SPURS GAME DAY! PRE-SEASON GAME 4: SPURS AT MAGIC, 10-10-2021, 5PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

The seesaw schedule mirrors our play, but the travel is a good introduction for the new guys and the reps are good for developing consistency. We're experimenting with line-ups and getting used to player tendencies, but the effort and commitment should be at a reliably high rate. Let's solidify on both ends in these last two games, starting with tonight.

WHERE: Amway Center, Orlando, FL

WHEN: Sunday, October 10, 2021, 5pm (CT)

This energy tonight!

From practice...


... to craft

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GO SPURS GO!!!

[G R E Y]

Back to the projected regular season starting group. Good to get them some more reps and chemistry together:

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[G R E Y]

1ST Q: SPURS 28

MAGIC 17

Nice start overall. Good chemistry between Doug and Jakob in P&Rs and using screens. DJ adding an off the dribble 3 is a solid addition if he can be consistent with it.

Lonnie off the dribble 3 was a good sight too.

Lonnie is more active. He's been beaten by first steps a lot so far, some of it is positioning in relation to drivers. He does the two-foot stop but he like digs in with both feet and in planting them he can't recover. But he did go over a screen and stay with the play, reading it well to get a steal. And before that, he got beaten again and again got into the passing space to get a hand on the ball.

Good pace, good spacing, just limit the TOs. We're pushing well on both ends with various line-ups.

[G R E Y]

2ND Q: SPURS 49

MAGIC 40

Lots of unforced turnovers via multiple travel calls. Baffling. Yes there's some pressure, but these are also mental focus errors. Not sure ESPN box score is accurate (10 TOs listed) as the broadcast just said we have 12 TOs though it still feels like more. And when we weren't turning it over, we we fouling.

Our D was overall decent though we got bodied inside at times for their O rebs.

I like that we are taking more 3s, more off the dribble ones, too. The pace is better, though I don't get why Derrick continues to be in Sunday walk by the river mode as he keeps trotting the ball up. He's not having a good pre-season. I'll chalk it up to rust but it's taking him some time to get his rhythm.

Lonnie and Devin some nice shooting. Keldon a nice O repertoire. KBD giveth, then taketh away.

We lost some mojo for a stretch there and need to keep pushing when we get a lead.

[G R E Y]

3RD Q: SPURS 81

MAGIC 64

Terrific push on both ends. Executed well on the back of DJ's presence on D and O. Mid range game is mostly on point, drives well, and made another 3. With Lonnie and Keldon stepping up we're showing more of what we can be.

I don't imagine Pop being thrilled with DJ's one handed pass into an opponent's leg for a TO...

Much better reads of plays by us overall. Much better off ball movement, and solid handoffs and passing. Good energy to get to open spaces and run.

[G R E Y]

4TH Q: SPURS 101

MAGIC 100

Well we got a 17-point lead when Pop pulled the starters and secondary group and put in Primo, Joe, KBD, Luka, and Drew. And it was a rough go of it, but a defensive play saved the game, which is a nice full circle moment for this game.

Joe looked very tentative passing for their steals and looks very skinny, too. I'm sure he'll get more comfortable in Austin and when he strengthens up but he looks overwhelmed by the next level game and by its size and physicality.

Primo, on the other hand, has very solid control of his game (despite the rookie dribble off his foot - hey, DD used to do that enough times that he was kind of known for it, but a rookie taking his eye off the ball is expected). He uses screens well, calls for guys to move or come to him, took his shots confidently, and quick contributed 8 points in 9 minutes (3-5, 2-3 from 3).

KBD made some bone-headed plays earlier, but I really like his hustle and quiet moxie. He dove for the ball on their last play and time ran out. Before that, it was Bryn who was there in help D position and deflected the ball from the driver for KBD to dive for it. Before that, it was Luka who stayed in front of the driver enough to direct him towards our help D.

Bryn redeemed himself from an earlier play in the game when he had his back turned on opponents at the arc and our players were yelling at him to cover the shooter. He was late for it, but at least facing the right way... Bryn the ball handler isn't the worst thing if we have to have it in a pinch. He's experienced in our system, but when Tre returns, Bryn the off ball C&S player is the Bryn we want.

I have to say, and without reading too much into who gets playing time ahead of Luka, he was absolutely not showing the right attitude today. He gave up on plays on O like a weak post attempt and then when he couldn't do anything with it passed it to KBD who had almost no time to do anything with it; he screened but wasn't crisp in his off ball movement and when he got into position he passed up 3s. On O boards he just... stood there. Like he got into position, but was surrounded by opponents and watched as they went after the ball. What?! His D was at least solid enough to make an impact, but his body language in this game was terrible. Like he looked depressed and/or checked out. He just doesn't look like he's enjoying himself or feels he's been relegated to a screener and defender and D rebounder, but I think it's just a matter of not overwhelming him (he was sucking air last game when he started) and just making sure he's good at the specific tasks he's given before he's given more. And when he's given more it's quite hit or miss. He should thank his lucky stars that Aminu is on the team and due to injuries and inability to stay on the floor is the likeliest candidate to get cut because, holy moly if you didn't look too hard you'd think he was just showing a don't GAF attitude. He NEEDS to HUSTLE. He's blowing a tremendous opportunity by not having the right mindset.

Really liked what Lonnie, Keldon, and DJ brought tonight. Devin has a crisp shot but it wasn't falling so much. He's not good yet at taking his man off the dribble but is better at getting to his spot and taking a quick shot. His off ball movement is solid. Needs to still get stronger, and at times focus on smaller steps to not get so out of position on opponents drives when they make cross over moves or spins.

DJ, Keldon and Lonnie were terrific in getting to the basket, and in creating chaos and defensive breakdowns it opens space and chances for teammates. Lonnie and DJ in particular stood out in finding teammates. Keldon stood out in his improved touch from various spots on the floor.

DJ (1) and Derrick (3) only 4 assists between them. DJ needs to be that facilitator more, look for it. Lonnie led us with 5 assists, Drew had another solid passing night with 4 assists. We're getting assists from all positions which shows the better ball and off ball movement, more responsibility on O for more players, and a more egalitarian system. As a team we had 25. Solid.

Doug and Derrick didn't make their shots today, but they got great looks and the four shots between them they made helped up pull away when the game got close.

We limited turnovers in the second half (6), played with more cohesion and purpose to bring up our lead to 17, and give the other players some rep time. Good pace, took 3s takes with 36 out of 93FGAs (so 38.9% of our shots from beyond the arc, as opposed to 30% from there last season). We were only 5-8FTs, weird, and while we ran back door cuts, we weren't ready for the subsequent options. These were often the final plays and often blocked at the rim. Having other options down low to dish to (so spacing awareness) as well as reversing on drives should limit blocks in the future (Magic had 12 tonight eek!)

Good bench contributions tonight even with KBD and Thad struggling to score. In close games, not only does every point but every play counts, and their interior D, passing and hustle on top of a couple of KBD shots all contributed to the outcome. I don't see how Thad averaged double digits last season, but perhaps we just need time to incorporate him more and he needs more time in our system. But spacing-wise he already looks better than in his first pre-season game.

Better play on both ends, picked it up and found scoring options, on the foundation of solid D. I liked the hustle and burgeoning chemistry tonight. Playing under pressure of an away crowd cheering their team on during a run as they closed the gap is good experience. Staying ahead with plays on both ends is, too.

[G R E Y]

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