Grades: Spurs @ Clippers - Oct. 31, 2019

[Mugen]

"The version of Pop who doesn’t put up with defensive mistakes is the best version of Pop..."

Agreed, except that version hasn't been around for a decade

If I'm Lonnie and hearing "you gotta defend to get minutes on this team"...I take one look over at the Trash Bros. getting heavy minutes in front of me and roll my eyes clear out of my head

[ceperez]

Very su ious that both Aldridge and Poetl didn't play well.

Could this be intentional? A way to avoid showing one's cards?

[ZeusWillJudge]

If Aldridge wasn't sick, I think you have to at least wonder if that was a statement. We've all seen him have bad games, but that was a whole other level. He wasn't bad... he just wasn't playing. I don't know if there's trouble in paradise, but I'd give it about 50-50 after that showing.

The Clippers didn't challenge Lyles' defense much because they had a much wider lane to drive through most of the night.

Our hopes that DDR had gotten better over the offseason are officially dead. He may be playing a little differently in SA than Toronto, but he's basically who he's always been.

Do you extend that? If a team could surround him with exactly the right pieces, they could make it to the conference finals. The Spurs don't have those pieces, and I don't think they would ever build an entire team around DeRozan ball - especially not at his age.

Belinelli without three pointers is a sandwich without the bread. I know that's grotesque, but so is Belli's play so far.

If you're saying that Pop is preparing Lonnie for the future by yelling at him and not putting him in the game, then I can't argue. I remember other young players getting yelled at, but they got put back on the floor later. And those teams had other players who were much, much better than Beli to take those minutes. So if Pop made a point with Walker at the expense of the W/L record, I guess he's the HOF coach and we should just marvel at his genius. But I can't help thinking he's become a one trick pony. (I'm not saying the Spurs WOULD have won, but Pop's rotations last night made sure they didn't have a real chance.)

We all talk about the "New NBA", and that usually means small ball and lots of 3's. But it sure looks like things have changed in other ways, too. I'm not so sure that there's much of a future in abusing a young prospect publicly these days, and yanking him off the court almost as soon as he got there. Maybe Lonnie is "special" like Tony and Manu, and he'll thrive under that. But if he's not in the mood, there goes another player. And no matter what, I'm pretty confident saying that Lonnie isn't getting better sitting on his ass.

[el contusione]

As an overall team I would give them a F even tho they didn't get blown out. Spurs kept on breaking down on defense. There were so many open opportunities for the clippers and some of them they just missed. Some of the guys had no clue where they need to be. On offense in the 4th Q there was a sequence where for like more than 5 possessions it was only iso ball for DDR. There's no ball movement, no one is cutting, everyone was just watching Demar dribble and go to the basket. Ugliest type of bball to watch. This maybe the iden y of the team now. I know this is early in the season and the chemistry may improve. However, the early signs are not good.

[John B]

timvp - Any explanation why Derrick is only getting 23 mins a game this year?

That's only a few more minutes than Fatty and Trey Lyles and 6 fewer than Bryn F'n Forbes....

are we just going to go with Pop's BS mad scientist excuse on why arguably the best guard on the team is relegated to a role player

I can only suspect White is on minutes restrictions also with his time with FIBA. Spurs are one PG injury away from mediocrity and Pop is being ultra conservative.

[RC_Drunkford]

Aldridge deserves an F, there's no reason for him to score 5 points when he's able to drop 45 on Gobert. Hard to win with him stinking it up. The defense was actually alright, the offense looks really bad though. Spurs need to shoot a lot better on the road and it seems like they don't run real sets out there. A lot of posessions are hectic going late into the shot clock without generating an open look.
Funny thing is Spurs could've actually won if they made their free throws. Everybody was bricking them.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

If Aldridge wasn't sick, I think you have to at least wonder if that was a statement. We've all seen him have bad games, but that was a whole other level. He wasn't bad... he just wasn't playing. I don't know if there's trouble in paradise, but I'd give it about 50-50 after that showing.

The Clippers didn't challenge Lyles' defense much because they had a much wider lane to drive through most of the night.

Our hopes that DDR had gotten better over the offseason are officially dead. He may be playing a little differently in SA than Toronto, but he's basically who he's always been.

Do you extend that? If a team could surround him with exactly the right pieces, they could make it to the conference finals. The Spurs don't have those pieces, and I don't think they would ever build an entire team around DeRozan ball - especially not at his age.

Belinelli without three pointers is a sandwich without the bread. I know that's grotesque, but so is Belli's play so far.

If you're saying that Pop is preparing Lonnie for the future by yelling at him and not putting him in the game, then I can't argue. I remember other young players getting yelled at, but they got put back on the floor later. And those teams had other players who were much, much better than Beli to take those minutes. So if Pop made a point with Walker at the expense of the W/L record, I guess he's the HOF coach and we should just marvel at his genius. But I can't help thinking he's become a one trick pony. (I'm not saying the Spurs WOULD have won, but Pop's rotations last night made sure they didn't have a real chance.)

We all talk about the "New NBA", and that usually means small ball and lots of 3's. But it sure looks like things have changed in other ways, too. I'm not so sure that there's much of a future in abusing a young prospect publicly these days, and yanking him off the court almost as soon as he got there. Maybe Lonnie is "special" like Tony and Manu, and he'll thrive under that. But if he's not in the mood, there goes another player. And no matter what, I'm pretty confident saying that Lonnie isn't getting better sitting on his ass.

I've seen LMA with those no effort games before. I wouldn't be surprised if he bounces back and plays well tonight. His most consistent attribute is his inconsistency.

[Keepin' it real]

Sounds like I picked the right time to cancel my NBA League Pass subscription. tbh

[phxspurfan]

This team has the potential to put forth some of the best defensive lineups on the court second to the Clippers. It will be good to see those lineups once the minutes restrictions are lifted

[spurs10]

LMA was really bad and that alone made it impossible to win.

[Dingle Barry]

Aldridge deserves an F, there's no reason for him to score 5 points when he's able to drop 45 on Gobert. Hard to win with him stinking it up. The defense was actually alright, the offense looks really bad though. Spurs need to shoot a lot better on the road and it seems like they don't run real sets out there. A lot of posessions are hectic going late into the shot clock without generating an open look.
Funny thing is Spurs could've actually won if they made their free throws. Everybody was bricking them.

Forget the points, his rebounding was the real horror show. He got out-rebounded by our PG despite playing 10 more minutes than him. Pathetic.

Derozen's turnovers and LMA's no show made this game unwinnable. Game was only close because LAC was cold from 3.

You can't let a team get up 11 more shots than you.

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

What's up with Aldridge?
He was okay in the preseason but in the regular season he is so bad.

He's 34, he's going to have games like this.

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

Aldridge’s D- grade is generous tbh. He was an absolute ghost out there. Can’t happen as a Max player. F

Dejounte continues to struggle with turnovers, especially in transition. Had a 3-on-1 fast break at on point and turned it over. Can’t do that. He’s still one of our best players already, and he’s our only player other than DeMar who attacks the basket. His defense was also outstanding for much of the game. He’ll improve, but he’s gotta be better at protecting the ball. C+

Rudy rebounded well but couldn’t hit a 3 to save his life, and a lot of those long misses led to fast breaks for the Clippers. I’d have given him a C.

Bryn struggled offensively as he does against teams with good length. He’s going to have the same struggles against the Lakers on Sunday. C-

Marco was flat out awful and should’ve been pulled far earlier in the game, but Pop gonna Pop. F

Lonnie struggled too. Made some boneheaded mistakes in crucial positions of the game. But he’s 20. I expect that from him. Pop saying he plays, “Horribly” in the peasy game presser will not instill confidence in him. Hopefully he gets over it quick cause I expect him to get some run tonight in San Fran. C-

If He's 20 and making bone headed decisions during crucial positions of the game means he shouldn't be playing.

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

Of course pop is hung up on defense from lonnie

who has all the tools to be a SCORER!

of course pop values defense

look at the defensive WALL of - patty/beli/forbes!!!

Jonathan Simmons had all the tools to be a scorer too.

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

Very su ious that both Aldridge and Poetl didn't play well.

Could this be intentional? A way to avoid showing one's cards?

you serious?