SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 17: SPURS AT CLIPPERS, 19-11-2022, 9:30PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

Bassey should have tried to block the alley oop just before.

[G R E Y]

Bassey - you AGAIN had a chance to block a shot at the rim but stood there doing nothing. That's not the way.

[G R E Y]

Here comes the barrage of TOs...

[G R E Y]

With a 26-point deficit and our starters nearing the 30-minute playing time mark, I suspect Pop will get the newbies on tbe bench minutes at the next timeout.

[G R E Y]

By "next timeout" I guess I mean THAT timeout - right now we have Hall, Mal, Roby, Sochan, Bassey.

Annnnnd another timeout after we miss and allow a leakout to get behind our D for an uncontested dunk. Mal with the cardinal sin of giving up running on the play and giving up a dunk uncontested. OOF. This is doghouse material, Mal!

[G R E Y]

You'd think we would STOP leaving guys at the arc wide open by this poitn but nope we sag off them for open 3s. Dumb.

[G R E Y]

Good man D by Hall to not bite on the dancing dribbles for the miss.

[G R E Y]

BARLOW TIME!

[G R E Y]

Great man D again by Hall.

[G R E Y]

Barlow already with the deflection of their inside pass, we push, pass well and Bassey with the Euro step but missed bunny - the tale of the night.

[G R E Y]

Nice cut by Barlow, two foot stop, jump, missed bunny lol but he got the foul and made both FTs.

[G R E Y]

Barlow skies for the O baord and earns another trip to the FT line, making both again.

[G R E Y]

Barlow nice turnaround fadeaway baseline J.

[Phreak50]

Still stand by Sochan needing G League time.

It helped Keldon in his 30 odd games. I really think it will show Jeremy the difference between what it takes because he is often looking lost and out of his depth.

And it wouldn't surprise me if we are fined or lose our pick. Seemingly sitting one of our best players every game or two since our surprising start.

[imagump1313]

Still stand by Sochan needing G League time.

It helped Keldon in his 30 odd games. I really think it will show Jeremy the difference between what it takes because he is often looking lost and out of his depth.

And it wouldn't surprise me if we are fined or lose our pick. Seemingly sitting one of our best players every game or two since our surprising start.

Sochan is turning it over a lot lately. But he can learn here, we dont need to waste any time with Austin this year because we arent trying to win at all costs anyway.

No way in hell the league would fine us compared to what other teams have done blatantly tanking the last few years. I joke about the tank but we are actually doing a good job of trying to win games. We just aren't being overly creative of trying to overcome losing which is how to properly tank

[G R E Y]

4TH Q: SPURS 97 CLIPPERS 119

Not to beat a dead horse lying at the arc, but we made 7-26 from the arc, only 26.9% -- both well below our average, and allowed 21-39. Sometimes a team just gets hot. We've been there. But not for a while now.

Since the start of this west coast road trip, we've had only TWO 30-point Qs, one in each of the previous two games. So none in our first game, and none tonight. That's only two 30-point Qs in 16 quarters.

And when the shot's not falling, you better have good D to weather the storms, and we haven't had that either. It's tough when important players are out. And if this game has shown anything, it's the rising importance of Devin to our lineup. He has the growing confidence, the ability to get his own shot in three-level scoring, and make an impact on defense. Unfortunately, unless he could have made like 15 3s it would have been moot.

Here's how it broke down - we won a Q, tied a Q, lost a Q by 7, after getting lit up for an 18-point 1ST Q deficit on the strength of nine 3s against. I don't want to play that game of hypothetical oh eliminate the 3s and we were in it. But I bring it up because we did several things well that can get overshadowed by the lopsided score, things we can take into the next game if we keep our heads on right.

We rebounded very well, bettering our opponent 42-35 overall and 15-7 on the O boards. We didn't reward ourselves as much as we had the opportunity to at the putback rim, but I loved the effort. Some shots were rushed into weird angles off the glass, some shots we just... missed. It allowed us more scoring chances as we got 87GFAs to their 81, but made only 41.4% FGs.

We had a sizeable 56-32 points in the paint advantage again thanks to leaning on Jakob early and often. He led us with 20 points on stellar 8-15 (and that includes several missed bunnies), and 4-4FTs. He finally got the better of his counterpart with an array of O moves and shots from post-ups, to runners, to good glass angles. He led starters with 8 boards, led the team with 3 O boards, and had several tap outs to retain O possession for second and third chances to score. Three assists was good for tied for second on the team, and he got 1 steal.

First, BREAKING: Jakob shot 100% FTs. Second, he was the ONLY starter, and the ONLY player to get to the FT line through the first three Qs. Sure some calls didn't go our way. Keldon complained a bit too much about it to the refs. It was in part from not getting calls, in part from frustration of having another off shooting night. So to whatever extent we didn't get the FT calls, it was also about effort in doing so. We needed to be more physical and aggressive. The mindset of trying harder the fewer calls we get needs to be there.

Keldon took as many shots as Jakob but was only 5-15, 1-5 from 3, 2 boards (1 on O), 1 assist, 1 steal. Keldon was once again too passive in the 1ST Q. I loved how we used Jakob; we need Keldon to be more downhill. Scoring 1-4, and the lone point was in the paint - it was also his lone attempt in the paint. More inside out rather than outside in. The 2ND Q was his best, making 3-6 overall which comprised of 2-3 in the paint and 1-3 from 3. And then as if to disprove my main point, Keldon was 1-5 in the 3RD Q, but 1-4 of those were in the paint. My point still stands, though - get driving earlier, put opponents on their heels, get a better chance of scoring closer to the basket. Too passive. Get driving downhill right from the start.

Then again, Tre took eight of his 13 shots in the paint and still only made two. His Js faltered completely, his usually reliable floaters clanked, he missed both his 3s, and made two of four shots in the restricted area. I appreciate the effort. You want a guy to create his shot and take his open chances. He had plenty, only a couple went it. That's how it goes sometimes. He did lead us with 10 assists, ahd 2 boards (1 on O) and a steal. Where he could he got to the passes and tried disrupting them. Active hands and feet. It's a lot to expect of a player who suddenly has a lot more to shoulder than when the season began, but that's his lot and his opportunity.

Tre also got mismatched on some bigger players, namely two of their stars, and we didn't doa good enough job switching back. It's impressive that he's actually harder to move in the post than his stature would suggest, but when he's tasked to contest far bigger players on the perimeter, well you can't teach height. What's bizarre is that we kept collapsing and over-committing to their stars, leaving open opponents at the arc time and again. When they made contested 3s you tip your hat, but there were many shots that were self-inflicted because we sagged in case of doubling leaving back passes or elbow passes to the other side or simply cross court passes to the weak side wide open. We had guys run out to contest but time and again there was too much space to cover.

Were we just practicing interior coverage? Or was this the gameplan? Surely adjustments were made. Definitely something to go over in the film room.

Diop actually comported himself well. His length was a good defensive factor and in driving and finishing. He chipped in 9 on 4-7, 1-1 from 3 along with 5 boards (2 on O) and a block. He's got great size, but he's more of a slithery type of player than a physically imposing one. He could stand to be more assertive and aggressive.

Sochan tried to distribute and got exposed for his inexperience. Led the team with 7 TOs, nearly half of the team's 15. Bad passes, mostly. I liked his coverage all over the court on D. Good stance. But in guarding primary scorers he got lit up for a team worst -24 as well. Learning experience. Like how to get the shot off sooner and higher off the glass when driving on taller Cs when he got blocked; like shot selection when he missed a long left corner 2; like his form on 3s when he missed yet another one from the arc. His form is weird. Elbow's out to the side and he has a hitch in his release. Needs a lot of work. Isn't there some sort of brace he could practice with? I did like is two pull up Js in the key where he was 2-4, and 2-6 overall (0-1 from 3). He chipped in 4 boards (2 on O), 2 assists, and 1 block.

Pop played nine guys much of the game, and a third of the way into the 4TH Q put in the remainder of the players. Only Dieng was a DNP from those available to play. So our bench scored 47 of our 97 points, in part due to more minutes for the extra guys, in part due to their solid work. We were stuck at 75 points for nesrly two minutes when Pop put in the subs and Hall finally broke the drought with a drive and earned a trip to the FT line. He didn't score from the field - this needs work, but he was assertive in taking his chances, and in only 9 minutes, led the bench in 5-6FTs. He looked more comfirtable and communcated better in running point assertively. Loved his man D, staying on his feet, arms out, not getting tricked by hot shot dribbles and contested well for misses.

We finished with 18-21FTs to their 10-19FTs, so we earned some points there, but it was due to 14-17 in the final Q. On the one hand, it's absurd when refs call more for one team through one half then another team in the other. The final FT chances being similar by the end of the game belies the way it may have been called. On the other, our young guys really were doing a better job with vertical motion and ball movement. It was our second best assists Q with 5, and our best scoring Q with 28.

Barlow really stood out well. He's a beanpole but he's really smart, assertive, and physical, more so than Diop, for example, even though the latter at least looks like he has a good 20lbs on him (Diop is listed as only 5lbs heavier. No way that's accurate!) Anyway, I love watching Barlow figure things out. First possession he got into the passing lane in the key to deflect a pass. Not sure why that wasn't registered as a steal, but he was responsible for breaking up the play. He had terrific timing and hustle for his O board, he drove and got to the FT line making 4-4, and make a sweet left baseline fadeaway J. Good instincts, good hustle, good IQ, good shooting touch. He's a secret weapon, soon to be Diop's replacement. I really like Diop as a person and even as a player. I think he's a great teammate, too. But if Barlow keeps making a growth curve, it'll be a nice problem to have. And yes, I'm aware Diop played versus starters and Barlow the rookie versus bench players. I'm not saying Barlow can now do what Diop does; just that I've had my eye on him for a while and think his game is coming along nicely in the chances he's getting. I hope he gets more.

Bassey played far better versus the bench players, no surprise. What was a surprise was that he was more tempered when up against starters and main contributors. Twice he stood at the basket while opponets scored completely uncontested - no arms up, bad positioning, no jump, no foul, no attempt, nothing. Quick teams make him look slow but this was a more deliberate grind game down low. He did lead the team with 9 boards (2 on O), he also led the bench with 3 TOs. So our rookie bigs combined for 10 of our 15 TOs. Oof. It is, however, what this season is for. Bassey chipped in 6 points on 2-6, 0-1 from 3, 2-4FTs. Perhaps we're focusing him on certain assignments in the game, but I would like to see more of the all around beast he was in the G-League.

Doug was back to peak Doug making 5-6, 3-4 from 3 to lead the bench with 13 and adding 2 boards (1 on O). Love his off ball movement as ever, his cuts, and his finishes at the rim. Quick trigger is still best on the team. JRich ran bench PG and was better at involving others, leading the bench with 3 assists. He struggled again with 3-7 and uncharacteristic 0-4 from 3. Please find your shot, JRich. I've been complaining he hasn't been driving. Kudos for at least getting his shots closer to the rim; he made 3-4 in the paint all at the elbows.

Roby, another usually reliable 3-point shooter, was only 1-5 from 3 and 2-6 overall. He did drive and made 3-3FTs, got 4 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal. I like the signing overall, and think he's a nice complement at PF along with Diop, but despite having proper players at the position, each of whom can spread the floor decently (to poorly with Sochan right now), it's a position that will need a lot of growth and solidifying. While Sochan has and will continue to start, the back up role is up for grabs for any young enterprising PF who really wants it - looking at you, Barlow!

Malaki made 1-2 from 3, didn't look as out of place. One cardinal sin was giving up on their leaked out player who got behind us and laid it in without any contest. They had jsut gotten on the court and Pop promptly called a timeout. That can't happen. You either hustle and show you want minutes or you won't get them. And you get them by not **** allowing a layup uncontested, and before that not stopping running. Come on, young man...

Our 15TOs cost us another 20 points so we are going to have to figure out how not to suck at this so very much. New lineups, less familiarity with one another's habits, taking on the energy of our most energized (or not) player adds up to a lot of points against from TOs this season. Some guys are trying new things, some guys are playing each team for the first time. Some guys are good for at least one travel per game it seems. So weird. But it keeps happening and we need to correct it.

Devin's absence was keenly felt on both ends. He also takes some pressure off Tre best from the starting group as he can get Tre to play off ball and take some facilitating duties which he's getting better at. We're a team with thin margins for error so we need all our guys to be contributing on both ends. We miss key players - Collins, yes Primo who was the 6th man and good defensively even as he was learning to man the point, Blake out too who was the next man up back up and whose quickness and assertiveness added another dimension.

That's if we're looking solely at wins as results. But growth and lessons come from each game. We are a turnover-heavy team that needs to curb poor habits, especially the self-inflicted ones of traveling or passing while in the air when the shot is there for the taking. We're also a team that takes and makes more 3s than what we showed tonight and that's an easily rectified issue. We learned yet again the value of starting assertively and imposing our game, D transition to movement-oriented O. You can see it's wearing us down to have to keep fighting from behind. The main thing is to keep the mental side of things resilient and focused. Don't get overwhelmed by the results; concentrate on what we can do better, and keep at it with what we do well. That's what in our control.

[G R E Y]

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

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POST-GAME INTERVIEWS

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[G R E Y]

Still stand by Sochan needing G League time.

It helped Keldon in his 30 odd games. I really think it will show Jeremy the difference between what it takes because he is often looking lost and out of his depth.

And it wouldn't surprise me if we are fined or lose our pick. Seemingly sitting one of our best players every game or two since our surprising start.

Sochan is turning it over a lot lately. But he can learn here, we dont need to waste any time with Austin this year because we arent trying to win at all costs anyway.

No way in hell the league would fine us compared to what other teams have done blatantly tanking the last few years. I joke about the tank but we are actually doing a good job of trying to win games. We just aren't being overly creative of trying to overcome losing which is how to properly tank

You touched on this, but the contexts in which Keldon and Sochan were drafted were polar opposite. Keldon had the O game coming from college, Sochan the switchable D. Keldon had stars ahead of him at his position and we could afford to let him develop in the G-League. Who could he outplay at the time? No 3 (25%), not a great or even reliable defender, had to outplay DD or his backup. In the bubble, Keldon emerged as emergency starter when LMA was out.

Sochan is a versatile, smart, full of effort switchable defender at a position we started Doug last year as PF. He passes well (not tonight, but overall has good vision), rebounds well, can bring it up court, has a decent middy, but his 3s are poor right now.

He's actually a plus player for us:

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He guarded Dame and Simons very well, he gets the toughest defensive assignments versus players he's never faced. Our D sucks but it's not because of him.

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Despite the result, we were +18 with Sochan on the court in that game:

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What will he learn in the G-League he can't with us? Scoring? We're top 10 in 3s without him. We're 16th in scoring at 111.1PPG even after some sub-100 point games. He's getting one-on-one extra teaching from Brett, a very well known developer who loves to teach, all the while getting real-time coaching from Pop.

And we're in the midst of a development-focused rebuild. If that's not the time to give loads of PT to your #9 pick I don't know what is.

But they're not gimme minutes. Despite his flaws, we're better with Sochan on the court:

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[will]

OOF. That was...rough.

[G R E Y]

OOF. That was...rough.

As you well know, having contributing players out hurts a team's chances. That said, we left far too many open 3s with over committing too many to double and even triple team for some reason. Then again, they made contested 3s, too. Hard to win with 20+ from the arc against, don't care what team it is, all the more so a rebuilding one.