SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 20: SPURS AT BLAZERS, 2-12-2021, 9PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

Tre steal, drive, layup.

FOLLOWED BY...

DJ STEAL, DRIVE, DUNK!

DEFENSE IS SEXY!

[G R E Y]

In addition to a hook shot, Drew should develop an up and under at the rim to prevent getting blocked there.

[G R E Y]

4TH Q: SPURS 114

BLAZERS 83

Well, a fantastic win not only because we rewarded ourselves for our good play but we did it with changing patterns that have been holding us back.

Of course it helps when an opponent is undermanned but nobody's been pitying us in that situation and we were still facing a team with a 10-game home winning streak.

One key improvement is our strong starts. Part of it is confidence in one another stemming from increased reps and more familiarity with one another is resulting in growing trust and chemistry. Whereas we'd start tentatively and look for what the D gives us, we now are better at pushing the pace and imposing our half-court sets and transition game. We'd give up a lot of shots or over-think it in creating shots but we're getting much better at just taking the shot we have. It needs some tweaking, too, as at times we tended to take shots too early in the clock with no one else touching the ball when we ought to have run it some, but as we're getting to know each other's tendencies, we're better at setting one another up and hesitating far less; just take the best shot you think you have, run back on D, don't over-think it.

Another change in patterns is improving the 2ND and 3RD Qs which up until three games ago have been our second worst and worst Qs in terms of points differential respectively. We built on our strong 1ST Q and gave ourselves a big enough cushion to withstand any potential opponent runs as well as our own lulls. Sure enough both came in the 3RD Q, and although we only scored 16 points, we once again overcame mistakes, came back from a bigger deficit to close the gap to within two points. Both Qs beat our patterns of getting absolutely outplayed on both ends; both Qs showed better D and overcoming stretches of poor play. Whereas previously these would cause our confidence to wane and game to wilt, we've been overcoming both opponent runs and our own mistakes. It all trickles from one to the next: strong starts mean we aren't expending energy in playing catch-up, they generate momentum and confidence, and give a cushion as we work through rough spots.

Pop's rotations changed as well and they paid big dividends for us early and late. Whereas Diop was important to our D, Doug back in the starting group helped improve our pace and space. His outside shots, off-ball movement, and quick drives were a big boost. He made 2-6 from 3, hitting both in the 1ST Q which made Ds close out on him and allowed him to use his speed to get to the rim. He scored 16 points on 7-13 along with 4 boards (2 on O, and points on a putback). His versatility also showed in his 3 assists. Loved his 4TH Q synergy with Jakob who was the recipient of two of Doug's deft passes.

Derrick continuing to be more assertive from the start was a welcome sight and helped us set the tone. Everything looks like it's more coordinated - his feet on O, his dribbling, his balance on drives. He's just about back to the full rounded player we had come to expect. He had a strong first half start and finished with 12 points on 4-11, 3-8 from 3 (leading the team in attempts from the arc), 1-2FTs, along with 7 rebounds (1 on O), 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

That the assertive, two-way contributing Derrick is back helps to ease the pressure off of DJ, and puts pressure on opponents because we can create from either of our back court players. They're a menace defensively, and when either goes off, Tre the defensive pest who is finding more of his offensive game. DJ scored 16 points on 6-16, 3-7 from 3, 7 boards, and a whopping 13 assists to complement the 2 steals. He's grown so much as a passer even from last season. Whereas his P&R was suspect, it's now reliable; whereas his Js were inefficient, he's now clutch from the top of the key; whereas he wasn't known as a floor spacer, he's now taking 3s from passes and off his dribble. And having two PGs who are capable of running the team and each playing off ball as well makes us more versatile and difficult to play against.

Our starting back court was part of six Spurs players in double figures, including all starters. Keldon started slow (0-3 in the 1ST Q) but then came on strong in the 2ND, making all the shots he took. He missed all his other shots, but he led us in FT attempts, making 4-5, for 14 points. He hit a couple of corner 3s (2-4 in total from the arc) - something he's been working on and it's paying off - but it was his beautiful finish at the rim on a drive that broke down their zone D that deflated the opponent as much as it galvanized his team mates. The bench jumped up in excitement, Jakob pumped his fist, Derrick did a leg cycle in the air haha! You love to see it!

It was one of several plays that electrified the team, and the lot of them came from our team D that led to strong transition play: a Thad steal led to Lonnie running out and finishing Tre's pass with a ferocious dunk and roar; a DJ steal and push in transition pass back to trailing Bryn for a 3; a Tre steal, drive during which he got into the defender's space and used his body to protect the ball for a layup; a DJ steal, drive, and patented one handed dunk with some extra oomph! in the finish.

Lonnie missed a lot of 3s (1-5), but the lot were open shots from great drives, kicks outs and extra passes so you can't fault him for taking them; he finished very well at the rim with no extra fancy flourish moves and used the glass when he wasn't punishing the rim. He scored all his points in the first half (7 points on 3-8), but gave us the versatility with his outside shooting and athletic drives and then helped with 3 assists. Each game he contributes beyond scoring and his ability as well as his effort in looking to help in other ways which is what we really need from him. All the more so, too, because Devin's return was short lived. He only played 10 minutes as his thigh got a bit tight and we did what we always do, what's right by the player's health and Pop kept him out.

And in the next man up mentality, Bryn, rather unheralded this season, used sparingly at times yet still expected to come in and be a scoring spark, did just that. He fouled a player that tried to body him after the fact, and after things got a bit chippy, it woke up the payback FU eat my shots! Bryn. He didn't play in the first half, made his lone attempt late in the 3RD Q. Aaaaaaand cue the 4TH! Bryn the secret weapon blitzed them for 6-8 including 3-5 from 3. He ended up leading us in scoring with 18. AND he got two steals. Again.

That we scored 114 points with no player scoring more that 18 points showed the best of what our team can be - a multi-threat scoring one based on solid D and movement. We had three 30+ point Qs and even when we didn't score well in the 3RD Q, we made enough stops to stay at an even keel. Still, the momentum was shifting as they increased their energy, drives, and physicality, and we had one weapon after another at the ready in response.

We had 21 assists at the half and finished the game with 32. Our stellar ball movement was so impressive when it was clicking: Right spots, right passes, right decisions. We started hot from the 3, making 11-23 in the first half, and though we made only 3-13 in the second half, our outside shooters still had to be respected which opened up the key once again. We had a commanding 54-26 points in the paint advantage, and getting Jakob more involved for 14 points on 7-12 as well as 9 rebounds (1 on O), 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks made for a challenging night for his opponents on both ends. I love that we work to his strengths and get him that pop-a-shot in they key and through P&Rs. He's not just doing the grunt work of getting points by cleaning the glass. It must be a lot more fun for him to be a part of the game on both ends. A modern (no post-ups), traditional (no 3s) C with stellar defense may not be as useful to another team that needs their C to spread the floor, but we're once again adjusting to make the most of the strengths we have.

That Thad was the first big off the bench allowed us to continue to operate as a versatile two-way team. Drew is a wrecking ball of energy and it's necessary for us, but Thad's contributions are more diverse and his vet presence calms and centers us. He got deflections, ran the floor, was a physical presence down low, posted up and made those quirky lefty shots that are so tricky to stop, and made 3-4 of them as well as 2-2FTs for 8 points as well as 4 rebounds (2 on O, including a putback). We got more out of our bigs (25 points between Jakob, Thad and Drew; 41 if you include Doug's at the 4).

That we scored 27 points off of the TOs (giving up 14) and had 25-13 fast break points advantage also points to our transition game growing. D to O is energizing us and fuels what we do on O for a 91FGAs to 82 on far better efficiency. And when we get into lulls, the next guys contributes. I like that we're developing to the point that whoever we plug into the line-up there's not a big drop off. It's all the more important on a team without that clear go-to guy (especially at the start of the season), yet without that we're figuring out and carving out bigger roles as we take on bigger D responsibilities as well.

We're still getting stuck in a cluttered key or taking some shots way too early (and a couple of times we allowed shot clock violations), but I do like that we made a decision and then just got on with the game. And when the shots weren't there, a timeout, a play call, an execution usually something along the lines of our trusted floater in the key to get us going again. There's just more cohesion to our play on both ends, and that it's starting from a serious pride to get better on D is a positive.

Going forward, it's building on good two-way play. It'll be tested all the more as we head west, but we're trending the right way. It's amazing what a couple of days off for rest and practice can do to a team. Space for reflection and repetition of good habits is a big luxury this season and we are starting to reap rewards of. The small alterations in our play - strong starts, better shot selection from better movement, different rotations - as well as a noticeable change in our mental approach and confidence are both stronger and will be more strongly tested. Build, learn, repeat.

NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS

Not usually the type of info that goes in this section, but considering the type of shots we've relied on for a long time, it stands out and does so well:

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[imagump1313]

I think we played pretty well but I cant ignore fact that we outplayed a team that looks totally lost without Lillard. I really didn't think the Blazers were that bad of a team with McCollum, Powell, Nurkic...etc. still out there but they didn't seem to have any type of direction or sense of purpose playing without Lillard who really hasn't played that well this year anyway. Perhaps is was because they mailed it in knowing they were playing us? It really didn't look like they were ready for that game at all. It could also be that IMO Billups was the worst choice possible to coach that team they could have come up with. Its showing.

Thad Young should be the first big off the bench. Thad Young is a throwback. He loves feeding people cutting to the basket or on a give and go. It is very effective. The only problem now is the league(including ourselves) is soo obsessed with threes that NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO CUT TO THE BASKET PROPERLY anymore! Guys think they are doing something wrong when they move toward the basket instead of drifting out beyond the three point line. IMO we could take advantage of this then when teams try to stop it we would have more open threes that people can get boners about.

I will never understand the analytics people who seem to think going 1-3 on contested fade away three attempts is somehow better than 3 laypus or dunks with and-1 potential. It just baffles me. But I guess that's a conversation for another thread.

I LOVE that we are seeing Tre Jones playing more meaningful minutes. You can see his confidence growing by the game. I LOVE that Jones is playing more than Forbes. I LOVE the idea of Thad Young playing more than Eubanks.

I have always been a White > Murray guy but I have honestly swapped that opinion entirely. Murray still annoys me at times but he has become far more of a dependable player who can effect the game positively on a nightly basis than White. Also, White's loose handles are infuriating. Watching him is like watching a rollarcoaster that's out of control. You just want him to give up the ball before he turns it over. I have always rooted for White and I think he is a great kid but its obvious now his ceiling is far below Murray's. The only thing with Murray is that he is not a PG and not a good enough shooter to be a SG, but he has proven to be more of a scorer than anyone else we currently have so in a positionless NBA put him at the 2.