Grades: Spurs @ Rockets - Dec. 11, 2023

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/2023-spurs-rockets-grades-22/

17.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Malaki Branham is a curious creature. When he plays well (in spurts)..he looks so smooth and like a veteran operator. But his shooting is mostly off the mark and that has hurt his confidence as a playmaker. His defense has been porous. According to dunksandthrees.com's EPM (Estimated Plus-Minus), he is the worst player in the league. Here's hoping that his new stint as the de-facto point guard will rev up and unlock his play a bit. If not, the Spurs shouldn't hesitate to cut loose if they land a good PG/ SG in next year's draft.

Keldon Johnson has been such a disappointment too. His defense is mediocre, his shot-taking is inconsistent and prone to streakiness and never looks comfortable and while he has improved his passing and passmaking, his decision making is still suspect at best. Another candidate for a trade by the end of season if he shows no improvement on both sides of the play. As things stand, Keldon is hurting the team more than helping it. And to think that some posters that he was the second coming of Charles Barkley!

Jeremy Sochan is better off coming from the bench as he is not spreading the floor and not doing enough to realise his value as a connector. He is better off being benched and maybe Pop should play Champagnie in the starting lineup instead of him, and letting Keldon play PF again, where he seems more comfortable defending rather than at SF.

[SouthernFryd]

"Pop can’t do anything about terrible three-point shooting"

Sure he can. He can stop them from doing it so much. There are other things basketball players can do besides shoot 3 pointers. A basketball coach should know this

For instance. Zach, Wemby, Zochan and most of the rest of the team should be banned from ever shooting another three. All but 3 or 4 Spurs should ever have the green light for shooting 3's. I guarantee you we will score more points.

Just because every other team in the league is trying to be Stephan Curry, doesn't mean it's what YOU should be.

I've not seen a game this year that POP shouldn't have received an F. Unless, of course...he is actually tanking the season. Then he gets an A++++

[LeBowen]

The worst thing of it all are casuals just casually (well, duh) reacting to all this and saying rebuilding is a process.
Yes, it's a process, but when your team looks like a bunch of random bunch of people every single game, questions have to be asked.

I've seen every game last season, but I'm already sick of this season, it's a regression in almost every single aspect of team basketball.

[Extra Stout]

I assume all these grades are on a curve taking into account low expectations. If players were measured against the NBA average, most grades would be D’s and F’s.

Only Wembanyama and Vassell really looked like they belong in the NBA. Sochan looked like somebody who potentially could belong in the NBA. Branham looked like a guy on a 10-day contract who got hot for a half.

I’m tired of Keldon Johnson. I thought he was empty calories last year, and got told that was because I must not watch games. I’m tired of hearing that the team needs his “vocal leadership.” Because of course we want leaders with intermittent effort on defense and who slump their shoulders in the face of adversity.

This is a ty roster full of bad players. Only Wembanyama, Vassell and Sochan have any chance of wearing silver and black the next time the Spurs are good.

I also think Pop has mellowed out to the point of ineffectiveness.

[cjw]

The first decent offer that comes in for Keldon is one you take in a heartbeat. It’s not like moving him will cost you wins when you can’t even get a win with him over the course of a month and change.

[spurraider21]

Pop gets a B for not starting a point guard. Are you grading him on the same curve you would give Blake Wesley at this point?

[Spurs Homer]

Pop can't do anything about -shooting?

Well - he could have benched the atrocious bricklayers...and given graham some run...he could give Sissokko some time to see if he adds anything to the team - he could have let mamu take ALL of -zollins garbage minutes...

run a few plays for champagnie

he could run post up plays for wemby

he could run shooting drills at practice until their arms ache

he could - ing COACH like he cares?

[JeffDuncan]

In his time on the floor Mamu did an excellent job defending Sengun.
Mamu : A. He deserves more time.

[RC_Drunkford]

The worst thing of it all are casuals just casually (well, duh) reacting to all this and saying rebuilding is a process.
Yes, it's a process, but when your team looks like a bunch of random bunch of people every single game, questions have to be asked.

I've seen every game last season, but I'm already sick of this season, it's a regression in almost every single aspect of team basketball.

your team should actually improve while rebuilding, but they are regressing. Still Pop: B

[TheGreatYacht]

It’s time for Devonte Graham to start and provide some much needed shooting.

I thought this was Pop’s best game of the season, tbh. Collins getting in foul trouble helped but he finally played him under 15 minutes which is what should be the move from here on out. Branham played his one good game of the month and should be sent to Austin, as well as Sochan. They’re both dog and I’m not trolling when I say they’re responsible for at least 5 losses. They literally bring nothing. Can’t shoot, can’t defend, can not pass. Fail the eye test and advanced stats don’t even consider them NBA players. Walking net negatives.

Wemby/Collins
Mamu/McDermott
Johnson/Osman
Vassell/Champagnie
Graham/Jones

[Splits]

Mamu - didn't cheer hard enough for the VW poster

Grade: F-

[MannyIsGod]

Pop should get an F each game he doesn't start Tre Jones at this point. Come the on the dude is doing everything to avoid the obvious move, LJ. How can you say it makes sense?

We probably lose regardless but is just mind blowing.