Grades: Spurs @ Thunder - Oct. 9, 2023

**spurraider21** · 10-10-2023

game was fun to watch, but that lineup we saw in i think the 3rd quarter is one we cant trot out...

wesley, branham, mcdermott, osman, bassey

need some direction on offense, and bassey was out there defending all by himself on a few possessions. wesley was ok on that end though

**Knoxxx** · 10-10-2023

What I saw was a very loaded and high upside roster. When it comes to working with that, vs. acquiring someone like a Lillard for $60 mill, the choice is obvious. While I think Wemby can ultimately mesh with any team, seeing him do it with tons of fellow young bucks is going to be more special to watch. Also look at the insane pace this team is capable of, seems like they will blow some older teams out of the building just due to that. Some of the wild 3s detracted for me at times, but apparently Pop has them on full green light and balls out status on that regard. I guess this is consistent with todays NBA, Jack the 3 any time you get an inch.

As far as Branham comparisons, I was thinking Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson, any takers?

One other comment, Elliot also likes the Cissoko to Diaw comparison, which of course I was flamed on here for even bringing up and triggered our micro analysts galore. Good times!

**couchman** · 10-10-2023

I want to be clear that I think Wemby leaking out is part of his game and will be appropriate in a lot of situations, but I also think he will need to learn more about when to do it and when not to do it.
If he is contesting a 3 at the top of the circle and already past everyone to midcourt as a result, or if he has caused a lose ball turnover then he should GO.
But if the rebound is still in doubt and he's anywhere inside the arc he should stay and help with team rebounding. I saw a couple of these where he went too early.

Offensively he wants to play like a wing right now. He doesn't have any obvious go-to post moves that I've seen yet, and he tends to bring the ball down low when in the post which negates his size advantage. In the old days he would get parked down low and forced to learn a post game. I'm not sure if that will happen with him. Like, when is the sky hook going to make a debut? Or was that just for fun?

**spurs10** · 10-10-2023

Great grades. Yes, I had that moment too, 'he's really on our team!!' Really fun to watch last night. Come on Friday!

**R. DeMurre** · 10-10-2023

Wemby's block of Jalen Williams really illustrated how different he his. Jalen and everybody watching thought Wemby'd been beaten on a blow by, only to still have the attempt at the basket rejected. That blow by would've been enough to beat any typical 6'11" center with a 7'3" wingspan-- even very good ones-- but it wasn't enough against Victor. This is why I can still see him spending some time as a SF, where by being in the midrange area his length can bother both three point shooters and players driving to the paint at the same time. Imagine if the Spurs eventually landed a legit top tier defensive rebounding center to cover the basket while Wemby played roaming free safety, blocking as many shots from behind as he does from the front-- it'd be an unprecendented defensive look.

**poopbox** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by Mr. Body

Rebounding is going to be a concern and, yep, you (and someone in the game thread) are right about Wemby leaking out on the fast break instead of hitting the defensive glass. I expect Popovich to change this, as that's pretty much the opposite of his philosophy. However... those hit-aheads with Wemby going deep are almost always automatic scores.

That said, the Sochan-Wemby-Collins front line is more anemic on the glass than I'd like. This will be something the team needs to figure out.

I pretty much see Victor as a SF at this point, or a stretch PF. It's a fluid thing nowadays, but where he likes to see the ball is perimeter-oriented, often the wing, although he loves that straight-on three. Will be fascinating to see him next to Sochan and others.

I actually think this is by design. I think Pop is willing to sacrifice some rebounding to try and get his 19 year old phenom some easy scores, as teams are going to load up on him in the half court. And honestly he only really did that when he was on the perimeter, it's not like he was in position to get a rebound but chose to sprint to the other end of the court instead. His rebounding numbers probably won't be that high because he is going to play so far away from the basket.

**poopbox** · 10-10-2023

Collins got destroyed by Chet to. He is going to have to be much better defensively if this team is supposed to be any good this year. Chet just repeatedly ran directly into him. Should have gooned him up a bit.

**Ed Helicopter Jones** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by poopbox

Collins got destroyed by Chet to. He is going to have to be much better defensively if this team is supposed to be any good this year. Chet just repeatedly ran directly into him. Should have gooned him up a bit.

Yeah, this team will have to take some leaps defensively if they want to compete. The dirty work is the hard work.

**Leetonidas** · 10-10-2023

Imagine if our guys actually knew how to throw him an entry pass. Probably could have had 2 or 3 more buckets

**PrimeMinister** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by poopbox

I actually think this is by design. I think Pop is willing to sacrifice some rebounding to try and get his 19 year old phenom some easy scores, as teams are going to load up on him in the half court. And honestly he only really did that when he was on the perimeter, it's not like he was in position to get a rebound but chose to sprint to the other end of the court instead. His rebounding numbers probably won't be that high because he is going to play so far away from the basket.

exactly. he was clearly picking and choosing when to leak out and made pretty sound decisions in doing so. If he can get down court and in position to receive a pass before the defense sets its almost game breaking. nothing anyone can do about it. throw the ball high and in the vicinity of the basket and its free points.

**Davidicus** · 10-10-2023

Wemby needs to go after rebounds and weak-side blocks. Nothing else to complain about, he has the all of the tools to succeed.

Collins came out chipper and got embarrassed by Chet. Once Chet sat out H2 Zach went back to work. He will be a huge asset this year, lets hope for 0 injuries.

Biggest concern is still PG position. Tre looked outmatched. It's hard for him to even bring the ball past half court. Nothing against him, just frustrated why FO hasnt gotten at least one more true PG for us to experiment with.

Speaking of, Blake Wesley looked very good. Fiery hands on defense. A bit into the game he used his speed to get to a midrange spot, instead of earlier he went to the basket where he got clobbered by two defenders. He drained the midrange shot easily. More of that please.

**Mr. Body** · 10-10-2023

Who was the PG the Spurs were supposed to go out and experiment with? Why would they lose assets for someone to experiment with? I'd like real ideas.

**Fireball** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by spurraider21

i only thought his first runout dunk was a result of cherry picking. his second one he only starting running after he caused the deflection/turnover, and wasnt like he abandoned any defensive responsibility in doing so. and those were his only 2 fastbreak buckets.

I am pretty sure he abandoned more defensive posessions but did not score as a result.

**poopbox** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by Davidicus

Wemby needs to go after rebounds and weak-side blocks. Nothing else to complain about, he has the all of the tools to succeed.

Collins came out chipper and got embarrassed by Chet. Once Chet sat out H2 Zach went back to work. He will be a huge asset this year, lets hope for 0 injuries.

Biggest concern is still PG position. Tre looked outmatched. It's hard for him to even bring the ball past half court. Nothing against him, just frustrated why FO hasnt gotten at least one more true PG for us to experiment with.

Speaking of, Blake Wesley looked very good. Fiery hands on defense. A bit into the game he used his speed to get to a midrange spot, instead of earlier he went to the basket where he got clobbered by two defenders. He drained the midrange shot easily. More of that please.

Don't think they are interested in this. Think they are really going to run the offense through sochan and Wemby, then just surround them with combo guard and forwards. You saw it alot last night. Branham and Osman got most of the "point guard" duties. I don't see the spurs being in play for a known point guard commodity. Maybe if Conley was like 13 years younger. Unless they just tank again and choose best point guard available when they pick.

**baseline bum** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by timvp

(Brothers and sisters, this guy is really on the Spurs. It’s still unbelievable.)

Holy ing .

**itzsoweezee** · 10-10-2023

Wemby was defending on the perimeter. Why would he crash the board? I’ve got no problem with him leaking out.

**itzsoweezee** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by R. DeMurre

Wemby's block of Jalen Williams really illustrated how different he his. Jalen and everybody watching thought Wemby'd been beaten on a blow by, only to still have the attempt at the basket rejected. That blow by would've been enough to beat any typical 6'11" center with a 7'3" wingspan-- even very good ones-- but it wasn't enough against Victor. This is why I can still see him spending some time as a SF, where by being in the midrange area his length can bother both three point shooters and players driving to the paint at the same time. Imagine if the Spurs eventually landed a legit top tier defensive rebounding center to cover the basket while Wemby played roaming free safety, blocking as many shots from behind as he does from the front-- it'd be an unprecendented defensive look.

This is exactly why wemby needs to play a wing position. It’d give the spurs a huge advantage offensively and on defense. Big guys will usually get blown by guarding smaller players in the nba. With wemby, that’s not as much of a problem because of his ridiculous reach.

**The Truth #6** · 10-10-2023

I'm confident they are at least considering options for a better point guard but aren't in a rush yet and want to give Blake some more time, among other reasons. But just because they haven't made a trade doesn't mean anything yet. I've never heard them say Tre Jones is someone they want to build around. Maybe Keldon is sitting out while they consider a proposed trade? Unlikely, but that's a key part of being fans and not, you know, the General Manager, we aren't in on those discussions.

There are lots of trades we could propose and never prove. Seems pointless to argue over.

**Spurs Homer** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by Mr. Body

The lead ballooned in the first half when Wesley went in. I watched that sequence again and there was, no joke, about 4-5 possessions in a row where Wesley was blowing up OKC's offense. He's a seriously good defender.

Second half was a problem everywhere and he's not there as a playmaker yet. But SpursTalk needs to realize they're completely wrong about him.

Completely wrong?

Geez , i hope you are right.

He looks absolutely horrible every time i watch him play- although there are some small, tiny stretches where i squint really really hard and he sucks a tiny bit less…maybe his shot looks a little less horrible…

maybe….

**couchman** · 10-10-2023

Can we talk about Branham a bit?
At this time of year we hear how so-and-so "had a great summer" and that's been said a lot about Malaki, but last night he looked great!
The guy is an offensive machine, reminiscent of Rip Hamilton, and last night his defense was not too bad.
He's got a real future. Link to Branham highlights from last night

**sfernald** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by Spurs Homer

Completely wrong?

Geez , i hope you are right.

He looks absolutely horrible every time i watch him play- although there are some small, tiny stretches where i squint really really hard and he sucks a tiny bit less…maybe his shot looks a little less horrible…

maybe….

Out of control, awkward movement, but good defender, reminds me Corey Brewer. Can’t stand him..

**sfernald** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by couchman

Can we talk about Branham a bit?
At this time of year we hear how so-and-so "had a great summer" and that's been said a lot about Malaki, but last night he looked great!
The guy is an offensive machine, reminiscent of Rip Hamilton, and last night his defense was not too bad.
He's got a real future. Link to Branham highlights from last night

Yes, liked him a lot. His shot is near perfect and it looks the same every time. Like the best shooters, I can identify him any time in the game just by seeing his shot, even if I didn’t catch a glimpse of him. Could be a star actually. Thought he did decently on defense too.

**JPB** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by rascal

Wemby will be an all star in his first year.

Just out of the popular vote.

**exstatic** · 10-10-2023

Originally Posted by sfernald

Yes, liked him a lot. His shot is near perfect and it looks the same every time. Like the best shooters, I can identify him any time in the game just by seeing his shot, even if I didn’t catch a glimpse of him. Could be a star actually. Thought he did decently on defense too.

It's a little flat for my tastes, but McDermot's is, too, and he's carved out a niche as a sniper. I think Malaki will improve until he shoots 40% from long. Devin started slowly, and improved over the course of 3 seasons. They both shot 40% in college, and were good FT shooters.

**The Truth #6** · 10-10-2023

Long term I think Malaki can be even better than Devin on offense because he actually gets to the rim on occasion. His defense needs to be at least average to be more than a 6th man type but that's still a great success for pick number 20.

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