- Joined
- Aug 29, 2025
- Messages
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- Reaction score
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[This is the first edition of what I'm hoping will be the format of our grades going forward. Please do let me know in the comments if you have thoughts on how to improve this. I'm not intending to do comprehensive write-ups on each player, but just a quick summary like this]
Spurs 133 - Pacers 104 | Spurs finish the Pre-Season 5-0
The Spurs closed out the Pacers and the Pre-Season to finish 5-0. You normally don't like to read too much into the pre-season, but the Spurs looked impressive and cohesive, even with De'Aaron Fox not in the rotation yet. Throughout the Pre-Season, opponents generally played their top guys longer than we did, but our backups were able to close out games. I'm very optimistic going into the tip-off game against Dallas and I can't wait to see how Fox integrates into the lineup. I'm also low-key excited to see what dimension Kelly Olynyk adds to the rotation.
My Thoughts:
Spurs 133 - Pacers 104 | Spurs finish the Pre-Season 5-0
The Spurs closed out the Pacers and the Pre-Season to finish 5-0. You normally don't like to read too much into the pre-season, but the Spurs looked impressive and cohesive, even with De'Aaron Fox not in the rotation yet. Throughout the Pre-Season, opponents generally played their top guys longer than we did, but our backups were able to close out games. I'm very optimistic going into the tip-off game against Dallas and I can't wait to see how Fox integrates into the lineup. I'm also low-key excited to see what dimension Kelly Olynyk adds to the rotation.
| Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | Blk | Stl | +/- | Scott's Grade | Community Grade | |
| Mitch Johnson | 4 | 4.00 | |||||||
| Victor Wembanyama | 24 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +11 | 4 | 3.63 |
| Stephon Castle | 25 | 16 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 2 | +14 | 5 | 4.75 |
| Julian Champagnie | 23 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +22 | 5 | 4.63 |
| Devin Vassell | 23 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +25 | 4 | 3.14 |
| Harrison Barnes | 21 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | +11 | 4 | 2.86 |
| Luke Kornet | 21 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3.38 |
| Keldon Johnson | 17 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -11 | 4 | 3.57 |
| Dylan Harper | 19 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | -5 | 3 | 2.88 |
| Carter Bryant | 21 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | +13 | 3 | 2.71 |
| Jordan McLaughlin | 11 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3.00 |
| Stanley Umude | 10 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +17 | 4 | 3.50 |
| Riley Minix | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +17 | 3 | 3.00 |
| Micah Potter | 10 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +17 | 4 | 3.40 |
| David Jones Garcia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 | 3.40 |
| Team Total | 133 | 42 | 31 | 10 | 9 | +29 |
My Thoughts:
- Victor's shot selection has taken a significant leap and it is apparent in the box score. He shot a blistering 66% for the preseason. He's still making some HORRIBLE turnovers, but other than that he appears to be molting into an evolved form that is perhaps more terrifying for the rest of the league than anyone may have imagined. I'm so excited to see him against top competition and with the full complement of Fox, Castle and Harper running with him. One big question will be where his 3PA/gm settle out. Only 2.0 in pre-season.
- Julian looks like our starting 3 to me. His .633 3P% isn't going to hold up... but he's exactly what we need in that role.
- Korndog... what a pickup. Homie is much more impactful and efficient on offense than I think any of us were expecting, and it's awesome. He's going to quickly become a fan favorite as well.
- I generally liked what we saw from Devin in the pre-season. I was surprised that I was that much higher on him than the Community in the finale versus IND. He was a team high +25 and was making smart decisions even if the shot wasn't falling.
- Steph is looking good, and he shot .375 from 3 on 4 3PA/gm in two pre-season games... if that's real, look out!
- Tough finale from Dylan, but he showed us some good stuff this preseason!
- I like the fire Mitch is showing, especially over defensive lapses. More of this please.
- Am I the only one who would rather give Micah Potter a chance as deep bench big over Bismack? (Though, tbh, Bassey got waived by ATL... bring the prince home!)
- Black Falcon had a rough pre-season, but I liked what I saw in this last game. He's our 5th option, we don't need much out of him than this (Except maybe some rebounding... please)
- @spurraider21 - Vassell: He defended well but had the bailout fall against Seakam. He made smart decisions with the ball but did hesitate once and wound up traveling as a result. Struggling with his outside shot. He really can’t put his game together right now but the outlines are there
- @spurraider21 - Castle: Not much more you could ask of him. Pressures the pacers defense all game. Made terrific pass after pass. Tough skip passes with zip. And he was solid defensively.
- @NotoriousHOP - The shine wore off a bit on the Spurs new players (Kornet, Harper and Bryant) with some sloppy starts but luckily, they were all able to do something positive in the last few minutes of their play.
- @NotoriousHOP - I like that Mitch gave Castle and Harper some burn together but I'm not sure if Harper deferred to Castle or if Castle seized the power of his incumbency to lead the action. Castle was very vocal and aggressive in a way that kept the momentum going the Spurs way.
- Unnamed Grader - DJG to all: Micah Potter rained threes and posterized anonymity in my stint. Micah!
