GT: Spurs vs. Lakers

Post #1 » by **Nolan** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 7:22 pm

When: 8:30 PM MT Nov 18th 2016
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles CA

This should be a fun one against a young Lakers team that has surprised a lot of people so far this season (myself included).

Establishing ourselves in the paint early could be a key to winning this game easily. Randle has definitely improved on the defense end but handling LMA is still going to be tough and Pau should be able to make Mozgov look silly a few times.

Go Spurs!!

jptremblay · Post #2 » by **jptremblay** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 7:38 pm

Not the best match up for this old Spurs team...but we are still clearly than they...so we should win that one but it would not be an easy one.

Post #3 » by **Nolan** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 1:12 pm

jptremblay wrote:Not the best match up for this old Spurs team...but we are still clearly than they...so we should win that one but it would not be an easy one.

Yeah this going to be an interesting matchup.

This is also going to be my first real look at this Lakers team this year, I've watched a few minutes of them here and there but not much more than that. I'm actually kinda excited to see how that young core is coming along. Wasn't that high on them coming into the season but I may have changed my mind about them.

Post #4 » by **-Sammy-** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 6:14 pm

The bad guys could pull this one out on their home court; young legs and all that. This has the feel, to me, of a classic trap game, so we need to bring it.

The Lakers are a bit of a conundrum for me; they've historically been my most hated team, and I'm well-known in certain circles for both the depth and intensity of my Laker-hatred. I have to admit, though, that I like their young core pieces and I like Walton as a coach. This period could be the first time since the Showtime era that I find myself secretly enjoying them in spite of my Laker-hater status. Not tonight, though.

Post #5 » by **Nolan** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 7:03 pm

BombsquadSammy wrote:The bad guys could pull this one out on their home court; young legs and all that. This has the feel, to me, of a classic trap game, so we need to bring it.

The Lakers are a bit of a conundrum for me; they've historically been my most hated team, and I'm well-known in certain circles for both the depth and intensity of my Laker-hatred. I have to admit, though, that I like their young core pieces and I like Walton as a coach. This period could be the first time since the Showtime era that I find myself secretly enjoying them in spite of my Laker-hater status. Not tonight, though.

I feel ya man. If they weren't the Lakers I'd probably like this collection of players a lot more.

DEEP3CL · Post #6 » by **DEEP3CL** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 12:39 am

Much respect to you guys, I've seen all these Laker/Spur battle since before Dave and Tim came on board. I'm talking Ice Man, Artis Gilmore, Mike Mitchell, Johnny Moore and Gene Banks days !! For me the Spurs and Lakers are the pillars of the Western Conference, nobody else comes close to the titles in the conference these teams have.

As far as our new version of the Lakers, it's still a work in progress but we seem to be a bit ahead of the curve. Defense and taking care of the ball is our main issues that we need to work on but it's getting better by the week. Our bench has been the driving force in our wins though, leading the league in bench scoring is something our bench guys have taken ownership of. They look to give us a jump either if they're behind or look to push leads up more. Our ball movement is better too, so defense really can't key in on any one guy.

Good luck tonight and on the season.

ducler · Post #7 » by **ducler** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 1:29 am

imagump1313 · Post #8 » by **imagump1313** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 2:34 am

Russell is out. Nick Young is still on that team so my hatred for them continues to be pretty high.

Phreak50 · Post #9 » by **Phreak50** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 4:03 am

Leonard looking hesitant with his shot but he has 4 assists in the first quarter and really starting to look like a complete offensive player when he is setting other players up like this.

Phreak50 · Post #10 » by **Phreak50** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 4:43 am

I'm going to say it now, but Kawhi is lost on offense when Parker is on the court.

Tony runs pointless pick and rolls half the time and over dribbles the other half.

Mills needs to be the permanent starter and Parker can give the bench some direction.

Anderson also needs to go, he does nothing out there.

Post #11 » by **-Sammy-** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 4:47 am

DEEP3CL wrote:Much respect to you guys, I've seen all these Laker/Spur battle since before Dave and Tim came on board. I'm talking Ice Man, Artis Gilmore, Mike Mitchell, Johnny Moore and Gene Banks days !! For me the Spurs and Lakers are the pillars of the Western Conference, nobody else comes close to the titles in the conference these teams have.

As far as our new version of the Lakers, it's still a work in progress but we seem to be a bit ahead of the curve. Defense and taking care of the ball is our main issues that we need to work on but it's getting better by the week. Our bench has been the driving force in our wins though, leading the league in bench scoring is something our bench guys have taken ownership of. They look to give us a jump either if they're behind or look to push leads up more. Our ball movement is better too, so defense really can't key in on any one guy.

Good luck tonight and on the season.

Top-shelf post. You guys have a bright future going forward!

Phreak50 · Post #12 » by **Phreak50** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 5:01 am

This is ridiculous. You've got one of the league leading scorers just standing there the last 5 plays watching Parker dribbling around.

Phreak50 · Post #13 » by **Phreak50** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 6:11 am

We won and on the stat sheet Parker did well but I still think he stilted the offense a lot tonight.

Pop needs to find a balance on offense. As much as Kawhi scored 20+ tonight, the team stood around for too many possessions watching Tony. It's not the way we should be playing. We basically pulled out the win with Parker hero ball for a spurt there. That does absolutely nothing for the growth of the team.

DEEP3CL · Post #14 » by **DEEP3CL** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 6:41 am

Good game from the Spurs tonight, the Lakers just couldn't find that defensive rhythm that you need for 48 minutes. That stretch we they let Parker get off turned the game for the Spurs I think. But the Spurs shot the ball exceptionally well tonight...56 %

duncan21 · Post #15 » by **duncan21** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 2:11 pm

I dun like kawhi doing too much meaningless pump fakes recently,he should plays more determination,I know he wants to makes his team around him better,but it's always cause a turnovers

popfan · Post #16 » by **popfan** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 5:39 pm

It was a nice game. Tony and Manu made numerous big plays. It's amazing that they can be effective at this late stage of their careers. I also liked how well LA and Gasol play together on offense. And I enjoyed watching Kawhi lead the fast break; he made some nice passes that led to scores including finding Manu in the corner for a big 3. Kawhi was impressive on the break.

There were some things I didn't like. For instance, Tony fatigues quickly when matched against younger PGs. He was torched by Ish Smith (Pistons) in the fourth quarter of last week's game. Last night Clarkson torched him in a similar way -- penetration to the basket. It would be nice to have a younger PG on our team to counter guys like Clarkson.

I also didn't like how Kawhi was quick to shoot in the first quarter. He seemed to be forcing his shots. No doubt Kawhi wants the ball more when Tony's in the game. Perhaps Kawhi even feels starved. I'd like to see a calmer approach. I hate to say it but I enjoy watching the Cavs first team because they share the ball so well on the perimeter. No rushed shots. Make the extra pass. They trust each other. I can't say the same is true with Kawhi at this point. And it may not be his fault. But it's something I believe needs attention from the coaching staff.

duncan21 · Post #17 » by **duncan21** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 11:58 pm

kawhi isn't very gd get to the basket yet

Post #18 » by **Nolan** » Mon Nov 21, 2016 2:37 pm

I know i'm a little late for this one but decent win, we did some good things and did some not so good things as well. his was a game of runs and we just had a few more in us.

The Bad:
-Defense was extremely suspect at time, we really missed Dedmon in this one. We also had no answer for Randle in transition.

The Good:
-Once we got going on the offensive end we were hard to stop. Ball moved well and we scored effectively as a team.
-Really liked what we got from Green and Parker. Danny's all around game was great; knocked down some shots early, made some plays off the dribble and was his usual amazing self on the defensive end. As for Parker, he was extremely efficient and timely.

On the Lakers:
-Man is this team fun to watch. It's hard to not like watching a team that plays that way. Really impressed with Randle, love his handle and his intensity.