- The Spurs have two starting-calibre guys, as well as one back-up caliber guy, who are really good: Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, and Tre Jones – and the chemistry between the three is also really good. They also have Keldon Johnson whose role on a winning team I still can’t figure out (due to deficiencies on D and as a creator). Anyone else right now is not (yet) a reliable contributor in the NBA.
- The Spurs have a severe lack of firepower: Champagnie 0 from 2 in 16 minutes, Osman 0 from 3 in 17, Wesley 0 from 4 in 9, Sochan 3 from 13 in 30 – it can’t go on like that in the future. These guys need to become significantly more reliable as scorers. The Wesley/Branham backcourt that started the second quarter looked like a recipe for taking bad shots.
- It pains me to no end to see Sochan struggle so much (for three quarters). He was my favorite Spur 12 months ago. He looks like a lesser player now. It’s sophomore slump rather than sophomore jump. The latter so often happens for guys that see significant playing time in their second year, but it just hasn’t happened for him. Still, it’s way too early to give up. For a guy who’s supposed to be a connector, there must be guys he can connect with – and there just aren’t enough of those. (Let’s keep in mind Draymond Green’s career is unimaginable on most teams other than the Warriors. Let’s keep in mind Aaron Gordon’s career was seen by many as a disappointment before he joined the Nuggets.)
- The Spurs need another backup big: It’s multiple points in the paint or trips to the line for the opposition as soon as Collins is on the court. It happens every game. The guy is good on offense: the hook shots, the layups, the pocket passes – beautiful! But it’s just not enough to make up for his massive deficiencies on the other end.
- I personally need this season to be over: The Spurs are participating in games that don’t mean anything at all. We know the guys who have proved their worth, and those who haven’t won’t be able to prove it in the remaining games. It’s garbage time, and the game last night was a garbage game – “starker Tobak”, some might say.
Source: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2024/3/ ... -grizzlies