Preseason Game 5: Phoenix @ San Antonio

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Warren doesn't need a reliable three point shot to be a threat on the court. Evan Turner is a SG/SF who has a difficult time shooting the three and 2013/14 season he averaged 17.4 points a game as a Sixer. I know it was one of the worst basketball teams ever assembled, but he still got his points. I think Warren can quietly rack up 12-20 points a night and it would hardly get noticed.

If he's able to make plays (7 assists tonight) then I think the three pointer becomes less important. Plenty of 3-and-D guys in this league. I'd much rather have TJ than, say, Rodney Hood.

[bwgood77]

The preseason doesn't mean much, but it should mean just as much when we beat SA as when we lose to Denver.

I completely agree.

People seemed to think it meant a lot when we lost to Denver, but when we beat SA, it's just a meaningless preseason game.

This is where you and I had very different perceptions. We were all happy with Len and Booker's play, and we got excited when TJ nearly brought us against Houston. But it seemed to me that people weren't paying attention to the negatives, so I drew attention to them - a few days after the game, btw. I'd had time to stew on the disappointment.

I think the preseason is meaningful, and I think it is fairly predictive of a team's trajectory heading into the regular season. This stands in contrast to summer league, from which relatively little can be learned. So, the Nugs game was relevant, and so was the Spurs game.

I post on various boards, so some of my perception has to do with responses I've received elsewhere. But I completely agree that all games, good and bad, are equally relevant.

I think this has been a constructive discussion. I felt that you were discussing me specifically, since I had initiated and sustained the questioning of Hornacek's leadership. And while I wasn't able to watch the SA game, I am happy about it, and I would have responded accordingly today.

... One thing I noticed, just in the highlights, on a play where TJ left Kawhi in the corner - Longo appears to be yelling at TJ. TJ then defends himself to Horny, and Horny appears to yell something back to Longo. It's evident they're talking a lot about team defense off the court - and there may be some disagreement amongst the coaches about our approach. If Hornacek gets this team to play to its potential, I'll be right there with the rest of you calling for his extension.

I certainly wasn't singling you out. I just think in general at times people respond more negatively to a bad loss than a great win.

Also when I say meaningless, I just meant that mostly in the sense that all teams are going to reset to 0-0 after they are over. That and the fact that some teams take them seriously and want to play their best players to win, while others spend more time testing youth, so you never know exactly how seriously you can take the final result as to where your team is.

But they are meaningful in evaluating players, team chemistry, vibe, etc, and I think a team with a lot of new pieces will gain much more out of a good win than a team that has been together for years.

[kennydorglas]

Markieff's release is WAY quicker right now. If he can keep this up, SvG will send us a GODFATHER offer for him.

Warren is a beast, so controlled, so good at picking his spots and seeing the field for others if he cant find the net. He's a stud.

[jcsunsfan]

Warren doesn't need a reliable three point shot to be a threat on the court. Evan Turner is a SG/SF who has a difficult time shooting the three and 2013/14 season he averaged 17.4 points a game as a Sixer. I know it was one of the worst basketball teams ever assembled, but he still got his points. I think Warren can quietly rack up 12-20 points a night and it would hardly get noticed.

If he's able to make plays (7 assists tonight) then I think the three pointer becomes less important. Plenty of 3-and-D guys in this league. I'd much rather have TJ than, say, Rodney Hood.

I think this is right. TJ is effective without the three pointer. He needs to continue to work on it, but he doesn't have to force it. Let it come with time.

And you are right Kenny. He has a way of playing very controlled. He never seems to be in a hurry yet his always in the right place. He has active hands on D and a knack for offensive boards. He is out played PJ by a mile in preseason. It would be a shame for PJ to start over TJ.

[bwgood77]

Warren doesn't need a reliable three point shot to be a threat on the court. Evan Turner is a SG/SF who has a difficult time shooting the three and 2013/14 season he averaged 17.4 points a game as a Sixer. I know it was one of the worst basketball teams ever assembled, but he still got his points. I think Warren can quietly rack up 12-20 points a night and it would hardly get noticed.

If he's able to make plays (7 assists tonight) then I think the three pointer becomes less important. Plenty of 3-and-D guys in this league. I'd much rather have TJ than, say, Rodney Hood.

I think this is right. TJ is effective without the three pointer. He needs to continue to work on it, but he doesn't have to force it. Let it come with time.

And you are right Kenny. He has a way of playing very controlled. He never seems to be in a hurry yet his always in the right place. He has active hands on D and a knack for offensive boards. He is out played PJ by a mile in preseason. It would be a shame for PJ to start over TJ.

I love when he put up a shot late, realized immediately it was off, and jumped up in the middle of traffic to tip it in. It reminded me of Marion when he'd tip in his own shot. The ability to get right back up and tip in your own miss when others are waiting there for the rebound is impressive.

[jcsunsfan]

If he's able to make plays (7 assists tonight) then I think the three pointer becomes less important. Plenty of 3-and-D guys in this league. I'd much rather have TJ than, say, Rodney Hood.

I think this is right. TJ is effective without the three pointer. He needs to continue to work on it, but he doesn't have to force it. Let it come with time.

And you are right Kenny. He has a way of playing very controlled. He never seems to be in a hurry yet his always in the right place. He has active hands on D and a knack for offensive boards. He is out played PJ by a mile in preseason. It would be a shame for PJ to start over TJ.

I love when he put up a shot late, realized immediately it was off, and jumped up in the middle of traffic to tip it in. It reminded me of Marion when he'd tip in his own shot. The ability to get right back up and tip in your own miss when others are waiting there for the rebound is impressive.

I thought of Marion at that moment too. He was in the middle of 4 Spurs who were just standing there shocked.

[Saberestar]

Some players do not even need a good 3p shot to be amazing scorers.
Big Robinson, Wade or young Grant Hill come to my mind...they were elite in their mid range game and had a great IQ.

I think Warren has improve on defense this summer and he is not a liability at this point, the effort and proud on defense is clear out there.

He is my favourite player on this team, hopefully he starts over Tucker and he becomes our best scorer.

[Jdiddy701]

This game wasn't just preseason. Spurs actually played their starters. Would have played them more if we didn't blow them out in the 2nd half.

Looking forward to tonight's game !


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[jcsunsfan]

Some players do not even need a good 3p shot to be amazing scorers.
Big Robinson, Wade or young Grant Hill come to my mind...they were elite in their mid range game and had a great IQ.

I think Warren has improve on defense this summer and he is not a liability at this point, the effort and proud on defense is clear out there.

He is my favourite player on this team, hopefully he starts over Tucker and he becomes our best scorer.

Well, Tucker certainly hasn't shown that he deserves the starting position this preseason. I would not mind trading Tucker if there is a decent deal out there for him. Most contenders would like to have a defensive stopper. He could still be marketed as that, but if you wait too long the market will dry up.