Game Thread Spurs (23-8) vs Cavs (17-16) (Mon 12/29/25) [7:00 PM CDT]

[xellos88330]

Yet another embarrassing loss. The outside shooting needs to be consistent, and I think it is purely mental with this team. I hope they get over it quick. Also sick of seeing Wemby on the floor all the damn time.

 

[Ice009]

Yet another embarrassing loss. The outside shooting needs to be consistent, and I think it is purely mental with this team. I hope they get over it quick. Also sick of seeing Wemby on the floor all the damn time.

Victor truly looks like a baby deer out there at times.

 

[100%Duncan]

Really it all traces back to closing the first half poorly. Spurs had a nice lead but allowed Cavs to chip it down at the end of 2Q and then things crumbled from there

That was Wemby subbed back in. From up 11 to only 6 going in the half. Horrible end to that half

 

[100%Duncan]

At this point, I kinda just wanna fast forward to the playoffs hoping we get a 4 seed at least HCA in the 1st round. The regular season is grueling for fans tbh, all these games and time invested

 

[BatManu20]

Being at the game tonight sucked. Energy felt dead in the arena, especially the 2nd half cause our offense was so sloppy, it felt like we were constantly playing from behind, and nobody could hit a damn 3. Another frustrating L tbh, especially in a game where we shot 16 more FT's than they did. I'll be at the Knicks game on Wednesday too, but not feeling real confident about that one either atm. We could be ringing in the new year on a 3-game losing skid tbh. Hope they prove me wrong.

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2005879646068338812

 

[Fireball]

So is Cleveland a bad matchup or are the Spurs just not ready for the mid-season grind that is coming now?
In the beginning of the season my main issue was lack of 3 point shooting ... it shows right now that we are just not consistent enough.
And I continue to not be a Castle fan. Sorry. He is not my guy.

 

[spursparker9]

After watching this game, I think we might have put the blame on Sochan and Waters mins on the Jazz game too prematurely

Sure their mins were not helpful but the rest of the players shoot like shit as well

 

[onechance87]

After watching this game, I think we might have put the blame on Sochan and Waters mins on the Jazz game too prematurely

Sure their mins were not helpful but the rest of the players shoot like shit as well

We just need to upgrade.Alot of us called for a upgrade over barnes,champ,sochan and vassell last season.We needed a upgrade at backup center which we
got with kornet.Think we need to chill with the contract ext talk for champ and even barnes.Just to inconsistence with our perimeter role players.
Vassell averaging like 8 points a game the last 3 games.Thats unacceptable from a player making almost 30 million a year.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Kornet +10
Wemby -17

story of the game

 

[RC_Drunkford]

That was Wemby subbed back in. From up 11 to only 6 going in the half. Horrible end to that half

absolutely agree. He had Fox ahead of him on a fastbreak, but decided to dribble himself and then throw a swingpass out of bounds.

Next possession he wants to dance on his defender at the 3-point line and travels. After that he misses an open alley-oop dunk. Fucked up 3 possessions in a row with that dumb stuff.

 

[onechance87]

absolutely agree. He had Fox ahead of him on a fastbreak, but decided to dribble himself and then throw a swingpass out of bounds.

Next possession he wants to dance on his defender at the 3-point line and travels. After that he misses an open alley-oop dunk. Fucked up 3 possessions in a row with that dumb stuff.

Yea sometimes he tries to do to much.Needs to keep it simple and not try to force plays being fancy and shit.

 

[Ice009]

Yea sometimes he tries to do to much.Needs to keep it simple and not try to force plays being fancy and shit.

It's starting to cost us in the win column now. Someone on the coaching staff needs to tell him to cut it out as it's going to lead to more losses. I really don't know what to do. His offense is a jumbled mess. He took at shot at Jokic for not playing defense, but Victor's offense ain't anywhere near the elite players. Elite defense (not the last two games, though), but offense is far behind. Jokic is my MVP if I had to pick right now. Victor is nowhere near in the running.

 

[Fireball]

absolutely agree. He had Fox ahead of him on a fastbreak, but decided to dribble himself and then throw a swingpass out of bounds.

we can be happy that Fox did not fully pull his abductor by trying to catch that shitty pass

 

[Weeks]

Yet another embarrassing loss. The outside shooting needs to be consistent, and I think it is purely mental with this team. I hope they get over it quick. Also sick of seeing Wemby on the floor all the damn time.

Was just thinking this as I watched the game..dude is on the floor wayy too often for my mental and emotional well-being

 

[spursparker9]

It's starting to cost us in the win column now. Someone on the coaching staff needs to tell him to cut it out as it's going to lead to more losses. I really don't know what to do. His offense is a jumbled mess. He took at shot at Jokic for not playing defense, but Victor's offense ain't anywhere near the elite players. Elite defense (not the last two games, though), but offense is far behind. Jokic is my MVP if I had to pick right now. Victor is nowhere near in the running.

Yea Wemby's decline in his later years (maybe 33, 34 years old) gonna be ugly.

Joker can play till he is 40 tbh. He only rely on his BBIQ can already put up 30 pts triple double on a nightly basis.

 

[spursparker9]

we are still at 2nd seed as Denver lost as well

Not sure Joker will be out for how long.
Austin Reeves is out at least 1 month+ for LAL.
Houston and T-wolves are closing in behind

 

[Amuseddaysleeper]

You said it perfectly. I think one can make that same point without sounding like an emotional little girl. Like good grief, this happens every time we lose a game.

I say this team can make the 2nd round but only if they have HCA. That's their ceiling for me. They will be a 1st round exit though if they finish 5 - 8. They are too unproven and have issues that other playoff teams can expose.

Unfortunately, we are likely standing pat this year so any chance at an upgrade at the 4 seems like wishful thinking. I don't think the dream Thunder/Spurs WCF happens this year unless we make a trade that addresses our weakness. Easier said than done.

Do you think Barnes and champ will show up come playoff time? Vassell? We just need some tweaks but would love to bring in another shooter or two

 

[LeBowen]

Do you think Barnes and champ will show up come playoff time? Vassell? We just need some tweaks but would love to bring in another shooter or two

Barnes and Vassell are the second and third highest earners on the team. They're not getting benched/moved this season, just won't happen.
We can hope to get another 15-20mpg bench shooter, but that guy won't take us over the hump if two starters continue to disappear on semi-regular basis.

 

[STAT88]

Some of the 3 point defense was laughable last night. Wemby was a huge part of the problem with his lack of discipline and ability or desire to close out on 3 point shooters.

Here’s just a snippet from the start of the second quarter. This wasn’t where the game was won or lost but it’s an absolute tell tale of a bigger problem defending the 3 which ended by biting them in the ass by the time the 4th quarter came and the Cavs started hitting and the Spurs went cold. Again this is just the first 2 minutes and 30 seconds of the 2nd quarter .

First three attempt by Tomlin was a wide open miss. Wemby falls over like a baby giraffe on offense for the millionth time, leads to a 5 on 4, wide open 3 from Tomlin is missed as Wemby crosses half court.



Second three attempt is a make by Mitchell. Basic back screen by Porter on Fox that frees up Mitchell for a WIDE open 3 from the corner/wing. Barnes was guarding Porter is just ball watching Mobley backing down Wemby, why are you even that concerned with ball watching when Wemby as a one on one post defender against Mobley is a win for the Spurs. Barnes has absolutely zero fucking awareness to switch onto Mitchell after Fox gets picked off even tho his own man screens Fox. Terrible defense by Barnes.



Third three attempt is a make by Tomlin. This is hilarious. Bryant defends beautifully but the 7’5 Center is standing in the paint leaving his man wide open in the corner on the strong side for a wide open 3. First Mitchell drives into the paint guarded by Champ, Wemby leaves his man Tomlin under the basket and rotates to stop Mitchells drive. It was a good rotation by Wemby even tho Champ had Mitchell on his hip. Bryant helps the helper and rotates off Hunter to Tomlin to stop the alley oop pass, leaving Hunter open at the 3 point line. Mitchell kicks it out to Hunter, Bryant scrambles back out and stone walls a Hunter drive to the basket. Hunter steps back out to the 3 point line and pump fakes a 3, Bryant contests but does a good job of not fouling, meanwhile Tomlin is now standing wide open in the corner right next to Hunter on the strong side, while Wemby stands under the basket. Hunter starts his shooting motion and Wemby turns and faces the basket seemingly to get the rebound, meanwhile Hunter passes it to Tomlin for a wide open corner 3. Wemby makes a fake attempt to close out. Bang, corner 3.



Next offensive possession Wemby on the floor again. Turnover.

Next 3 is a make again by Tomlin. Real amateur hour defense again. Exact same spot in the corner, again it was Wembys man. This time it wasn’t all Wembys fault. Mitchell gets a slip screen from Mobley which absolutely destroys Barnes. Leaves Barnes near the half court line and both he and Castle about 5 feet behind Mitchell as he drives inside the arc, Wemby is forced to rotate to Mitchell who kicks it out to Tomlin in the corner wide open 3. Absolutely zero communication and pathetic defense by Barnes and Castle. Barnes shows way too hard like he’s switching onto Mitchell, Castle doesn’t switch to Mobley and just gets blown by by Mitchell, Wemby forced to rotate to Mitchell but he could have played both Mitchell and Tomlin and forced Mitchell to make a decision instead he just completely left Tomlin.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Jus

It's starting to cost us in the win column now. Someone on the coaching staff needs to tell him to cut it out as it's going to lead to more losses. I really don't know what to do. His offense is a jumbled mess. He took at shot at Jokic for not playing defense, but Victor's offense ain't anywhere near the elite players. Elite defense (not the last two games, though), but offense is far behind. Jokic is my MVP if I had to pick right now. Victor is nowhere near in the running.

Just wait until he loses a playoff series because of that stuff. It will happen eventually.

 

[LeBowen]

Some of the 3 point defense was laughable last night. Wemby was a huge part of the problem with his lack of discipline and ability or desire to close out on 3 point shooters.

Here’s just a snippet from the start of the second quarter. This wasn’t where the game was won or lost but it’s an absolute tell tale of a bigger problem defending the 3 which ended by biting them in the ass by the time the 4th quarter came and the Cavs started hitting and the Spurs went cold. Again this is just the first 2 minutes and 30 seconds of the 2nd quarter .

Good stuff.
It's really frustrating that Wemby went from looking like the no contest defensive GOAT to someone who constantly makes bad reads and doesn't have the awareness when and where to rotate.

As for others, Barnes is a bad defender at this stage, but it's not like other teams don't have defensive liabilities and still make it work.
I wrote it during the game when the situations you screenshotted happened, we seem to be content with defending 4 players, leaving the least threatening opponent wide open and daring them to shoot.
Then the floodgates open, we try to adjust, but in the modern NBA it's too late most of the time.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Some of the 3 point defense was laughable last night. Wemby was a huge part of the problem with his lack of discipline and ability or desire to close out on 3 point shooters.

Here’s just a snippet from the start of the second quarter. This wasn’t where the game was won or lost but it’s an absolute tell tale of a bigger problem defending the 3 which ended by biting them in the ass by the time the 4th quarter came and the Cavs started hitting and the Spurs went cold. Again this is just the first 2 minutes and 30 seconds of the 2nd quarter .

First three attempt by Tomlin was a wide open miss. Wemby falls over like a baby giraffe on offense for the millionth time, leads to a 5 on 4, wide open 3 from Tomlin is missed as Wemby crosses half court.

View attachment 236

Second three attempt is a make by Mitchell. Basic back screen by Porter on Fox that frees up Mitchell for a WIDE open 3 from the corner/wing. Barnes was guarding Porter is just ball watching Mobley backing down Wemby, why are you even that concerned with ball watching when Wemby as a one on one post defender against Mobley is a win for the Spurs. Barnes has absolutely zero fucking awareness to switch onto Mitchell after Fox gets picked off even tho his own man screens Fox. Terrible defense by Barnes.

View attachment 237

Third three attempt is a make by Tomlin. This is hilarious. Bryant defends beautifully but the 7’5 Center is standing in the paint leaving his man wide open in the corner on the strong side for a wide open 3. First Mitchell drives into the paint guarded by Champ, Wemby leaves his man Tomlin under the basket and rotates to stop Mitchells drive. It was a good rotation by Wemby even tho Champ had Mitchell on his hip. Bryant helps the helper and rotates off Hunter to Tomlin to stop the alley oop pass, leaving Hunter open at the 3 point line. Mitchell kicks it out to Hunter, Bryant scrambles back out and stone walls a Hunter drive to the basket. Hunter steps back out to the 3 point line and pump fakes a 3, Bryant contests but does a good job of not fouling, meanwhile Tomlin is now standing wide open in the corner right next to Hunter on the strong side, while Wemby stands under the basket. Hunter starts his shooting motion and Wemby turns and faces the basket seemingly to get the rebound, meanwhile Hunter passes it to Tomlin for a wide open corner 3. Wemby makes a fake attempt to close out. Bang, corner 3.

View attachment 238

Next offensive possession Wemby on the floor again. Turnover.

Next 3 is a make again by Tomlin. Real amateur hour defense again. Exact same spot in the corner, again it was Wembys man. This time it wasn’t all Wembys fault. Mitchell gets a slip screen from Mobley which absolutely destroys Barnes. Leaves Barnes near the half court line and both he and Castle about 5 feet behind Mitchell as he drives inside the arc, Wemby is forced to rotate to Mitchell who kicks it out to Tomlin in the corner wide open 3. Absolutely zero communication and pathetic defense by Barnes and Castle. Barnes shows way too hard like he’s switching onto Mitchell, Castle doesn’t switch to Mobley and just gets blown by by Mitchell, Wemby forced to rotate to Mitchell but he could have played both Mitchell and Tomlin and forced Mitchell to make a decision instead he just completely left Tomlin.

View attachment 239

View attachment 240

Good breakdown. Leaving the corner 3 open is by design. It allows Wemby to be the low man at the rim if he guards whoever is in the strong side corner. Was the same way against OKC.

This affords a lot of cumminicating from Wemby to have the other guys switch to whoever is not in the corner so Wemby can stay there. Obviously he‘d have to close out once that player attempts to shoot, but he was gassed a lot during this game.

This sceme makes a lot of sense, because it prevents teams from drawing Wemby out the paint with 3-point shooters. It‘s just that the defensive rotations have to be crisp.

 

[Ice009]

Sounds like Victor can't cover the corner because his stamina stinks again .

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Sounds like Victor can't cover the corner because his stamina stinks again .

I think it‘s more of a communication issue. Against OKC Wemby was directing everybody on defense. Haven‘t seen that intensity in the last 2 games. Watch this video to understand what I‘m talking about.