Post#107 » by G R E Y » Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:08 am
4TH Q: SPURS 106 NETS 98
Yes we’re the youngest team Pop’s ever coached in his NBA career, and yes we’re rebuilding so expectations are more focused on internal rewards, but it’s clear Pop likes a good win. Was our opponent undermanned? Sure. But we’ve gotten no mercy when we had three starters out either.
It was a more concerted effort of playing together, spurred by a strong start. We won two Qs, lost one, and tied another, but a strong start and strong finish bookended our effort throughout.
We were led by Keldon who had a monster RAWR! comeback game. He showed much more focus and effort on D with two early steals and strong rebounding. On O the ball did not stick with him. He passed it ahead more and sooner, he didn’t over-dribble, and made quicker decisions with the ball. Once he saw an opening he just barreled through.
He poured in 36 on 11-26, 3-11 from 3, 11-12FTs (all game highs), team high 10 boards (1 on O), 1 assist, and FOUR steals. Keldon was on a bounce back **** you mission and he delivered. He was once again a 3s and key player and though the former was a rough go, he was nevertheless a threat defenses had to respect, and it kept opening driving lanes. If there was a small gripe it’s that at times Keldon dribbled into trouble, picked it up, and had a hard time passing the ball out. Recognizing the double and passing out before it seals him up. Nevertheless, game-high +17 and he earned every plus marker.
Our front court tandem had a strong game. Sochan scored in double figures yet again with 16 on 6-12, 2-3 from 3, 2-2FTs (one-hand wonder!). He grabbed 4 boards (2 on O), and had 2 assists, and 2 steals as well, showing the rangy, pesky, all around game that is growing before our eyes.
Jakob was ever steady with 5-7, 2-4FTs for 12 points and 8 boards (2 on O), 3 assists, 1 steal, and two blocks. He raises the floor and ceiling with so much that he does on both ends and he does it so consistently that we take it as a given. I hope we never take it for granted. He really is the defensive backbone and offensive cog that sustains both ends.
They each had four fouls so they were clear advantages that were targeted to try and get off the floor. But they both picked up their fourth fouls in the 3RD Q and managed to stay clean the rest of the way.
Our back court struggled on O with Tre making just 4-14, 1-6 from 3 but 4-4FTs for 13 points, though he led us once again with 5 assists and grabbed 4 boards. Romeo was just 1-6, 0-2 from 3 with 4 boards (2 on O) and 2 assists. They were still in the plus with their steady D.
Only 106 points on 38.1%FG (37-97) and 20.6% from 3 (7-34) meant there was work to do on D and we did it. Our bench managed only 27 points among six players (though Diop and Stanley only played seven and six minutes, respectively), so we had to make sure that we stayed locked in defensively. The bench contributed only one of our 3s (on 12 attempts, oof!) but grabbed 23 of our 54 rebounds (including 4 of our 13 O boards) and had 10 of our 23 assists. Collins had a game high 4TOs but a bench high 7 boards (1 on O). Both our vets, Doug (0-2) and JRich (1-4) struggled from the arc though both found other ways to contribute, Doug with 4 boards (1 on O), 3 assists, and 1 steal and JRich with 4 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, and getting our other 2 blocks, tying Jakob for team high. Malaki led the bench with 10FGAs but made only 2, and that’s including 0-5 from 3. Oof. He did grab 4 boards, get 2 assists, and 1 steal, so he fought his way to finding other ways to contribute, a valuable lesson in an often turbulent efficiency experience for rookies.
Were we fortunate that our opponent made only three 3s themselves? Sure, but it’s a make or miss league, and we contested well the ones we got to. We forced 21TOs which limited their shots, important considering both teams made 37FGs. We were down -6 points in the paint, but in addition to making more 3s, we also forced the issue and got to the FT line more, making 25-28 (excellent for us) to their 21-24.
You could tell that Pop was genuinely happy for our guys. Being so close and then making dumb mistakes that cost us has been deflating but we pushed through the errors (16TOs) and did enough good things. Love it when we’re all fired up.
From the start we had a more cohesive and focused approach, resolute to make the most of a rare advantage. We put enough good plays – and stops! - together to get over the mistakes and take back the lead and keep it. Tied the season series. Well done.
The Spurs Way
Thinking of you, Pop
#XX
