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Are our heroes the worst team in the West?
http://www.nba.com/standings#/
Welp, this road trip hasn't gone as planned. The Spurs were thoroughly dismantled by a Suns team that entered the contest with a 2-11 record.
The 116-96 final score doesn't even tell the whole story about how bad it was for the good guys. Phoenix sprinted to an early 19-point lead. After San Antonio caught up, the Suns proceeded to blow the Spurs out again -- leaving now doubt which team was better.
The Spurs are now 7-6 and have lost four of their last five games.
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LaMarcus Aldridge
This was just a really poor effort from LaMarcus Aldridge. He was handily outplayed by Deandre Ayton. To make matters worse, Aldridge seemed satisfied simply going through the motions. On offense, he connected on only one of his first ten shots from the field. His passing was late and off-target, as has been the case recently (he has one assist in his last 135 minutes). Defensively, he was extremely slow to help out on the perimeter and also didn't put up much of a fight in the paint, either. The only thing keeping Aldridge from an F would be his better than average work on the boards.
Grade: D-
Summary: Aldridge laid and egg.
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DeMar DeRozan
On offense, I thought DeMar DeRozan was fine. He looked comfortable for the first time since Derrick White's return. He consistently attacked, cut down on his mistakes, created plays for others and paraded to the charity stripe. Defense was where DeRozan was sub par tonight. He was slow-footed and allowed constant penetration. His help defense was a couple steps slow. DeRozan has been pretty decent at times defensively this season . . . but that was not the case against Phoenix.
Grade: B-
Summary: DeRozan played well enough on offense but struggled on the other end.
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Derrick White
Derrick White got some trash buckets at the end of the game to help camouflage what was a really underwhelming performance. Defensively, his closeouts on shooters were slow and his on-ball intensity was inconsistent. Offensively, he was much too hesitant in the first half. And while he had a few nifty dishes, he was too sloppy with the ball and was usually slow to get the Spurs into their sets.
Grade: D+
Summary: White needs to prove that his performance against the Rockets wasn't an outlier.
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Bryn Forbes
While Bryn Forbes was far from great, he played relatively well. I thought his on-ball defense was solid for the most part and his attention to detail on that end was better than usual. He pressured without fouling and rotated quicker than his teammates. On offense, he was aggressive looking for is own shot. The Suns had to account for him at all times, which helped open driving lanes.
Grade: B+
Summary: You can't blame Forbes for this loss.
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Dante Cunningham
Dante Cunningham's hustle was commendable. But, again, that was about the extent of his contributions. I don't think his defense was actually that good outside of his hustle plays. He wasn't contesting three-pointers well and he was slow to rotate more often than not. Offensively, his presence continues to muck things up. It's difficult to score on the NBA level, especially with today's rules, when you're going 4-on-5.
Grade: C-
Summary: Cunningham had a few hustle plays. Nothing else.
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Marco Belinelli
Compared to last game, Marco Belinelli was better. Unfortunately, that's not saying much. Last game, he was too listless. Tonight, Belinelli's activity level was back to normal but he struggled to convert his activity into positive basketball plays. He missed more shots; Belinelli is shooting 30.6 percent over his last four games and 38.2 percent for the season. Defensively, he had a few good possessions but overall he was par at best.
Grade: C
Summary: Belinelli isn't providing the bench spark the Spurs need.
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Patty Mills
I don't have much to complain about regarding Patty Mills. On defense, he was active and swiped three of the team's seven steals. Mills was one of the few Spurs who appeared to be locked in on his defensive responsibilities. On offense, he was good enough. Mills passed the ball better than usual and hit all four of his shots from two-point range.
Grade: B+
Summary: In his 21 minutes, Mills had a pulse. On this night, that was notable.
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Jakob Poeltl
Better? Not really. Jakob Poeltl impacted the box score more than usual but I struggle to point to many highlights. He rebounded pretty well but also gave up a few rebounds he should have corralled. He had a couple blocks but also had a few horrendous non-rotations that left the lane wide open. He had a season-high in points but also had some of the softest attempts around the rim that you'll ever witness. I guess the silver lining was Poeltl was more active than usual -- even though a lot of that activity ended poorly.
Grade: C-
Summary: Poeltl didn't have the breakout performance his numbers may suggest.
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Davis Bertans
Davis Bertans' main flaw is making him difficult to play: his atrocious work on the defensive glass. He just sucks at all facets of rebounding, to put it bluntly. He can't box out. He's slow to react to the ball hitting the rim. And then he somehow can't even grab the ball when it's within his grasp. Against the Suns, his rotations were slower than usual and he wasn't as mentally engaged as he'd been in recent affairs. Offensively, he missed both of his perimeter shots and didn't help out in any other area.
Grade: C-
Summary: Bertans' inability to rebound on the defensive end is getting on Pop's last nerve.
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Quincy Pondexter
Quincy Pondexter entered the game for defensive purposes. It didn't work. His best defensive play was on the offensive end when he intercepted a pass that would have resulted in a Forbes three-point attempt. Whoops.
Grade: Inc.
Summary: The coaches turned to Pondexter for defense but the Suns didn't slow down.
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Pop
I keep harping on it but it's becoming more and more obvious: the starting lineup is broken. Cunningham just isn't a threat on the offensive end and it's making life too difficult for the other four players. And it's not like Cunningham is Bruce Bowen on the defensive end. In fact, he's a below average defender who masks his deficiencies a bit by hustling and being physical. It has also become clear that Pop needs to do a better job of staggering DeRozan and White. Those are the only two playmakers on the team so one should always be on the court.
Grade: C-
Summary: Pop's mistakes begin with the starting lineup and trickle down from there.
Looking ahead: The Spurs now face a back-to-back in Los Angeles against the Clippers. Considering how bad the Spurs looked in their first back-to-back this season, this will be a tough contest. Oh, and the Clips have won six straight games at home, including victories over the Warriors, Bucks, T'Wolves, Thunder and Rockets.
A win could partly salvage this road trip but don't count on it.
Are our heroes the worst team in the West?
http://www.nba.com/standings#/
They lost four of the last five to games. Rudy Gay has only played in one of the last five. Hmm...
This team needs to have a starting lineup of White, Forbes, DeRozan, Gay, & Aldridge. Maybe Poeltl, Aldridge, Gay, DeRozan, and White. Not sure if that's possible because of Gay's health. I believe this team is better when Gay starts.
Marco still sucks and Aldridge doesn't look motivated overall this season.
Thanks for the grades. This was a rough night and one of the worst games I've witnessed in a long time. At one point in the 3rd and into the 4th it seemed we turned the ball over, made horrible shots, and got beaten in every way on every possesion. I'll be watching tomorrow, but don't have my hopes up high.
In the last 19 years of following the Spurs, I have never felt that the squad won't make the playoffs, even in the late 2000s when Manu was injured badly and Duncan was going through a rough patch. I guess this is looking as the year when the Spurs project finally fell short. A remarkable and unprecedented run in compe ive sports, but it looks like it is over. This squad is poor in defense and tries to make up with effort. It has severe limitations in offense (playmaking, primitive way of scoring, three point weakness). It seems over. Sadly. Unless, the Spurs get someone like Ariza through a waiver later in the season or steal someone via trade.. this seems a lost cause. And I bought league pass for this
19 years of Spurs viewership and you thought this team was good.In the last 19 years of following the Spurs, I have never felt that the squad won't make the playoffs, even in the late 2000s when Manu was injured badly and Duncan was going through a rough patch. I guess this is looking as the year when the Spurs project finally fell short. A remarkable and unprecedented run in compe ive sports, but it looks like it is over. This squad is poor in defense and tries to make up with effort. It has severe limitations in offense (playmaking, primitive way of scoring, three point weakness). It seems over. Sadly
Dude, relax, you get to watch all the new HEB commercials with Forbes in themI bought league pass for this
Thanks, timvp, for once again going above and beyond the call of duty.
I'm thinking you're right about DDR and White. Maybe, give DDR the start at the point - if he wants it - then bring White off the bench at pg. It would also give the chance to separate Forbes and Mills. Put Forbes with DDR, and Mills with White, as the shooting guard. Worth a try.
It was a disgrace. One of the most painful to watch games over the last 15 years or so. No effort, no skill and no execution on either side. Hopefully they are ashamed of themselves
Was it more painful than getting blown out at home by the hapless Magic? Was it more painful than getting slapped by Miami missing five rotation players? Was it more painful than losing to the Sacramento Kings? I don't know, man. it seems this team is going to find new ways to disappoint all season long.
If Ariza is available later in the season, why the will he go to the Spurs? He'll go to the contender or perceived contender like PhillyIn the last 19 years of following the Spurs, I have never felt that the squad won't make the playoffs, even in the late 2000s when Manu was injured badly and Duncan was going through a rough patch. I guess this is looking as the year when the Spurs project finally fell short. A remarkable and unprecedented run in compe ive sports, but it looks like it is over. This squad is poor in defense and tries to make up with effort. It has severe limitations in offense (playmaking, primitive way of scoring, three point weakness). It seems over. Sadly
Yeah, it was much worse because Suns are trash and played like trash; one of the worst if not the worst team in the league (maybe tied with Atlanta). Magic killed us with 3 point shooting, they just caught fire early. Sacramento game at least was somehow entertaining going back and forth until we showed our crunch-time magic. In Miami Whiteside decided to have a career night. But here Phoenix was ready to present us the win as a tanking team should, especially without their veteran and best defender.
Timvp, thanks for the grades! Enjoyable read as always! But this time you were too generous ((
Thanks TIMVP. I also think this time you've been too generous...in a 20 point loss agaist the worst team in the league any player's vote cannot be more than a d...except some peculiar and notable case. In this game I frankly don't see such case...
"It's difficult to score on the NBA level, especially with today's rules, when you're going 4-on-5."
spurs played 1-on-5 this night
Thanks for the write up. Was gonna watch the whole reply of the game but think I'll skip that...
So this is what being a fan of a mediocre basketball team is like.....
Sad time to be a Spurs fan tbh ...
wouldn’t mind shaking up the roster a bit
still not late to tank
We might end up tanking without meaning to tbh. Getting a top 5 pick to play with LMA and DDR?? CIA pop
NBA UPDATED POWER RANKINGS Spurs #25 and falling
Mediocre? Heck, this team is not that good. This team is just bad.So this is what being a fan of a mediocre basketball team is like.....
I'm officially concerned about LMA.
After a great year he has looked very pedestrian.
Hurt? Out of shape? Other?
Rebounds are decent
That's what second option Aldridge looks like.
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