SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 9*: SPURS VS. WOLVES, 10-11-2023, 7PM (CT)

[imagump1313]

Why do we hate Wemby?

[G R E Y]

Sochan O foul on what PGs do all the time.

[G R E Y]

Alley oop allez!

[G R E Y]

And that's why Tre isn't starting.

[imagump1313]

ball security Vassell......

I'm not even going to type it in all caps anymore

[G R E Y]

4TH Q: SPURS 110 WOLVES 117

Post-game, Pop said he was proud of how we played. And it's a good reminder for when repeated errors get too frustrating and seem magnified.

We did do some things better: we won the 3-point shooting 12-10 made. We limited our TOs to 14 and we were +5 in points off of them. We had 29 assists. We were 8-4 in blocks. Nine of their 18 TOs were on our steals. We had five more FGAs.

We also started out with better energy, and finished with it as well which were good to see. We got down after getting and giving up a lead and fought back several times to trim the deficit to single digits, then down to I think five late.

Consistency is something we're learning, and so bookended by two good Qs were our bleeding points 2ND Q and unable to score 3RD.

Patterns like rebounding - boxing out, hustling after the ball, giving up second chance points stood out poorly. We got crushed 51-38 on the boards, and 13-7 on O.

They had a 50-42 PITP advantage.

And we put them on the FT line a lot (didn't seem like the physicality was equally allowed, frankly) to the tune of 21-27, we didn't push the issue enough and so they had more points scored than we had attempts.

And with every play counting, in a close game, making only 12-19FTs hurt. Devin led us with 7-9. Welcome back!

Shot distribution: Wemby got the bulk with 21 FGAs. Good! Devin was next with 16FGAs. Also good. We still missed Wemby, and we still missed each other, but it's really important that we get the pecking order set. This 1-2 punch is where it starts. After that, Branham, who just came off of two good games as a starter, went back to chucking and little else. He had at least as many FGAs - 11 - as three starters. He shot 3-11, 0-4 from 3.

Our bench put up 28 of our 92FGAs. Eleven of them were from the arc, but only ONE three was made among them. Branham took more shots than Doug and Cedi combined. Cedi has struggled a bit the last couple of games, but he and Doug are vital to our bench ballast. Branham just does not **** give the ball up no matter how much it's the right play and that mindset is hurting us, especially given he hardly contributed elsewhere. Two steals were good, and I do like how lithe and anticipatory he is getting around screens on D. He's twitchy and quick in looking at the coming screen, and takes a timely wide step around it. Something Keldon could and should learn. Good MB footwork on O to get around screens for quick, balanced Js as well.

Our bench scored 21 points on those 28FGAs, only one made from the arc, and NONE from the FT line - not none made, none attempted.

If only the ball could unstick from Branham's hands when it should. Keldon was like this earlier in his career. Maybe we're greenlighting him to just shoot the hell out of it. But he has to be cognizant enough of when his shot's not falling and of when his team mates are actually more open.

Bassey was bouncy and a lot more physical. We need a lot more of it team-wide.

Shot selection: I really like when guys are more assertive than not, but as guys are looking to make an impact, the choices of when to shoot or make any other play stand out. Surprisingly Tre has done this, looking off team mates in favour of taking his own shot. I don't mind that in general, but a low percentage or too congested in the paint attempt when others are more open are surprising reads and takes.

Again: Doug and Cedi shouldn't combine for 6FGAs all game. Someone give them the ball more.

Sochan barrelling end to end through the key without even looking left or right (or up for that matter lol) only to mess up the finish is a lot wrong in one play. He's not a selfish player, but he makes a lot of wrong decisions from missing team mates to really really poor finishing at the rim, to inefficiency and calling his own number at the expense of more open team mates. His handles are poor for his position. He at times picks up his dribble too early to protect the ball rather than being able to get out of trouble with handles. And it's tough for us to get drives in half court sets with him at the helm. The combination of a steep learning curve and skills development resulting in a step slower decisions, telegraphed passes, bad finishes is frustrating. The combination of 6-11, 1-1 from 3, 7 boards (team high 3 on O), tied for team-high (with Zach) 5 assists, and team high 3 steals with team high 6TOs is emblematic of where he's at and where we're at with him. For now. Meaning I expect Sochan to improve at least in decision making and speed. Immediately, the bad telegraph passes and **** dribbling off his foot (or stepping out of bounds before) need quick improving. The finishing at the rim and handles are longer projects. He must get better at figuring out and executing angles off the glass. This is not a function of a new position, either. So many wasted chances. Loved the physical D. Loved it.

Keldon not having an efficient night (2-10, 0-3 from 3) while Zach was once again quietly steady, reliable, and efficient (5-6, 1-2 from 3) with other contributions across the board shows it's less about the pecking order than it is about recognizing and going to the hot hand. Loved the Keldon back door cut and Zach bounce pass for the open left drive finish. Zach operating better at the top and finding guys has been a joy to watch.

Keldon does not do well fighting over screens and is late when he cheats under them. Late in rotating. Late in contesting. Late in help D. If we ever do get something of a higher standard from the point position, I do wonder what Sochan at 3 may look like.

Keldon's handles have improved. He had a couple of great drives in the paint with low quick dribbles to get a defender on his heels. His touch at the rim is better. But we need as much in the results column with respect to D as there is talk about it.

Wemby and Devin are the tandem that is clearly standing out right now. How we surround them is an ongoing audition as well as the now and long-term project. I'm happy they're emerging as the top options, that they impact the team so well on both ends. They need help, and we need to get better providing it.

Boxing out, finishing at the rim, better half court sets to go along with the good D to O transition play, ball sharing, and movement will help.

As for the retro court, I like it. Love the unis and the historical nod. Love that the coaching staff wore something not black. Crowd was wonderful. We fed off it.

You can tell the guys wanted this one which is itself an improvement. We got closer to turning the tide.

[G R E Y]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube