With Rudy and Danny injured and LMA getting the night off for rest, the roster musical chairs continued against the Suns. It was a night of guys having to play multiple positions to fill in for those who couldn’t. The starting unit, including Anderson and Forbes, had very balanced minutes, ranging from 25-32.
Whether by design or opportunity, the majority of our shots team-wide were from the centre to right side. A lot of their made shots were down the middle in the key and under the basket. We were clearly missing LMA’s presence and they tried to take advantage. Their 4/5 combos put up 31 shots, connecting on 14 (that’s with Len’s 5-5). They also shot 1-10 from the 3 for 30 points (including FTs). Our 4/5 was by committee, as regulars Pau and Lauvergne were joined by Anderson and Bertans. Collectively, they put up 28 shots, hitting 13 (backed by Pau’s excellent 6-8, 2-3 from the 3), including 4-10 from the 3 for a total of 34 points (including FTs). Next group up filled in well.
Pau’s 25 points and seven rebounds were an important anchor for us on a night when Lauvergne, but for 6 rebounds, had a bad night with travel turnovers, bad passes and missed shots. He’s had a string of lacklustre performances in the minutes he’s been given. Just not yet reliable for consistent assertive effort. Although Anderson connected on one shot, a 3, in only four attempts, he had good court awareness in passing and D, contributing 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Bertans is stepping up in his opportunities. Shooting 5-12 (2-6 from 3) for 12 points, 7 rebounds, an assist and a block. He passed well, made good shot choices, provided good help D, kept his feet active, and hands busy in passing lanes.
The game was closer than I thought it would be for longer than I expected, in part because we kept not running back on D or getting scored on from rebound putbacks, and because we had some droughts on O. While the latter is a function, in part, of the rotating line-ups and changing roles, the former is all about effort and attention; it's just not Spurs-like to get outhustled on D.
Pop called timeouts for both; six straight Suns points to start the second Q were countered with Kawhi asserting himself on O and hitting 3 of 4 shots to tie the game. Manu late in the 3rd Q also went Manu-a-Manu with Booker, and got the better of the Suns’ young dynamic scorer, putting up 8 quick points on a J and two 3s. On D, Pop tended to lapses even when, up 14 late in the game, we gave up a couple of easy baskets. Always an emphasis on attention to details, and playing the right way. Standards.
Speaking of standards, we shot 10-18 FTs, for a lowly, hair-pulling 55.6%. Just... wow...
Whereas Pau was our interior anchor, Kawhi was an assertive driving force who generated opportunities for others and himself, both from the D and the O. It was great to see Kawhi making quick decisions, looking to get others engaged. He was fast but focused. I liked when he passed up a 3, and stepped inside the arc for a smooth 2, for instance. It was a good decision, one of several, because we didn’t need to get it all back in a play or two, but through getting a rhythm going. He made some subtle adjustments like arching his very flat FT shot that showed he was engaged and working to make improvements. He’s getting more and more of D stops and interceptions through better reading and responding to plays, and finishing difficult drives that he makes look increasingly easy. Twenty-one points on 9-19 (tempered by 1-6 from the 3, and 2-4 FTs), but also grabbing 3 boards, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Kawhi was a really good leader for us in this game. Already so impactful.
It was good to see Bryn make good on team-high minutes as well. Like Kawhi and Anderson, he had his hands in a lot of situations on both ends. He finished with 16 points on 7-16 (2-6 from 3), 3 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals. Very solid.
Manu. Well, we’re really spoiled with his play game-in, game-out, aren’t we? In only 19 minutes to get 21 points on 7-10 (3-4 from 3, and 4-4FTs), with a rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block is a feat for any player on the bench, let alone the ‘most experienced’ one. But it’s because of that experience, and heart, that we continue to benefit and marvel at plays that get the classic lefty fist pump. I love him. (p.s. The declaration is in the context of the love train whose order is Pop-----Manu/Timmy-----Kawhi
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Sixteen turnovers, but really 15 until our last possession when, with the outcome decided, we chose to run out the clock. It’s the right and respectful thing to do.
I love this team. GO SPURS!
