Grades: Spurs vs. Kings - Nov. 17, 2023

[baseline bum]

Pretty sure Victor didn't just come from the playground. He has to get over his "generational talent" hurdles and figure out how to capitalize on his true strengths. No one wants to be Kareem these days, everyone wants to be Steph. Pop is the most respected NBA coach in the world plus the Spurs have a team of coaches, not just Pop. They aren't going to build a winning team in 20 games.

Victor doesn't have the strength to be Kareem right now. It wasn't just the skyhook, it was being able to gain and hold position down low to make the skyhook a high percentage shot for Abdul-Jabbar. Victor is easily pushed off his spots right now and won't have the ability to be that kind of player until he puts on some more muscle.

[SouthernFryd]

Everybody knows how kids play out on the playground when left to themselves. They bomb away from long range to see if they can hit one. They try fancy dribbling moves. That kind of stuff.

Pop says he has to watch Wemby before he will know how to coach him. So Pop and everybody watches, and what do we see? Wemby shoots from long range too much and he dribbles too much. Well duh. A random 12-year old could show you that, if you’re just watching him do his thing.

This whole bit with Pop and Wemby has been nothing but stupid. Wemby ought to have begun receiving professional quality NBA coaching from the first moment he set foot on a Spurs practice court. It’s not too late.

This.

It's like watching some high school star playing a pick-up game in the park. Just goofing around and trying to show off. Almost all teenagers do the same thing. It takes some serious heart to heart and face time to mature their game.

Wemby looks like...no, he plays like he hasn't had that come-to-Jesus moment yet. "You're not getting paid a gazillion dollars to around and do what you want. You're getting paid a magamazillion dollars to help us win. So, get your ass around the basket and stay there!"

2010 POP mighta said it just like that. It's what Wemby needs and probably wants...even if he doesn't know it yet. Like most teenagers, they resent it until they don't. lol.

2023 POP is probably trading Quiche Lorraine recipes...

[Tyronn Lue]

Victor doesn't have the strength to be Kareem right now. It wasn't just the skyhook, it was being able to gain and hold position down low to make the skyhook a high percentage shot for Abdul-Jabbar. Victor is easily pushed off his spots right now and won't have the ability to be that kind of player until he puts on some more muscle.

True, but I was talking about who players want to be, which is probably why Victor thinks the 3pt pullup is a good look vs something closer to the basket.

[Davidicus]

I’m assuming we all watched the ESPN broadcast, where they played a short clip of Pop coaching Wemby on returning to balance before going up for a shot again.

I don’t believe Pop is just letting him go free rein like a few ppl are suggesting. Based on his latest press conference sounds like he’s restricting the coaching staff from putting him into any subset of schemes or styles. I’m sure he’s coaching fundamentals to him, like balance, shot selection, etc etc