RealGM

Primo and Devin are out for this game.

Another look at a prospect we could have drafted who is instead playing against us. It won't be a Primo vs. Kai situation as the latter is out.

Our team game on D looks more cohesive overall but we did get caught on some back door plays. The young Hornets are also looking to push in transition so it's a challenge to get back all the time.

When we move the ball and without it we make good cuts and catch defenders unawares for some nice reverse basket and layups. There were at times too many dribbling sequences without the ball moving followed by missed 3s, but that we're taking them at a healthy rate is good to see.

Consistent competitiveness throughout the game is key for us.

23-18 for us after the 1ST Q.

Tre Jones has shown a bit of everything - solid D, good P&R, decent handles, assertive drive, crafty finishes at the rim, hitting 3s. He'll have to make the open J far more consistently to be a threat, but he's not shy in taking it.

We withstood a run that brought our lead down to 1, but stayed steady with good D to break up fast breaks, and improved ball movement to widen the lead. Tre missed another end of Q shot while Hornets just made and end-of-Q 3 for a 3-point lead for us at the half.

Joe Threeskamp is shooting 50% from 3. Looking more comfortable, in better rhythm, and showing some hops as well.

Some of our players are allowing Js without putting a hand up to contest - cardinal sin - while others are doing yeoman's work to get stops. We are collapsing well on their scoring threats to double and even triple and force pressured passes. O rebounds aren't really something we're looking like we're stressing.

Say what you will, but our Jones is outperforming theirs. Seventeen points and assertive two-way play. He's going to be a very solid back-up point guard for us this season.

Spurs have done a good job pushing back and staying ahead. Some solid O boards for putbacks have made a difference, as have our drives through their D. Tre is very crafty in the P&R, in threading passes ahead, in finishing at the rim. You can tell he's improved his toolkit versus taller players.

80-76 for us after the 3RD Q.

WOOHOO!

A crap the bed missed second FT resulted in giving up the lead but a quality, poised drive by Tre on his namesake AND a steal on the other end got us a great win.

We sort of got into a muddled game in the 3RD Q and into a more physical 4TH Q. Wieskamp looked unpolished with post and handles in the half court, especially under pressure. He'll have to get more consistent. He can make a contested 3 but then miss then next two open 3s. His off ball movement was terrific, though, and the cuts he made to get open for back door passes and athletic reverse finishes showed promise.

This was TRE JONES' game! Finally made a clutch play at the end of the Q, and doubled down with a clutch D play, too. Terrific passer in transition, in half court, better decisions, just has to be more careful in protecting the ball when pressured. He did get fouled late that wasn't called but we got the ball back on a challenge and it ended up in Tre's hands for that terrific final drive on a switch versus a big, which is what he wanted.

Great showing! 106-105 win!