SPURS GAME DAY! PRE-SEASON GAME 5: SPURS VS. ROCKETS, 15-10-2021, 7:30PM (CT)

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Some roster movement means we have Lonnie available tonight and some more, longer practices mean we're on the way to solidifying our rotations, sets, and chemistry. The scrimmage showed what we want to run and how we want to play. The final game will test how well we can execute it.

WHERE: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

WHEN: Friday, October 15, 2021, 7:30pm (CT)

Let's bring some of these...


... to show the home crowd what we've got to show:


GO SPURS GO!!!

[G R E Y]

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[G R E Y]

We're generating some nice looks. If only we could make more of them. If the outside shot isn't falling, create drive chances.

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1ST Q: SPURS 30

ROCKETS 21

Somehow we still scored 30 when not shooting particularly well. We did shoot 5-11 from 3 so that helps, and we go to the line well enough.

Recognition of not settling for outside shots will help us.

Lonnie's handles and quicker decision making with the ball were on display.

Pop yelled at the end of the Q to run a set play, Lonnie adjusted we got it inside for Drew FTs.

Good D overall, good switches and contests, but we have to be mindful about rebounds in our end. Too many second chances allowed.

If we could use our transition more that would be great.

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2ND Q: SPURS 65

ROCKETS 49

Look who has taken 18 3s at the half and made 8 of them (we averaged just over 9 per game last season).

I really like the chances we are generating, I like the adjustment of pushing more in transition to impose our game, and gang rebounding inside in our end.

Love the switchy, stingy D, smart head-on-a-swivel to disrupt passing lanes.

We are getting glimpses of the off ball movement, quick passes that we are honing.

Doug is fitting in SO well!

Jakob and his **** FTs... *sigh*

We are getting badly outrebounded (I think more were in the 1ST Q) but it's still 32-18 at the half (11-1 on O boards. Oof!)

We already have 17 assists, though, along with 5 blocks and only 5 TOs so it's a D to O push.

Each game has different players coming through that defenses allow or who gets the hot hand. Still, it would be nice to get more chances for Devin (0-1), Keldon (2-5) and Lonnie (2-4).

Very good efficiency from everywhere except FTs.

The old nemesis of not pushing as hard with a lead as well as starting the 3RD Q in a rather slow way must be challenged and changed by us here.

I like how guys are communicating with one another about what to run, where to go and be. Just a locked in group, and the more guys that get to contribute the better.

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So THAT'S what it feels like to hit 3s consistently in transition!

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3RD Q: SPURS 96

ROCKETS 79

Our third 30+ point Q. We were losing this Q in the middle of it as they pushed their physicality and drove a lot more to get to the FT line, but we made stops and just enough shots to pull ahead and build our lead. Still, we had a 22-point cushion that was trimmed to 12 at one point so awareness about drives and ball protection on our boards as well as not wasting O possessions with errant shots inside are key, as is continued defensive effort.

Devin made a great block on the left baseline; Drew is effective on the O boards. Bryn's O game is off today, and he's getting mismatched on D. Not the pattern we want to repeat.

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I love our D to O push. Transition in earnest, easy buckets even at this early juncture are a big positive.

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15-3 run by us to bring up our lead back to 22. Solid.

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4TH Q: SPURS 126

ROCKETS 98

Weeeeeeeee!

FOUR 30+ point Qs.

30 assists.

15-39 from 3. The arc shot comprised 40% of our FGAs. This is a whopping 10% better than last season (but also we were so behind the curve that 10% puts us closer to average. Because we were last in attempts and makes, we have more ground to make up, but we're clearly not labouring in forcing 3s. They're well incorporated into our style of play this season):

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Only 8TOs, along with 8 blocks and 7 steals.

I thought we over-committed on drivers in the 4TH Q leaving our backs to trailers and leaving dish and back passes too open. Something to clean up. But overall we were disruptive with our effort and awareness:

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We closed the rebounding gap, though some of that had to do with the game being at hand in the 4TH Q our reserves getting more boards late. Some work to do to not get outhustled there. Still, with Drew in we were a wrecking crew.

I really liked what I saw from Devin and his work down low. He drove with physicality rather than pulling up against defenders, he trailed drivers consistently for putback chances, and he did very well to get into position down low and timed his jumps just so for 3 O boards. He was second to Drew (9 boards) with 8 rebounds.

Lonnie didn't play in the second half. We were likely being cautious given he just returned from a quad issue. In the first half he showed a far more assertive version of himself, one that takes off the dribble 3s, that has solid handles to beat his man off the dribble, and can get to his spots for Js. He did well to stay with drivers and disrupt shots as well.

Primo has a special feel, assertion, and poise for the game. It's clear as day. The young man has a presence and makes things happen each time he steps on the court. We have barely begun to see what he's capable of and he's already impressed.

DJ was very good tonight. He's a bucket and he's a ball stopper. That he's taking and making 3s off his dribble when defenses go under screens is a very solid addition to his game. Add to that he led us with 7 assists (he and Derrick combined for 13).

Derrick looked more like himself, both more nimble footed and sure of his decisions. He looked lighter and more focused. Good to see. He stepped up to attempt to take charges (just didn't get a couple of calls he should have), made his 3s.

This tandem:

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Four of five starters attempted and made 3s. SO great to see!

Doug surprised me with his off ball cuts for dunks and his ability to play in transition. He's a willing and aware passer and already has good chemistry with Jakob on P&Rs.

Jakob can easily average a double double for the season, but his weird touch at the rim - both soft and inconsistent in aim - makes for relying on lucky bounces. He still doesn't dunk on as many chances as he can. And he still shotputs his FTs for abysmal results.

Keldon is a 4TH Q menace, driving relentlessly - a good weapon after we've worn down defenses with our pace and worn down players with our D, but he has to do better than 3-9FTs. He got to the line most often, but with the worst results. His release is kind of a curl shot, like "C" shaped, and I wonder if that affects his consistency.

We're almost spoiled for choice with the options we have. We have a variety of sets and growing chemistry in transition. The passing is coming along and it's already quite good. Not nearly as many dead possessions as in a couple of earlier games. The question of is there enough ball and possessions for all of our young guys to show their games? The main thing is to hep the team win, but we also want to make sure everyone gets to contribute. That guys are stepping up and taking their chances is so good to see. No more deferring to the highest paying, most experienced players. There's no doubt a renewed energy in guys having more responsibility in the outcome of games.

Diop played all of his own and Thad's minutes. I think it's more about getting vets rest and giving KBD reps rather than any trade implications right now. KBD is an interesting player. Taller physical presence, good body control, makes some impact plays here and there. We do need to see how much more we can tap into. He's here still because his effort and hustle have stood out. Good for him.

Everyone who played, scored, and we had six players scoring in double digits. Two were from the bench which scored 49 points.

There were some broken plays, some dead or flat plays where we couldn't penetrate and didn't do much but pass horizontally, but overall there was a lot of variety and options. And the D commitment and effort is on the whole noticeably better. Again, some things to tighten up, but seeing guys get after it, communicate, and hustle on both ends without a weak link is so refreshing.

[G R E Y]

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