Game Thread Spurs (32-15) @ Hornets (21-28) (Sat 1/31/26) [11:00AM CST]

[Fabbs]

Can we cut the "but but but we're soo much better then last year and the year before."

Those years sucked such major balls + Wemby was out half of last year. This year is only one way to go -Up.

00 Timmy Dunker out and 1st Round loss.
01 Juwaun Coward went Zaza Donkey Green and then some on Derek Anderson.
02 rigged Laker year + Championship Kings were really good.

 

[Kick-Stand]

Spurs fall to the 3-Seed with today's loss.

Sad thing is Mitch still coaches the ASG if they beat Orlando tomorrow. No way he deserves that honor.

 

[Kick-Stand]

just trying to look for a bright side. Hornets playing like this helps the chances of Atlanta falling out of the play-in while I've been pretty vocal about this team falling into the play-in and getting raped by Curry and Nephew/Harden.

Not too worried about Golden State with Curry a one man show again unless they trade for Giannis or AD or something similarly drastic. I could definitely see the Spurs being the one team Harden plays clutch against in the playoffs though and the Spurs losing a series to LAC. Shit he was an assassin in the 2012 WCF including the game sealing three in Game 5. I mean they made Collin Sexton look like Prime Reggie Miller out there today.

 

[Robz4000]

Not too worried about Golden State with Curry a one man show again unless they trade for Giannis or AD or something similarly drastic. I could definitely see the Spurs being the one team Harden plays clutch against in the playoffs though and the Spurs losing a series to LAC. Shit he was an assassin in the 2012 WCF including the game sealing three in Game 5. I mean they made Collin Sexton look like Prime Reggie Miller out there today.

Not worried about the Dubs sans Butler in a series, but a play-in game against Curry? He's the one guy that can win a game by himself.

 

[spursparker9]

I think there are at least 7 to 8 games which Spurs fucked up but still manage to crawl back to a close game and only to lose narrowly due to Mitch's stupid decisions

 

[scott]

Sad thing is Mitch still coaches the ASG if they beat Orlando tomorrow. No way he deserves that honor.

Winter storm going to take care of that for us

 

[Kick-Stand]

Not worried about the Dubs sans Butler in a series, but a play-in game against Curry? He's the one guy that can win a game by himself.

If the Spurs fall all the way to the play in I hope they do get thumped and go back into the lottery.

 

[Kick-Stand]

Winter storm going to take care of that for us

Were the Spurs not able to get out of Carolina?

Nevermind, see they're stuck in Charlotte tonight

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017696546138083754

 

[PhantomDashCam]

If you were a casual fan in this one, you’d have to wonder what the hype is with Wembanyama.

I personally really enjoyed parts of this contest. There was some terrific shot making at times from both teams, with that Brandon Miller stretch being particularly notable and ultimately fatal to our chances.

Our two best Offensive players both had sub par efforts, yet we were very much in this game down the stretch.

Notable that this team seems to make a contest out of most games this season.

Unfortunately, it does seem to apply to both holding a lead and chasing one down.

Kudos to Charlotte and hope they get a decent run with a healthy team.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

If you were a casual fan in this one, you’d have to wonder what the hype is with Wembanyama.

I personally really enjoyed parts of this contest. There was some terrific shot making at times from both teams, with that Brandon Miller stretch being particularly notable and ultimately fatal to our chances.

Our two best Offensive players both had sub par efforts, yet we were very much in this game down the stretch.

Notable that this team seems to make a contest out of most games this season.

Unfortunately, it does seem to apply to both holding a lead and chasing one down.

Kudos to Charlotte and hope they get a decent run with a healthy team.

I just wish that Victor would get on the low block, demand the ball and go to work a little bit more. Maybe I’m just too old-school. I don’t know? But certainly that’s better than standing out on the perimeter when you are having a bad game. that’s not exactly putting any pressure on the defense.

 

[BatManu20]

We got these goofballs doing cartwheels in the locker room postgame smh.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017744583820812757

 

[Fabbs]

^ Teams are getting super amped up to play Wemby.
In that respect i was proud of how they came back from 17 down.
Miller was obviously in a coma.

It was like watching Curry with non stop illegal screens being set.

 

[LeBowen]

Has it occult you that you are being very Pop-like? He also wanted to shove players into specific boxes. It’s a good thing when we have multiple players who can initiate offense. It’s also a good thing when we have multiple players who can score and finish. If you get a group of players who can do both at a high level, you’re damn near unstoppable. Between Fox and Castle, we got 16 assists and four TOs. Harper scored 20 points, and hit 2/3 long balls. These are good things.

We had one shit quarter. The machine isn’t broken.

What are you on about? How is saying that Harper needs to be on the ball more shoving him in a box?
I don't have an issue with him being a finisher on some plays, but he doesn't get the ball enough in his primary role.

 

[LeBowen]

Wemby killed us, tbh.

 

[Ice009]

We got these goofballs doing cartwheels in the locker room postgame smh.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017744583820812757

Holy shit. Teams really are getting up for the Spurs, and it seems like it a BIG win for them too. I know I'm being hard on the young guys, but they got to adjust and not allow it. They're young and inexperienced, but I believe in them to be able to push through this. It was a great comeback last night too. They aren't a bunch of guys that gives up, which goes a long way towards becoming a great team. Not tossing in games when things aren't going your way. Fighting and clawing your way back is nothing but a positive thing. They just gotta keep their heads down and keep grinding. If they could actually shoot, there'd be no problem. They're still fighting their asses off despite being in huge shooting slumps.

As for the Hornets, I'm OK with their win, as hopefully the Hornets and Bulls go on a massive run and knock the Hawks out of the playoffs.

 

[ambchang]

It was odd watching the game where the Hornets were challenging Wemby in the paint and he was a step slow. Didn't help that even when Wemby forced a missed shot we can't get the rebound. Neither Moussa and Kelkbrenner are good shooters and yet we respect their outside shots too much, and Moussa was able to score underneath the basket quite a few times. I am not even sure Wemby got a blocked shot the entire game and the Hornets seemed to have scored quite a few points in the paint.

I am also pretty sure we got outrebounded by them, both on offence and defence, giving an inefficient team second chance and third chances multiple times, it seems. The Spurs are the best defensive rebounding team in the league, play like it.

 

[spursistan]

I wouldn't say I'm disappointed. He just eclipsed 150 games, is already a top 5 player and on a team where he has to be a floor spacer more than he should (which plays into his outside preference anyway) and as primarily a face up and jump shooting big, who doesn't live at the line, he's going to remain inconsistent offensively.

They've got fix the roster and he probably has to bang his head against the wall repeatedly in the playoffs trying to be Durant before he becomes more big man with guard skills than vice versa.

I don't know what the hell has happened to his block rate and defensive field goal percentage at the rim though.

It pains me to see rookie Cooper Flagg slotting in more seamlessly in his primary wing offensive role than Wembanyama has in his as a big 3 years into his career. You keep spinning your own wheels for long; you get passed by in this league.

 

[LeBowen]

It pains me to see rookie Cooper Flagg slotting in more seamlessly in his primary wing offensive role than Wembanyama has in his as a big 3 years into his career. You keep spinning your own wheels for long; you get passed by in this league.

Flagg already has 12 games with 12 or less points.
Wemby had 7 of those in his entire rookie season.

Wemby obviously has consistency issues, but holy shit some of you people go straight to the full doomer mode in no time.

 

[spursistan]

Flagg already has 12 games with 12 or less points.
Wemby had 7 of those in his entire rookie season.

Wemby obviously has consistency issues, but holy shit some of you people go straight to the full doomer mode in no time.

My only contention is that these extreme game-to-game highs & lows shouldn't be happening in Year 3, much less against middling and lottery teams in the regular season and on an extra day of rest. You even admit it before, he, unlike Duncan, has a problem when it comes to maintaining full intensity, focus, and attention to details (in and between games), hence the casualness and lackadaisical effort with which he approaches some of the match-ups. I don't think that's doom and gloom but rather an emphasis on building good habits. In that sense, Copper Flagg has shown so far to be the more 'disciplined' prospect.

 

[Exstatic]

I just wish that Victor would get on the low block, demand the ball and go to work a little bit more. Maybe I’m just too old-school. I don’t know? But certainly that’s better than standing out on the perimeter when you are having a bad game. that’s not exactly putting any pressure on the defense.

Low block is difficult for him, since he’s a stick, but it’s an easy place to send help by the defense. It’s probably the worst place for him to be. Stop trying to make him Duncan. He’s not a low post player, and will never be one.

They’ve had decent success placing him at the Nail. He has a good view of the court, and can see help defense coming. If he puts down one dribble, ONE, he can take his two steps and dunk the ball. A jumper from there is also basically a FT, and he’s an excellent FT .shooter.

 

[spursistan]

PS. Wemby >> Flagg. Not saying anything to the contrary. It seems like Wemby is taking liberty with immense his talent and pushing the limits with it while Flagg is sticking more to the fundamentals of his position.

 

[Exstatic]

It was odd watching the game where the Hornets were challenging Wemby in the paint and he was a step slow. Didn't help that even when Wemby forced a missed shot we can't get the rebound. Neither Moussa and Kelkbrenner are good shooters and yet we respect their outside shots too much, and Moussa was able to score underneath the basket quite a few times. I am not even sure Wemby got a blocked shot the entire game and the Hornets seemed to have scored quite a few points in the paint.

I am also pretty sure we got outrebounded by them, both on offence and defence, giving an inefficient team second chance and third chances multiple times, it seems. The Spurs are the best defensive rebounding team in the league, play like it.

That is why the only thing I’m interested in at the deadline is a big who can shoot and rebound.

 

[LeBowen]

My only contention is that these extreme game-to-game highs & lows shouldn't be happening in Year 3, much less against middling and lottery teams in the regular season and on an extra day of rest. You even admit it before, he, unlike Duncan, has a problem when it comes to maintaining full intensity, focus, and attention to details (in and between games), hence the casualness and lackadaisical effort with which he approaches some of the match-ups. I don't think that's doom and gloom but rather an emphasis on building good habits. In that sense, Copper Flagg has shown so far to be the more 'disciplined' prospect.

The issue is that most sports fans rate everything either 0/10 or 10/10.
Duncan is one of a kind, saying that Wemby doesn't have his consistency and focus doesn't mean he's subpar in that regard.

For comaprison, Edwards has 5 games with 15 points or less this season. Wemby also has 5. Cade has 6. Maxey has 4.
Those are considered to be the best and most consistent young scorers.

Wemby obviously has issues with being disengaged for stretches in a lot of games and I'm going to be completely honest, I have no clue how much of that is on him and how much is on Mitch.
Both have their share of blame, I don't think having a rookie coach is optimal for this stage of Wemby's development. But here we are.

For example there was a play after time out yesterday, we ran like two handoffs only for Wemby to receive the ball at the 3pt line.
Someone is to blamed for that, either Mitch drew up a bad play or Wemby didn't execute right.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

Low block is difficult for him, since he’s a stick, but it’s an easy place to send help by the defense. It’s probably the worst place for him to be. Stop trying to make him Duncan. He’s not a low post player, and will never be one.

They’ve had decent success placing him at the Nail. He has a good view of the court, and can see help defense coming. If he puts down one dribble, ONE, he can take his two steps and dunk the ball. A jumper from there is also basically a FT, and he’s an excellent FT .shooter.

I’m not trying to make him Tim Duncan, but we don’t agree on this at all. I’d rather see him work his mid range game or develop a fadeaway jumpshot from better positions closer to the basket. I’m not asking him to try to back anybody down like Jokić does on a nightly basis. But standing on the perimeter is not how he’s going to develop his game. I don’t see it. he needs to do a much better job moving and getting better position without the ball. Until that happens, he’s not going to fulfill his potential.