A bit of a sloppy game for us overall. Glad we won, but how we get wins is important, too, especially since we’re working on cohesion on both ends. We seemed a bit tentative and lax, and made it more difficult for ourselves than anything our opponents forced.
We had 7 turnovers in the first quarter alone, but still managed to hold them to a season-low 1st Q 18 points thanks to better shooting and getting to the FT line.
I don’t know if we took them too lightly or what, but our key and the 3 line was too open and we exchanged scoring stretches rather than building on leads. They seemed focused on getting into the top of our key from the left side, and once there, LMA watched too many Js go in. We finished down 50-28 points in the paint. He and Rudy stood out as late on some 3 shots as well. Not the intensity you hope to see.
We got outrebounded 51-41 overall, perhaps not unexpected with their bouncy monster inside, but we also got beaten to a lot of tapped out rebounds, and to many 50 / 50 loose balls that resulted in lost possessions and getting scored on. This was all about hustle.
Pop was none too pleased, especially since they went on an 11-0 run towards the end of the second and to start the third, which included two 3s in a row because of our D miscommunication and lazy closeouts. So he sent a message by subbing out everyone except DeMar.
DeMar had another exceptional game for us on great efficiency (34 on 12-21 and 10-10FTs, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and no unnecessary 3s), and his 3 steals – each of which I believe led to points – shows a better defensive awareness and contribution on that end.
It’s great that we’ve got DeMar as a closer and a primary scorer, but my sense is that we may be relying on him too much, and I’d rather we get into the habit of creating multiple chances spread out among more Spurs. Maybe it’s strange to mention in a game where six guys were in double figures, but LMA got 20 on poor 6-17 (though great 8-8FTs, along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal). We obviously tried to get him going (he had at least twice as many attempts at the half as any teammate). Maybe rather than Js, it’s better to get him going from the start of the game with easier inside chances, but he missed quite a few of those, too. We may need to put a photo of his missing shot on a milk carton.
When we play a more movement oriented, equitable style of basketball we are more dangerous and effective. Beli (13 on 5-12, 2-6 from 3, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals) had good chances in this game, but sometimes he gets too few, so in games when he’s at 4 or 5 shots, he needs 3-4 more; Davis definitely does, too, especially since he doesn’t create his own. Multiple O threats is better for us as a team, and for DeMar and LMA and Rudy so they don’t get taxed. A more balanced approach hopefully leads to more balanced minutes, as this trio has been in the high 30s to low 40s much of the season.
But it also has to do with how well we defend and protect leads. If we play like we’re capable of by bringing the intensity for the whole game, the big three could rest more and our end-of-bench guys could get more minutes. It’s still a matter of who’s got it going and which line-ups have chemistry. It’s surprising that this line-up was a defensive stalwart for us:
I wouldn’t have pencilled this group in as working so well on D, but it’s encouraging.
Our search for a cohesive starting unit is part of the issue, though it looks as if Dante at the 4 to bring a defensive grit presence is going to get some time to gel. So LMA moves to the 5 in part because Pau’s not really a starter anymore, and Jakob’s development isn’t quite where it needs to be yet. Not an ideal stop gap (I thought Pau would start and Jakob would be the stop gap, alas) but hopefully in time we get more from our 5 and move LMA to the 4. But with LMA taking so many shots, teams are doubling him, and he’s sometimes had trouble getting out of it. He has to anticipate that better, and we need to do a better job of positioning players to get the pass out. I believe we can adjust. Here’s a great example of how we made it work for us:
We essentially ran an eight-man unit, with Davis and Q filling in. Perhaps the low minutes to Davis was to send a message for his play; we need more from him. Q did more in less time. Pau didn’t score, but he had 5 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and 2 wonderfully-timed blocks.
With Dante starting, it’s a good, balanced small-ball line-up (2-4, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, but a defensive one-on-one pest all night). He reads and anticipates well (stole a backdoor pass attempt). Pop said he doesn’t need the ball, which is another benefit with three guys who are great scorers, and Bryn more than holding his own (12 on 5-11 with 2-5 from 3, 1 assist, 1 steal).
It’s PG-by-committee, but now that Bryn’s making his shot consistently, defenders can’t sag off him which opens lanes and spaces for Js for teammates. Plus he’s added a consistent floater now, in addition to his great 3. He does get driven by sometimes, but his bulk helps him to stay physical with defenders enough to force opponents out of their first O options. He
credits Patty with a lot of his growth. Glad we’ve stuck with him.
Patty (10 on 4-9 and 2-4 from 3 with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) had the kind of solid all around contribution that helped us win. Central to that was his staying glued to their 3 shooters in overtime. We made up for a lack of it during the game with a concerted effort in OT, and our D fueled our O. His closeout on their 3 shooter forced an errant pass that Rudy stole and got fouled on; so many good things done the right way in one play which helped us win even if some didn’t show on the stat sheet, loved it.
For the first time in his career, Rudy got a double double three games in a row (15 on 6-13 and 2-2 from 3, 1-2FTs, 11 rebounds, 4 assists). Such a smooth, diverse scorer. And people said we couldn’t make LMA, DeMar, and Rudy work together on O. That he got SIX steals for us, including that crucial one in OT shows his all around game. He’s been given hard one-on-one D assignments, he’s a terrific rebounder, and he’s got a quick rangy physicality to go along with great court awareness be it for cuts to the basket or getting steals; he’s instrumental for us.
We missed some bunnies, got caught on some D switches, gave up 17 TOs, but we did also use the glass on a lot of layups, have 17 steals, and got 30 points off of their TOs. We also did well cutting and making and receiving great passes (Ruy and Beli stood out) which got us 27 assists, and helped in getting 20-21FTs.
There’s only so much that you can attribute to luck. All plays lead to the score in the final moments. While we let the lead slip several times, they missed a chance to take the lead late. And in OT we had some very tenacious defense and steals and created a variety of shots to counter their three one-and-done 3 attempts to start the final five minutes (they missed 6 in total). We had timeouts to spare while they were out of theirs, and we ran the clock better while running our plays, so good game management.
We dug in and found a way to dig ourselves out of a largely self-imposed predicament. Like Bryn said, better to be learning after a win. In the end, they all count the same, even as we improve how we get there along the way.
Noteworthy achievementsSpurs:
Rudy:
DeMar:
Pau:
