Analysis GRADES: 1/28/2026 Spurs 111 @ Rockets 99

[scott]

Scott's Notes:

• In the second half we finally saw Mitch utilize our 3 guards the way we've all been wanting him to and... HEY LOOK AT THAT! Shout out to Mitch for finally making the adjustment that a lot of us thought obvious
• Wemby seemed motivated from the get go, but needed some time to find his rhythm. Then he took over. Didn't help we was getting hacked non-stop
• Almost gave Luke a 4... has there ever been a more impactful, nearly stat-less 19 minutes?
• BIG BODY SCREAM
• Any word on Julian? I don't think he returned after getting hit in the eye? And it was just never mentioned again?
• Both teams probably feel like they left a win on the table in these two games over the last week. I think these teams are pretty evenly matched. Would be an interesting 7 game series

What You Said:

• @LeBowen - Harper has been freed, it was as simple as that. Offense still looked rough while Castle was on the ball.
• @Rafa - Feels good to post a grade being happy, all the baseline bums adjustments came in second half. Credit where credit is due, Mitch changed things well, great performances from multiple people, and a tough win against another top team. GSG
• @Robz4000 - Wish I could grade this game by halves because a lot of players deserve a 5 for that second half performance tbh. Castle, Keldon, and Wemby in particular were night and day. Harper is the only true 5 though imo. Rook needs more minutes period.
• @Fireball - Sean Sweeney gets a 5. The guy coached the defense from the bench like a headcoach would. Great job!
• @PhantomDashCam - After arguably one of their most disappointing games of the season against NO, the good guys responded with one of their best. The three headed monster at PG all took turns dominating the game in different facets, Keldon was a stalwart off the bench and Wemby was a transcendent force that received MVP chants on the road. This win felt like more than one digit in the column. Statement game.
• @brazil - Winning against top team feels great, winning against scrub teams would be also nice.
• @Guru of Nothing - Time for Mitch to give Barnes the Dylan Harper treatment.
• @ginobilized - Steph Castle's 2nd half play was a playoff level defensive master-class. To me, he was the game-changer for which Houston had no answers.
• @mazerrackham - Nice defensive scheme and intensity from the squad. Castle was locked in defensively. We'll need a bit more from shooters in playoff-level games than we got, but nice consistent effort win from everyone.
• @spurs10 - Man this was great win for us. Wondering what Mitch put in the Gatorade at the half. Can't wait to rewatch the game tonight.

Up next: big test against a hot, but kind of bi-polar, Charlotte team. They have a lot of the elements that really test us. Let's get it.

 

[John B]

I haven’t seen so many 5’s in the short history of Baseline Bums I agree with the grades!

I’ve mentioned many times in the ST that having a defensive catalyst is the X-Factor of Spurs championship teams, from Ninja Sean, to Bruce, Kawhi and Danny. Last night I saw in Castle that guy. He was fearless, accepting defensive challenge to slow down from KD to Sengun, Reed and anybody in between. Is he Spurs new Kobe-stopper?? Damn!

 

[brazil]

I haven’t seen so many 5’s in the short history of Baseline Bums I agree with the grades!

I’ve mentioned many times in the ST that having a defensive catalyst is the X-Factor of Spurs championship teams, from Ninja Sean, to Bruce, Kawhi and Danny. Last night I saw in Castle that guy. He was fearless, accepting defensive challenge to slow down from KD to Sengun, Reed and anybody in between. Is he Spurs new Kobe-stopper?? Damn!

I have to confess I've been pretty generous on the 5 this game.. I could have ponderated a tad taking into account both half

 

[Rafa]

Need to know who voted 4 for Harper and brought his average down to 4.92, gonna throw hands

 

[NotoriousHOP]

Finally, the good Castle showed up. It's been a minute but glad to have him back. Loved the three guard lineup. The initial return on the defensive side, Fox guarding the PG, Harper guarding the SG, and Castle guarding the SF/PF/C in a three headed lineup worked better than many people would have thought. It's one half but that was a great Proof Of Concept.

 

[rjv]

btw, for any of you OG comic book fans out there, is it just me or does Amen Thomspon look like a Jack Kirby illustrated villain?