Game Thread: Spurs (18-19) @ Lakers (20-16) 1/13/2025 9:30 PM CST. 5:30 AM RIGA. 5:30 PM HAWAII

[RC_Drunkford]

As somebody that lives in Los Angeles, I can tell y'all right now...the Spurs have zero chance of winning this game. Just be glad they postponed the Saturday game

Pop probably told them to lose anyway. „It wouldn‘t be fair to win, when there‘s a fire going on. That‘s not who we are.“

[scott]

It's gonna be an emotionally charged Crypto.Com Arena when the Spurs step on the court. They gotta be charged and energized, too, and jump out there with a good lead. Sadly, once Wemby sits for his first break, the Fakers will go on a scoring blitz and as predicted, they'll be right back in the game. Hope Mitch and the coaches have addressed this problem, which is a lineup issue. The Fackers seem to be a matchup problem for the Spurs, too. Hope Wenbanyama and the rest of the team will show up for this game and get a Dub. GSG!!!

The lineup issues are actually really simple:

• The Spurs are 14 net points better with Wemby on the court than with him off (-5.0 ON / -9.3 OFF)
• The Spurs are 14 net points worse with Vassell on the court than with him off (+3.9 OFF / -9.4 ON)

You might be asking: "well, how about how these two guys interact with each other? Certainly there is some overlap there, right?" Great question, I'm glad you asked.

• When Wemby is on the court without Vassell, the Spurs have a +10.2 NETRTG
• When Wemby is on the court with Vassell, the Spurs have a -4.5 NETRTG, which is only slightly better than...
• When Wemby and Vassell are both off the court, the Spurs have a -5.3 NETRTG, which is way better than...
• When Vassell is on the court without Wemby, the Spurs have a -16.3 NETRTG

[Rummpd]

Bottom line NOT missing this game on NBA TV. Out East, I am doctor and public health executive and absolutely exhausted and fighting a cold; but setting the alarm and waking up to watch this no matter how tired. Go Wemby, Go Spurs. Want to see Wemby face plant AD and block some of his shots Just do this. Get back to 0.500

[CorrectCrusader]

Bottom line NOT missing this game on NBA TV. Out East, I am doctor and public health executive and absolutely exhausted and fighting a cold; but setting the alarm and waking up to watch this no matter how tired. Go Wemby, Go Spurs. Want to see Wemby face plant AD and block some of his shots Just do this. Get back to 0.500

Get well soon man

[skin27]

Go Spurs Go. We need this win to stay in the play in picture

[baseline bum]

Afraid we're going to get the full emotional onslaught of Southern California dumped on us tonight. Ugh.

Pre-emptive request for a good streaming link. LA games blacked out in HI as "local", despite being 2500 miles away.

sportsurge is usually pretty good

[ace3g]

Sochan ruled out.

[Rummpd]

By the way use to be paid to write another site and briefly here and am a national experts on analytics and rankings. Here is an invited podcast interview where I discuss Duncan 4 in the Top 100 NBA and other lists. Duncan the ONLY player in history top 3 defensive win shares and ratings and top 15 7 other analytics all time. Simply incredible and Wemby may one day be even better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw_KMvvARKI If link does not work Google Rumm NBA podcast.

[sananspursfan21]

Wemby’s response tonight is gonna tell a lot about him tbh. He’s had time to stew on last week’s bitter performance. I believe in this kid, let’s go Wemby!

[Pauleta14]

By the way use to be paid to write another site and briefly here and am a national experts on analytics and rankings. Here is an invited podcast interview where I discuss Duncan 4 in the Top 100 NBA and other lists. Duncan the ONLY player in history top 3 defensive win shares and ratings and top 15 7 other analytics all time. Simply incredible and Wemby may one day be even better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw_KMvvARKI If link does not work Google Rumm NBA podcast.

Currently listening the end, I agree with a lot of your points.

FYI n AI analysed all the data available on basketball and the results listed Duncan 2nd all time behind MJ, it's of course arguable depending on criteria that imo should be precized before any discussion, otherwise the convo looses any purpose.

As a Spurs fan did your early encounter with young Shaq impacted the (I assume) hate toward the Lakers with all the matchups we had? It must be something to have live update of a kid you took care of for decades.

[Pauleta14]

Wemby’s response tonight is gonna tell a lot about him tbh. He’s had time to stew on last week’s bitter performance. I believe in this kid, let’s go Wemby!

Wemby struggles after long breaks, I'm afraid he'll start rusty

[cutewizard]

By the way use to be paid to write another site and briefly here and am a national experts on analytics and rankings. Here is an invited podcast interview where I discuss Duncan 4 in the Top 100 NBA and other lists. Duncan the ONLY player in history top 3 defensive win shares and ratings and top 15 7 other analytics all time. Simply incredible and Wemby may one day be even better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw_KMvvARKI If link does not work Google Rumm NBA podcast.

Nice meeting you Doctor.......

[Larry O]

Oh, to add fuel to all the emotions the Lakers fans will have, they will aslo honor Michael Cooper by retiring his Jersey.

[mystargtr34]

please drop vassell off somewhere near pasadena/altadena...

and dont look back...

Damn 😂

[LeBowen]

Oh, to add fuel to all the emotions the Lakers fans will have, they will aslo honor Michael Cooper by retiring his Jersey.

Wth, he retired 35 years ago.
Hopefully the game starts before the fire reaches the arena.

[heyheymymy]

. Pre game fire tribute was powerful. This arena is in emotional lockstep right now. Spurs playing against the strength and spirit of all LA.

[heyheymymy]

Last matchup I think LA had Dlo still so a different look tonight

[sananspursfan21]

This is gonna be an emotionally charged game. I hope our guys are ready…

[LeBowen]

Monstars took Castle's talent.

[skin27]

Castle what?

[ginobilized]

I don't think DV knew if he was shooting or passing

[CorrectCrusader]

DUNK THAT MAN

[TekXX]

Castle will never do much offensively

[Larry O]

Spurs already coming out the gates on a bad note.

[LeBowen]

My motivation for this game is already gone.