GT: Raptors vs. Spurs

Post #1 » by **Nolan** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:37 pm

When: Oct 23rd, 2017
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio TX

This is going to be a tough one. Looks like no Kawhi once again and the Raptors have been lights out in the first two games of the season. They smoked both the Bulls and the 76ers.

If we're going to pull this one off three things have to happen.

First we need to move the ball with purpose and move it quickly. Things got far to bogged down against the Bulls because we failed to make our reads quickly, before the balls come to a guy he should have a good idea of what he's going to do with it.

Second key is the battle in the paint. If LMA and Pau can beat down Ibaka and Val we have a good shot at winning this.

Third and final key is going to be team defense. The Raps have a well rounded roster full of guys that can hurt us. We have to play well as a team on the defensive end. No missed rotations or cutters and we can't let them get second chance buckets.

Should be a fun one!

Go Spurs!!

ducler · Post #2 » by **ducler** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:13 pm

popfan · Post #3 » by **popfan** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:05 am

The team is learning to win without Kawhi. There were some things to like about the Spurs performance. The one that most surprised me was D. Murray's line - 16/13/6 in 28 minutes. Isn't that nearly a triple double?

Post #4 » by **G R E Y** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 5:28 am

Game was closer than I thought it would be. Even without Kawhi, and even with too many Spurs turn overs and butter fingers missed shots, you can rely on a Pop team to rely on opponent tendencies - in this case, Raptors continuing to try what wasn't working, nearly half shots taken from 3 at a poor make rate, leading to huge rebounding advantage for Spurs from Raps shots overall (not the only factors, but important ones) - to squeak out a win. Sloppy Spurs play, but did enough - put up more shots, and a greater variety, plus good D and incredible rebounding - to win.

UDRIH14 · Post #5 » by **UDRIH14** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:30 am

that stretch in the 2nd half when the spurs couldnt buy a basket, they need to fix that man...

i still dunno whats pattys purpose on this team no more, cant even hit his shots, let alone control the ball till starters come back in...seems like FO overpaid 50m for a towel boy....i give forbes his minutes since his the cheaper option going long term...100m between mills and pau is going to bite the spurs when they have 3 guys up for contract renewals...parker, green, anderson...i could see the spurs not keeping anderson, some team will overpay for him and that be lame to lose something the team developed

Post #6 » by **Nolan** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:39 pm

Excellent grind it out win. I'm really loving the way this team has been playing to start the season. The effort and the intensity are outstanding.

Things I liked:

Murray - Kids legit. Amazing performance on both ends. Didn't force things too much on the offensive end and the way he lead the team in the 4th is the reason we pulled this one off.

LMA - Didn't force things, got the Raptors into foul trouble and got us some key buckets down the stretch. Also loved how he didn't back down from Ibaka.

Green - Hit some key 3's, made some great drives to the rim and was outstanding on the defensive. Had a couple great blocks and that late strip on Derozan was huge.

Joff - Loved the effort around the rim and on the glass. Still not a fan of his touch around the rim but if he keeps bringing that effort he's going to do very well for us.

Brandon Paul - Looked really good in his first extended minutes. Didn't do too much but played excellent defense, made a couple great passes that resulted in easy scores and was just all around solid.

Slo-Mo - He had two blocks which is super impressive and got us some key buckets. I still don't entirely understand how he gets to the buckets so often but i'll take it.

Our defense - We blocked a ton of shots, controlled the glass, gave the Raptors nothing easy and we did that without our best defender. Excellent work fellas.

imagump1313 · Post #7 » by **imagump1313** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:12 pm

Nolan wrote:Excellent grind it out win. I'm really loving the way this team has been playing to start the season. The effort and the intensity are outstanding.

Things I liked:

Murray - Kids legit. Amazing performance on both ends. Didn't force things too much on the offensive end and the way he lead the team in the 4th is the reason we pulled this one off.

LMA - Didn't force things, got the Raptors into foul trouble and got us some key buckets down the stretch. Also loved how he didn't back down from Ibaka.

Green - Hit some key 3's, made some great drives to the rim and was outstanding on the defensive. Had a couple great blocks and that late strip on Derozan was huge.

Joff - Loved the effort around the rim and on the glass. Still not a fan of his touch around the rim but if he keeps bringing that effort he's going to do very well for us.

Brandon Paul - Looked really good in his first extended minutes. Didn't do too much but played excellent defense, made a couple great passes that resulted in easy scores and was just all around solid.

Slo-Mo - He had two blocks which is super impressive and got us some key buckets. I still don't entirely understand how he gets to the buckets so often but i'll take it.

Our defense - We blocked a ton of shots, controlled the glass, gave the Raptors nothing easy and we did that without our best defender. Excellent work fellas.

I didn't watch the game because I play ball on Mondays, but after reading your post I feel like I did watch it. Great job!

popfan · Post #8 » by **popfan** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:25 am

Nolan, you've been more enthusiastic and passionate than usual. Encore. Win or lose, right or wrong -- our Spurs are always inspiring!

By the way, the acquisition of Rudy Gay is looking brilliant. Gay is a driven player. The patience that Pop extended Slo-Mo last year is returning a dividend. But I'm still missing me some David Lee - like Manu that guy has a heart of a champion. We need more guys with fire in my opinion.

Nolan wrote:Excellent grind it out win. I'm really loving the way this team has been playing to start the season. The effort and the intensity are outstanding.

Things I liked:

Murray - Kids legit. Amazing performance on both ends. Didn't force things too much on the offensive end and the way he lead the team in the 4th is the reason we pulled this one off.

LMA - Didn't force things, got the Raptors into foul trouble and got us some key buckets down the stretch. Also loved how he didn't back down from Ibaka.

Green - Hit some key 3's, made some great drives to the rim and was outstanding on the defensive. Had a couple great blocks and that late strip on Derozan was huge.

Joff - Loved the effort around the rim and on the glass. Still not a fan of his touch around the rim but if he keeps bringing that effort he's going to do very well for us.

Brandon Paul - Looked really good in his first extended minutes. Didn't do too much but played excellent defense, made a couple great passes that resulted in easy scores and was just all around solid.

Slo-Mo - He had two blocks which is super impressive and got us some key buckets. I still don't entirely understand how he gets to the buckets so often but i'll take it.

Our defense - We blocked a ton of shots, controlled the glass, gave the Raptors nothing easy and we did that without our best defender. Excellent work fellas.

Frankie23 · Post #9 » by **Frankie23** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:48 am

What we are seeing this year is that players with size and lenth are getting to the rim and finishing. That's great for the game, meaning they are no settling for the 3-pointer. Anderson is a type of player whose's taking advantage of that.
Danny Green has stepped up this year, luckely cause he has been really bad in the offensive side last couple of seasons.

Really like the team's effort so far. Defensive intensity, even without the best defensive player, is great. Like Murray's drive to be great, even more important than talent

Post #10 » by **Nolan** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:20 pm

popfan wrote:
By the way, the acquisition of Rudy Gay is looking brilliant. Gay is a driven player. The patience that Pop extended Slo-Mo last year is returning a dividend. But I'm still missing me some David Lee - like Manu that guy has a heart of a champion. We need more guys with fire in my opinion.

I was pretty iffy on the signing but he's working well. Gives us a whole new dimension on the offensive end and once everyone is back and healthy he's going to make our bench that much more dangerous.