Game Thread: Spurs (24-30) @ Pelicans (13-43) -- Sun. 2/23/2025 -- 6:00pm CST (2:00am Riga; 2:00pm Hawaii)

[Raven]

mitch looked legitimately disheartened yesterday.. but of course he's not going back on his moves he made, namely putting blake and malaki out of the rotation, sochan the center and a next to no attention to d approach.

[ginobilized]

I think the ASG fatigued Castle and he hasn't bounced back yet, just a theory. He'll likely get his legs back in another game or two.
Another theory, tanking is not in Castle's blood. He's always played to win and is disheartened because of the losing/putrid basketball. The hope of making the play-in might've been fueling Castle's heightened play a while back.
Having his minutes chopped so egregiously could also be a depressing factor.

My main concern as the season winds down is that this rudderless style of play can hold back development, destroy morale and can actually lead to more injuries as players check out.
Horrible showing and Mitch's post game affect and gibberish were neither attuned to his fan base nor the game that we watched.

[Raven]

I think the ASG fatigued Castle and he hasn't bounced back yet, just a theory. He'll likely get his legs back in another game or two.
Another theory, tanking is not in Castle's blood. He's always played to win and is disheartened because of the losing/putrid basketball. The hope of making the play-in might've been fueling Castle's heightened play a while back.
Having his minutes chopped so egregiously could also be a depressing factor.

My main concern as the season winds down is that this rudderless style of play can hold back development, destroy morale and can actually lead to more injuries as players check out.
Horrible showing and Mitch's post game affect and gibberish were neither attuned to his fan base nor the game that we watched.

given how many times he gets scored on, i'd say that is not likely to be the issue

[Leetonidas]

The team is checked out and mentally deflated since the Victor news. They only beat the Suns because they're even more checked out than we are and they were riding the emotions of that day. Just shut Fox down and let Castle start. This season was over the moment Vic went out

[NASpurs]

The team is checked out and mentally deflated since the Victor news. They only beat the Suns because they're even more checked out than we are and they were riding the emotions of that day. Just shut Fox down and let Castle start. This season was over the moment Vic went out

Even with Wemby there this team wasn't looking that great. Most of the roster is garbage and devoid of talent. No rebounding, no defense outside of Wemby and Castle, middle of the pack on offense... the list goes on and on.

[J_Paco]

Can we finally shut down Fox and have him have his suegery? I'm legit baffled he's still playing.

My working theory is they want to give him one true home game in front of the fans, and then it's surgery time.

What is the injury that Fox is dealing with?

I'd definitely just shut him down at this point and go to a Paul - Castle/Vassell - Barnes - Sochan - Biyombo lineup.

I would prefer Bassey, but his knees are made of glass at this point, and Castle starting over Biyombo & Vassell.

[J_Paco]

mitch looked legitimately disheartened yesterday.. but of course he's not going back on his moves he made, namely putting blake and malaki out of the rotation, sochan the center and a next to no attention to d approach.

His moves have sucked.

He managed to have one, maybe two, good months(s) and has been terrible, IMO, ever since. This is gonna be a rough post - Pop era if Mitch is gonna be this stubborn and unwilling to try different things/combinations.

[scott]

What is the injury that Fox is dealing with?

I'd definitely just shut him down at this point and go to a Paul - Castle/Vassell - Barnes - Sochan - Biyombo lineup.

I would prefer Bassey, but his knees are made of glass at this point, and Castle starting over Biyombo & Vassell.

He has a pinky injury on his shooting hand. Nothing that he can't play through in the short run if he had to, but it will require surgery to fix.

[scott]

My main concern as the season winds down is that this rudderless style of play can hold back development, destroy morale and can actually lead to more injuries as players check out.
Horrible showing and Mitch's post game affect and gibberish were neither attuned to his fan base nor the game that we watched.

This is also my biggest concern. At some point, the FO and the HC need to make it clear to the players that the rest of the season is about development and establishing iden y going into next year; that expectations will be different next; and the last 27 games will be about evaluating who will be part of that future and who will not. Then Mitch needs to actually hold guys accountable who aren't performing. Don't be afraid to nail Vassell's ass to the bench and play Branham, kind of moves.

[ginobilized]

This is also my biggest concern. At some point, the FO and the HC need to make it clear to the players that the rest of the season is about development and establishing iden y going into next year; that expectations will be different next; and the last 27 games will be about evaluating who will be part of that future and who will not. Then Mitch needs to actually hold guys accountable who aren't performing. Don't be afraid to nail Vassell's ass to the bench and play Branham, kind of moves.

Amen!!!

[mystargtr34]

Can Chris Paul be cut and sign with a contender for the min?

Surely he would prefer that then stick around on a tanking team.

I’d roll out..

Wesley, Branham
Castle, Champ
Vassell, Keldon
Barnes, Mamu
Bassey, 40yo Biyombo

Spurs would go 5-22 in their last 27 and finish 29-53. That probably gets you close to the 6th or 7th worst record.

[tonight...you]

Can Chris Paul be cut and sign with a contender for the min?

Surely he would prefer that then stick around on a tanking team.

I’d roll out..

Wesley, Branham
Castle, Champ
Vassell, Keldon
Barnes, Mamu
Bassey, 40yo Biyombo

Spurs would go 5-22 in their last 27 and finish 29-53. That probably gets you close to the 6th or 7th worst record.

He can be bought out, if he so wishes.

[baseline bum]

My working theory is they want to give him one true home game in front of the fans, and then it's surgery time.

My working theory is there is no plan other than durr we need to hit our shots.

[dbestpro]

Johnson is not much of a coach.

[Tyronn Lue]

These guys are tanking. Granted, they don't need to work too hard to do it, but you don't lose that many in the 4th quarter with that kind of point differential. Can someone pull up the diff in the 4th since Victor has been out?