Grades: Spurs vs. Blazers - Dec. 2, 2018

[Coach X]

Thanks for the grades timvp. Always interesting.

Regarding your concerns about good invidual performances not being reflected on the scoreboard, I have to say that I think that you overvalue offensive game and undervalue defense. Aldridge and DeRozan didn't have a good defensive game, being nothing better than mediocre. Same for the rest, with Rudy playing specially bad defense. The energy was there and they had a better predisposition to the defensive effort but there is still a lack of focus, toughness and defensive fundamentals.

White, Poetl and Aldridge seem to be the only ones who can make a defensive play. The rest of the team best outcome is to be disciplined and play hard which is more than what they are used to do and the close to the best of their capabilities. We all appreciate Patty's energy but it doesn't make him a good defender. Cunningham has happened to be inefficient. DeRozan doesn't play defense with the same mentality he works in the other end. Rudy has too many bad habits and Bertans, Forbes, Marco doesn't have the physical tools.

Yesterday's game shows very well this roster limitations as the improvement on the intensity and focus was evident but it didn't transfer into offensive problems for Portland.
The team needs all the coaching, all the defensive players on the court as much as possible and the best efforts from all the bad defenders in order to get wins against mid/good teams.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Fluke win tbh. The Spurs shot 60% from the field 73% from three and 90% from the free throw line. Those numbers are absurd. Just the 9th game in nba HISTORY that a team shot 60/70/90 and the game was a 6 point game with 7 minutes left.

That is frightening.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

2) Allowing Derrick White to play a bigger role. White is the team's best perimeter defender and has the best court vision on the team. He's also a steady, cerebral basketball player who can help smooth out rough edges. White has struggled (sometimes mightily so) with his confidence but his talents, even when his production was putrid, made his integration as a focal point of the rotation imperative. Tonight, he played 33 minutes and was, most importantly, brimming with confidence.

(While I'm hopeful that Pop has realized White has to be a primary pillar this team is built on, it has to be noted that Marco Belinelli missed the game with a stiff neck.)

Nice write-up! LJ le GOAT! I look forward to reading your recap more than anything on web or TV following a Spurs game.



I listened to the game on XM and then watched the replay. Several things jumped out at me:

A: White was instrumental down the stretch on Lillard. He disrupted several shots, blocked one that he got called for a foul on, and basically prevented any chance the Blazers had of relying on Lillard to carry them back late. I was super-impressed with how White played. I think that was his best game as a Spur. In spite of the Spurs' amazing shooting, they would have lost this one, too, if not for White's defense.


B: Poetl was impressive. He's looking really good out there as a rim defender. Maybe his best game as well. He may end up being a pretty good acquisition.

C: The fact that LMA played harder against his former team wasn't lost on me either. If he could play with this effort every night the Spurs would be far better than 11-12, even with their deficiencies. It pisses me off, in fact, that he doesn't have that same drive to win that Tim had, that Tony and Manu had, every single game. That's the difference between a multi-time champion and someone who's never sniffed the Finals I suppose...heart. He has the skill.

D: DeRozan is great at carrying the offense. He plays terrible defense. I keep expecting to see that change on the defensive side of the ball, but I don't know that will ever happen. I'm hopeful that the Spurs evolve into a team that has White, Murray, maybe Walker, DeRozan and Poetl as their core and build around that, because I think that group could hide DeRozan's defensive deficiencies and he could hide Murray's offensive deficiencies. Gives me hope for next season.

E: Belli wasn't missed. In fact the Spurs were far better off without him. He really hasn't brought anything to this team.


F: Rudy Gay plays with a lot of heart. For everything I said about LMA loafing, I think Rudy pushes every ounce he has out there every game. He may have over-trained this summer because he looks like he's really laboring just to be out there, but he's a frickin' warrior. I wish we had 100% Rudy. It would be nice if Pop could shut him down for a few weeks, but the Spurs need what he brings, unfortunately, if they stand a chance at staying compe ive.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Fluke win tbh. The Spurs shot 60% from the field 73% from three and 90% from the free throw line. Those numbers are absurd. Just the 9th game in nba HISTORY that a team shot 60/70/90 and the game was a 6 point game with 7 minutes left.

That is frightening.

[Dex]

Spent the weekend in SA. This is probably the only game I will make it to this season, so I was obviously nervous going in and happy for the W.

Thanks for keeping up the grades, timvp. Especially in a season when some of these games are particularly hard to watch.

[JPB]

Spent the weekend in SA. This is probably the only game I will make it to this season, so I was obviously nervous going in and happy for the W.

Thanks for keeping up the grades, timvp. Especially in a season when some of these games are particularly hard to watch.

Watch them in spanish, ask Bill.

[SAGirl]

Fluke win tbh. The Spurs shot 60% from the field 73% from three and 90% from the free throw line. Those numbers are absurd. Just the 9th game in nba HISTORY that a team shot 60/70/90 and the game was a 6 point game with 7 minutes left.

[SAGirl]

Thanks for the grades timvp. Always interesting.

Regarding your concerns about good invidual performances not being reflected on the scoreboard, I have to say that I think that you overvalue offensive game and undervalue defense. Aldridge and DeRozan didn't have a good defensive game, being nothing better than mediocre. Same for the rest, with Rudy playing specially bad defense. The energy was there and they had a better predisposition to the defensive effort but there is still a lack of focus, toughness and defensive fundamentals.

White, Poetl and Aldridge seem to be the only ones who can make a defensive play. The rest of the team best outcome is to be disciplined and play hard which is more than what they are used to do and the close to the best of their capabilities. We all appreciate Patty's energy but it doesn't make him a good defender. Cunningham has happened to be inefficient. DeRozan doesn't play defense with the same mentality he works in the other end. Rudy has too many bad habits and Bertans, Forbes, Marco doesn't have the physical tools.

Yesterday's game shows very well this roster limitations as the improvement on the intensity and focus was evident but it didn't transfer into offensive problems for Portland.
The team needs all the coaching, all the defensive players on the court as much as possible and the best efforts from all the bad defenders in order to get wins against mid/good teams.

I Always appreciate your knowledge and reviews.

[R. DeMurre]

Derrick White was the player I was most excited to watch this season, and I'm glad he's coming around. The idea of a White/Murray defensive combo in the future is definitely something to look forward to.

Also, something to think about: I know a lot of people have been criticizing PATFO for this roster, but if the unforeseen fallout with Kawhi and injury to Dejounte don't happen, the Spurs have a defensive backcourt of Murray, White, & Kawhi. That easily could've been the best defensive trio in the league.

[exstatic]

Fluke win tbh. The Spurs shot 60% from the field 73% from three and 90% from the free throw line. Those numbers are absurd. Just the 9th game in nba HISTORY that a team shot 60/70/90 and the game was a 6 point game with 7 minutes left.

Uh, did it finish as a 6 point game? Nope.

[SAGirl]

Nice write-up! LJ le GOAT! I look forward to reading your recap more than anything on web or TV following a Spurs game.



I listened to the game on XM and then watched the replay. Several things jumped out at me:

A: White was instrumental down the stretch on Lillard. He disrupted several shots, blocked one that he got called for a foul on, and basically prevented any chance the Blazers had of relying on Lillard to carry them back late. I was super-impressed with how White played. I think that was his best game as a Spur. In spite of the Spurs' amazing shooting, they would have lost this one, too, if not for White's defense.


B: Poetl was impressive. He's looking really good out there as a rim defender. Maybe his best game as well. He may end up being a pretty good acquisition.

C: The fact that LMA played harder against his former team wasn't lost on me either. If he could play with this effort every night the Spurs would be far better than 11-12, even with their deficiencies. It pisses me off, in fact, that he doesn't have that same drive to win that Tim had, that Tony and Manu had, every single game. That's the difference between a multi-time champion and someone who's never sniffed the Finals I suppose...heart. He has the skill.

D: DeRozan is great at carrying the offense. He plays terrible defense. I keep expecting to see that change on the defensive side of the ball, but I don't know that will ever happen. I'm hopeful that the Spurs evolve into a team that has White, Murray, maybe Walker, DeRozan and Poetl as their core and build around that, because I think that group could hide DeRozan's defensive deficiencies and he could hide Murray's offensive deficiencies. Gives me hope for next season.

E: Belli wasn't missed. In fact the Spurs were far better off without him. He really hasn't brought anything to this team.


F: Rudy Gay plays with a lot of heart. For everything I said about LMA loafing, I think Rudy pushes every ounce he has out there every game. He may have over-trained this summer because he looks like he's really laboring just to be out there, but he's a frickin' warrior. I wish we had 100% Rudy. It would be nice if Pop could shut him down for a few weeks, but the Spurs need what he brings, unfortunately, if they stand a chance at staying compe ive.

Good comments Chopper!

[Keepin' it real]

The Spurs shot 60% from the field 73% from three and 90% from the free throw line... Just the 9th game in nba HISTORY that a team shot 60/70/90...

We've split that rock!!! Next stop, the Finals!

[spurs10]

Uh, did it finish as a 6 point game? Nope.

Exactly and it also was coming back from being down 7 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd.

[hater]

White is fools gold this season

He will be good and terrible next game

Hes a rookie. Expected

[8FOR!3]

I think White long term is going to be our backup point guard to Murray. I don't think they will play together all that much.

[spurraider21]

white and murray could start in the same backcourt tbh

[TDMVPDPOY]

Derrick White was the player I was most excited to watch this season, and I'm glad he's coming around. The idea of a White/Murray defensive combo in the future is definitely something to look forward to.

Also, something to think about: I know a lot of people have been criticizing PATFO for this roster, but if the unforeseen fallout with Kawhi and injury to Dejounte don't happen, the Spurs have a defensive backcourt of Murray, White, & Kawhi. That easily could've been the best defensive trio in the league.

lol murray the overrated scrub defender who got defensive 2nd team due to consolation prize for losing both kawhi/green... hasnt shown he can lock down anyone, dunno how he won a 2nd defensive team

i take this years rejuvenated green even last seasons green over that scrub murray when it comes to defense only...

[emanueldavidginobili]

Uh, did it finish as a 6 point game? Nope.

Did you watch the whole game? At what point did you feel comfortable that the spurs were going to win? Because I wasn’t fully convinced until about 3 minutes left

[Mugen]

Did you watch the whole game? At what point did you feel comfortable that the spurs were going to win? Because I wasn’t fully convinced until about 3 minutes left

Blazers cut it to 8 with like a min left IIRC, pretty sure the Spurs blew that big of a lead against the Lakers earlier this year.

You'll get a lot of push back from the Pop apologist crew but it's a pretty telling stat about how bad this team is even when they fluke into a historic shooting night.

[Mugen]

white and murray could start in the same backcourt tbh

Yup, skillsets actually compliment each other well. Elephant in the room is Derozan since I question his fit with both of those guys tbh. It's probably going to be up to DWhite to get a lot better off the ball in order to share the court with Derozan since I dont see DD making an adjustment to his game at this point of his career.

OP is right though about White being far and away the best backcourt defender this team has currently. Pretty jarring watching him defend vs a guy like Bryn or Demar....and honestly DWhite is probably only a slightly above average backcourt defender right now.

[spurraider21]

Yup, skillsets actually compliment each other well. Elephant in the room is Derozan since I question his fit with both of those guys tbh. It's probably going to be up to DWhite to get a lot better off the ball in order to share the court with Derozan since I dont see DD making an adjustment to his game at this point of his career.

OP is right though about White being far and away the best backcourt defender this team has currently. Pretty jarring watching him defend vs a guy like Bryn or Demar....and honestly DWhite is probably only a slightly above average backcourt defender right now.

Murray/White can work... but it will be tough on White to find a balance between being an aggressive shooter but also a guy who can put the ball of the floor and collapse the D. Playing alongside Bryn/Patty, White doesn't really fill the sniper role. But alongside Murray/Derozan, he probably will have to.

Murray/Derozan is the awkward pairing, White doesn't factor into that imo. He's well-rounded enough to blend with any lineup tbh. Since White also plays good D, it's not a backbreaker to have some awkward moments on offense. That's why Green was still fine (but no longer great) even when his shot wasn't falling.

Derozan is an awkward fit because of defense more than anything. Murray/White can set the tone on that end (and LMA when he's engaged)... but Derozan/Gay/Bertans just don't add to that whatsoever.

[exstatic]

Blazers cut it to 8 with like a min left IIRC, pretty sure the Spurs blew that big of a lead against the Lakers earlier this year.

You'll get a lot of push back from the Pop apologist crew but it's a pretty telling stat about how bad this team is even when they fluke into a historic shooting night.

I'm really sick of this "Pop apologist" bull . That little asshole picked one moment in the game that was won by 15 points when he needed his safe space, and I have issues because I actually support the team that I'm a fan of? Cherry pick much?

[exstatic]

Murray/White can work... but it will be tough on White to find a balance between being an aggressive shooter but also a guy who can put the ball of the floor and collapse the D. Playing alongside Bryn/Patty, White doesn't really fill the sniper role. But alongside Murray/Derozan, he probably will have to.

Murray/Derozan is the awkward pairing, White doesn't factor into that imo. He's well-rounded enough to blend with any lineup tbh. Since White also plays good D, it's not a backbreaker to have some awkward moments on offense. That's why Green was still fine (but no longer great) even when his shot wasn't falling.

DeRozen will have to transition to the 3 spot, or move on. You can't develop 3 young guards while he eats up 36 minutes or so per game at the 2.

[Mugen]

I'm really sick of this "Pop apologist" bull . That little asshole picked one moment in the game that was won by 15 points when he needed his safe space, and I have issues because I actually support the team that I'm a fan of? Cherry pick much?

Uh it wasn't one moment in the game so not sure how the guy is a "little asshole." Spurs pulled away for a 2-3 minute stretch but looked like they were going to choke it away again like they've done a bunch of other times this year (Lakers, MIL as examples)...

If you put on a historic shooting performance and score 131, you'd expect a blowout for at least half the game and that was not the case at all.

[Mugen]

To add, agree with OP that Bertans should be a starter going forward, it's the only chance to set up diva ass Lamarcus for any success to start the game.

The short leash on Forbes and limiting Dante's minutes was LONG overdue. Not sure how it took Pop this long to see that but hopefully it sticks.

When Beli gets back, he should eat away Bryn's minutes instead of White obviously. Not sure what they can get for Pau but if it's some young-ish talent even on a bad contract, I'd pull the trigger. Something like Beli + Pau for talent on a bad contract should be worth exploring, again very obviously.