two chase-down blocks in three games this year. That wasn't something he did much at all before.

[Spur|n|Austin]

kyle is horrible! he made some HORRIBLY ill-advised passes...missed wide open layups, played bad defense, and had them raps all over the boards...im not sure why he gets so much of a pass...to the point where ppl actually think he needs to start, but murray makes one mistake, and ppl think he isnt NBA material...he cant pass, shoot,nor layup...his defense consists of him reaching around for the steal after his defender blows by him...trade fodder, tbh

Another hot crap take!

[dabom]

It's not just LMA. Aldridge, Green, Anderson and Murray may all regress to their previous forms when the entire foundation of then starting unit shifts to Kawhiso. Of course if that happens, you'll have folks going " this team outside Kawhi "

Why do you even think the team regresses. Why are you always betting against Kawhi? The offense sucks right now. We're playing bad teams. This team ain't beating the warriors without Kawhi.

[dabom]

People quickly forget Kawhi was playing like the GOAT in the playoffs. Stop talking about our best player.

[Chinook]

Why do you even think the team regresses. Why are you always betting against Kawhi? The offense sucks right now. We're playing bad teams. This team ain't beating the warriors without Kawhi.

I never said the team will regress. I just said most of their best players will. And just like last year, people will pretend Kawhi didn't have a supporting cast, even though he had guys who could play the whole time. The team needs to find a balance between Kawhiso, LMA post-ups and everyone else. Last year, their balance was awful, and only Kawhi really looked good. Can't have that again.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Kyle will not match up well against elite tier small ball teams. He's simply too slow. It's mitigated if everyone else around him plays good D, but I don't see it.

[dabom]

I never said the team will regress. I just said most of their best players will. And just like last year, people will pretend Kawhi didn't have a supporting cast, even though he had guys who could play the whole time. The team needs to find a balance between Kawhiso, LMA post-ups and everyone else. Last year, their balance was awful, and only Kawhi really looked good. Can't have that again.

You're making it seem like Kawhi was some ball hog or something. Kawhi was up on the Warriors 23 before being zaza'ed. Don't ing try to blame him for . The team is lucky to have him.

[Chinook]

Kyle will not match up well against elite tier small ball teams. He's simply too slow. It's mitigated if everyone else around him plays good D, but I don't see it.

He's too slow for what?