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

[SAGirl]

Didnt think KA was that bad but Simmons came with more urgency and his game gives something instantaneously which is needed when you play short minutes. I dont think its a bad on KA just a good on Simmons. I think KA is being groomed for the future where as Simmons can help now.

Agree with you Skulls.

[sasaint]

You are so right about Boris. He seems completely oblivious to stats. Given his age, I said earlier in the year that I thought he might retire after this year. But with his game he might be around for several more years. He is so crafty. And he is a basketball chameleon, constantly adapting and finding a way to make a strong contribution - 3-point threat to post-up assassin.

Actually, I know that you hope both Simmons and Kyle are a part of Spurs TNG (as I do). Pop's handling of Kyle is making me question whether he is still very high on the guy, though. I caught a glimpse of Kyle in the game (2nd quarter, IIRC), and then he was gone. A poster said he made a defensive error and got the hook after 45 seconds, but I missed the sequence. Pop has a zero level tolerance approach with Kyle that is a head scratcher.

[Kawhitstorm]

Get your point but I stated the best PERFORMING player. Duncan was the most VALUABLE player that series but it was ugly for him because of his task. Manu ran wild on Detroit. Its almost exactly the deal with the early Spurs vs Lakers duels. KOBE was the one that "killed" us because he was able to run wild on our D as we mostly focused our defensive strength (our frontcourt) on defending Shaq. Shaq was never really the guy that "killed" us...it was kobe. Kawhi has had one series (really three games) against a team that was overrated and on the end of a long run to where he was the lead performer. Manu, again, faced a MUCH better team and defense and killed them.

Wade/T-Mac/LeBron used to destroy Tayshaun b/c they took advantage of his footspeed or lack-thereof just like Manu. Kobe meanwhile settled for jumpers & didn't have success shooting over Tayshaun's length, there is a reason why the guy holds all the futility records in league history.

[Kawhitstorm]

Pop's handling of Kyle is making me question whether he is still very high on the guy, though. I caught a glimpse of Kyle in the game (2nd quarter, IIRC), and then he was gone. A poster said he made a defensive error and got the hook after 45 seconds, but I missed the sequence. Pop has a zero level tolerance approach with Kyle that is a head scratcher.

Pop is treating Fathead like he used to treat Tiago/Danny when they were new faces on the roster. On the other hand, Simmons is off the leash like rookie year Blair & Roger Mason. Boban is getting that spot duty like Baynes.

[ace3g]

[steeledl]

\
Actually, I know that you hope both Simmons and Kyle are a part of Spurs TNG (as I do). Pop's handling of Kyle is making me question whether he is still very high on the guy, though. I caught a glimpse of Kyle in the game (2nd quarter, IIRC), and then he was gone. A poster said he made a defensive error and got the hook after 45 seconds, but I missed the sequence. Pop has a zero level tolerance approach with Kyle that is a head scratcher.

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.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

I came in late to this, is there a reason why LMA hasn't played the entire quarter?

ruptured ACL

[SAGirl]

You are so right about Boris. He seems completely oblivious to stats. Given his age, I said earlier in the year that I thought he might retire after this year. But with his game he might be around for several more years. He is so crafty. And he is a basketball chameleon, constantly adapting and finding a way to make a strong contribution - 3-point threat to post-up assassin.

Actually, I know that you hope both Simmons and Kyle are a part of Spurs TNG (as I do). Pop's handling of Kyle is making me question whether he is still very high on the guy, though. I caught a glimpse of Kyle in the game (2nd quarter, IIRC), and then he was gone. A poster said he made a defensive error and got the hook after 45 seconds, but I missed the sequence. Pop has a zero level tolerance approach with Kyle that is a head scratcher.

If we don't overthink it, it's simple, one guy is more developed than the other at this point. Anderson is still a developing young player that is not going to contribute much offensively, and Pop doesn't want him to. (Or at least Pop didn't want him to originally, lately Kyle has been more aggressive, there were too many games where he was just too passive.) But he's still developing and therefore will be up and down offensively and not contribute much. Precisely because of that, you can't let him get away with the slightest issue defensively.

On the other hand, Simmons is a developed athlete with a game that is growing with experience, and able to make an offensive impact right away. Since he is a factor offensively, you can maybe let him get away with one or two mistakes before you need to do something about it.

Beyond that, I think Kyle was really not meant to play real minutes in this game. Simmons was ready to sub in the 1st Q and then Pop surprised us giving the nod to Kyle in the 2nd bc the match up was with Budinger, a tall bench SF guy. So Kyle got the nod over Simmons just on defensive reasons alone. Then in the first play, the very first play he got in the game, the poor guy (Kyle) gets hit with a backcut by Budinger and a score. If the only reason you are playing is for defense and you don't do your job you will get subbed out. End of story for Kyle.

[SpurPadre]

Just sort of worked out that way.... Had a group of players start playing well together in the 4th and Pop road the hot hand. LMAlpha was set to come back in but we hit a big 3 to stretch the lead even further. Pacers called a timeout... and Pop went to Boban

Thanks.

[sasaint]

If we don't overthink it, it's simple, one guy is more developed than the other at this point. Anderson is still a developing young player that is not going to contribute much offensively, and Pop doesn't want him to. (Or at least Pop didn't want him to originally, lately Kyle has been more aggressive, there were too many games where he was just too passive.) But he's still developing and therefore will be up and down offensively and not contribute much. Precisely because of that, you can't let him get away with the slightest issue defensively.

On the other hand, Simmons is a developed athlete with a game that is growing with experience, and able to make an offensive impact right away. Since he is a factor offensively, you can maybe let him get away with one or two mistakes before you need to do something about it.

Beyond that, I think Kyle was really not meant to play real minutes in this game. Simmons was ready to sub in the 1st Q and then Pop surprised us giving the nod to Kyle in the 2nd bc the match up was with Budinger, a tall bench SF guy. So Kyle got the nod over Simmons just on defensive reasons alone. Then in the first play, the very first play he got in the game, the poor guy (Kyle) gets hit with a backcut by Budinger and a score. If the only reason you are playing is for defense and you don't do your job you will get subbed out. End of story for Kyle.

Good points. Just seems like Pop has gotten harder and harder on Kyle, but perhaps that is just my perception - compounded by Pop's growing confidence in Simmons. Whatever, I am looking forward to a lot of Kawhi/Simmons athletic pairings in the future. And I believe Kyle will find his niche.

[DMC]

Nuh uh. Sometimes the Spurs lose games. And when they do, this place explodes with calls for him to be fired. How can the COTY get that many demands for firing?

Ask George Karl and Avery Johnson.

[SAGirl]

Good points. Just seems like Pop has gotten harder and harder on Kyle, but perhaps that is just my perception - compounded by Pop's growing confidence in Simmons. Whatever, I am looking forward to a lot of Kawhi/Simmons athletic pairings in the future. And I believe Kyle will find his niche.

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.

[LakerHater]

[BatManu20]

[BatManu20]

[BatManu20]

This is a pretty remarkable stat.

[BillMc]

ESPN Stats & Info
@ESPNStatsInfo


Since Tim Duncan's rookie season (1997-98) @spurs have 44 different win streaks of 6+ gamesThey have ONE 6-game losing streak in that span

[timtonymanu]

This is a pretty remarkable stat.

He probably won't see much time on Curry but I am looking forward t that next game.

[BillMc]

Victory!

[Kawhitstorm]

He probably won't see much time on Curry but I am looking forward t that next game.

Klay has been running his mouth about being the "best SG in the league" thus Kawhi will gladly take the challenge of making his life miserable.

[timtonymanu]

Klay has been running his mouth about being the "best SG in the league" thus Kawhi will gladly take the challenge of making his life miserable.

saw that too. Klay runs his mouth a lot for someone who was a non factor in all their playoff runs.

[k_nguyen93]

Shaka Smart was sitting with RC during the game and supposedly visited the locker room afterwards. Would love to see Wingstop incorporate a bit of Havoc defense for the playoffs.

[BillMc]

[BillMc]

blob:https%3A//vine.co/4b6b578f-1f48...8-0f64efb3a14a

[Spurtacular]

Klay has been running his mouth about being the "best SG in the league" thus Kawhi will gladly take the challenge of making his life miserable.

Officially, Harden plays SG. So, he's wrong. But a lot of 3's in the league can pretty well shut him down as well.

Edit: I doubt I'd take Klay over Hayward either.