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- This team went from the "good offensively" level to "scary offensively"
- Bertans is probably the best 3pt shooter in the world (except the anomaly Stephen Curry)
- The off-ball movement is really incredible after a bad start to the season
The Spurs took care of business in front of their home fans on Friday night with a 124-98 victory against the Timberwolves. The Spurs have now won seven of their last eight games, with each of their last five wins being by at least 25 points. This was also the seventh straight game San Antonio held their opponent to less than 100 points.
It was only about three weeks ago that the Spurs were humiliated in Minnesota. In that game, the good guys were dead in the water in the second quarter and eventually lost by a final count of 128-89. Tonight, the roles were reversed.
The Spurs led 29-21 after the end of the first quarter. Bryn Forbes nailed a three-pointer in the opening minute of the second period ... and the Spurs never relinquished their double-digit lead the rest of the evening. The T'Wolves made a few runs here and there but the game was never truly in doubt.
The Timberwolves are a bad road team (2-13) and have now lost six of their last seven games overall. But, regardless, this was another impressively thorough victory by the Spurs and it was without question another step in the right direction.
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LaMarcus Aldridge
The good: LaMarcus Aldridge played stout defense against Karl-Anthony Towns; he was physical in the paint and kept a hand up on the perimeter. Offensively, he was active and did good work, particularly when passing the ball. He also connected on his second three-pointer of the season. Aldridge's rebounding was a major plus on both ends of the court. The bad: He missed at least two or three easy shots. Aldridge was also saddled with foul trouble for much of his 23 minutes.
Grade: B+
Summary: Aldridge quietly yet handily outplayed his All-Star caliber counterpart.
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DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan's playmaking in the first half was excellent. Seven of his eight assists came in the first two quarters. Additionally, five of his assists resulted in three-pointers. He had a few picturesque drives to the hoop and he pulled down a few contested rebounds. Unfortunately, DeRozan's night was marred by the fact that he let the refs get inside his head again. While, yes, the whistles were rather inconsistent tonight, DeRozan getting angry doesn't help matters. Some players play better when they're mad. DeRozan, conversely, plays much worse -- he starts holding the ball too long, and ultimately piles up missed shots and turnovers. He needs to work on keeping his emotions in check because an angry DeRozan is a liability.
Grade: C
Summary: DeRozan was having a fine night until a few whistles went the other way.
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Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay was another Spur who dealt with foul trouble tonight. In Gay's case, though, it was understandable as he was going against the same Taj Gibson who physically manhandled him three weeks ago in Minnesota. On this night, Gay fought back and didn't allow that singular mismatch to weaken San Antonio's defense. He was strong in the paint and rebounded his area well. On the other end, Gay was extremely efficient. After a mini three-point slump over the last six games that saw him hit only three of his previous 13 attempts from deep, Gay connected on both of his long balls tonight. He also authored a couple more slick passes that caught the defense off guard.
Grade: B
Summary: Gay's minutes were limited by fouls but when he was in, he did well.
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Bryn Forbes
This was definitely Bryn Forbes' best all-around game of the season. His shooting from the perimeter was lethal and it opened up driving lanes for himself and his teammates. When Forbes decided to take advantage of those lanes, he ventured powerfully to the rim and exhibited deft touch in the paint. Perhaps even more impressive than his scoring was Forbes' passing. Considering his ballhandling duties were limited tonight, his career-high tying seven assists weren't a fluke -- he was legitimately making great reads. Defensively, Forbes was really good. (I never thought I'd type that sentence.) The Timberwolves are an athletic bunch but Forbes was up for the challenge and stuck his nose right in there. Oh, and while his teammates were getting called for fouls left and right, Forbes was successfully tiptoeing the line between aggressive defense and whistleable misdeeds.
Grade: A+
Summary: I'm not sure Forbes can play much better than he played tonight.
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Derrick White
This was a solidly average game out of Derrick White. He missed all his threes but made all his twos. His man-to-man defense was a huge plus for the team but his help-defense was too often a step slow. White's passing was an asset but he also had a couple sloppy turnovers. White didn't move the needle much but the good news is that he didn't give the coaching staff a reason to go away from keeping him in the starting lineup.
Grade: B-
Summary: Asi asi.
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Marco Belinelli
Marco Belinelli is scorching right now. When he's on, it can make the bench unit virtually unguardable. He had three three-pointers in the second quarter within the span of 50 seconds that expanded a 14-point lead to 23 points. When he's hitting his awkward leaners, reactively moving to open spaces when off the ball and playing with passion on both ends, he's someone you want to be on your side. Since he was benched in the second half of the Lakers contest eight games ago, Belinelli has averaged 13 points while shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 48.9 percent from beyond the three-point arc.
Grade: A-
Summary: Belinelli is blazing.
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Jakob Poeltl
Jakob Poeltl played quality defense, rebounded well enough and was a key cog offensively, where his screens, movement and passing created space for shooters. When Pop surrounds Poeltl with four shooters, it can be beautiful to watch when things start clicking. The most notable part of Poeltl's night were the three shots he made that weren't right at the rim. He had two one-handed shots from about ten feet out that, if he could hit consistently, would add a nice wrinkle to his repertoire. In garbage time, he sank a 20-foot jumper with better than expected form. If Poeltl adds a consistent jumper? Whoa, the Spurs would have themselves quite the 23-year-old building block.
Grade: B+
Summary: Poeltl was as good as we've come to expect.
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Patty Mills
After three games where his energy was lackluster, the real Patty Mills stood back up tonight. Defensively, he was flying around the court and his timely, out-of-nowhere help resulted in a team-high three steals. Offensively, Mills' passing was an asset and I liked the aggressiveness with which he hunted for shots. The two aspects that limited his impact tonight were missed shots and a few iffy decisions with the ball.
Grade: B
Summary: Tasmanian devil mode was activated.
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Davis Bertans
Fatherhood has been kind to Davis Bertans. In five games since becoming a dad, Bertans has averaged 10.2 points in less than 20 minutes per game while hitting a blistering 13-of-19 attempts (68.4 percent) from three-point territory. In addition to the five three-pointers he hit against the Timberwolves, the Latvian made a couple heady passes and rebounded much better than usual. Dampers: his defense, both individual- and team-wise, was only sporadically effective, he fouled too much and his work beneath the three-point line on offense wasn't too aesthetically pleasing.
Grade: B+
Summary: Bertans needs more children.
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Pop
I was happy with just about everything Pop did tonight except one thing: with a back-to-back on tap, DeRozan shouldn't have played 32 minutes in what was essentially a coast-to-coast blowout. That's doubly true considering the Spurs were playing fine when DeRozan sat. But, yeah, other than that, I was thrilled. Minnesota started a big lineup but that didn't dissuade Pop from staying with his small starting lineup featuring White. Pop kept Dante Cunningham off the court until garbage time once again; when he wanted to go big, he used Poeltl next to Aldridge rather than go to his flawed Cunningham safety net. Pop basically put the Timberwolves out of their misery with the lineup that featured Poeltl and four shooters.
Grade: B+
Summary: Pop, by and large, pleased.
Looking ahead: Another very good win. No complaints.
The Spurs now face their first back-to-back since they got blown out in Salt Lake City and then lost a heartbreaker the next night against the Lakers. Playing the Rockets in Houston will not be easy.
Honestly, though, if this recent hot streak is for real, a win on Saturday night is definitely doable. The Rockets will be without Chris Paul -- and they're 0-5 without him this season. Let's hope the Spurs can make 0-6.
- This team went from the "good offensively" level to "scary offensively"
- Bertans is probably the best 3pt shooter in the world (except the anomaly Stephen Curry)
- The off-ball movement is really incredible after a bad start to the season
We are now 6th in offense and 18th in defense
pop should give bertans more plays
The team is like the opposite of GSW. The star players are players that score midrange and in the paint. The scrubs shoot the 3s.
Would the PATFO have Mills or Forbes if it came to trading one of them? I'd go with Forbes since he's a cheaper, younger and slightly taller(2 inches) version of Mills without that abomination he calls hair.
That wasn't a normal 32 mins for DD. He played most if not all of the third where the wolves were at the line the entire quarter. It was a long quarter with plenty of breaks.
Tried to tune in but had too much going on. Thanks for the grades! Pretty well tells me what I need to know. I knew better than to hate on Jakob, knowing he was new and needed time to catch on. Here’s hoping Beli’s shooting sticks around long enough for the presumed playoffs
thanks for the grades timvp, your takes are on point as usual. Gotta say it really helps to have 5 elite 3-point shooters on the team (Forbes, Gay, Bertans, Beli, Mills). They are not regular shooters, they are some of the best which means they are also a lot less streaky and you can bet for at least 2 of the 5 to get hot in every game. If all 5 are on we are basically unbeatable. Having 3 star players who are post up threats certainly helps to create open shots as does a rolling big man like Poeltl. Our offense is starting to look deadly, there's really no way to guard this especially with the type of ball movement that has been on display.
I'm really questioning if they should bring Gasol back cause he might disrupt the chemistry. I'm also starting to think we should keep Forbes. I know he's not a good player, but his contract is cheap. And he is a pretty consistent shooter, which you need if you go on a run where nobody can hit a shot. Mills to me should be the odd man out, because of his salary and being a streakier type of shooter who can't really drive to the basket.
Right now it seems the right move should be to trade Gasol for a 3-and-D SF although I don't think Pop would do this. I think Pau would be salty if that happens
Totally agree. I think right now we should move Gasol, not Mills and not Forbes.
Stretches of Poelt+LA looked painful on both ends even if we were lucky enough not to lose big there.
There's basically no place in the rotation for Gasol barring an injury as much as I enjoy his passing.
But can you think of the right wing with the right contract to be aquired for Gasol?
Det long, thick sausage tbh
salsiccia tbh
DeMarre Carroll but Spurs would have to add something for Brooklyn to take the deal. Terrence Ross and filler would also work but there's no reason for the Magic to do this. Bazemore would also be a possibility. I'd also like Cunningham and Pondexter + 2nd round pick for Stanley Johnson if the Pistons really want to give him away as certain reports say
I could see Hawks wanting to dump that guaranteed Bazemore money for partially guaranteed Pau.
But is he really a 3&D guy? Not sure if he can change defense dramatically.
He has that reputation, but to me he's more a SG. I think he'll have problems guarding players like Durant and LeBron. Stanley Johnson is probably the best defender out of all of them, but doesn't have the shooting. Any of the players mentioned would improve the team though
Lovin the breakdown. Thank you. Gonna be a tough stretch coming up.
To me only Bazemore and Carroll are realistic without giving out valuable assets.
Even if Detroit wants to give him away there's probably much better deal out there than Spurs 2nd rounder
@ Asi, Asi and
It's true though since the birth of his kid Bertans has been playing much better on both ends of the court.
The 36 assists last night were a testimony to how much these guys are starting to trust each other. It's great for the team that guys like Belinelli, Forbes, Bertans, and White have nights like last night. It's good for their confidence. They're going to need it when guys like Derozan, Aldridge, and Gay aren't scoring 20+ points. These role players are going to have to step up and pick the team up and last night is only going to help.
timvp How do you think Pop is going to handle Pau's return? I'm thinking it's just what we need to get the tank back on track tbh
I’m afraid of Forbes playing well. It’s going to goad poop into playing him more, which is going to hurt us in the playoffs tbh. Play big balls Ferrari tbh......
We need to keep Gasol because we have little big man depth.
We need to bust out those old Michael Finley plays that Pop used to run and give it to Bertans. Like every time he subs in, draw up a play for him to shoot so he can get his rhythm. I remember the start of every 3rd quarter, ol finley was gonna shoot.
Solid grades, agree on all - Bertans playing more and more is a nice sight.
Thanks Timvp for the grades. The assists are filing up and so as the 3pts shots. And it’s becoming more Spurs basketball with the defense and ball movement. I know it’s just gonna get better, but Demar needs to make 3pt shots and that would culminate the beautiful game. Parker learned and his defender had to hustle back. It’s best when manifested when Poeltl who can pass, it’s surrounded by hard-cutting deadly shooters. Soon Pops would embrace the 3pt game which he himself perfected finding good shots to great shots. Now for that lockdown defender
Never would have imagined Bertans shot could be so wet. He might be our best 3 pt shooter. Mills is playing great. He plays his role to near perfection as long as he does not have to carry a large load. Hits shots at a high clip, energy on both ends, and quick smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Bryn is such a steal at 3.5 M. Glad to see he is showing his potential. He seems like he will be our Gary Neal. Derrick was a bit disappointing in this one for me. It must be really hard being in and out the lineup and playing sporadically with the whole team. He is doing a fair job but his potential shines and disappoints when he can't put it all together.
Playing pg for this team is tough with all these offense first guys when Derrick himself is more comfortable with the ball in his hands for now.
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