Post#48 » by G R E Y » Fri Nov 18, 2022 8:37 am
4TH Q: SPURS 112 KINGS 130
For nearly three Qs, we came back from at least 16 points down to get a slight lead. For too long we couldn't break the tie, gave up some second and third chance points, and faltered towards the end of the 3RD Q to give up seven points.
We played some press and got some early points but once they got rolling, particularly from 3 and TOs to transition points that did us in.
Considering all the players we had out, including our top scorer and key bench contributors, our fight was valiant.
I love our spirited come from behind effort time and again, I love that new guys stepped up, I love that it was a team-wide effort.
All five starters scored in double figures on terrific efficiency.
Sochan was a two-way menace, defending spaces and the rim well, assertive in running point, showing new wrinkles to his O game. That dunk was incredible. He finished with 11 on 5-10, 0-2 from 3, 1-1FT along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists - leading the team in this category. Each game he shows us something new, each game he hustles, each game he makes mistakes, and each game he grows. All the while the BBIQ and hustle are there.
Sudden 'be ever ready' starter Diop had one of his very solid games as well, filling in for the late scratch Keldon. He scored 16 on 7-11, 0-2 from 3, 2-3FTs in a variety of drives, be it transition or off ball movement, finishing well at the rim. He chipped in 4 boards (1 on O), 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Another one of his complete games, where his length, athleticism, and BBIQ kept us in it.
Jakob had a big job holding back a talented, physical couterpart on D and holding him to below average in rebounds and assists in particular. But he was a handful, too. He wasn't the scoring machine of last game, but in his 10 points on 5-9 he has shown some crafty post moves, shown a deft touch with his left hand, especially on left hooks from postups. He is also taking more off the dribble runners, too. Nice additions to the scoring toolkit. He led us with 7 boards, led is with 3 on O, while dishing 4 assists, getting 1 steal, and 1 block. Solid all around game. Still somehow underrated because he's so consistent.
Tre was the steady PG presence who scored 15 on 7-13, 1-2 from 3, 1 board, 4 assists. He uses P&Rs so well, creates space for himself, and his runners and floaters are becoming ever reliable. He had a tough defensive assignment facing one of the fastest PGs in the league. He still led us with 2 steals (tied with JRich) was busy with press, deflections, pesky D.
Devin Vassell. There's only so much a player can do, and yet there's so much more that he's doing that you sort of want to see him be put in these pressure situations just ot see how he handles it, to see how he works his way through the defenses, fights through screens, keeps moving. He was much more poised running point, was more patient in the P&Rs, showing new moves in finishing at the rim - three level scoring while defending well. Team and career-tying high 29 on 11-19, 4-9 from 3, 3-5FTs, 3 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Like with Jakob, every opponent broadcast speaks highly of Devin's growing game. And we need him to, particularly in staying mentally strong through a tough stretch. Like Pop said, we got better today, even if it doesn't show on the scoreboard.
Our bench scored 31 points, still below our second best in the league 42.7PPG, but the effort in stepping up is the type of competitveness we want and need to see. We also need to see who can step up in what way. Roby stepped up with 11 points on 4-7, 3-3 from 3, 2 boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks - I loved his chase down one. When he keeps his game compact - points off C&S and transition drives.
JRich also had a tough D assignment, too, and he had a less inefficient game than before, but he's still settling for outside shots too much. Hardly any drives - only one attempt in the key, which is opposite to Tre's relentless push. Not sure what's going on with JRich or what he's saving it for, but he hasn't been the excited clutch scoring machine he was in earlier games even if his efficiency overall is around his career average. I did like his alley oop passes, and he wasn't as much of an ISO-looking shooter, but settling for so many long shots when they're not falling and not trying other things is strange. The majority of his 2s this season are from the 10-16ft range. Some variety in shots and getting to the FT line are needed both for him and for us.
Dieng and Bassey and Hall rounded out the minutes (all three in the teens) and filled in decently. Dieng still has bounce in his step and actually looked more sprightly than Bassey tonight. Some teams exploit more bulky players with their speed. Hall looked a bit more comfortable running point and actually led the bench with 2 O boards, using that size to see where he could pass and take advantage at the rim.
We shot well and defended quite well in long stretches. What stood out was good switching, good rim protectiong, active movement and hands for deflections, getting hands on a lot of balls for steals and transition points. We had 8 steals and 6 blocks.
Several stats from rebounds to points in the paint to made 3s to fast break points were very close in range between the teams. What stood out once again were 19 TOs on which we gave up 21 points for a -7 and a big 9-12FTs to their 22-24FTs deficit at the charity stripe. That's 20 points combined.
Without Keldon's scoring, and he being part of five regular contributors out, we played everyone available but were still thin in support. Our second best PPG bench output is when everyone's healthy, so still getting contributions from everyone who played is good. Guys we don't otherwise get a look at can show more of their game. And but for Blake and Zach (and to a lesser extent Mal), we will get Keldon, Doug, and Romeo back soon. We need all of them.
We still give up stretches of incredible scoring runs to opponents, in part from leaky D and in part from not getting stops, and in part from the shock leading to weird scoring droughts. Both are part of the game, we have runs, too, but for us they at times are so extreme that we must find ways to mitigate them. Pop was asked about the high turnovers and how we could stop them. "Don't turn it over," he said. Well yes. We really have to get better at it. And when we're not scoring from the outside, they tried and true getting to the FT line should be used more. There was quite a lot of physicality in this game but we didn't make them pay enough for it. We also have to learn to play with poise to get leads back. We fight so hard to get back into the game and when it is tied it's like there's a glass lid on getting higher. We rush shots, settle for Js too early in the clock, don't get into our own rhythms of movement-based scoring. It's experience and dealing with pressure, so the mentality of being more focused in these moments will come. We're giving ourselves good chances to get them.
We have to keep building on what we're doing well and not lose sight of these benefits despite the results. Here's to the frustration being used as a means to make a strong push in the final stretch on this road trip.
The Spurs Way
Thinking of you, Pop
#XX
