SPURS GAME DAY! RRT EDITION GAME 57: SPURS AT LAKERS, 23-2-2023, 9:30PM (CT)

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I cant believe they changed that call in Los Angeles. That is a miracle

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GOOD CHALLENGE, POP!

Wemby registers a block instead of a foul

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LMAO, Reaves tries to make a layup after timeout is called. Wemby stands there like he isnt paying attention then swats it away.

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Poor Wemby **** trying his best to get the ball into teammates right at the rim to get two more assists but they're just not **** scoring.

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This over-hype guy is killing me

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WEMBY 5X5!!!

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This is like Bill Land screaming "Oh Mama!" after every made basket in the game

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4TH Q: SPURS 118 LAKERS 123

If if if...

If Wemby needs to be near 5X5 level it is not sustainable for him or for us.

An almost 5X5 game (one assist shy) and an actual 5X5 game the very next night is an astonishing level of play and an astonishing achievement, and this versus top tier defenders. He led us with 27 on 7-16, 3-8 from 3, game high 10-11FTs, 10 boards (1 on O), team high 8 assists, 5 steals, 5 blocks.

At half Wemby was 5-10 and the rest of the starters were 1-5 (Julian), 2-7 (Sochan), 1-3 (Tre), and 2-8 (Devin). The lone rookie continues to be our most consistent player, even on B2Bs. Yes the talent is out of this stratosphere, but the effort and desire to win is unquestionable. He pulls the team along while some players continue to be anchors more often than not.

It’s great that Sochan battled his way through a slower start to finish with 15 on 7-16, 1-6 from 3 (oof), team high 13 boards (game high 7 on O), 5 assists, 2 steals. He’s such an enigma and hard to gauge in terms of which player will show up. At times he looks smaller than his stature, like his arms are too short, and he’s too rooted to the ground when he gets blocked or contested at the rim. He lacks the craft to do it versus bigger players but bulldozes ahead anyway. He crouches at times to keep the ball away from defenders and does not extend fully on layups. Then in the second half he was much more bouncy, much more energized, much better extension at the rim. He reportedly has a 7’ wingspan. I was surprised to read it. He has a tool that is being underutilized because his craft has yet to match his energy. When it does, we’ll be the better for it. He’s also averaging an abysmal 14.3% from 3 in February so the shot selection needs changing. In this game, his shot profile was exclusively paint and arc, but the distribution of these needs adjusting unless and until he makes 3s better again. Big praise for his very solid D on LBJ though. Excellent movement, upright stance, preventing those freight train straight line drives, directing him to help D. Tough assignment. Terrific effort.

Julian is the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde. Needs consistency. 2-7. 1-5 from 3. 4 boards (2 on O), But the 5 assists, and 1 steal were solid.

If only we had consistency from our more experienced players.

The 1 and 3, despite improvements, have consistency and shot making limitations even if the D profiles are solid.

Keldon and Zach have regressed. Keldon is our longest serving Spur and his tunnel vision is not helping the team. Neither is his inefficiency. Neither is his wavering D. He finished with 14 on 5-9, 1-3 from 3, 3-4FTs, 2 boards (1 on O), 3 assists, 3TOs in 29 minutes. He has the chance to be a far more complete player with less responsibility of being the first option like he was last year but he’s not utilizing the passing and spacing strengths enough. Zach had a good game on paper, and yes it’s good to see him make more of his shots, but the efficiency is deceptive when looking at his overall game. He’s still one of our best bigs passers, and still does it willingly, but did not register an assist this game. He finished with 14 on 6-8, 2-2 from 3, and 3 boards in 17 minutes. But that D energy needs improving. Baby steps, I guess, but we need both to get back to the more versatile players we’ve come to know.

Cedi only played 11 minutes and was 1-2, grabbed 2 boards, yet still led the bench with 4 assists.

If only Devin had at least an average game. Ten points on 3-15, 2-5 from 3, 2-2FTs, with 3 boards (1 on O), 3 assists, 2 blocks. I guess he gave it his all in the previous game, but he wasn’t the only one and we frankly need him to be more consistent. It is good that he only took 5 of 15 shots from the arc, but of his other 10 FGAs, 4 were in the paint and of those 2 were in the restricted area. He fought through screens well, protected the rim well, but looked fatigued and took far more jumpers than drives.

Our bench back court were both in the plus. Blake only played 10 minutes and chipped in 4 on 2-3, with 3 boards (2 on O which topped the bench). Branham showed out well with energy and GAFness for which he had been benched. He finished with a bench high 17 but on 6-14, 3-5 from 3, 2-2FTs, 2 boards (1 on O), 1 assist. Good shot profile – shots were in the paint or arc, four were in the restricted area (2-4), but was only 1-5 in the non-restricted paint.

This is very much a work-in-progress, but Branham’s energy is matching more of Blake’s which is good to see.

When when when...

When this type of effort and energy is non-negotiable for every player we will handle B2Bs better. We have the third hardest upcoming rest of the schedule so we better make sure our mental approach to games is resolute.

We’re 24th with an average of 112.5PPG. When we score well above that on both ends of the B2Bs, it has to be our D that steps up far better. And although that has improved on terms of team D, the individual awareness and effort has leaks. Zach and Keldon and Branham come to mind.

When Wemby has record setting games and still talks about the disappointment of not getting Ws, we have to pay attention. As great as we expected him to be, he has exceeded them. And I don’t think we expected him to improve this quickly. Organic growth has to be aided with not skipping steps but appropriate acceleration so it’s not Wemby dragging the team along across the victory line.

We competed well and fought hard. We have been playing better and forcing god teams to bring their best games to beat us. Those extra gears have enough experience and reps together now to push us through. Finish the rest of the season strong.

p.s. The post-game Wemby-LBJ-Pop love fest was interesting. Something to keep an eye on...

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NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS

Astonishing!

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