Game Thread: Spurs (18-17) @ Bulls (16-19) January 6, 2025 7 PM CST 3 AM RIGA 3 PM HAWAII

[LeBowen]

Wemby is playing with a bunch of role players

This is the entire problem, they're not role players.
Good role players are exactly that. They know their role, execute it consistently and don't try to overdo it.
Champagnie, Tre, CP3 and Barnes are the only good role players on this team. Two 3-D players and two traditional pass first point guards.

If we had two more 3pt shooters who aren't a negative on defense we'd be doing way better than we are with Devin, Keldon and Jeremy.
Even if those shooters were the same as Champagnie, with no ability to put the ball on the floor. That's how bad things are.


Also, what's the source for the drama?

[Pauleta14]

I bet...Wemby is so good that if his teammates are just a lil bit better we could be contenders and top 5 team in the west.
Wemby is playing with a bunch of role players,And its frustrating that we lose games cause we cant shoot or turn the ball over.

Tbh I have no idea what it was about but it's rare enough for local medias to ask that sort of questions, they probably witnessed some tensions between some players (which ones?)

No idea if Wemby is even involved in those tensions

[onechance87]

Tbh I have no idea what it was about but it's rare enough for local medias to ask that sort of questions, they probably witnessed some tensions between some players (which ones?)

No idea if Wemby is even involved in those tensions

I did see a quote from victor saying they dont deserve to win more games the way they been playing.This roster has no eagerness
to be better or improve.Like we have no balls and no passion.Some players just have a loser mentality,And we need to get them
off this team asap.

[Pauleta14]

I did see a quote from victor saying they dont deserve to win more games the way they been playing.This roster has no eagerness
to be better or improve.Like we have no balls and no passion.Some players just have a loser mentality,And we need to get them
off this team asap.

Honestly I've lost hope.

They did nothing last summer and even extended Brahman and Wesley

I'm pretty sure Mitch Vassell Sochan or Tre will still be there next season bc PATFO will never admit having been wrong with their draft picks and home cooking.

We're not bad enough, most think we're over achieving = No change to come

[Ice009]

I hope they really absorb this loss. The players hopelly seeing that you can't just stop playing midway through the game.
The fact that Chris Pauls hustle plays was the only reason we only lost by 5.
This is where putting your headdown and attacking the basket and creating fouls or looking for mismatches down low, etc needs to happen.
Smart basketball. Not just, lets hope the next 3 ball goes in. Getting something going towards the basketball during droughts is crucial.

These losses are worth it only if they learn from it.

It's not so much they stop playing. It more that when the main guys like Victor, CP3 and/or whoever else is playing well go on the bench, then guys like Keldon, Collins etc. completely the bed when the starters/main guys go to the bench. They don't have anyone good enough to maintain the leads that were built.

Wemby could have destroyed the Bulls down low near the basket. They don't have anyone big enough to defend him. Instead the Spurs have him playing on the perimeter on too may possessions.

Problem is the spurs are fundamentally flawed as a team, not having enough reliable shooters and Wemby gets swarmed if parked down low near the basket.

I think he's trying to take a page out of Jokic's book and pass to his teammates, the only problem is, his teammates are even worse than what Jokic has to work with IMO (not sure if you guys agree?). If Victor wasn't playing for the Spurs (if the Spurs didn't win the draft lottery) and you also take out CP3, would the rest of the roster be one of the worst teams of all-time? Would they be in contention for the worst record of all-time?

No one is teaching him to pass the ball when he’s five feet from the rim, nor should he. His decision making definitely needs improvement.

I agree. I think he's trying to copy Jokic a little bit, but those shots are much higher percentage shots for Victor than even Nikola, so I think he should be taking them and not passing them out to guys who are terrible shooters. If it's Champagnie or someone that is a good shooter, fine, but otherwise, no need to pass to a wide open Jeremy or Keldon when he's got a much higher percentage shot. If they get mad about not getting the ball, tough, they can leave, or learn to shoot to warrant that pass to them.

Apparently there's been some tension in the locker room after the loss

I like it

Wow. That's a good thing IMO. I wonder what was said and by whom?

I bet...Wemby is so good that if his teammates are just a lil bit better we could be contenders and top 5 team in the west.
Wemby is playing with a bunch of role players,And its frustrating that we lose games cause we cant shoot or turn the ball over.

Most of his teammates aren't good. I agree with you there.

He can't be the hero all the time, he's already carrying a huge load that clearly impacted him in the clutch recently.

My point was just that he should be able to rely on opened teammates when he's doubled, Sochan should not be on the court at that time. Any decent shooter would've made the shot like vs MIN and the pass would've been "the right play" Wemby has been taught to do since a young age. It's all reflex at that point.

I think most people forget (even myself at times) just how much energy Victor exerts on defense. IMO, the load he's carrying on defense for a big man is incredible. I've never seen a big guy guard the perimeter like he can. He's out there guarding smaller players on the perimiter, blocking shots inside, rebounding and also even banging with the bigger/heavier players when he has to. He's really incredible on defense. That could also be a part of the reason he gets gassed on offense or can't exert as much energy on offense consistently. I don't watch Jokic much (I really should), but I don't think that he expends as much energy on both defense and offense as Victor does. Jokic's size (weight) and skill help make things a bit easier for him, though.

[scott]

I hope they really absorb this loss. The players hopelly seeing that you can't just stop playing midway through the game.
The fact that Chris Pauls hustle plays was the only reason we only lost by 5.
This is where putting your headdown and attacking the basket and creating fouls or looking for mismatches down low, etc needs to happen.
Smart basketball. Not just, lets hope the next 3 ball goes in. Getting something going towards the basketball during droughts is crucial.

These losses are worth it only if they learn from it.

We've had so many losses to learn from (PHI, NYK, MIN, DEN, CHI) just out of the last 8 games that it's going to feel like having to cram for the Bar Exam in a week for these guys.

[itzsoweezee]

He can't be the hero all the time, he's already carrying a huge load that clearly impacted him in the clutch recently.

My point was just that he should be able to rely on opened teammates when he's doubled, Sochan should not be on the court at that time. Any decent shooter would've made the shot like vs MIN and the pass would've been "the right play" Wemby has been taught to do since a young age. It's all reflex at that point.

I agree. He has a huge burden. I don’t think anyone in the nba is carrying a team on both ends of the court like wemby does. The lack of even a competent backup center means Vic can’t get sufficient rest when it’s obvious he’s gassed.

[Pauleta14]

I think most people forget (even myself at times) just how much energy Victor exerts on defense. IMO, the load he's carrying on defense for a big man is incredible. I've never seen a big guy guard the perimeter like he can. He's out there guarding smaller players on the perimiter, blocking shots inside, rebounding and also even banging with the bigger/heavier players when he has to. He's really incredible on defense. That could also be a part of the reason he gets gassed on offense or can't exert as much energy on offense consistently. I don't watch Jokic much (I really should), but I don't think that he expends as much energy on both defense and offense as Victor does. Jokic's size (weight) and skill help make things a bit easier for him, though.

There isn't one player that is as active and as important on both sides of the court than Wemby in the NBA. Not one. And he's 21 having to move a 7'5 body all over the court... It's insane and taken for granted.

I was gonna say maybe Giannis, but he at least has elite players to rely on offense and isn't the main/sole focus of opponents. Definitely not Jokic that I watch a lot.

I haven't heard one media or analyst pointing it when it's just absurd , and one more reason PATFO's passivity is upsetting. Taking time is one thing but with what roster? Why so many unnecessary handicaps??

[Obstructed_View]

Dat 2031 first round pick tho...

[Obstructed_View]

so let's trade him. Every single game you put the same comments. I'm sure we can find many teams who would love to have his soft ass. We can probably get 3 FRP for him and hope that we get a potential star in the draft

The only thing more embarrassing than that troll is the people who respond to his ty posts.

[Sugus]

Honestly I've lost hope.

They did nothing last summer and even extended Brahman and Wesley

Bull , and demonstrably so. They brought in valuable vets who have already had a tangible and significant impact on team development.

I'm pretty sure Mitch Vassell Sochan or Tre will still be there next season bc PATFO will never admit having been wrong with their draft picks and home cooking.

Mitch is an assistant, why is him staying the Spurs being "wrong"? And how is keeping your draft picks not admitting to being "wrong"? Do you see other teams clear out their draft projects pipeline in a single off-season with regularity? What is the outcome of those teams?

We're not bad enough, most think we're over achieving = No change to come

Bad enough? , we're not good enough now... Ain't going downwards anymore until Wemby leaves.


You really gotta wonder what goes on some posters' minds.

[gilmor2002]

It's not so much they stop playing. It more that when the main guys like Victor, CP3 and/or whoever else is playing well go on the bench, then guys like Keldon, Collins etc. completely the bed when those man guys go to the bench. They don't have anyone good enough to maintain the leads that were built.



I think he's trying to take a page out of Jokic's book and pass to his teammates, the only problem is, his teammates are even worse than what Jokic has to work with IMO (not sure if you guys agree?). If Victor wasn't playing for the Spurs (if the Spurs didn't win the draft lottery) and you also take out CP3, would the rest of the roster be one of the worst teams of all-time? Would they be in contention for the worst record of all-time?



I agree. I think he's trying to copy Jokic a little bit, but those shots are much higher percentage shots for Victor than even Nikola, so I think he should be taking them and not passing them out to guys who are terrible shoots. If it's Champagnie or someone that is a good shooter, fine, but otherwise, no need to pass to a wide open Jeremy or Keldon when he's got a much higher percentage shot. If they get mad about not getting the ball, tough, they can leave, or learn to shoot to warrant that pass to them.



Wow. That's a good thing IMO. I wonder what was said and by whom?



Most of his teammates aren't good. I agree with you there.



I think most people forget (even myself at times) just how much energy Victor exerts on defense. IMO, the load he's carrying on defense for a big man is incredible. I've never seen a big guy guard the perimeter like he can. He's out there guarding smaller players on the perimiter, blocking shots inside, rebounding and also even banging with the bigger/heavier players when he has to. He's really incredible on defense. That could also be a part of the reason he gets gassed on offense or can't exert as much energy on offense consistently. I don't watch Jokic much (I really should), but I don't think that he expends as much energy on both defense and offense as Victor does. Jokic's size (weight) and skill help make things a bit easier for him, though.

Very good observations. Jokic kinda played slower than Wemby; but I saw during the OT, Nuggets have Jokic brought the ball forward, because obviously he can shoot the 3 pointer, or he can back down Wemby for an easy 2; or he can quickly pass to an open team-mate; I thought that was key of them winning. There is no way to guard Jokic one-on-one.

[ismael-robert]

He can't be the hero all the time, he's already carrying a huge load that clearly impacted him in the clutch recently.

My point was just that he should be able to rely on opened teammates when he's doubled, Sochan should not be on the court at that time. Any decent shooter would've made the shot like vs MIN and the pass would've been "the right play" Wemby has been taught to do since a young age. It's all reflex at that point.

Bend over n baseline bum will show u how to carry a huge load

[Ice009]

Very good observations. Jokic kinda played slower than Wemby; but I saw during the OT, Nuggets have Jokic brought the ball forward, because obviously he can shoot the 3 pointer, or he can back down Wemby for an easy 2; or he can quickly pass to an open team-mate; I thought that was key of them winning. There is no way to guard Jokic one-on-one.

I haven't watched Jokic much, just don't feel up to watching any NBA these days outside of the Spurs.

Really amazed when I saw the stats during the two Spurs games how well he has been playing all year. I am amazed at his shooting from three point range where they showed he was leading the league (Not sure how many attempts that is on, and if he still is after the two Spurs games as he missed quite a few threes that first game, but love the aggressiveness that he's continuing to take those shots. Looking back at it, Spurs got lucky he missed those shots in the Denver game). I remember a few years ago, I thought, man, that is impressive he's making those shots with his shooting form as I was a bit taken aback by it , but as I said in the shooting coach thread, form and technique don't matter as much if you can get your shot off against defenders and hit it with accuracy. He obviously has a feel for shooting the ball, so that is really great (Not sure if he was always a good shooter and just didn't take many, or if he's worked his way up?). It's very impressive that he's shooting better and better. Then you have the rest of his game which is also beyond great. His bounce back from the first to second game (not that he had a bad game the first one), and aggressiveness to take shots both games against the Spurs also wowed me. Victor detered him a bit, but he kept up his aggressiveness. I think he took a similar amount of shots the second game, but was much more efficient. Impressive season, and he has already made himself one of the greats. I think this season he's stamped his name there, forever, or at the very least, moved into top 10 territory now. TD saw this greatness early on as I remember after he retired, he was on Raja Bell's or someone else's podcast, and I remember Tim saying that Jokic is the player he likes to watch the most.

It even seems like he's getting Westbrook to play well, which I didn't think anyone could do.

[Pauleta14]

Bull , and demonstrably so. They brought in valuable vets who have already had a tangible and significant impact on team development

They literally brought the same roster that showed insane low IQ and passing limitations the whole past season. Adding 2 (valuable indeed) vets doesn't change the fact that you have to use the available players.

Basically keeping the same unnecessary handicaps bc of their ego and refusal to admit being wrong.

Mitch is an assistant, why is him staying the Spurs being "wrong"? And how is keeping your draft picks not admitting to being "wrong"? Do you see other teams clear out their draft projects pipeline in a single off-season with regularity? What is the outcome of those teams?

Mitch is indeed an assistant and if he remains in this role I'm fine with it, the issue is that PATFO seems to think he's Pop's successor and I really fear our decent ranking will prevent any change. I hope I'm wrong, I just have a bad feeling with so many sniffers selling how "legit" Mitch is.

Bad enough? , we're not good enough now... Ain't going downwards anymore until Wemby leaves.

Of course we're not good enough for my liking I'm talking about outside and PATFO's perception. If we finish close to 50% it'll be considered a good season and a progression from the last one.

Hence the "not bad enough", in the sense of making PATFO change their "schedule" or accelerate their strategy.


You really gotta wonder what goes on some posters' minds.[/QUOTE]