SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 60: SPURS VS. THUNDER, 29-2-2024, 7:30 (CT)

[G R E Y]

Quick extra pass to the right corner for the Sochan 3.

[G R E Y]

Devin contested 3. Make.

Devin contested fadeaway sideways right baseline J. Miss.

[G R E Y]

VERY VERY PRETTY WEMBY PASS AND SOCHAN SNEAKS IN AND IN ONE MOVE AT THE RIM, CUTS JUMPS AND LAYS IT IN.

[G R E Y]

Sochan blocked by the rim.

Next time down, Sochan off the glass after a nice fake.

[imagump1313]

This game has been pretty good. This is why I shouldnt bet on games......

[G R E Y]

Tre end of clock 3.

Wemby 3.

*Click Click BOOM!*

[G R E Y]

DEVIN DUNK ON A 7-FOOTER! WOOT!

[G R E Y]

8-0 RUN!!!!!!!!

[imagump1313]

Finally something fun to watch!

[Baphomet]

Anyone else get chills when Wemby addressed the fans after the game? This kid is the one. His performances have been simply otherworldly recently. I'm not even sure if the biggest optimists among us would have predicted him to be this good this quickly.

This one felt special. The energy of the crowd, the players getting hyped after every big play, I've rarely seen this kind of enthusiasm for a team at the bottom of the standings, but I think it's because we all know there are great things to come. Really proud of the guys for pulling this one out, I think Sochan in particular is deserving of praise for his performance after a lot of criticism this season - some deserved, some not.

[G R E Y]

4TH Q: SPURS 132 THUNDER 118

Our best win of the season. First home game after a gruelling RRT, facing a tough two-way playing opponent with a collection of stars, and we out-competed and out-executed them consistently, start to finish. We held our own with a strong start, and stayed resilient when they made runs. In a season like ours, filled with mostly bitter lessons, signs of progress can be harder to glean without many wins. But we’ve grown resilient and stayed poised in pressure situations, making clutch plays on both ends. We pulled ahead and pulled away to pull off an impressive victory.

Wemby had said that every game was a statement game ‘from now on’ (it might have been when he was overlooked for rookie of the month despite having better numbers), and he knew full well what statement this matchup would make.

He was ready. The statement made is another historic night, leading us with clutch shots and defensive stops. He was catalyst and cog that generated momentum and ensured we moved well around and with it.

What a performance, both in the individual matchup and team one. The focus, leadership, and growing game right before our eyes is a wonder to witness.

Wemby led us with 28 on 9-17, 5-7 from 3, 5-7FTs, 13 boards (3 on O), 5 blocks, 2 steals – all team highs – and 7 assists. Clutch 3s and clutch blocks and clutch passes had the team confident to follow suit and the crowd in a frenzy.

I don’t know what expectations we had internally from Wemby in his rookie season, but performances like this one (following many others) blow right through them and raise the floor, ceiling, and timeline for team growth.

Devin is on board with growth and aggressiveness alongside Wemby. He also netted 28 on 12-20, 3-6 from 3, 1-1FT, 3 boards (1 on O), team-high 9 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks. I love the shot profile and selection, love the assertive finding of open driving lanes and crafty, physical finishes, space creation off screens and footwork, and finding of team mates while providing stellar D. Good fighting over screens, switches, staying with his man, and protecting the rim with timely blocks. Just a terrific synergy that also raised the team level, and ensured an alternate threat to Wemby when he was doubled.

Like Keldon before him, Sochan responded well to his benching last game, providing the energy and two-way play we’ve come to expect from him. He looked rejuvenated and wanting to prove a point and did just that. He scored 21 on 8-14, 3-6 from 3, 2-2FTs, and 10 boards (2 on O), our other double double alongside Wemby’s. He played within his best self, and really stood out well defensively versus opposing guards who are big and mobile. He was a full court menace, closing space and driving lanes, keeping them in front of him forcing passes or contested shots. A terrific bounce back game. Seeing the potential of this trio is tantalizing, especially since each still has room to grow his respective game.

Tre provided the speed and BBIQ and poise we need from him, scoring 17 on 6-9, 3-5 from 3, 2-2FTs, with 6 boards (1 on O), 8 assists, and 1 steal for a team-high +20. A terrific facilitator, and the perimeter D he and Devin provided was impressive. Good synergy, communication, commitment, and toughness to ensure there were no easy screens, switches, or drives.
Julian played 19 minutes and chipped in 6 on 1-3, 3-3FTs, with 2 boards, 1 assist. It’s pretty much 4 on 5 on O when he starts, either through his not scoring efficiently or through us not looking for him. Pop has started games and called ATOs which featured getting him the ball in the corners, so we are trying to include him more from a coaching aspect, but it’s still too little and too inefficient. He also either disappears (or we ghost him) or he tries for the too big a play with big dunk attempts that don’t often work out. Drives are a good idea; finishing with fundamentals rather than a fancy attention grabbing play is better.

Our bench contributed 32 points among four players. Pop played a tight nine-man unit, with Blake playing 5 minutes but not putting up a shot. Collins led us with 13 on on 5-7, 1-1 from 3 (blessed be!), 2-3FTs, with 5 boards (3 on O), 5 assists, and 1 block in only 16 minutes. He looked more like his old more aggressive self, getting his nose in among the crowd under the rim on either end, boxing out better, with forward motion to the rim and better extension at it. We have missed his aggressiveness and need all the more of it going forward.

Keldon chipped in 10 on 3-10, 2-7 from 3, 2-2FTs, with 2 boards (1 on O), and 4 assists. I love it when he gets assists as it means he’s looking for other more, though he’s back to at times having the ball stick with him. I didn’t love the more passive game with 70% of his shots from the arc, this from a player whose imposing physicality we need, but there are also games where you take what the D gives you. It’s a matter of finding that balance, and looking for other shots when one isn’t falling.

Branham made 6 on 3-7, 0-1 from 3, with 2 boards, 2 assists. Consistency and assertiveness and balance between his scoring prowess and looking for other is what we need from him.

We were rounded out with Cedi’s 3 points on 1-4, 1-3 from 3, with 3 assists, and 1 steal. Ever ready Cedi could have been a bit more steady but he’s always on the lookout for the extra pass. Still terrific off ball and high BBIQ.

We needed everyone’s energy and input and we got a high level from just about everyone with a key made play here and there. Doing it in pressure situations with our lead down to single digits made the outcome all the sweeter. It’s a glimpse into where we are at our best – a team-first, swarming movement on both ends, always punching back team. The 39 assists (to just 11TOs!), 45-37 rebounds including 11-7 on O and the 53/49/85 team efficiency attest to it. This game shows is both feedback and blueprint for what our level can be.

[G R E Y]

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