Post#20 » by G R E Y » Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:13 am
Right, so not completely unexpected given we've yet to have everyone together, but some things need immediate attention - FREE THROW SHOOTING 53.8%, come the **** on... bad trend the last couple of games that got worse tonight - and others are actually encouraging. We lost by 15, which given that we scored more points in each successive Q, losing the 2nd and 3rd by a total of five points and winning the 4th by five shows that the 15-point deficit in the 1st Q did us in. That's over-simplifying things a bit, but puts things in perspective as well.
Rockets shot a ridiculous 50 3PTAs out of 91 FGAs (they average 43.3 3PTAs on 84FGAs). Clearly, they had last year's playoffs in mind and decided it was a good idea to lay it on thick throughout the game. Doesn't count to last year's or this year's playoffs, post-season is post-season. But besides hating a loss, there are some takeaways.
We got shell shocked in the 1st Q by their barrage of 3s, like it was a surprise they shoot many. That's maybe a bit harsh, since no team's been able to really stop them, but our pattern of not coming out sharp at the start of the game has been there regardless of opponent. That said, Kawhi got anything he wanted, and showed that going hard inside and really executing the inside outside game is an effective strategy against them, as is exploiting mismatches with our bigs, and just about anybody on Harden. Kawhi looked more mobile already, and his intelligent aggression led to finding a lot of spaces for a variety of shots, Js and drives, both for himself and others. That one sequence where he hit a 3, then got a steal, passed it to Patty for another 3 was a sweet example of his impact. Tonight he played all of his 17 minutes in the first half, finishing with 12 points (5-9, 1-2 from 3), four rebounds, an assist, two steals, and two blocks. It's such a pleasure to watch him figure opponents out on both ends.
We got a bit tentative in shooting because of a lot of unfriendly bounces at the rim so we looked almost afraid to shoot unless a near-perfect no-miss shot was available. LMA missed too many of these too close to the basket, and considering Houston can be exploited inside, it wasn't until the second unit guys did it with some grit that it was more apparent. LMA worked hard for his 16 points (8-21, 1-2 from 3), six rebounds, two assists, and steal, and perhaps he like the whole starting unit (except for KL) laboured more than they ought to have.
Random thought 1: We have to get Pau more involved.
Random thought 2: Hit your damn free throws, Spurs! (Harden had more attempts and makes -- 14-16 -- than our entire team -- 7-13 - lol for a number of reasons.
The starters on the whole weren't getting it done, so Pop gave minutes to players who could. The second unit players were simply great tonight - hustle, pride, execution on both sides of the ball, finally some ball movement, great talking on D ie/ guys yelling, "Get up!" on O rebounds, which got us some good second chance opportunities. Sometimes there was a dip in focus, like when Murray lost the ball on the inbounds pass for a Houston 3, and some indecisive passes that were picked off, but Murray's D on CP3 was very good, and Paul on Harden also rose to the challenge. Forbes guarded both of them and held his own, just excellent forcing of bad plays and shots. Some beautiful execution on O - Murray was confidently dishing it out to Lauvergne for a dunk, and to Forbes for a 3, or stealing it and passing it to Bertans who once again made a beautiful bounce pass to Lauvergne for an easy 2. I loved that Pop would instruct players on the sidelines before getting them back in, and that the vets were talking to the young guys throughout as well. Great support.
Bertans got 12 points (5-7, 2-4 from 3) on a variety of smart plays and shots, and one each of rebound, assist, and steal in 17 minutes; same minutes for Murray, who contributed 9 points (3-8, 3-4FTs), 2 rebounds, five assists, and a steal; Lauverge with 14 points (7-8, 1-2 from 3, 2-4 FTs) four rebounds and two steals in 15 minutes while bullying everyone under Houston's basket showed an aggressive side to a big I've been wanting to see. He's crafty too, though, so his strength and finesse provide another wave of attack. Muscles guys out for rebounds, can finish deftly when required. Lastly, Paul added five points, but made his presence felt on D, and Forbes who has been given a bigger role in the last few games really stepped up tonight. In 30 minutes, he got 11 points (4-9, 2-4 from 3, 1-1FT), two rebounds, three assists, and a steal, but his presence was larger than the sum of those contributions. He's really coming along in the system, providing stingy D in addition to his court awareness and good shooting.
Normally such contributions would seem inflated because usually 'second units' play against an opponent's second unit. But a big lead wasn't enough for Pringles to pull Harden or Paul out of the game, so the key is that our young players really stood out well against Houston's best.
You have to wonder what kind of a player keeps shooting 3s when his team is up, say, 17 points, like Harden did, or what kind of a coach keeps his stars in the game when up by a comfortable margin against a team that has yet to field a full roster and with two key players on minutes restrictions. Harden played 33 minutes tonight, just 1.5 minutes short of his average, and Paul was in for 32 minutes, about 1.5 minutes above his average. Pringles didn't take them out until there was about 3.30 left in the game. This from a coach who admitted that he overplayed Harden last year, and Harden is averaging about the same minutes this year. Both the point attempts and star minutes when neither was necessary smack of rubbing it in, but in so doing exposes Houston in the long run. Let's just file these away in the back of mind for the post-season.
While the bad news is that we have the worst stats on two days rest this year compared with one or no days off, we've got the strongest numbers on the second night of a back-to-back. At least the Texas trip isn't as taxing in terms of travel, given our third back-to-back is coming up. I hope some home-cooked payback vs. the Mavs is on the menu.
Tough one tonight, but we didn't lie down.
I love this team. GO SPURS!
The Spurs Way
Thinking of you, Pop
#XX
