GAME DAY, BALA! PRE-SEASON GAME 1: SPURS VS. HEAT, 30-9-2018, 4PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

Beautiful bounce pass by Davis at the top of the arc to cutting Dante for an in the key tear drop 2. Simple play from ball movement and moving without the ball.

[JaysRule15]

Good win. Kinda cut it close at the end.

GREY, how about them Leafs. Getting hyped for the season.

[G R E Y]

Good win. Kinda cut it close at the end.

GREY, how about them Leafs. Getting hyped for the season.

Yeah after that 15-point lead, Pop brought out the rest of the players vying for a spot. Nineteen players, and everyone except Lonnie (sore groin) got minutes. Johnson and Eubanks were responsible for a lot of the comeback for the Heat uugh... I know it's just pre-season and Spurs have different priorities than wins and losses right now, but I still felt that lead slip. Glad that we managed to close it out.

Leafs are something like 6-2 in pre-season and look ridiculously good on the power play and 5-on-5. Not worried about O synergy at all. But given the big losses, even with the b-teams out there, it's the D that is still a bit of a question mark. We're set on O and in goal, but I'm still not sure that we've got the toughness on D we need in the POs (and I can't stand the new seeding. Should have left it at 1 vs. 8, etc.). That said, Tavares is a great player and you can see how he makes the game easier for others. I try not to get too hyped, but when Leafs play to their capabilities, it's exciting to watch.

[Milenkovic]

Watched glimpses of the game -

DJ looks alot stronger, charging at players looking to draw the contract
Jakob looks great! He gives us a real defensive presence .
Rudy looked like a different player out there.

Cant wait for the season proper to start

[G R E Y]

Some thoughts on the game:

Great to see the Spurs in game action, even in a first pre-season tilt in which we're trying to incorporate eleven players. The goal was to get everyone minutes, and but for Lonnie (sore groin), they did. Most were trying to get used to one another, some were playing the rust and nerves off, others still were trying to make the team.

Returning Spurs like LMA, Dejounte, and Rudy provided some of what we've come to expect with upgraded modifications. LMA was his steady money jumper self, though he's got a lot more to his game. It really was less about our central cog, but good to see he hasn't lost his touch. Speaking of touch, Dejounte's new jumper is looking good! It will really help us this season. Rudy was far more athletic and engaged, scoring at will, taking advantage of his physicality and skills. Kept us in the game until we clicked for long enough stretches to build a lead.

Newcomer DeMar looked maybe a bit nervous and missed some easy shots. He wasn't in the right places at times, but balanced that off with better defensive awareness (steal, quick pass ahead for an eventual Rudy 3) and effort (got to his man and moved his feet better even if he still got driven by). Comfort and positioning will come with getting more settled in the O schemes (like Rudy last year. Pop just let him play his game while he learned the O so long as he tended to his D responsibilities). What stood out was DeMar's facilitating for other players, and that he made the passes quicker than I recall his doing in the past. A good sign was the balance of FGAs among the starting line-up with a balance of minutes; this is a familiar feature. Jakob had the better showing with 10 rebounds, quick outlet passes, getting into good spots, setting solid screens and creating space, and a soft touch around the basket (even if too soft at times with the missed bunnies). Played well within himself and his role.

Bertans with two blocks, two assists, five rebounds and lights out shooting is showing how his game is expanding. White was terrific in his back-up debut as well. A bit nervous to start, but settled in and was a steady floor general. He has good recognition and instincts for when to pass or drive, which he does assertively. Good 3 shooter, too. Bryn will have to be more consistent because there are more guys competing for that position now. Looked bigger and moved and passed better, but his shooting percentage has to improve.

Metu flat out belongs on the team. Great hustle, always seems to find the ball, makes great passes, too.

Johnson and Eubanks looked really raw. Indecisive, had butter fingers, slow to make the right play, chose the wrong plays. It's the first game, but they looked a couple tiers below being ready to be out there to make positive contributions. Good thing Metu and Jaron were out there with them. Right now, from the players making a case to stay, Jaron has the nod - aggressive showing in limited minutes.

With our 3 shooting woes last year, a game with it over 40% is a welcome sight. Too many TOs and missed bunnies but it's to be expected at this point. Flashes of ball and off-ball movement for easy points with more offensive options is an exciting harbinger. I can't wait to see it flowing when the guys are more familiar with one another on both ends. Thrilled the new season is finally upon us. GO SPURS GO!

[G R E Y]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[G R E Y]

Post-game interviews:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

EDIT to add DeMar's interview, which is only available on the Spurs site:
https://ssl.cdn.turner.com/nba/big/teams/spurs/2018/10/01/2274959/1538354694946-DeRozan-2274959_1280x720.mp4

[Kabookalu]

Poeltl actually looked like your guys' best player. His biggest problem with us was his strength. Whenever he had to go up against a player that he had to consistently bang in the post with, literally all the good you saw tonight disappeared. I attended a Clippers game live against the Raptors where Poeltl had to battle Harrell and Jordan in the post. He looked like he didn't even belong in the league; they treated him like a ragdoll.

Hopefully that got addressed. He's a terror when he can just freely roam the paint.

[Duffman100]

Watched glimpses of the game -

DJ looks alot stronger, charging at players looking to draw the contract
Jakob looks great! He gives us a real defensive presence .
Rudy looked like a different player out there.

Cant wait for the season proper to start

I'm very jealous that Poeltl is no longer on our team. Treat him well.

[G R E Y]

Poeltl actually looked like your guys' best player. His biggest problem with us was his strength. Whenever he had to go up against a player that he had to consistently bang in the post with, literally all the good you saw tonight disappeared. I attended a Clippers game live against the Raptors where Poeltl had to battle Harrell and Jordan in the post. He looked like he didn't even belong in the league; they treated him like a ragdoll.

Hopefully that got addressed. He's a terror when he can just freely roam the paint.

Spurs coaching staff gives every player a specific development plan on top of learning the individual and team fundamentals, learning the schemes, etc. Jakob's actually only addressed the latter in interviews so far, but it would be interesting to know what is on his development plan. Strength is likely, and I think some fundamentals on O boards would help, too, to begin with.

[gpoon]

Man, there is something about the spurs jerseys that look so clean and classy. Derozan and kawhi both look better in those uniforms.