GAME DAY, BALA! GAME 5: SPURS VS. LAKERS, 27-10-2018, 7:30PM (CT)

[imagump1313]

We out-vetraned them to another win. I like how we re-grouped late in the game because the first half we again had a hard time competing with them athletically. I know I've complained about this before but I am realizing that this is how we are going to have to win games this year.

[Donald Kaufman]

We out-vetraned them to another win. I like how we re-grouped late in the game because the first half we again had a hard time competing with them athletically. I know I've complained about this before but I am realizing that this is how we are going to have to win games this year.

We looked OK-ish in this one. Pretty flat first half, then just outsmarted them in the 4th, as you say.

Loving DD - another great game. 30-12-8, hit some tough shots. Been so impressed with him. He's fit in so well, like he's played here for years.

Rudy is just a solid player, knows where to be on offense.

Forbes is making the most of his opportunity, I love that he doesn't get rattled by anything, just keeps playing. His shooting form is a joy to watch.

It's 5 games in, we're 3-2, I have no real sense of what this team will be in April. Are we a 50 win team? At this stage I'd say no. Our 3 wins were by a combined 9 points. Our losses were big, and not against what I would consider elite teams. Solid but not elite.

[imagump1313]

We out-vetraned them to another win. I like how we re-grouped late in the game because the first half we again had a hard time competing with them athletically. I know I've complained about this before but I am realizing that this is how we are going to have to win games this year.

We looked OK-ish in this one. Pretty flat first half, then just outsmarted them in the 4th, as you say.

Loving DD - another great game. 30-12-8, hit some tough shots. Been so impressed with him. He's fit in so well, like he's played here for years.

Rudy is just a solid player, knows where to be on offense.

Forbes is making the most of his opportunity, I love that he doesn't get rattled by anything, just keeps playing. His shooting form is a joy to watch.

It's 5 games in, we're 3-2, I have no real sense of what this team will be in April. Are we a 50 win team? At this stage I'd say no. Our 3 wins were by a combined 9 points. Our losses were big, and not against what I would consider elite teams. Solid but not elite.

I agree, Forbes is making the most of his opportunity which is all I had asked for. Hopefully White does the same when he returns.

Rudy Gay is only going to get better and more dangerous the longer he can stay healthy.

DeRozan has been key for us with his passing and clutch shot making.

Patty Mills is doing what he can and like I have said, I don't hate him as a bit player but man he is killing us. Even Rondo looked like an elite scorer when Mills was guarding him. Everyone getting on Rondo for his brainfart but look at Mill's horrible defense.

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[Donald Kaufman]

That was a horrible defensive play. Even Harden wouldn't of missed that one.

There was a time (not too long ago) when I felt that Mills was a decent, underrated even, defensive player. I got fooled by his constant motion and pesky tendencies. But it was all show. I'm sure his intentions are good, but he really is a bad defender.

And if his shot isn't falling he's kind of redundant. He's not a great passer, he's okay inside but he doesn't go to it too often.

The fact that he's never quite made it as the starting PG on a semi-permanent basis over his Spurs career is pretty telling. Pop knows he's not starter material.

[G R E Y]

In this game, Patty was actually very helpful for us. That one play above was poor D, but it shouldn't be used as reflecting his whole game. And if was meant as but one example of many, this was not the game to do it. Patty was second on the team with a +9 (sketchy stat, I know, but an indicator), and had 10 points on very good shooting including 2-2 from 3 and 2-2FTs. He also had good help D recognition and kept stepping into driving defenders, and finally got a clutch charge call for us after hitting a clutch 3, so a five-point swing.

He was also an important calming voice such as when he whispered to DeMar who was about to shoot FTs after getting into a scuffle with Stephenson. Patty's contributions extend far beyond the stat line. Yes, sometimes he doesn't help as well as he could (last game), but once again this season he is put in a position of having to do more and out of natural position. That he has the experience to do it, and that he is teaching Bryn (who sings his praises) are beneficial for us.

Let's not forget, too, that in LA, he was the one who hit the clutch game-winning basket.

True, there is a reason why Pop is not starting him. But there is also a reason why Pop has said that as long as he is here, Patty isn't going anywhere. He is important to our team, on and of the court, and both help us.

[G R E Y]

With all due respect to Dickens, this game was a tale of two halves.

Unlike in our previous match-up, we started the first half of this game on our heels on D as they came out more aggressive and shooting well. They kept scoring in clusters and we kept having to fight back. We did well in that regard, showing the variety of scoring that is already looking promising. Still, with a more alert but still less consistently disciplined D in the first half, they hit 5-9 threes in the first quarter alone, including a deflating one at the last second to balloon our deficit 36-29. We shot at an ok rate for the half (48.8% FG for 54 points) but gave up 53.3% and 60 points.

We could have wilted, but Pop and the players made important adjustments that brought us together and helped get us through their runs, stop them, and make enough of our own to impose our style of play more as the game progressed. Pop had Dante and Davis start the game, I assume for some 3 & D, but while the latter was there, the three wasn’t. They combined for 4 points, because Dante scored them. He also pitched in 5 rebounds and a steal, but his defensive presence impacted the game well beyond the stat sheet. Davis unfortunately had the fewest minutes on the team, and was the only one who did not score. It was our third different starting line-up, but this was just an experiment that did not pay enough dividends for us.

Pop replaced Davis with Rudy in the second half and that, coupled with some better communication and dedication to D (better movement, faster closeouts, help D, and aggressive rebounding) resulted in our bringing the game to within one at 76-75. Cue another of their runs, and three minutes later we were down 88-77. Deflating, but in the last two and a half minutes, we countered with a 10-0 run of our own with key blocks (two by Rudy), rebounds (two each by Rudy and Pau), and a charge taken by Patty on one end, and an array of scoring – midrange J, FTs, a three, and a putback dunk.

The players found ways to help outside of what generally gets counted on stats. LMA may not have had as big a scoring night (15 points on 7-16, plus 3 assists), but he was a defensive anchor (5 rebounds, 2 blocks), and made smart decisions like running ahead down the court to get defensive coverage attention, be it single or double, allowing other players open shots and driving lanes; Pau followed driving guards to the basket for key O board putbacks late in the third and fourth; Beli, despite an off 3 shooting night, used his speedy movement to get into open pockets of space and take passes from doubled teammates for layups or curl around screens for drives. We just kept finding ways to make smart, hustle plays to contribute to the win.

Patty and Pau redeemed themselves after combining for four points in the previous game. In this one they made important plays on both ends with clutch shots (Pau’s FTs late in the fourth), rebounds (Pau late in the fourth), and help D (Patty in the third). They combined for 21 points on excellent efficiency; Pau’s 11 came on 4-5 (3-4FTs), along with 12 rebounds (5 O, 7 D), and Patty’s 10 was on 3-5 (including 2-2 from 3, and 2-2FTs) plus 3 rebounds and an assist. Their experience together is valuable for us especially amid line-up changes as we figure out who plays best together among the new additions.

Rudy and DeMar each had a double double, and each took over the game at different times especially in the second half to bring us even and take the lead. For a guy not previously known for his defense, Rudy’s pride is noticeable and his contributions (10 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks, in addition to solid individual D on James and help D) are a great support to the team and complement his offense, which is smooth, diverse and aggressive. He can post up, drive, get to the FT line, hit the midrange or the occasional long ball. He added sixteen points (6-15, 4-5FTs) and 5 assists to show the full arsenal. DeMar has been expanding his as well. We knew he could score and get to the line, but his ability to draw in defenders and find open teammates quickly is a welcome surprise. His D has been much maligned, but I didn’t notice particular lack of effort breakdowns in this game, and he is becoming increasingly reliable for contributions on this end: 12 rebounds, 2 steals and a block to match his 30 points (including a clutch late-game J to give us a three-point cushion) and 8 assists. For all the talk about how difficult it would be to implement three midrangers, he is fitting in faster and better than expected.

Bryn. Honestly, look at how he’s grown, and he’s still learning on the job. We’ve long harped about consistency from him. Well he’s not only delivering with career high averages (16 on 6-10 and 1-3 form 3 in this game), but he’s looking confident in his game and decision making about when to space the court, use screens, shoot, drive or pass, and this with very good D effort, reading the plays, deciding when to go over or under screens, staying with his man, etc. Just a very impressive stepping up from him. Imagine Bryn with such contributions on the second unit once White returns and is ready to start again. It will only make us that much stronger in the long run.

Loved our resurgent energy and rallying together to come from behind and win. To get it, we ended up holding our opponents to only one quarter with 30 or more points, 46 points in the second half, and a season-low 18-point fourth quarter, (not to mention, 36 fewer points than in our first game against them) and actually took more shots (91-85) at a better shooting percentage. Throughout our five games, the assistant coaches have been waving their arms as if paddling for dear life for the shore to get us to run back on D. Wouldn’t you know it, good things happen when we do. Stops and makes throughout the game gave us some 4- and 5-point swings, and we took advantage of their 17 TOs for 16 points. After once more being up by 8 late, déjà vu creeped in when they got 7 straight to bring it to within one at 106-105, but this time that’s as close as they got. Key substitutions, play calls, running the clock, and clutch execution on D and O sealed a well earned victory, one that marked many milestones.

Noteworthy achievements

GOAT coach Pop:

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Pop characteristically did not want to discuss it:

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LaMarcus:

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Pau:

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DeMar:

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[G R E Y]

Excerpts of some post-game interviews.

Pop:

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DeMar:

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Also, the spurs.com video section has longer, better video quality post-game interviews with Pop, Pau, and Dante.

[imagump1313]

In this game, Patty was actually very helpful for us. That one play above was poor D, but it shouldn't be used as reflecting his whole game. And if was meant as but one example of many, this was not the game to do it. Patty was second on the team with a +9 (sketchy stat, I know, but an indicator), and had 10 points on very good shooting including 2-2 from 3 and 2-2FTs. He also had good help D recognition and kept stepping into driving defenders, and finally got a clutch charge call for us after hitting a clutch 3, so a five-point swing.

He was also an important calming voice such as when he whispered to DeMar who was about to shoot FTs after getting into a scuffle with Stephenson. Patty's contributions extend far beyond the stat line. Yes, sometimes he doesn't help as well as he could (last game), but once again this season he is put in a position of having to do more and out of natural position. That he has the experience to do it, and that he is teaching Bryn (who sings his praises) are beneficial for us.

Let's not forget, too, that in LA, he was the one who hit the clutch game-winning basket.

True, there is a reason why Pop is not starting him. But there is also a reason why Pop has said that as long as he is here, Patty isn't going anywhere. He is important to our team, on and of the court, and both help us.

I'm not saying Patty isn't good for the team. I'm just saying because of the injuries we again are forced to rely on him to do too much and it makes us a worse team than we should be because of it. All the extracurricular stuff is great and I'm glad he is here for that.

[G R E Y]

Spoiler:

In this game, Patty was actually very helpful for us. That one play above was poor D, but it shouldn't be used as reflecting his whole game. And if was meant as but one example of many, this was not the game to do it. Patty was second on the team with a +9 (sketchy stat, I know, but an indicator), and had 10 points on very good shooting including 2-2 from 3 and 2-2FTs. He also had good help D recognition and kept stepping into driving defenders, and finally got a clutch charge call for us after hitting a clutch 3, so a five-point swing.

He was also an important calming voice such as when he whispered to DeMar who was about to shoot FTs after getting into a scuffle with Stephenson. Patty's contributions extend far beyond the stat line. Yes, sometimes he doesn't help as well as he could (last game), but once again this season he is put in a position of having to do more and out of natural position. That he has the experience to do it, and that he is teaching Bryn (who sings his praises) are beneficial for us.

Let's not forget, too, that in LA, he was the one who hit the clutch game-winning basket.

True, there is a reason why Pop is not starting him. But there is also a reason why Pop has said that as long as he is here, Patty isn't going anywhere. He is important to our team, on and of the court, and both help us.

I'm not saying Patty isn't good for the team. I'm just saying because of the injuries we again are forced to rely on him to do too much and it makes us a worse team than we should be because of it. All the extracurricular stuff is great and I'm glad he is here for that.

Where we agree is that Patty is once again thrust into a role and minutes beyond his wheelhouse. That he had to do so much of it last season prepared him better for this early stretch, but that Pop has chosen to go with an undrafted non-PG as the starting PG also indicates that we need to try to limit Patty not too far outside of that wheelhouse however we can.

Where we'll have to agree to disagree is about his hurting the team so far this season. Considering he averages around 9 points in our wins and just over 4 in our losses, when our largest win margin has been by 4 twice, I'd argue his benefit to the team goes beyond the off-court intangibles, and he actually is helping us win games. Put another way, although Patty's worst game was versus the Pacers (one shot, team worst -30) we aren't losing because of him. Despite his flaws, what he's contributing so far this season helps us more than hurts us.

I think we can all agree that once Derrick White is back, everyone, likely Patty included, will be glad to be back in their more familiar on-court roles.