12/3 - POSTGAME | San Antonio Spurs (87) - (90) Oklahoma City Thunder

[spearsy23]

Why does getting the W matter? Is that what you’re asking?

To paraphrase Slick: 'Close wins are mostly luck.' against Manny, If Wiggins doesn't that game winning three, the outcome changes but the way we played doesn't. So yes, we got a win, but we still gave away a lead, couldn't score in the second half, and handed the other team a great opportunity in the closing stretch. Being encouraged by increased movement is nice, but it's really just a silver lining in another poorly played game.

Eh. I don't think you take much away from this other than PG13 shooting like hammered dog crap and us collectively farting out a horrible FT%.

I think that's exactly right, you shouldn't take much away from this game, which leaves us where we were when it started. that's not a particularly good place to be. I'm not harping on the negatives because of this game, but because they were basically the same as they have been.

A bad win against a bad opponent just isn't a real reason for optimism.

[Thundershock88]

Should have lost. That Westbrook turnover at the end was trash. Glad we won, but very underwhelming performance. This team still has major issues. These last two wins don't change that.

[spearsy23]

Melo's performance the last two games is my biggest reasoning for hope. He's trying to blend in, and I think that's a big reason there is more movement in the offense. The hope has to be that down the road we've developed good habits, and when nights like this happen we are able to have Melo step out of the background and get more involved. Make him a 'break glass in case of emergency' scoring threat and it helps the offense overall while allowing us to survive a few bad shooting nights. But at this point that would've been one step forward and two steps back.

[Dadouv47]

Winning by 3 or 30 against Spurs bench won't indicate anything anyway.

We were trash but our recent ''system'' with both Russ and PG13 handling the ball is the right direction to go forward. Melo is ok with his new role which is great. I like Abrines getting more minutes because we badly need some scoring from the bench (even if I would like someone better than him, we don't have other options ). Wish Patterson could play more minutes and hitting some shots too...

[Pillendreher]

Barely beat a G-League team. Another complete breakdown in the 2nd half.

We have cracked a 100 ORtG in the 3rd quarter once over the last 9 games. On the season we're now 27th in ORtG in the 2nd half.

It's embarassing that we can't get going offensively with this squad.

[dakomish23]

Barely beat a G-League team. Another complete breakdown in the 2nd half.

We have cracked a 100 ORtG in the 3rd quarter once over the last 9 games. On the season we're now 27th in ORtG in the 2nd half.

It's embarassing that we can't get going offensively with this squad.

I bet there’s a graph with an axis showing the 2nd half offensive rating & an axis showing Adams FGA. Probably looks like similar to this:

[dakomish23]

Should have lost. That Westbrook turnover at the end was trash. Glad we won, but very underwhelming performance. This team still has major issues. These last two wins don't change that.

Were they out of timeouts? Also, how come that dude was wide open on the 3? Everyone didn’t run back?

Only reason they won is because WB found guys open for dunks a lot this game

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[CROklahoma]

Nothing, literally nothing has changed.

Incredibly bad lineup decisions down the stretch, keeping Felton on the floor, not feeding Adams, or giving him possesions to create offense if teams cut him off of p&r.

Total disaster, dont look at the final score and the pattern is same. Meaning the sample size over 60+ games will tell we'll be around .520, if we get lucky as we did today with some horrendous missed wide open looks by Spurs guys.

Some of the players showed they are willing to change their habbits, like Melo, so, this could be all about the coach(ing staff) ...

[Pillendreher]

Barely beat a G-League team. Another complete breakdown in the 2nd half.

We have cracked a 100 ORtG in the 3rd quarter once over the last 9 games. On the season we're now 27th in ORtG in the 2nd half.

It's embarassing that we can't get going offensively with this squad.

I bet there’s a graph with an axis showing the 2nd half offensive rating & an axis showing Adams FGA. Probably looks like similar to this:

I couldn't get Excel to display it properly...



Both axes meet at the respective average Team ORtG and Adams USG% in the 2nd half. So when Adams has an above average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 6 out of 8 times. When he has a below average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 4 out of 11 times.

[Pillendreher]

Melo cooling down Russ in the 4th quarter was weird and nice to see at the same time.

[dakomish23]

Barely beat a G-League team. Another complete breakdown in the 2nd half.

We have cracked a 100 ORtG in the 3rd quarter once over the last 9 games. On the season we're now 27th in ORtG in the 2nd half.

It's embarassing that we can't get going offensively with this squad.

I bet there’s a graph with an axis showing the 2nd half offensive rating & an axis showing Adams FGA. Probably looks like similar to this:

I couldn't get Excel to display it properly...



Both axes meet at the respective average Team ORtG and Adams USG% in the 2nd half. So when Adams has an above average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 6 out of 8 times. When he has a below average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 4 out of 11 times.

Sounds about right. Maybe teams are taking away the Adams option and daring WB / PG to beat them from the perimeter?

[Pillendreher]

I bet there’s a graph with an axis showing the 2nd half offensive rating & an axis showing Adams FGA. Probably looks like similar to this:

I couldn't get Excel to display it properly...



Both axes meet at the respective average Team ORtG and Adams USG% in the 2nd half. So when Adams has an above average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 6 out of 8 times. When he has a below average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 4 out of 11 times.

Sounds about right. Maybe teams are taking away the Adams option and daring WB / PG to beat them from the perimeter?

Tell me this: Why does that only happen after the first 1.5/2 quarters? If it were that easy, wouldn't teams just take it away right from the start? I know teams don't gameplan like they do in the Playoffs, but if it were that easy, most teams would just do right from the beginning of the game. Simply sagging off the Russ PnR isn't that innovative or difficult.
I actually think this whole struggling in the 2nd half thing is 70/30 on us as a team. Especially Russ. I think it actually starts with him. He starts playing more carelessly: Forces passes, has sloppy turnovers, rushes shots, leaves his man so he can get the rebound (might have to do with getting close to a TD, might have not). Once that starts, the rest of the squad follows.
Maybe call it discipline.

[dakomish23]

Nothing, literally nothing has changed.

Incredibly bad lineup decisions down the stretch, keeping Felton on the floor, not feeding Adams, or giving him possesions to create offense if teams cut him off of p&r.

Total disaster, dont look at the final score and the pattern is same. Meaning the sample size over 60+ games will tell we'll be around .520, if we get lucky as we did today with some horrendous missed wide open looks by Spurs guys.

Some of the players showed they are willing to change their habbits, like Melo, so, this could be all about the coach(ing staff) ...

Not sure if he did it this last game, but there is zero excuse to not having 2 of the big 4 on the floor at all times. Offensively, it’s just that much easier when only 3 of your guys suck compared to 4.

I’m hoping (because of lack of choices) to see more

Felton Abrines PG Grant Adams

2nd units. Then maybe come back with WB / Melo / Roberson mid 2nd, then close out with the starters.

Grant seems to be the only bench guy having anything resembling and impact on the game. Patterson has been awful. 33 FG% / 32 3PT% when he’s been at 45 FG% / 37 3PT% the last 5 seasons.

[dakomish23]

I couldn't get Excel to display it properly...



Both axes meet at the respective average Team ORtG and Adams USG% in the 2nd half. So when Adams has an above average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 6 out of 8 times. When he has a below average USG%, our Team ORtG has been above average 4 out of 11 times.

Sounds about right. Maybe teams are taking away the Adams option and daring WB / PG to beat them from the perimeter?

Tell me this: Why does that only happen after the first 1.5/2 quarters? If it were that easy, wouldn't teams just take it away right from the start? I know teams don't gameplan like they do in the Playoffs, but if it were that easy, most teams would just do right from the beginning of the game. Simply sagging off the Russ PnR isn't that innovative or difficult.
I actually think this whole struggling in the 2nd half thing is 70/30 on us as a team. Especially Russ. I think it actually starts with him. He starts playing more carelessly: Forces passes, has sloppy turnovers, rushes shots, leaves his man so he can get the rebound (might have to do with getting close to a TD, might have not). Once that starts, the rest of the squad follows.
Maybe call it discipline.

You could be right and the eye test seems to back that up. These 3 guys are used to shooting in crunch time and they haven’t changed that mindset.

I was trying to give another reason other than putting the onus on the players, but sometimes it’s that simple.

[bondom34]

He was also benched a good portion of the 2nd half.

[Pillendreher]

Sounds about right. Maybe teams are taking away the Adams option and daring WB / PG to beat them from the perimeter?

Tell me this: Why does that only happen after the first 1.5/2 quarters? If it were that easy, wouldn't teams just take it away right from the start? I know teams don't gameplan like they do in the Playoffs, but if it were that easy, most teams would just do right from the beginning of the game. Simply sagging off the Russ PnR isn't that innovative or difficult.
I actually think this whole struggling in the 2nd half thing is 70/30 on us as a team. Especially Russ. I think it actually starts with him. He starts playing more carelessly: Forces passes, has sloppy turnovers, rushes shots, leaves his man so he can get the rebound (might have to do with getting close to a TD, might have not). Once that starts, the rest of the squad follows.
Maybe call it discipline.

You could be right and the eye test seems to back that up. These 3 guys are used to shooting in crunch time and they haven’t changed that mindset.

I was trying to give another reason other than putting the onus on the players, but sometimes it’s that simple.

Russ in the 1st half of the last 15 games: 33.7 PTS/13.1 AST/5.8 TOV per 100 Poss on 53.3 TS%/2.26 AST-TO-Ratio/11.5 TO Ratio
Russ in the 3rd quarter of the last 15 games: 23.1 PTS/8.4 AST/7.5 TOV per 100 Poss on 38.4 TS%/1.13 AST-TO-Ratio/16.3 TO Ratio
Russ in the 4th quarter of the last 15 games: 31.0 PTS/10.7 AST/5.6 TOV per 100 Poss on 46.2 TS%/1.93 AST-TO-Ratio/11.2 TO Ratio

Over the last 15, Russ has reached 50 TS% in a 3rd quarter only 4x: Denver, Clippers, Mavs (1st game) and Warriors.

[Pillendreher]

He was also benched a good portion of the 2nd half.

Adams? I read on WTLC that Donovan said he wanted Grant instead of Adams because of Bertans...

[bondom34]

He was also benched a good portion of the 2nd half.

Adams? I read on WTLC that Donovan said he wanted Grant instead of Adams because of Bertans...

Yeah....yeah.

At least that was his quote.

[dakomish23]

Tell me this: Why does that only happen after the first 1.5/2 quarters? If it were that easy, wouldn't teams just take it away right from the start? I know teams don't gameplan like they do in the Playoffs, but if it were that easy, most teams would just do right from the beginning of the game. Simply sagging off the Russ PnR isn't that innovative or difficult.
I actually think this whole struggling in the 2nd half thing is 70/30 on us as a team. Especially Russ. I think it actually starts with him. He starts playing more carelessly: Forces passes, has sloppy turnovers, rushes shots, leaves his man so he can get the rebound (might have to do with getting close to a TD, might have not). Once that starts, the rest of the squad follows.
Maybe call it discipline.

You could be right and the eye test seems to back that up. These 3 guys are used to shooting in crunch time and they haven’t changed that mindset.

I was trying to give another reason other than putting the onus on the players, but sometimes it’s that simple.

Russ in the 1st half of the last 15 games: 33.7 PTS/13.1 AST/5.8 TOV per 100 Poss on 53.3 TS%/2.26 AST-TO-Ratio/11.5 TO Ratio
Russ in the 3rd quarter of the last 15 games: 23.1 PTS/8.4 AST/7.5 TOV per 100 Poss on 38.4 TS%/1.13 AST-TO-Ratio/16.3 TO Ratio
Russ in the 4th quarter of the last 15 games: 31.0 PTS/10.7 AST/5.6 TOV per 100 Poss on 46.2 TS%/1.93 AST-TO-Ratio/11.2 TO Ratio

Over the last 15, Russ has reached 50 TS% in a 3rd quarter only 4x: Denver, Clippers, Mavs (1st game) and Warriors.

Geez. 50% isn’t even a good TS%

Hopefully it picks up.

[thekaoswithin]

Nothing, literally nothing has changed.

Incredibly bad lineup decisions down the stretch, keeping Felton on the floor, not feeding Adams, or giving him possesions to create offense if teams cut him off of p&r.

Total disaster, dont look at the final score and the pattern is same. Meaning the sample size over 60+ games will tell we'll be around .520, if we get lucky as we did today with some horrendous missed wide open looks by Spurs guys.

Some of the players showed they are willing to change their habbits, like Melo, so, this could be all about the coach(ing staff) ...

I agree with the lineup parts, but shooting is kinda a wash.

You can't say 'we would have lost horribly if Spurs hit their shots.'

Well, yeah. But we also would have won by a lot more if PG13 and Melo hit their shots. It goes both ways.