SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 1: SPURS VS. MAGIC, 20-10-2021, 7:30PM (CT)

Post #1 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:14 am

IT'S HERE!

The long awaited beginning of the season is upon us! No I won't stop using exclamation marks! A renewed commitment to playing our new style on both ends, to growing, and above all, to doing it together.

And so it begins tonight!

WHERE: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

WHEN: Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 7:30pm (CT)

(photo from Spurs Twitter)

Read on Twitter

GO SPURS GO!!!

Post #2 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:16 am

Read on Twitter

Post #3 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:16 am

Read on Twitter

imagump1313 · Post #4 » by **imagump1313** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:41 am

Trying out my League Pass sub. Hope it doesn't suck.

As soon as I bought it, the next day I get an email from a sportsbook here saying you can get a free year of LP with $200 worth of bets in the next 60 days :banghead:

Oh well.

Lets see what we we look like tonight!

Post #5 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:51 am

Bit of a more tentative start than I anticipated.

I like that we are assertive in taking shots more quickly, but we are setting up half court sets. Why? RUN!

On D they are getting almost anything they like in our key. No bueno. Adjustment incoming.

Post #6 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:58 am

There we go! D to O transition points!!! Push it, Spurs!

Post #7 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:14 am

1ST Q: SPURS 32

MAGIC 28

We came on strong in the latter half of the Q with some stingy D. We are shooting 50%. Need to take more 3s, protect the arc and paint. Lots of possessions that we push to late clock situations for opponents. Good.

Post #8 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:21 am

Good chances generated, lots of misses, very good trailing by our bigs for O reb putbacks!

Post #9 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:22 am

I like that Beadle's back. Good energy. But can we sprinkle in some game commentary? It feels like I'm watching three people chat. It's a good bit -- for a bit, then it gets in the way of the game. THAT'S the show.

Post #10 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:22 am

Read on Twitter

Post #11 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:57 am

2ND Q: SPURS 61

MAGIC 49

Game management - we still have a tendency to let up a bit at the end of Qs when we have a comfortable lead. But are we in any position to feel comfortable with a lead? A quick 4-0 run for them due to our lax couple of O possessions trimmed our 15-point lead to 11. That we fought back from an early deficit and maintained the lead by winning the Q is important.

Our group D is impressive even in its nascent form. We are banging the glass impressively for a 28-21 rebounding lead, and we have 13 assists already.

I think we only made one 3 that Q, at least it felt like it. We have 14 attempts, something that is affected by decent perimeter coverage of their D, but also Bryn's 0-3 from 3. As a matter of fact, the bench has yet to hit a 3, and only two Spurs - Derrick and Doug - have connected.

Nevertheless, we are making quicker decisions with the ball, we are driving more, and Keldon's growing game is on display. Devin is getting more comfortable with his Js, which is great to see. Lonnie has struggled to score but is making an impact on D and still driving. Head up, Lonnie, lots to the season and there are many ways to make a positive impact.

We forced lots of end of clock shots which is good, we ran half court presses which were fruitful, and we need to make sure we don't sag on some Js (Jakob has a tendency to do this), as well as prevent their plays inside.

Reversing on drives to protect the ball from blockers like Doug and Keldon have done earlier.

I love Drew's hustle and energy. Jakob has been great on O boards.

I hope we push it full tilt in the second half.

Pop's running a tight nine-man unit right now (but that's with Bryn's 6 minutes), and DJ leads with 17 minutes, so there's lots of gas and energy left.

imagump1313 · Post #12 » by **imagump1313** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:14 am

I have to admit I wasn't on board with some of the off season moves as you know. But this is a likeable bunch of guys who are much easier to root for than last year.
McBuckets is much more athletic than I thought he was and looks like he fits well.
I'm glad Forbes isn't playing big minutes.

Offense is a little sluggish but we really move the ball around soo much better without Aldridge and DeRozan clogging everything up.
We really, really really really need Derrick White to stay healthy IMO. He takes soo much pressure of Murray. If only he stops with the turnovers which he is doing ok with tonight. I think if he can just stay healthy for a change he can work out the problems with his game.

Curious to see who we go to in a tight game at the end. That will work itself out though. Also curious to see what we look like against a good team.

I can already tell that I am going to enjoy this season soo much more without DeRozan infuriating me every night. :lol:

imagump1313 · Post #13 » by **imagump1313** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:17 am

Also I really love Cole Anthony's game. He doesn't have the physical tools to be very good in the NBA but man, if you could put his basketball smarts in Murray's body, you would have an all-star.

Post #14 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:34 am

3RD Q: SPURS 94

MAGIC 71

Now THAT'S how you close a Q! 25-5 run to close it!

D to O transition - check.

O reb putbacks - check.

Movement on and off ball - check.

There were some sluggish O possessions to be sure, with spacing and standing around. But then Pop called a timeout, rwe reset and got our movement going.

Great hand offs and cuts and P&Rs and passes.

We already made 9 3s - matching our total per game of last season.

Mostly, can I say how FUN it is to have us playing such disruptive D, and more ball movement? OH. YEAH!!!

Post #15 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:38 am

TRE IN!

Post #16 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 3:04 am

imagump1313 wrote:I have to admit I wasn't on board with some of the off season moves as you know. But this is a likeable bunch of guys who are much easier to root for than last year.
McBuckets is much more athletic than I thought he was and looks like he fits well.
I'm glad Forbes isn't playing big minutes.

Offense is a little sluggish but we really move the ball around soo much better without Aldridge and DeRozan clogging everything up.
We really, really really really need Derrick White to stay healthy IMO. He takes soo much pressure of Murray. If only he stops with the turnovers which he is doing ok with tonight. I think if he can just stay healthy for a change he can work out the problems with his game.

Curious to see who we go to in a tight game at the end. That will work itself out though. Also curious to see what we look like against a good team.

I can already tell that I am going to enjoy this season soo much more without DeRozan infuriating me every night.

Yes, yes, and yes. Honestly, I was just thinking before the game about how refreshing NOT knowing what we're going to run will be, NOT knowing we're going to be 70% midrangers, NOT knowing we'll have two starters who can't take 3s, NOT knowing what it's like to have a defensive liability. Glad he's happy where he is, nothing personal as a person, but yeah, this is WAYYY better. I don't mind growing pains, but there will be growth. We'd reached the ceiling with the main go-to players last season. Now there's no predictable limit.

Also, the defense is way better, too. Just... *breathes in* refreshing.

p.s How's the LP feed? I only had to refresh my stream three times which is amazing.

Post #17 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 3:55 am

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

Post-game Interviews

Devin:

Spoiler:

Primo:

Spoiler:

Derrick:

Spoiler:

Jakob:

Spoiler:

Pop:

Spoiler:

We kept finding more of our game as the game progressed, and while we were against an undermanned team, when they made runs and closed the lead gap, we pulled away and kept it that way for good.

It wasn't until late in the 3RD Q that Pop opened up the bench a bit more, and while it took a little bit for the guys to refamiliarize themselves with one another, especially versus new opponents, once they settled in, they looked great.

The starters took all the 3s in the 1ST half, and the bench made almost all the 3s in the second except for Derrick's lone 3 to start the 3RD Q. So the bench poured in eight timely3s.

Can I say how refreshing it is to get easy points without overlabouring the O to make sure the pecking order is catered to? And how refreshing it is for the young guys to understand the defensive importance and take all else from that energy? And for us to move and share the ball like we did? I just LOVE it!!!

The rebounding battle was close on both O and D, we got blocked a bit more but we stole the ball a bit more, too, and we got 32 assists for our ball sharing ways. On another huge plus side, we forced A LOT of late clock shots by a team that likes to get points in transition. Very solid team D by us tonight.

All five starters were in double figures, and we had seven player in total. Devin ended up leading us in points with 19, Lonnie found his grove with 17, DJ led us with 8 assists and 4 steals, and Jakob had a near triple double with 12 points, 13 rebounds (8 on O

) and 7 assists.

Jakob's two-man game with Doug is vintage already. Wholeheartedly agree with gump that he's a far more impressive mover and athlete than I realized. Plus those back to back 3s were electrifying! So THAT'S what it feels like!

I thought we kept probing away and driving well in the first half even as we need to finish away from big blockers by reversing or driving and kicking if the shot isn't there. It'll come with reps. I thought our trailing bigs were wonderful with their hustle and putbacks. Very team and crowd energizing plays.

Keldon's game is growing. He's no longer just a bulldozer through the key. He used the Euro step, a quick baseline J, a big body drive with a soft finish inside, an O reb putback, cuts to open spaces (good reads!) for dunk, etc., etc. He has a lot more tricks in his tool kit already. Just needs to work on those FTs...

Devin is poised, man. I really wanted Patrick Williams but with him off the board so early, Devin was my second favourite pick after being the early favourite. Well now he's my favourite again. He's impactful on both ends and is just barely scratching the surface of his abilities. Steals, running out to open spaces for 3s, running ahead to finish passes, using screens to get to his spots and take balanced shots off two-foot elevation, just beautiful.

In a way he puts more pressure on Lonnie and early we saw it. But as the game progressed Lonnie found his niche and rhythm. I thought he was solid defensively, disrupting drives and shots, and was terrific in off-ball movement to get to open spaces throughout. It ended paying dividends for him with some wide open shots and creative drives and finishes. Best of all, I love that he kept on trying.

DJ and Derrick, once they get their rhythm together, will be a problem and I LOVE it. They played together and Pop staggered them, really an ideal situation to grow in versatility. Not all lien-ups clicked well to start with, but they kept figuring it out, and I love that we don't have a minutes hierarchy so that if a guy is sucking we still keep him out there. We're versatile and supportive of one another enough that we're happy for whoever can produce.

Remember when Bryn got all those minutes regardless of how he played? Not anymore! We have bodies to fill in and the poor guy was the only one who didn't score. While he'll surely produce in other games, it's a luxury knowing he's just out there for the one job, and if it's not there, we have others to fill it.

I thought the level of play didn't have nearly the drop off we used to have in third units. Once Tre came in he finished a flaoter with the left, then another with the right hand in the key, calmly. He is so smart. It's crazy that in a few minutes you can see how a true PG orchestrates the game differently, creating space, making solid passes, reading the unfolding plays, and now, taking advantage with confidence.

Diop got caught on late coverages on a couple of 3s, but he ran the floor well and made up for it with some crafty points. It's clear how his effort and finishing got him on the team.

Drew the wrecking ball was all that and some nice touches, too. Some things like banging down low and dragin fouls on opposing Cs doesn't end up on the stat sheet but the dirty work pays off. His running the floor and blocking shots were solid, too.

Jock came in late in the game, his first game back from concussion protocols, and immediately made an impact.

Curious that Thad didn't play. He'll get his minutes, but it's still good to get a look at the team without him, how we figure out opponent runs, how we pass, defend, etc., without the most experienced player helping out. I do wonder if we're protecting him for some impending deal, but I'll probably be wondering that up until the trade deadline.

"Primo! Primo! Primo!" And the crowd erupted when he went to the scorer's table to sub in. Confidently stepping into a smooth 3 made for a near perfect night.

A team full of two way players, interchangeable, lots of ball movement, and lots of getting after it defensively. I mean, THIS is what we've been clamouring for!

No resting on laurels, though. We faced a young, undermanned team and now are up for out first big test, a back-to-back on the road. Still, it's great to have the fans back, great to step into our new style of play more, and grow in confidence with reps before the next upcoming games.

Post #18 » by **G R E Y** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 4:07 am

And now for the accolades:

Read on Twitter

imagump1313 · Post #19 » by **imagump1313** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 4:12 am

GREY 1769 wrote:p.s How's the LP feed? I only had to refresh my stream three times which is amazing.

Thumbs up on League Pass after one game. No lagging, no refreshing. From start to finish it was beautiful.

I only have 2 blacked out games all year living in Detroit and I can watch those locally.

They make the site hard to navigate is my only complaint. They spend too much effort trying to get you to watch other crap or old games.