SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 28: SPURS AT JAZZ, 17-12-2021, 8PM (CT)

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Match up or something? Noticed the quick minutes for him, too. But 'quick' just feels that way - he played 6 minutes in the 1ST Q, like two starters, and second highest on the bench.

Now Vassell is out of it, playing tentative and missing shots. This is what I'm saying. Why couldn't we ride him a few minutes and give him some confidence?

I get it, but you could say that about Doug or Lonnie, for instance, too. The rotations are what they are, not sure about match-ups being a factor. And Jazz are bringing up their intensity, too, which is putting us on our heels a bit, too.

Nothing the Jazz are doing is having an effect on Vassell. What WE are doing is.
He was finally playing aggressive, hitting shots and being a positive influence on the game, then gets yanked like we are playing hockey. When he comes back in he isn't the same player at all, being tentative and bricking shots. It took him a few minutes and he hit a three again but we wasted an opportunity to give him some confidence by not letting him play through a nice streak. Its not like we have a game tomorrow, and he's a kid. I'm sure he can handle playing an extra minute or two while he is playing well. Its maddening.

I would say the same thing if Walker was playing well and immediately got pulled. McDermott is different. He's been around the block and is expected to play with confidence.

Sure Vassell played 16 minutes in that half, but we wasted probably 8-9 of those minutes waiting for him to get back into the flow of the game.

[G R E Y]

2ND Q: SPURS 59

JAZZ 73

And we frankly got lucky on some of their misses, too. They just got clicking in executing and put together another 36+ -point Q.

We were back to our deficit 2ND Q patterns but because of the pressure they put on you on both ends, we were put on our heels. Those passes inside to Jakob kept getting picked off - just not enough space created, more patience and better angles needed. We're getting contested on just about everything at their rim which is putting more pressure on our outside shots.

We've actually made 10 3s - already above our per game average, and one more than they have, but we're getting killed on rebounds (30-18) and fouls (13-17 to our 7-9). They keep getting drives and FTs, just rewarded for physical, crafty play. They execute their sets very well and have the talent to beat almost anyone one on one. So we double and they pass to the rolling big man. Just a hard team to play against with so many weapons, but we've also made it easier on them at times.

We've settled for too many one-and-done outside shots too early in the clock, made some low BBIQ fouls (some were bad calls, but that's the human factor), and are doubling their ball handlers late so that they have room and time to make the extra pass.

We're doing well contesting the 3s, they're just making them. But they're also getting too much inside too easily. Get to the passes, increase the pace and physicality, force our game.

[G R E Y]

Jakob keeps getting beaten for positioning on rebounds in our end. Yes their C is bigger, but it's also about getting the spot and boxing out.

[G R E Y]

That was brutal awareness getting beaten by a pass to a back door cutter through two defenders DOWN LOW. Uuugh...

[imagump1313]

Jakob keeps getting beaten for positioning on rebounds in our end. Yes their C is bigger, but it's also about getting the spot and boxing out.

He keeps having to help our guys getting beaten to the basket instead of staying with Gobert. He's going to look bad either way until someone plays defense. He's playing well offensively at least.

[G R E Y]

We cut a 16-point deficit down to 7 for their timeout. Good inside outside scoring push.

Just on our D end oof needs work...

[G R E Y]

AGAIN. WE'RE **** BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATCHING ON THE REBOUND RATHER THAN COMING TO THE BALL. THEY O REBOUND, THEY HIT A 3 FFS...

[G R E Y]

THAD: I want more playing time and want to play for a contender.

POP: Drew 1st big off the bench. Followed by Jock LMAO

[imagump1313]

Love how Johnson has stopped yelling "and 1" after every basket like he used to. A little growing up after that team meeting awhile back.

[G R E Y]

Jock great disruption of their alley oop attempt.

Then Lonnie predictably goes tunnel vision **** too early in clock with nobody else touching it for a long J miss. Christ the BBIQ lack there...

[imagump1313]

Sean Elliott called it, low BBIQ. White brain fart......

[G R E Y]

3RD Q: SPURS 100

JAZZ 96

From a 16-point deficit to a four-point lead on a 19-5 run to finish the Q strong and completely upturn our 3RD Q patterns.

EXCELLENT two-way play, with Keldon and Lonnie stepping up, secret weapon Jock playing well, and Derrick finally hitting and end of Q 3 which we won 41-23.

Finish hard and strong.

More of that on both ends till the end of the game, Spurs!

[G R E Y]

I like how we're methodically using our sets to run the clock and pounce at the right opportunities.

[G R E Y]

We keep getting the shove off arm into our stomachs and refs keep calling fouls against us. Just... suboptimal... Get the right call, man.

[imagump1313]

Landale is playing well. If they would have put in Eubanks instead I was going to lose it.

[G R E Y]

DJ takes a too early in the clock J miss on one O possession, we get some great D stops - a block by Doug! - then DJ makes up for it with the extra pass to Keldon in the left corner 3. Smart, smart basketball, gentlemen!

[imagump1313]

Utah's mascot is soo stupid compared to the Coyote

[G R E Y]

HHHHHHHHNGHHHHH MY HEART!!!!!!!


YEEEAAAH!

[imagump1313]

That was a nice game, something to build on.

Landale isn't nearly as talented as Poeltl but he really knows how to position himself and use body control. He should be the first big off the bench until he proves otherwise.

I still think Thad Young is being treated unfairly though.

[G R E Y]

That was a nice game, something to build on.

Landale isn't nearly as talented as Poeltl but he really knows how to position himself and use body control. He should be the first big off the bench until he proves otherwise.

I still think Thad Young is being treated unfairly though.

OF COURSE my stream konked out during that amazing exchange of baskets late in the 4TH. I was box score watching. Then found another working one just at the point of Mitchell's +1 to the end.

Anyway, completely agree about Jock. And if it took Drew's four fouls to get him out there, all the better. I think we'd have gone with him sooner but he got injured and then got Covid. With his experience, he's not shy about meeting the moment. Lots of experience in clutch, pressure situations, and the sole big floor spreader until Zach returns.

I felt a certain kind of sympathy for Thad when in post-practice interviews he was saying all the right things and playing well. But he did have a stretch of poor games and it forced Pop's hand to go with Drew again. Remember, Thad outplayed Drew for a few games and got the minutes.

But I haven't liked the interviews outside of Spurs media calling openly for more playing time, and to go to a contender, timed just so after the December 15 turning point. He's done two or three of these now. Like we haven't tried to trade him since he got here? Like he doesn't understand that his role is secondary to our youth? Like don't try to pressure PATFO with these media outpourings into doing something other than what's best for us.

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It shouldn't be a distraction at any point in the season. He knows our time together is short and he has a different role. It's not like prospective teams need to see what kind of game he's got left, either. There's plenty there, and if nothing else it's keeping him fresh.

I like the counter chess move of Pop saying Thad knows all this and is a good team mate and pro. Translation: You know all this, Thad, so be a good teammate and pro.

Direction via compliment. Pop knows the media game, too

Thad makes $14M this season. And sorry but a washed up, injured player eating next season's cap, an underwhelming rookie that wasn't even extended, and a 2nd round pick doesn't light us up. That $14M can be used as part of a bigger deal, maybe. And like you with Bryn, that contract makes the pity end rather quickly.

I get he wants to be more useful and on a team that needs him (and I wonder if he'd heard it may be to a team he'd not prefer? If so, again, part of his lot short term as a pro), but pushing for that closer to December when it could also be till February (or a buyout) isn't the way. This is his job now. He's being paid very well to adjust. Just wish he wouldn't play the media game throughout.