Grades: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers – Game #38

[onechance87]

I would remiss if I failed to point out that after a rough early go of things, CBass looked a lot better to close things out. He was controlling the boards and he was at least making AD work for his points. I thought Bassey played solid defense on AD most of the game, AD is just really good.

cbass sucked...luckily we brought wemby back in time before it got out of control.

[Splits]

This game reminded me of another game against the Lakers on the home court, but from a far more prosperous time: Game 6 of the 2003 WC Semi-Final, all the way down to a very similar 4th quarter box score. In 2003 it was SAS 32, LAL 13. Last night it was SAS 37, LAL 13. The old heads here will know that game well (I remember it like it was yesterday... I was at a place called Sam's Boat in Austin, wearing a unique red Spurs hat).

Also impressed how TimGPT knew to turn back the clock and pump out the grades as fast as timvp used to in those days.

GSG

Make San Antonio Great Again

[Dejounte]

When Wemby blocked a three pointer and Castle got the loose ball right before it went out of bounds… chef’s kiss

[PhantomDashCam]

An underrated part of this game was the Michael Cooper retirement ceremony. Halftime was about ten minutes longer and the Lakers looked flat coming out of the break as a possible result.
Apparently it's a bit of trend in LA with these type of retirement tributes (according to socials).

Spurs too would often struggle with these tribute games not to mention what the Lakers and locals are having to deal with outside of basketball.

Good W regardless but I believe it definitely played a part.

[scott]

An underrated part of this game was the Michael Cooper retirement ceremony. Halftime was about ten minutes longer and the Lakers looked flat coming out of the break as a possible result.
Apparently it's a bit of trend in LA with these type of retirement tributes (according to socials).

Spurs too would often struggle with these tribute games not to mention what the Lakers and locals are having to deal with outside of basketball.

Good W regardless but I believe it definitely played a part.

What was funny is that we also started our second half run when the LA Broadcast was doing a sideline interview with Cooper during the 3Q. I made a joke in the game thread that the Spurs should sponsor a podcast with this man, since good things seem to happen every time he goes on his long-winded speeches.

[100%duncan]

It was a great game and a gutsy win but I can't help but feel like a number of things are not sustainable or are in danger of being back to status quo due to rotations in the future:

1. Barnes' was A++ this game. He was really solid at attacking and was finishing smoothly. However, we can't really rely on Barnes to score 17 on good efficiency against good teams always (not that LA is a contender or whatever). That's not a knock on him but rather just the reality of the situation.

2. Castle's dominance. It was really refreshing to see Steph keep attacking whereas in the past weeks, there was hesitance that you can see when he started his dribbles. However, I am worried that when Sochan becomes healthy, Steph will be back to the bench again. This comment is less on Steph but more on the coaches' inability or refusal to see that Steph is just a better starter and plays better as one.

3. Back-up C situation. Damn Bassey was getting killed by AD which isn't a slight to him but my problem was his boneheaded mistakes on offense. He's too unreliable. He did make up for it a bit to start the 4th but I just don't see this being sustainable and him being the back-up C that Wemby deserves.

4. Vassell. Like I commented in another thread, if Vassell played like this on average then everyone here would be loving the out of him. This is the perfect blueprint of a Vassell 2nd option game. Unfortunately, we have yet to see him do this consistently. I fully expect him to score 11 pts the next game. Hoping he proves me wrong to either up his trade value or to win some of the fans back (not that we really matter )

Other comments on the brighter side:
1. We won this game with Champ going 0/6. The usual shining aspect of our bench was dog this game and yet the boys still weathered the storm.

2. Wemby was average this game on the offensive side and yet still filled up the stat sheet. It's nice not needing Victor to score 28+ for the team to win.

[tbdog]

That might be Keldons best game of his career. Not in terms of numbers but by playing winning, contributing basketball. Defending big wings might be his calling.

[Leetonidas]

yeah, i think bumping jeremy from the starting 5 is the way to go. he's tried to make himself more victor-compatible by becoming a stronger finisher at the rim and a better rebounder (something sorely needed when Vic needs to contest a shot), but ultimately hes too limiting. its not like they'd never have minutes together, and some matchups may end up dictating he play more.

I said before I think he would be best utilized as Victors backup since most teams don't play traditional bigs the entire game anymore anyway. I think he would excel in that role

[cutewizard]

thanks good Sir LJ for these grades

Keep them coming! Mabuhay po!