Official 2018 Spurs Media Day and Training Camp Thread

[Dex]

I don't think DeRozan is in the conversation. He's the SF in my mind unless the team finds a three-and-D wing to play there. Beli should be a two-guard, but it really depends on whether Pop is planning on Bertans being a regular rotation player. If not, yet another guard will get a rotation spot. In any event, it's all up to White in my mind. The team certainly hasn't done enough to prepare for the possibility of White failing. But if he does fail, the team can't just keep running with him just to avoid starting Forbes. You could argue that Murray/Forbes and Mills/Beli is the best option in a White-less guard rotation, though as I said, starting Cun or Walker would still be more desirable for me.

I could see that. If there is a void at SF and White doesn't pan out...the 2 spot opens up real quick.

That being said...Pop loves his vets, so I think Pop will run Beli into the ground before he goes with Forbes. Not that it's a great cir stance to be in...but it's the lesser of evils, tbh.

[SpursDynasty85]

I could see that. If there is a void at SF and White doesn't pan out...the 2 spot opens up real quick.

That being said...Pop loves his vets, so I think Pop will run Beli into the ground before he goes with Forbes. Not that it's a great cir stance to be in...but it's the lesser of evils, tbh.

Plenty of options. Pondexter, Gay, and Cunningham can play the 3. DeRozan and Belli shifts to the 2. Patty and DJ man the pg spot.

[ace3g]

[SAGirl]

I don't think DeRozan is in the conversation. He's the SF in my mind unless the team finds a three-and-D wing to play there. Beli should be a two-guard, but it really depends on whether Pop is planning on Bertans being a regular rotation player. If not, yet another guard will get a rotation spot. In any event, it's all up to White in my mind. The team certainly hasn't done enough to prepare for the possibility of White failing. But if he does fail, the team can't just keep running with him just to avoid starting Forbes. You could argue that Murray/Forbes and Mills/Beli is the best option in a White-less guard rotation, though as I said, starting Cun or Walker would still be more desirable for me.

What's your rotation with Bertans in it looking like?

I haven't done lineups or anything. I am truly and honestly spectating this season... sometimes expressing opinions and such, but honestly have no idea about the training camp battles for minutes and there's spots in the wing that could be for grabs. (which is why the media not asking about any of the trainining camp projects is a major bo booo.)

[TimDunkem]

If Bryn Forbes is the starting SG for any other reason besides injury or rest, I'm turning in my fan card tbh

[Chinook]

What's your rotation with Bertans in it looking like?

I haven't done lineups or anything. I am truly and honestly spectating this season... sometimes expressing opinions and such, but honestly have no idea about the training camp battles for minutes and there's spots in the wing that could be for grabs. (which is why the media not asking about any of the trainining camp projects is a major bo booo.)

Murray/Mills/DeRozan/Aldridge/Gasol
White/Belinelli/Gay/Bertans/Poeltl

That's what I'm guessing based off who's on the roster now. If White fails and is demoted:

Murray/Forbes/DeRozan/Aldridge/Gasol
Mills/Beilinelli/Gay/Bertans/Poeltl

If Bertans fails:

(Starters stay the same)

White/Forbes/Belinelli/Gay/Poeltl

If both fail:

Murray/Forbes/DeRozan/Aldridge/Gasol
Mills/Belinelli/Cunningham/Gay/Poeltl

And , just one more for fun:

Murray/Belinelli/DeRozan/Bertans/Aldridge
Mills/White/Walker/Gay/Gasol

[ElNono]

We're counting on you carrying the forum this year with ElNono following his client into retirement. You up for the challenge?

I'm around, tbh... kinda hate preseason though, wanna see the team play already

[KDKSpurs24]

I’m starting to get this strong feeling that Cunningham is going to have a lot bigger role than we all think.

[TDMVPDPOY]

still hoping mills going to return to that prime form he had b4 the shoulder surgery..lol...trade him ass man

[SpursDynasty85]

I’m starting to get this strong feeling that Cunningham is going to have a lot bigger role than we all think.

Why do you get that impression?

[KDKSpurs24]

Why do you get that impression?

Well it’s not a very strong feeling. But after listening to Pop it just seems like he said Dante already knows the NBA well and he just needs to learn our system. It just seemed to me like he was saying we brought him because he’s already a player that has experience and we can plug him in easier than most guys. And then he mentioned his physicality and I think Pop believes that’s needed in the rotation since Spurs don’t seem to have much of it. I could be wrong of course but I don’t think it’s far fetched.

[Chinook]

I’m starting to get this strong feeling that Cunningham is going to have a lot bigger role than we all think.

Depends on if Pop runs five guards or three forwards in the rotation. He legit could go either way, though if White plays well, I think it'll be the former. DeRozan, Mills, Beli and Murray are all locks on the perimeter, and Gay, Aldridge and Gasol are locks in the front court. That leaves three spots, with Bertans being a near-lock, and Poeltl being more likely than not in my mind. That would mean Cun likely has to beat out White directly for a spot, though he could get in by overcoming someone else or if Pop decides to go small with Dante at the four and Aldridge at the five to start off.

[KDKSpurs24]

Depends on if Pop runs five guards or three forwards in the rotation. He legit could go either way, though if White plays well, I think it'll be the former. DeRozan, Mills, Beli and Murray are all locks on the perimeter, and Gay, Aldridge and Gasol are locks in the front court. That leaves three spots, with Bertans being a near-lock, and Poeltl being more likely than not in my mind. That would mean Cun likely has to beat out White directly for a spot, though he could get in by overcoming someone else or if Pop decides to go small with Dante at the four and Aldridge at the five to start off.

Yeah I think he’s going to want to put him in to match the physicality of forward heavy teams. I could totally see him getting more playing time against a team like OKC for example.

[Chinook]

Yeah I think he’s going to want to put him in to match the physicality of forward heavy teams. I could totally see him getting more playing time against a team like OKC for example.

Maybe. But honestly, OKC is probably starting Grant or Patterson at the four. I'd rather Pop go big to get his own mismatches. Houston with Melo or more appropriately LAL or GS are different stories, since all three teams have potential fours who should win a physical match-up with Gasol. Starting Gay could make sense, but I'd rather keep him as a sixth man.

[offset formation]

I feel sorry for the players and coaches having to answer questions from Jabari. 78.563% of his questions are asinine and make me want to jump out of a helicopter at 23068 feet.

Without. A. Parachute.

I can only imagine their POV.

[Chinook]

I feel sorry for the players and coaches having to answer questions from Jabari. 78.563% of his questions are asinine and make me want to jump out of a helicopter at 23068 feet.

Without. A. Parachute.

I can only imagine their POV.

Jabari: Do you think you should have stopped at Bare Bread?

[KDKSpurs24]

Maybe. But honestly, OKC is probably starting Grant or Patterson at the four. I'd rather Pop go big to get his own mismatches. Houston with Melo or more appropriately LAL or GS are different stories, since all three teams have potential fours who should win a physical match-up with Gasol. Starting Gay could make sense, but I'd rather keep him as a sixth man.

Well yeah I agree but I wasn’t meaning Cunningham vs their starting lineups or anything. Just meant coming in with the bench when Paul George is in the game and Russ is on the bench to guard him or something. Situations like that.

[Fusternino]

Well yeah I agree but I wasn’t meaning Cunningham vs their starting lineups or anything. Just meant coming in with the bench when Paul George is in the game and Russ is on the bench to guard him or something. Situations like that.

Yeah in reality the only guys we have who can guard the big top 10 wings are Gay/Cunningham/Pondexter.

[Chinook]

Well yeah I agree but I wasn’t meaning Cunningham vs their starting lineups or anything. Just meant coming in with the bench when Paul George is in the game and Russ is on the bench to guard him or something. Situations like that.

I'm interested in seeing how Cunningham does, in particular against the other forwards in camp. I think Dante is an almost full-lock. But his salary isn't so big that he can't find his way to a new team early on. His path to a rotation spot depends on him being able to play defense and stay on the floor offensively in a perimeter-oriented game. While I think he can have success as a four, defensively, he has to be able to guard wings, not just combo-forwards. Blossomgame and Huestis have reputations as strong defensive players. I don't give Okaro White much of a real chance at making the team. But he's been okayish defensively. I don't think George requires a lot of size to defend (physically speaking, I think Walker could do it), but the team badly needs someone with the height, girth and agility to keep DeRozan and Gay out of foul trouble.

[SAGirl]

Murray/Mills/DeRozan/Aldridge/Gasol
White/Belinelli/Gay/Bertans/Poeltl

That's what I'm guessing based off who's on the roster now. If White fails and is demoted:

Murray/Forbes/DeRozan/Aldridge/Gasol
Mills/Beilinelli/Gay/Bertans/Poeltl

If Bertans fails:

(Starters stay the same)

White/Forbes/Belinelli/Gay/Poeltl

If both fail:

Murray/Forbes/DeRozan/Aldridge/Gasol
Mills/Belinelli/Cunningham/Gay/Poeltl

And , just one more for fun:

Murray/Belinelli/DeRozan/Bertans/Aldridge
Mills/White/Walker/Gay/Gasol

I do wonder if Gay will start frankly. I can't say if his body is up for it since last season I think he was around 57 or so games and about 20 minutes per, though at times he played more.

[SAGirl]

I’m starting to get this strong feeling that Cunningham is going to have a lot bigger role than we all think.

Anything is possible.

To me training camp battles should be heated. Walker could make a run for himself too.

It's tough to make up lineups without seeing guys play at this point but it's interesting.

[Chinook]

I do wonder if Gay will start frankly. I can't say if his body is up for it since last season I think he was around 57 or so games and about 20 minutes per, though at times he played more.

I hope he doesn't. The bench needs him to score. And he needs the flexibility of the bench to avoid being locked into a position. With Bertans, Cunningham, Blossomgame, Huestis and Walker, the team has plenty of options for role-players to start. They don't need to put Gay there just to have him be a role-player rather than the "star" off the bench the team needs him to be and that he's best suited to be.

[Immortal Spur]

Jokes on you, I'm a professional poster.

<3

[gospursgojas]

Lmao holy , Bryn Forbes potentially starting.... I knew the eventual decline/transition of the franchise was gonna be bad but I didn't think it'd be Bryn Forbes starting bad.

People forget spurs have had guys like Roger Mason Jr, Keith Bogans, Anthony Carter, Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka start before. It could be worse.

That said, I see no scenario in which Forbes starts. I’d say Cunningham before Brynn since he’s long (defense) and can stretch the floor. (In theory)

[BillMc]

Seems like this is the best place to put this.