Game Thread Spurs (27-12) @ Thunder (33-7) (Tue 1/13/26) [7:00PM CST]

[XenoThirteen]

Since we are exceeding expectations and didn't expect to contend for a Chip this year anyway, that may be good enough for the FO.

I really hope the FO recalibrates their expectations with the nearly half season sample size. The spurs always seem to lose when they get lazy with turnovers (I know, young team and mistakes) or when they get lazy on defense and let someone get into rhythm with all those wide open threes.

It’s also glaringly obvious that none of the volume three point shooters are that consistent. A lot of this is a coaching issue; they really need to drill more set plays and refine/streamline the roles of the players. They need to have bread and butter plays to call whenever they’re sluggish offensively.

A lot of the problem is personnel as well. Our 3 headed guard lineup has been mightily struggling since opposing teams started packing the paint. I actually thought Fox shooting a career high from 3 fixes a lot of these issues, but he has regressed to around his career averages, so the lack of shooting is really so glaring right now.

That said, it sure looks like we are much better than anticipated and it would honestly feel like a disappointment if they just sit on their butts and let the season play out. This team has so many flaws but are still the two seed. They’re on the verge of something great. I hope they don’t waste it by being too conservative.

 

[tearsofmorningdew]

iHart played well against us, but OKC seemed to go away from him in second halves of those 3 games... but that's also when pulled away from them in games 2 and 3... this feels like a big loss for them tomorrow, but we'll see. I hope it leads to more Chet v Wemby, where Vic has and should continue to dominate... could be a game where maybe Wemby overplays it and comes back to earth tho...

hope our poor 3 pt shooting rubs off on them. I think they infected us during that 3 game run smh

 

[Snake Eyes]

It’s not inconceivable the Spurs fall out of the top six with the Suns coming on strong. I don’t think this will happen with a healthy Victor but our guards better get better than they are playing now. I still would love picking up a sniper off the bench. Would give us much needed insurance if the perimeter players are cold from deep. I don’t expect us to bring in a starting PF at the deadline.

 

[tearsofmorningdew]

It’s not inconceivable the Spurs fall out of the top six with the Suns coming on strong. I don’t think this will happen with a healthy Victor but our guards better get better than they are playing now. I still would love picking up a sniper off the bench. Would give us much needed insurance if the perimeter players are cold from deep. I don’t expect us to bring in a starting PF at the deadline.

wish we had a duncan robinson type. everyone's clowning the rockets for being the 6th seed but it's not like they're far at all behind us in the L column.

 

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I’d want to avoid minny and Phoenix in round 1

 

[scott]

I really hope the FO recalibrates their expectations with the nearly half season sample size. The spurs always seem to lose when they get lazy with turnovers (I know, young team and mistakes) or when they get lazy on defense and let someone get into rhythm with all those wide open threes.

It’s also glaringly obvious that none of the volume three point shooters are that consistent. A lot of this is a coaching issue; they really need to drill more set plays and refine/streamline the roles of the players. They need to have bread and butter plays to call whenever they’re sluggish offensively.

A lot of the problem is personnel as well. Our 3 headed guard lineup has been mightily struggling since opposing teams started packing the paint. I actually thought Fox shooting a career high from 3 fixes a lot of these issues, but he has regressed to around his career averages, so the lack of shooting is really so glaring right now.

That said, it sure looks like we are much better than anticipated and it would honestly feel like a disappointment if they just sit on their butts and let the season play out. This team has so many flaws but are still the two seed. They’re on the verge of something great. I hope they don’t waste it by being too conservative.

Just wanted to say... I agree 100% with you. I'm just not confident the FO does.

They constantly preach "not skipping steps" and "patience". In Wemby's rookie year and in the offseason that follows, they didn't make any significant moves in reaction to what Vic showed (our big moves were CP3 and Barnes, in addition to drafting Castle). They stuck with patience. The only made the Fox move when Fox basically forced his way here.

To their credit, it proved to be the right move. And I think that might give them confidence to just continue with "patience".

I hope they see the opportunity to make some incremental moves... I'm just not sure they will. I'm hoping I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[scott]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2010867191709827308

 

[spursparker9]

iHart is out right. Maybe let's try the French Vanilla lineup