Game Thread Spurs (8-3) vs Warriors (7-6) (Fri 11/14/25) [8:30PM CDT]

[Fireball]

Thought the same thing during the game tbh.

Was the foul while the ball was in the air? No way they missed the effects of the rule ...

 

[Robz4000]

Was the foul while the ball was in the air? No way they missed the effects of the rule ...

Thought it was before the inbounds but it was close. Regardless, both games had sketchy officiating tbh.

 

[Spursgenius]

The Spurs are a first round playoff exit team. So I am mainly here to watch some good regular season games and get a few wins over quality teams. So far we only have one quality win, so everybody is entitled to get emotional after these two games against the Warriors.

They are one of the worst three point defending teams i have seen in my lifetime. Crazy they are so bad despite having the greatest anchor shot blocker this league has ever seen. Just means they are lazy sacks of shit or just low BB IQ

 

[Fireball]

They are one of the worst three point defending teams i have seen in my lifetime. Crazy they are so bad despite having the greatest anchor shot blocker this league has ever seen. Just means they are lazy sacks of shit or just low BB IQ

its low BB IQ

 

[Ice009]

its low BB IQ

Would you say it's habits formed for some of the players in those bad teams and they're finding it hard to break them, or not really related to that and just BBIQ?

 

[Robz4000]

Would you say it's habits formed for some of the players in those bad teams and they're finding it hard to break them, or not really related to that and just BBIQ?

Bad habits imo. They were horrendous defending the three under Pop for almost a decade due to his archaic defensive principles. Hopefully Sweeney can break them of it as the season wears on tbh.

 

[LeBowen]

Hopefully Sweeney can break them of it as the season wears on tbh.

I wonder how close is he to being done with Devin and Keldon.
They're just hopeless.

 

[Robz4000]

I wonder how close is he to being done with Devin and Keldon.
They're just hopeless.

Keldon is what he is and should be utilized as such tbh, which is a bench energizer bunny. Vassell has shown flashes of being an elite defender this season but has fallen off a cliff since Fox has come back which says to me he can thrive as the weakest defensive link in a backcourt. In that case either move him to the bench or trade him tbh.

 

[spursparker9]

12 min mark: How Fox lost the game with his offense and defense

I thought Wemby said defense was non-negotiable?

 

[Fireball]

Would you say it's habits formed for some of the players in those bad teams and they're finding it hard to break them, or not really related to that and just BBIQ?

Good question ... as others said here with guys like Keldon or Vassell the ship has sailed. Perhaps the others can be taught differently.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

The Spurs are a first round playoff exit team.

How could you know that in Nov? We don't know what their seed will be, who they will play, what the team will look like come April? Nothing. Right now, this is a young team that does NOT know how to close out a really good vet team like the Warriors. That are NOT being out-talented by them. NOT saying this team is winning the title but I recall nobody had the 2003 Spurs winning a damn thing. They were too young, David was at the very end, the Lakers will smash them again etc.. Let it play out.

 

[Shmurs]

How could you know that in Nov? We don't know what their seed will be, who they will play, what the team will look like come April? Nothing. Right now, this is a young team that does NOT know how to close out a really good vet team like the Warriors. That are NOT being out-talented by them. NOT saying this team is winning the title but I recall nobody had the 2003 Spurs winning a damn thing. They were too young, David was at the very end, the Lakers will smash them again etc.. Let it play out.

They’re being out-talented by other teams.

We’re reliant on a rookie point guard and a 3rd string center to have our offense function correctly. This team does have high end talent, yes. But the talent dries up before you even finish the starting 5.

Wright is getting us there but we know now that we were starting from almost zero just 2 years ago. And every single person on that team, without exception, probably should be replaced. Maybe not Keldon, but ya know…

 

[Ice009]

How could you know that in Nov? We don't know what their seed will be, who they will play, what the team will look like come April? Nothing. Right now, this is a young team that does NOT know how to close out a really good vet team like the Warriors. That are NOT being out-talented by them. NOT saying this team is winning the title but I recall nobody had the 2003 Spurs winning a damn thing. They were too young, David was at the very end, the Lakers will smash them again etc.. Let it play out.

Maybe experts didn't pick the 2003 team, but going into that season, I had high hopes for the Spurs. We had Tim Duncan (best player in the world), Tony Parker who just came off of showing Gary Payton up in the playoffs as a rookie, and a rookie Manu who I was super excited about after seeing him leading the upset over Team USA in the World Championships (first time the US had even lost when sending professional players). Then there was also D-Rob as a support player (Kevin Willis too), and I was also liking the Speedy Claxton signing and also trading back for Kerr, I thought that team had a lot of good things.
When the Spurs benched Steve Smith and started Stephen Jackson, it was that point on, I thought they could make a run. I felt they had moved on from things that caused them to fail previously when they benched Steve Smith who couldn't play defense and was past him prime, that made me feel good about the direction they were going in. I didn't know if they'd win it all, but early on, I thought they could make a deep playoff run, but by the time we got to the end of the season (just before the playoffs), I was thinking Championship.

Conversely, with this current team, it's very early, but I didn't have anywhere near the same expectations heading into the season as with the 2003 team. They're still playing guys that I think shouldn't be on the team or move on from.. Maybe there's a point during this season if/when they get everyone back healthy I'll feel if they can make a run, but going into the season, I'm not feeling anything close to 2003.

 

[CrustyCoastBendFan]

The same chorus of doom-and-gloom Message Board veterans is already belting out their greatest hits just 12 games into an 82-game season. Yes, the team currently defends the three-point line about as effectively as a screen door defends against a hurricane. Yes, the rookie You All hailed as “Harper is worth trading Fox or Castle for” is parked on the IR. Yes, Wemby is awkwardly shedding his chrysalis of “Wimpyamba” to become a more aggressive post presence. And yes, Mitch has yet to convince anyone he should be coaching a talent like Wemby—especially with two promising young guards in Castle and Harper. But none of that guarantees the sky will still be falling by the end of the season. Twelve games in is a little early to be CLIFF JUMPING.

Remember, Sean Sweeney was hired to fix the defense. This is the guy who coaxed Luka and Jalen Brunson into defending well enough to reach the Western Conference Finals, and somehow got a Luka-and-Kyrie-led squad to play serviceable defense all the way to the NBA Finals. If he could do that, maybe give him a minute to work with Wemby, Castle, Harper, and Kornet.

Sure, Keldon is… let’s say “struggling,” yet some nerd metric insists he’s currently an elite defensive wing. Vassell still needs to figure out his role, but the tools are there, even if the defensive mindset isn’t—yet. Carter Bryant looks like he’s built in a lab to be a future 3-and-D menace, just not at this exact moment. Who’s to say what he’ll be by game 82?

Honestly, people started sniffing and loving their own farts when the Spurs opened as a top-three team in the league. Yes, Mitch remains on the “jury’s still out” list as a HC, but there’s enough here to at least wait until the season ends before declaring, “This is a first-round-exit team forever and ever and I’m swan-diving off that cliff.”

 

[Shmurs]

That’s a good post that is undercut by the desperation of trying to frame Keldon as a passable defender.

The positive takes are abundant. Optionality with trades, ability to pull the plug on Mitch if needed to hire one of the grown ups, young ascending talent, a west that looks more open than a month ago, the greatest show in pro sports at center, a Dream future guard rotation.

But we should cut the crap a little about guys like Vassell. His imminent departure is one of the positive things.

 

[Limguoguolo]

So many strong opinions after a game that was decided by a single point. The beauty of sports commentary. Not that we're wrong to jump to conclusions so quickly. But let's be honest. From start to finish, the game was decided by details, refereeing decisions, a hip that was too heavy, a shooting angle that was too tight, a lucky shot, another that slipped through Wemby's fingers, etc.

Two defeats hurt, but hopefully the players will learn to play together as a team. Finding themselves in this near-playoff situation is already unexpected and rather enjoyable to watch. They are in a good position to continue learning. Let's hope it serves them well for the playoffs. And possibly, already, for the rest of the NBA Cup. We learn through adversity.

We should thank Curry for taking the team seriously enough to offer two gala games. The old stars will often still try to shine against Wemby. It's their swan song. In doing so, they show Wemby, Castle (and Harper) what makes the league's greatest players of all time so great.

Before we get a taste of the intensity of the playoffs, this NBA Cup at least gives us a hint of what's to come. Hating to lose by one point is already a victory.

 

[OK Computer]

So many strong opinions after a game that was decided by a single point. The beauty of sports commentary. Not that we're wrong to jump to conclusions so quickly. But let's be honest. From start to finish, the game was decided by details, refereeing decisions, a hip that was too heavy, a shooting angle that was too tight, a lucky shot, another that slipped through Wemby's fingers, etc.

Two defeats hurt, but hopefully the players will learn to play together as a team. Finding themselves in this near-playoff situation is already unexpected and rather enjoyable to watch. They are in a good position to continue learning. Let's hope it serves them well for the playoffs. And possibly, already, for the rest of the NBA Cup. We learn through adversity.

We should thank Curry for taking the team seriously enough to offer two gala games. The old stars will often still try to shine against Wemby. It's their swan song. In doing so, they show Wemby, Castle (and Harper) what makes the league's greatest players of all time so great.

Before we get a taste of the intensity of the playoffs, this NBA Cup at least gives us a hint of what's to come. Hating to lose by one point is already a victory.

The best take.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

The same chorus of doom-and-gloom Message Board veterans is already belting out their greatest hits just 12 games into an 82-game season. Yes, the team currently defends the three-point line about as effectively as a screen door defends against a hurricane. Yes, the rookie You All hailed as “Harper is worth trading Fox or Castle for” is parked on the IR. Yes, Wemby is awkwardly shedding his chrysalis of “Wimpyamba” to become a more aggressive post presence. And yes, Mitch has yet to convince anyone he should be coaching a talent like Wemby—especially with two promising young guards in Castle and Harper. But none of that guarantees the sky will still be falling by the end of the season. Twelve games in is a little early to be CLIFF JUMPING.

Remember, Sean Sweeney was hired to fix the defense. This is the guy who coaxed Luka and Jalen Brunson into defending well enough to reach the Western Conference Finals, and somehow got a Luka-and-Kyrie-led squad to play serviceable defense all the way to the NBA Finals. If he could do that, maybe give him a minute to work with Wemby, Castle, Harper, and Kornet.

Sure, Keldon is… let’s say “struggling,” yet some nerd metric insists he’s currently an elite defensive wing. Vassell still needs to figure out his role, but the tools are there, even if the defensive mindset isn’t—yet. Carter Bryant looks like he’s built in a lab to be a future 3-and-D menace, just not at this exact moment. Who’s to say what he’ll be by game 82?

Honestly, people started sniffing and loving their own farts when the Spurs opened as a top-three team in the league. Yes, Mitch remains on the “jury’s still out” list as a HC, but there’s enough here to at least wait until the season ends before declaring, “This is a first-round-exit team forever and ever and I’m swan-diving off that cliff.”

Great post because some of these recent posts are starting to feel just like spurs talk of recent years all over again. Doom and gloom, the ceiling has already been decided, the head coach sucks etc. Let’s try to be better than that guys. It’s November.

 

[LeBowen]

Twelve games in is a little early to be CLIFF JUMPING.

It's not cliff jumping if the same issues still persist like Wemby being allowed to completely mess up the rythm of the entire team with dumb iso possessions and friendship crew still being negatives out there.

Remember, Sean Sweeney was hired to fix the defense. This is the guy who coaxed Luka and Jalen Brunson into defending well enough to reach the Western Conference Finals, and somehow got a Luka-and-Kyrie-led squad to play serviceable defense all the way to the NBA Finals. If he could do that, maybe give him a minute to work with Wemby, Castle, Harper, and Kornet.

Sure, Keldon is… let’s say “struggling,” yet some nerd metric insists he’s currently an elite defensive wing. Vassell still needs to figure out his role, but the tools are there, even if the defensive mindset isn’t—yet. Carter Bryant looks like he’s built in a lab to be a future 3-and-D menace, just not at this exact moment. Who’s to say what he’ll be by game 82?

The thing is that even though Luka, Brunson and Kyire are really bad defenders, their basketball IQ is as good as it gets and they can work around their physical limitations.
Keldon and Devin are just lost and what's there to figure out if they haven't shown any signs of developing that IQ over the past 5 years? Can't teach old dogs new tricks.

Noone is seriously criticizing Sweeney, other new assistants or Fox.
We're just tired of watching Keldon and Devin ruin games over and over again with nothing but dumb decisions.
Two negatives as second and fourth highest earner on the team. Almost 25% of the entire payroll.
With more than enough evidence that they weren't missed at all in previous seasons when they were out with injuries.

 

[OK Computer]

Great post because some of these recent posts are starting to feel just like spurs talk of recent years all over again. Doom and gloom, the ceiling has already been decided, the head coach sucks etc. Let’s try to be better than that guys. It’s November.

Differing opinions are fine. People melting down is ok. It’s the few loud ones who repeat the same thing over and over is when it gets annoying. But the ignore function is great here - either that or fight fire with fire. Drown out the noise by repeating the same positive shit to counter their repetitive negative shit.

This forum works great when there’s a blend of different viewpoints battling each other. Spread toxic positivity to combat toxic negativity.

 

[O_V]

I hate his antics but I respect that he's still balling at 37 even though he struggled with injuries earlier in his career and has stuck with his team. I'm definitely not like some that are just like "retire already". It's fun to watch him when he's not playing the Spurs.

Here's the thing with his antics: I don't particularly like him and when he gets this way it's so fun to watch. The only time it isn't is when the Spurs are the victim. Now imagine being the dude who is doing it. I'd be having fun with it too. He's the greatest shooter ever, he's hugely clutch, and he plays his ass off.

It's like watching Jordan kick your team's ass back in the 90s. You just shake your head and be glad he isn't in the division.

 

[LeBowen]

Here's the thing with his antics: I don't particularly like him and when he gets this way it's so fun to watch. The only time it isn't is when the Spurs are the victim. Now imagine being the dude who is doing it. I'd be having fun with it too. He's the greatest shooter ever, he's hugely clutch, and he plays his ass off.

It's like watching Jordan kick your team's ass back in the 90s. You just shake your head and be glad he isn't in the division.

Not to mention that Curry is the best "regular sized human" basketball player ever.
Not that tall by basketball standards, not that vertically athletic like most superstar guards that compensated their lack of height.
He just happens to be maybe even the most skilled player ever.
He's got the bragging rights.

 

[O_V]

Not to mention that Curry is the best "regular sized human" basketball player ever.
Not that tall by basketball standards, not that vertically athletic like most superstar guards that compensated their lack of height.
He just happens to be maybe even the most skilled player ever.
He's got the bragging rights.

Yeah, his dad was my favorite shooter ever. I was rooting for Stef in college, but based on his college career I didn't think he was gonna be a great pro. That's why I'm not a scout. Curry has ridiculous handles and is a solid defender. He'd have been a really good pro even if he'd turned out to be an average shooter.

 

[STAT88]

Stephanie Currie with 9 points on 2-11 thru 3 quarters against the Pels.

 

[spursistan]

Stephanie Currie with 9 points on 2-11 thru 3 quarters against the Pels.

Our perimeter D is an absolute joke