SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 79: SPURS AT SUNS, 4-4-2023, 9PM (CT)

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3RD Q: SPURS 76 SUNS 97

It was JUST a 7-point game... *sigh*

Well we settled for 3s that stopped falling and as Sean pointed out, our spacing was poor, and not just on that play he isolated. It was emblematic of several of our off ball positioning errors. Lots to go on film.

At least we forced them to put their starters back in.

But yeah lots of mistakes of our own making, which means lots of solutions in our hands as well.

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GREAT FULL COURT PRESS, DOUBLING THE BALL HANDLER, BLITZING THE SECONDARY OPTION AND FORCING A TO.

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Well you can't fault the effort.

Hope Dom is ok!

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Every game just about Diop pulls a Doug TO...

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Holy ****. Are we even going to have enough players to finish the game?!

Hope Graham is ok!

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4TH Q: SPURS 94 SUNS 115

Well it was all but decided after the 1ST Q in which we were outscored by 17, but we didn't lie down the rest of the game despite missing four starters before the game, and then being out three more contributors throughout the game.

That we lost the remaining three Qs by a combined four points is something of a matter of pride. Pop said we looked intimidated in the 1ST, but it was more like shell shock from the blitz we were getting on both ends. When you face a contender that has stakes in the game, it's a good measure of where you're at.

Where we are collectively is what our record shows, but within that, how we compete, push back, run our sets, how we score and defend and hustle all matter, particularly for guys who are playing for future positions.

Julian, Dom, and Mamu stood out well once again. Mamu led us with 8 boards (2 on O) and with good vision and feel for passes. Julian led the bench with 6 boards and Dom led us with 4 O boards (5 in total) and led us as well with 2 blocks, 1 for Julian.

Dom also had 2 assists and 1 steal, leading the team with +19 despite only scoring 2 points in 21 minutes. He's smart, poised, and doesn't shy away from much bigger guys who punish him. He continues to stand his ground even if he gets pushed around, and does not give up. Combining his BBIQ with great timing, he has a knack for being at the right place and time for rim protection ok one end and retaining possessions on the other.

Julian led the bench with 11FGAs, 7 of which were from the arc, making 2. Whereas Dom doesn't stretch the floor for us yet, Julian is already establishing himself as a sharpshooter who opens up chances for himself and others.

Blake flat out struggled on O with a bagel. He's been really inefficient of late and it seems to be in his head, missing in a variety of ways, even as all but one of his attempts were in the paint. He's getting to the rim with his speed but is going through the grind of finishing versus polished pros.

He'll keep getting chances for the rest of the season so learning to put it behind him and keep pushing is something to put into practice.

PITP was a team wide issue, though, as we struggled in our usual strength, getting outscored 52-38. We didn't really push the issue either as we were only 11-14FTs, and oddly no attempts generated from our bench.

Blake should take a page from not shy Malaki who led us with 17FGAs, team high 21 points, and team high 30 minutes. He scored in three levels, at the rim, from the mid range and the arc, using simple screens, fakes, C&S, stutter steps, and high off glass adjustments. His O package has grown so well in just his first year. Shot selection and recognizing when a team mate has a better chance will come.

Tre picked up where he left off, scoring 20 and dishing 9 assists, a team high, to go with 3 boards (1 on O), and 1 steal.

Keita wasn't efficient but scored 13 along with the stat stuffing 4 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1block. He also had a now patented Doug-like unforced TO. It's almost unfair to point ONE TO our, it's just weird how he's consistent with those unforced off his foot types.

Teamwise we got out rebounded as well, 57-38, including 15-9 on O boards. That's a lot of extra chances allowed, and a lot of film about boxing out.

We actually made three more 3s and had fewer TOs on which we were +6 in points off of them. So there were some positives individually and collectively. But being severely undermanned to begin with and even more so as the game progressed meant that we had to go full out with a skeleton crew. We still found ways to get points, get stops, and it was the finding ways and looking for them that stood out well.

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