Game Thread: Spurs @ Pistons — Mon. 3/15/2021 - 7pm CST

[RC_Drunkford]

Lonnie has these superstar flashes. He's a completely different player when he's aggressive

[Mugen]

Lonnie looking great, surprised Pop hasn't subbed him out yet

[Sugus]

By the way, I really don't like Pop going back to Lonnie starting. It doesn't solve any problems in the SL (well, none except for making it slightly better, since Lyles isn't starting anymore). Lonnie was playing perfectly fine off the bench as well. Even if he does nicely today, he's still relegated to being third fickle in the pecking order, and it'll be even worse once DD gets back.

You know what the SL could really use? A really good 3pt shooter, that doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective, and can compliment the defense-first mindset by playing weakside defense and passing lanes as well... Don't we have someone like that? Oh, too bad he's a rookie, and rookies just don't start under this Pop

[murpjf88]

Pistons getting any shot they want. Good thing they stink.

[LeBowen]

At this point, I'd give away Patty and Rudy for free. Just suffocating the young guys.

Ofc Patty will close the half out and not Devin.

[RC_Drunkford]

By the way, I really don't like Pop going back to Lonnie starting. It doesn't solve any problems in the SL (well, none except for making it slightly better, since Lyles isn't starting anymore). Lonnie was playing perfectly fine off the bench as well. Even if he does nicely today, he's still relegated to being third fickle in the pecking order, and it'll be even worse once DD gets back.

You know what the SL could really use? A really good 3pt shooter, that doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective, and can compliment the defense-first mindset by playing weakside defense and passing lanes as well... Don't we have someone like that? Oh, too bad he's a rookie, and rookies just don't start under this Pop

I disagree here, when DeMar is out the team needs Lonnie more than anybody else. Besides that Lonnie is also a good 3-point shooter. Him coming off the bench with Chucky Mills and Rudy Gay won't help him. Once DeRozan is back he should come off the bench, but I wish Pop would give him the green light instead of giving it to Rudy and Patty

[John B]

Beast mode Lonnie, check

[John B]

McGruder’s eyes lighting up with Patty guarding him

[r0drig0lac]

sweet..

[Dejounte]

Oh that was a nice pass by Poeltl

[Sugus]

I disagree here, when DeMar is out the team needs Lonnie more than anybody else. Besides that Lonnie is also a good 3-point shooter. Him coming off the bench with Chucky Mills and Rudy Gay won't help him. Once DeRozan is back he should come off the bench, but I wish Pop would give him the green light instead of giving it to Rudy and Patty

I'd agree with you if Pop limited Lonnie's starting opportunities to just games that DD misses, and I understand this game isn't the best example of my point, but it'll become a problem really soon considering Pop's unwillingness to adapt to changing situations. It'll probably be fine this game against a tanking Pistons squad, but will be a problem once DeMar is back and Lonnie is back to his deferring, passive self instead of looking to shoot aggressively like he does today. To me, the worrisome thing is both that Pop still considers starting Lonnie an apt solution, and the follow-up fact that he doesn't consider starting Vassell a solution, or anything at all really, when he's by far the best fit of the bunch IMO.

[SpurPadre]

Lonnie has these superstar flashes. He's a completely different player when he's aggressive

Everybody is different and more aggressive when playing against bottom-feeders, tbh.

[PrimeMinister]

Jakob

[timtonymanu]

Yeah Mills! Buy that coffee, wave the towel. 50 million earned

[PrimeMinister]

bad shot by patty leading to a 3 on the other end -drink-

[RC_Drunkford]

I'd agree with you if Pop limited Lonnie's starting opportunities to just games that DD misses, and I understand this game isn't the best example of my point, but it'll become a problem really soon considering Pop's unwillingness to adapt to changing situations. It'll probably be fine this game against a tanking Pistons squad, but will be a problem once DeMar is back and Lonnie is back to his deferring, passive self instead of looking to shoot aggressively like he does today. To me, the worrisome thing is both that Pop still considers starting Lonnie an apt solution, and the follow-up fact that he doesn't consider starting Vassell a solution, or anything at all really, when he's by far the best fit of the bunch IMO.

Vassell is a great fit with the starting line up when we're fully healthy, since he's a Danny Green type 3-and-D offball player. But White is also too good to come off the bench, he's just not 100% right now, so I'm not mad at that. I just think Lonnie should be the main scorer for the second unit and currently those are still Patty and Rudy

[Dejounte]

This is the type of offensive firepower we need from our guards when DeMar is out. If they consistently play like this, the future will be okay without him.

[PrimeMinister]

Jak levelling the defender with the screen giving an easy 3

[John B]

I love beast mode Lonnie tonight. Yah Lonnie!

[spurs1990]

Good to see Spurs win this game as they should. Good rebound from last night

[Sugus]

Vassell is a great fit with the starting line up when we're fully healthy, since he's a Danny Green type 3-and-D offball player. But White is also too good to come off the bench, he's just not 100% right now, so I'm not mad at that. I just think Lonnie should be the main scorer for the second unit and currently those are still Patty and Rudy

Yeah, I agree. To be honest, the only solution really, is either trading one of the young guards to make space, or starting them all - sans DeRozan. All three of Dejounte, White, and Vassell would be perfect playing alongside each other... DeRozan's presence hinders that option, and forces many of our players out of position. I think I'm going back to the other side of the trade-him-or-keep-him stakes, lately...

[BatManu20]

Lonnie showing signs. Still holding out that he has another level he can elevate his game to. Just turned 22 a couple months ago, he’s got some time to really develop his game with all that natural athleticism. It’s all psychological with him though. Wish he had that killer instinct tbh.

[Dejounte]

Jak levelling the defender with the screen giving an easy 3

Jak's defense is way different than last night. His defense yesterday was pretty much non-existent. Glad it's better today.

[Sugus]

Good to see Spurs win this game as they should. Good rebound from last night

counting out a Spurs chokejob before the 3rd quarter

[NASpurs]

Good to see Spurs win this game as they should. Good rebound from last night

Yeah great bounce back win.