We’ve all assumed that one of KJ or Sochan need to go to the bench… but hear me out… what about both?
Starting 5:
New PG (Reeves?)
Bran
Dev
Wemby
Collins
2nd Unit:
Tre
SG TBD (Devonte?)
KJ
Sochan
Bassey
You can mask Bran’s defensive limitations in the starting unit, and Sochan/Bassey help cover up Keldon’s. I worry about a lineup that features both Bran and Keldon, defensively.
State Of The Spurs (spurstalk.com)
I've thought of that game too, but this time the lineup would feature basically zero guards.
That lineup would likely get pressed/trapped into oblivion full court and deep dropped (p-n-r) to death in the half court, with only Vassell somewhat able to make defenses pay, but with poor spacing around him.
If they don't start Sochan though, they're back to no big wing/forward defender in the starting lineup.
We might have 2 combination of Branham - Sochan and Tre - Johnson, with the last 2 spots on the SL. I think it depends on if Wemby is more of a wing on offense like what he showed in the ignite exhibition game or more a 4/5 he looked in france. Spacing, rules and pace is different, he would score more easily probably be an average 3 point shooter.
There is also on off chance chance that Sochan develops a wicked mid range pull up this offseason and be a true lead guard prospect and that lineup would work.
There was a time Keldon was a “non-shooter”. Sochan isn’t going to the bench, tbh. The Spurs usually “ride the wave” with their prospects until there’s signs of decline. To demote him when there isn’t any sign of decline would be opposite of what the Spurs do, especially since they assign more accountability and leadership towards their higher draft selections.
Sochan will “magically” look like a shooter by mid-season, maybe sooner. Did people forget the story of the season with Sochan? He was a rapid learner, probably the quickest one anyone had seen in a decade.
It never ceases to amaze me how this fanbase of all of them, automatically equate going to the bench with a "demotion".
I mean, we can’t pretend we know what goes in these player’s heads aside from the things they say or do. An average basketball player would feel like it’s a demotion. Is that even debatable? Like, to the fan it’s obvious we know the history of the Spurs and the one and great Manu. But are we assuming that these players share that fandom, too? It ceases to amaze me too that this isn’t common sense.
Agree. Just because we had one of the only stars in history that was proud and happy to come off the bench doesn't mean this is easy to do.
Try looking at last year from DPG21920's angle above. Did the Spurs really try to lose games last year?. I saw almost every game and it looked like our outmatched players were trying to win some close games in the 4th quarter rather than just giving up--and Pop looked like he was interested and doing some serious coaching to win at the end of those games. He didn't just sub in the worst players off the bench and wave the white flag--- if he thought the youngsters could learn something by playing hard in the 4th. That is very different from the classical "tanking" at ude and deliberately losing tactics IMHO>
The fact that they came up short in most games doesn't obviate the fact that they were probably trying their best and it just wasn't good enough against more experienced and talented teams. As a result, I think we came out of the season with our players maintaining a better at ude and with some hard-won experience about what it takes to win in the 4th quarter. They didn't have to hang their heads or curse the coaches for not letting them try to win. IT was a losing season but had some positive aspects beyond just getting a great draft position and pick.
Absolutely. The players tried, but the rotations were whack, and Pop didn't seem to hold anyone accountable for defense. The players weren't trying to lose, but Pop was sabotaging it. Was pretty clear after New Years.
Three players lead the list of gone forever: Dieng, Langford, Birch. (I think Dieng may be offered a coaching job.)
Coaches seem to like KBD so he will probably stay around despite problems with consistency. If a team wanted him as part of a trade deal, I'm OK with that. At age 27 he isn't likely to make much progress in his skillset. And with Wemby at PF, along with Sochan and maybe Barlow as a developing prospect, he could be the odd man out. On the other hand, he seems to be ok with bench role and is a decent locker room presence. Meh.
I don't see the necessity for waiving or trading more than 4 players out of the current roster. The biggest likelihood is is that we bring in Wemby and maybe a Guard or Wing. Whether they will immediately move in and improve the team has yet to be seen, but the possibilities in the draft are always exciting at this time of year. Especially if a trade would bring us a second super pick to go with Wemby.
if Sochan or Keldon don't like coming off the bench, are they culture fits?
Well somebody has to come off the bench. You can’t start 6 players. Tre is our only PG so he is starting. Vassell is our best shooter so he is starting. Wemby is the #1 pick so he is starting. Collins is playing center so he is starting. And Sochan is the #9 pick in the draft so he is starting
That leaves KJ as a bench player. Just by default. And if he has a problem with it then him tbh. Tbh I think if we start Tre as PG we aren’t making the playoffs. The dude should NOT be a starter. I don’t understand Spurstalk fascination with purposefully starting a bottom 5 PG. makes zero sense to me.
No, Sochan comes off the bench. Keldon's shooting is needed on the first unit. He'll play off Wembanyama better than off the bench. Maximize both KJ and Sochan that way.
That's not what you said though. If they suspect it'll be a shock to the system, it's not difficult to have a conversation beforehand and explain the reasoning. It wouldn't be permanent and his role wouldn't change much in the interim either way.
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