Game Thread: Spurs vs Pacers -- Mon. (12/21) - 7:30PM CST (3:30AM Riga Time)

[Spurtacular]

Someone re-watch the game and tell me how many open looks PG missed. He claims his 1-14 wasn't much to do with KL.

[skulls138]

The problem is that he doesn't do anything well and he is super timid/scared and plays with little energy or aggression offensively. He is a warm body to throw out there and eat up minutes when he is focused but when he is making mistakes and having mental lapses on defense he is pretty unplayable because he isn't going to get it back for you on the other end. I think that is the main reason pop doesn't tolerate him making any defensive mistakes while he gives Simmons a longer leash as he can contribute on both sides of the court.

But they knew that when they got him. Not the scared timid part, but the lack of specialization. Pop cant "plug him in" to fill a particular need except defensive rebounding maybe, and when youre third string youve got to be able to make a difference quickly. Simmons doesnt have one particular skill either except energy which WILL make a difference quickly. KA can be like a b-ball genius but we got enough of them for now

[SAGirl]

@Someone posted that already above... few posters before this. He said only 4-5 shots were contested by Kawhi.

P.G. might have been more accurate to say it was the Spurs defense in general... with Kawhi backed up by a team of guys that switched onto him or something.

[Robz4000]

Why did LMA only log 27 minutes while sitting out the last quarter?

Pop wised up and made an in-game adjustment; Spurs were better playing small and went with Diaw/West or Duncan/Diaw.

[Fireball]

I think PG got by KL quite easily, but just could not make shots ... of course KL is so good at recovering he still bothers your shot but KL was not really able to stay in front of PG13

[ceperez]

But they knew that when they got him. Not the scared timid part, but the lack of specialization. Pop cant "plug him in" to fill a particular need except defensive rebounding maybe, and when youre third string youve got to be able to make a difference quickly. Simmons doesnt have one particular skill either except energy which WILL make a difference quickly. KA can be like a b-ball genius but we got enough of them for now

???? WTF ????

[ceperez]

I believe Simmons has the makings of a two way player, able to impact both aspects of the floor, offensively and defensively.

Obviously initially, due to lack of experience he had defensive mistakes, but he was able to make an immediate impact offensively. So I would not label him an offensive player, but initially regardless of his defense, he had an offensive impact right away, and will only get better.

Kyle, on the other hand, doesn't have much of an impact offensively therefore you need to be strict with him defensively.
Everyone needs to have a role to get playing time. It's ironic, because defense was not Kyle's strong suit ever, but he's improved. Basically, despite it not necessarily being a srtength of his, his playing time depends on how good he is defensively. If he's good defensively he will get playing time that will allow him to be better and improve in all other areas.

He will get chances in the future, but you could say their roles have reversed. Kyle will now play when there are injuries, foul trouble, Manu is resting, or someone is really, really laying out an egg, or if there is a matchup problem that J.Simms can't handle. If he keeps working hard he will make the most of his chances.

Great take. Right now both player have improved defensively, but Simmons has better impact offensively. Both players are equally effective though, but with the Spurs there are plenty of efficient players. Furthermore, KA really is like Boris Diaw but without the athleticism so its just going to be a struggle for him to be stay in the court when there are other better players. In contrast, Simmons is just a different kind of player that nobody else in the bench has his kind of talents.

[steeledl]

?

Great take. Right now both player have improved defensively, but Simmons has better impact offensively. Both players are equally effective though, but with the Spurs there are plenty of efficient players. Furthermore, KA really is like Boris Diaw but without the athleticism so its just going to be a struggle for him to be stay in the court when there are other better players. In contrast, Simmons is just a different kind of player that nobody else in the bench has his kind of talents.

I don't think so.

[BatManu20]

[BatManu20]

[BatManu20]

[Boogie Munster]

Game was awesome. Leonard and Diaw fat ass beasted. Really liked the renovations done at the center. Less lines for beer and a bit better food selections. Seats weren't so bad and the screen was s. Still ty to see at least 40-50 empty seats in the front. I was behind the basket.

[BatManu20]

[BatManu20]