Game Thread Spurs @ Pacers (Mon 10/13/25) [6:00PM CDT]

[Kick-Stand]

Pacers got Siakam for 3 late FRPs.
But he's turning 32 before the season ends, definitely not on our timeline.

As for Fox, I can't wait for him to suit up and prove the doubters wrong.
I personaly have no delusions that we'll get another star player. I just want an elite D and 3 wing like McDaniels or Anunoby.
If only Jeremy could get his shit together.

We got one in Harper, man. As for Jeremy, can't afford him if he did get his shit together, can't play him if he doesn't, so pretty much have to trade him no matter what.

 

[spurraider21]

We got one in Harper, man. As for Jeremy, can't afford him if he did get his shit together, can't play him if he doesn't, so pretty much have to trade him no matter what.

Sochan is in danger of falling out of the rotation with Barnes still the presumptive starting 4 as the corner sniper but also the French Vanilla lineups cutting into his would-be minutes.

If he can’t shoot and can’t rim protect, he may end up being a niche player like jonathan Isaac

 

[sfernald]

Siakam will be 32 this season, and makes a ton of money. Exactly the wrong player. You draft your Siakam, and we may already have done that with Carter.

We have a lot of young players. It’s okay to have a few vets if you really wanna win anything. Just think of him as the HB replacement but an absolute perfect fit for this team.

 

[tearsofmorningdew]

spicy P would be amazing.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

I gotta say the Harper/Keldon/Kornet bench unit looks amazing. Harper and Luke are obviously a nice pick & roll combo, but Dylan was generating a ton of open looks for Keldon and KJ with Kornet is generating a ton of offensive boards. That bench unit will feast on a lot of teams.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Siakam will be 32 this season, and makes a ton of money. Exactly the wrong player. You draft your Siakam, and we may already have done that with Carter.

Carter needs about 4 years to develop. Carter and Harper are on rookie salary for 4-years. So ideally you want a PF for the next 4 years that you can win a title with until Carter can replace him.

 

[Em-City]

Siakam will be 32 this season, and makes a ton of money. Exactly the wrong player. You draft your Siakam, and we may already have done that with Carter.

Haha I've heard some wild comparisons but siakam- carter is up there

 

[Exstatic]

spurs are gonna have a 50+ win season, possibly even 55+. book it

My O/U is 55. Remember the Sacto and Memphis teams over the last few years that came out of nowhere jumped into the top 2/3? That’s us. It only seems out of nowhere if you’re not paying attention, or stuck in recency bias.

 

[Exstatic]

Carter needs about 4 years to develop. Carter and Harper are on rookie salary for 4-years. So ideally you want a PF for the next 4 years that you can win a title with until Carter can replace him.

I’m really not wanting to pay Siakam’s ages 32-36 contract. He’ll also stunt Bryant’s development by being in front of him in the rotation. Be patient, and let the Bryant thing play out.

 

[LeBowen]

Carter needs about 4 years to develop. Carter and Harper are on rookie salary for 4-years. So ideally you want a PF for the next 4 years that you can win a title with until Carter can replace him.

4 years? Into what?
He absolutely doesn't need 4 years to become a solid 3-D rotation piece.
I don't really care about his handles and playmaking skills, we need him to be the next Bowen/Danny.

 

[The_Second_Coming_of_VY65]

My O/U is 55. Remember the Sacto and Memphis teams over the last few years that came out of nowhere jumped into the top 2/3? That’s us. It only seems out of nowhere if you’re not paying attention, or stuck in recency bias.

Might want to pump those breaks.

 

[Exstatic]

We have a lot of young players. It’s okay to have a few vets if you really wanna win anything. Just think of him as the HB replacement but an absolute perfect fit for this team.

Cheap vets, not $42M vets.

 

[Exstatic]

Might want to pump those breaks.

Nah. No brakes is more fun.

 

[ambchang]

In the name of TimGPT, I asked ChatGPT to come up with a game report using this prompt:

"Write a basketball game report in the format of all the linked articles in this page: https://www.spurstalk.com/grades/ based on the comments from the entire thread here https://baselinebums.com/threads/spurs-pacers-mon-10-13-25-6-00pm-cdt.93/. There are a total of 20 pages in the baselinebums thread so it must ingest all that input."

The output below is far from perfect (VW is somehow a role wing, comments are all over the place, Jeremy Fox is a now a thing), but maybe with some refinement this can be a thing going forward.

Final Score & Summary​

While this game is unofficial (preseason), Spurs fans were eager for signs of chemistry, rotations, and how Victor Wembanyama’s role would continue to evolve. The Pacers provided a solid test, especially with bench players and role‑players active. Though the official box score isn’t in the thread, the discussion reveals how the fans felt about effort, matchups, and individual performances.
Here’s a fan‑driven “grades & notes” report, inspired by how SpursTalk frames its recaps. SpursTalk

---

Player Grades & Notes​

Player	Grade	Narrative & Fan Takeaways
Victor Wembanyama	A / A‑	The dominant presence continues to draw praise. Even in preseason, fans expect him to be the fulcrum. Some expressed surprise and delight that he’s getting solid minutes across all preseason games. Baseline Bums
Stephon Castle	B+ / A (debut)	High expectations for his debut. One fan post: “Do we know yet if we'll see my boy Castle?” Baseline Bums The anticipation suggests if he showed flashes, the community would reward him highly.
Devin Vassell	B	His 3‑point totals continue to be a point of community interest. One fan noted: “Vassell is about to pass Bowen 4th all time on 3 pt FG made.” Baseline Bums The bar is set high.
Julian Champagnie / Keldon Johnson / Barnes / VW (role wings)	B / B+	The bench and role wings are under scrutiny — can they step up in smaller lineups, guard versatile forwards, and hit open shots? Community speculation suggests these wings will be critical.
Rookies / 2‑way players	C / B‑	The usual fan worry: are they being squeezed out? “The 2‑ways might be getting squeezed out this week.” Baseline Bums They’ll need to make strong early impressions.
Injured / Absent	–	Notably, Jeremy Fox is still out. Baseline Bums+1 His absence is felt in depth and backcourt rotation flexibility.

---

Themes & Fan Reactions
1. One recurring thread: the rotation is expected to narrow as the regular season nears. Fans are very curious to see which two‑way players survive the cut. Baseline Bums The idea is that preseason is when chemistry and trust are built, and the Spurs especially need that with a young core. Baseline Bums

2. Leading into the game, Castle’s first appearance was a talking point. “Haven’t seen an update yet … do we know if Castle plays?” Baseline Bums “Dan Weiss just posted Castle is expected to debut tonight.” Baseline Bums When he steps on the floor, every possession will be under fan magnification.

3. There is skepticism and cautious optimism about improvements in jumper mechanics. One fan lamented: “That jumpshot improvement is never happening.” Baseline Bums+1 Another retorted that the hitch is almost gone, replaced by a fluid release. Baseline Bums

4. Fans are consistently watching how Wembanyama is deployed. Some expressed surprise that he’s logging full preseason minutes, which suggests trust from the coaching staff. Baseline Bums There’s tension in balancing rest versus building momentum.

5. Several fans voiced frustration that key players haven’t had full preseason exposure in past seasons, putting the team behind when the regular season begins. Baseline Bums The idea: this year’s preseason matters more for chemistry and readiness.

---

Final Fan Verdict

Though this was a preseason matchup (and thus lower stakes), the community reaction is mostly optimistic with cautious reservation. Fans saw glimpses they liked — Castle’s anticipated debut, Wembanyama’s presence, and rotation possibilities — but also asked tough questions about shooting consistency, depth, and roster cuts.

If this were a SpursTalk “Grades & Reaction” piece, the headline might read:

“Castle Debuts, Wemby Leads, Role Players Battle — Spurs Show Promise but Leave Room to Grow”

 

[spurraider21]

yeah if somebody has the patience to refine the prompt and get a working version, a timGPT grades thread after every game would be good meme material

 

[drpill]

Appreciate the effort, but I can't think of many things this forum needs less than AI-generated content tbh.

 

[The_Second_Coming_of_VY65]

Bend over and I’ll express surprise and delight

 

[Guru of Nothing]

In the name of TimGPT, I asked ChatGPT to come up with a game report using this prompt:

"Write a basketball game report in the format of all the linked articles in this page: https://www.spurstalk.com/grades/ based on the comments from the entire thread here https://baselinebums.com/threads/spurs-pacers-mon-10-13-25-6-00pm-cdt.93/. There are a total of 20 pages in the baselinebums thread so it must ingest all that input."

The output below is far from perfect (VW is somehow a role wing, comments are all over the place, Jeremy Fox is a now a thing), but maybe with some refinement this can be a thing going forward.

Final Score & Summary​

While this game is unofficial (preseason), Spurs fans were eager for signs of chemistry, rotations, and how Victor Wembanyama’s role would continue to evolve. The Pacers provided a solid test, especially with bench players and role‑players active. Though the official box score isn’t in the thread, the discussion reveals how the fans felt about effort, matchups, and individual performances.
Here’s a fan‑driven “grades & notes” report, inspired by how SpursTalk frames its recaps. SpursTalk

---

Player Grades & Notes​

Player	Grade	Narrative & Fan Takeaways
Victor Wembanyama	A / A‑	The dominant presence continues to draw praise. Even in preseason, fans expect him to be the fulcrum. Some expressed surprise and delight that he’s getting solid minutes across all preseason games. Baseline Bums
Stephon Castle	B+ / A (debut)	High expectations for his debut. One fan post: “Do we know yet if we'll see my boy Castle?” Baseline Bums The anticipation suggests if he showed flashes, the community would reward him highly.
Devin Vassell	B	His 3‑point totals continue to be a point of community interest. One fan noted: “Vassell is about to pass Bowen 4th all time on 3 pt FG made.” Baseline Bums The bar is set high.
Julian Champagnie / Keldon Johnson / Barnes / VW (role wings)	B / B+	The bench and role wings are under scrutiny — can they step up in smaller lineups, guard versatile forwards, and hit open shots? Community speculation suggests these wings will be critical.
Rookies / 2‑way players	C / B‑	The usual fan worry: are they being squeezed out? “The 2‑ways might be getting squeezed out this week.” Baseline Bums They’ll need to make strong early impressions.
Injured / Absent	–	Notably, Jeremy Fox is still out. Baseline Bums+1 His absence is felt in depth and backcourt rotation flexibility.

---

Themes & Fan Reactions
1. One recurring thread: the rotation is expected to narrow as the regular season nears. Fans are very curious to see which two‑way players survive the cut. Baseline Bums The idea is that preseason is when chemistry and trust are built, and the Spurs especially need that with a young core. Baseline Bums

2. Leading into the game, Castle’s first appearance was a talking point. “Haven’t seen an update yet … do we know if Castle plays?” Baseline Bums “Dan Weiss just posted Castle is expected to debut tonight.” Baseline Bums When he steps on the floor, every possession will be under fan magnification.

3. There is skepticism and cautious optimism about improvements in jumper mechanics. One fan lamented: “That jumpshot improvement is never happening.” Baseline Bums+1 Another retorted that the hitch is almost gone, replaced by a fluid release. Baseline Bums

4. Fans are consistently watching how Wembanyama is deployed. Some expressed surprise that he’s logging full preseason minutes, which suggests trust from the coaching staff. Baseline Bums There’s tension in balancing rest versus building momentum.

5. Several fans voiced frustration that key players haven’t had full preseason exposure in past seasons, putting the team behind when the regular season begins. Baseline Bums The idea: this year’s preseason matters more for chemistry and readiness.

---

Final Fan Verdict

Though this was a preseason matchup (and thus lower stakes), the community reaction is mostly optimistic with cautious reservation. Fans saw glimpses they liked — Castle’s anticipated debut, Wembanyama’s presence, and rotation possibilities — but also asked tough questions about shooting consistency, depth, and roster cuts.

If this were a SpursTalk “Grades & Reaction” piece, the headline might read:

“Castle Debuts, Wemby Leads, Role Players Battle — Spurs Show Promise but Leave Room to Grow”

Needs more B's. haha

I wonder, if the game threads are pretty robust this season (and I think will be), if ChatGpt might be used to blend box scores and game thread commentaries into some kind of cohesive game recap, where it picks up on some of the sharper/snarkier comments. ... or better, produce various output tones for game summaries. Something for haters, something for sniffers, etc.

 

[NASpurs]

Spurs vs. Pacers – Final Grades​

Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama was the star, as expected, putting up a monster line: 22 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block in 22 minutes of action. ESPN.com He was active on both ends, snagging rebounds, altering shots, and making plays in the paint. His midrange game showed signs of touch, and his rim pressure was consistent. If he keeps this level of focus, he’s going to be a nightmare matchup all year.
Grade: A


Devin Vassell
Vassell was solid, chipping in 14 points with efficient shooting (5-of-12 from the field, 2-of-5 from three) in 28 minutes. ESPN.com He looked more comfortable in motion, cutting into open spots. There’s still room for more assertiveness, but this was a dependable night.
Grade: B+


Keldon Johnson
Johnson brought energy off the bench, finishing with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting and adding 4 rebounds in 19 minutes. ESPN.com He’s showing signs of being that consistent secondary scorer the Spurs need — making smart cuts, being physical, and converting when given a chance.
Grade: B+


Julian Champagnie
Julian continues his push for rotation minutes: 8 points (3-of-5 FG, 2-of-3 from three) in just 11 minutes. ESPN.com His stroke looked smooth, and he was active on the glass. The Spurs need that kind of depth, and he’s making a case.
Grade: B+


Stephon Castle
Castle threw in some flashes in his 19 minutes: he scored 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting (1-of-4 from deep), grabbed 2 boards, and had 3 assists. ESPN.com He’s still raw, but his motor shows, and nights like this help his case for minutes.
Grade: B


Harrison Barnes
This was a rough night for Barnes: 0 points (0-for-4 FG, 0-for-2 from three) in 19 minutes, with 1 rebound and 1 assist. ESPN.com It’s preseason, but if your veteran wing isn’t contributing, it becomes harder to justify a big role. He’ll need to respond quickly.
Grade: D


Bismack Biyombo
Biyombo contributed in his usual way — non-scoring impact. In 11 minutes, he was physical, hustled for boards, and contested shots. ESPN.com He may not light the scoreboard up, but his presence remains valuable in rotation.
Grade: B


Lindy Waters III
Waters was solid for what was asked: 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting (2-of-3 from three) in 11 minutes. ESPN.com He plays with effort, gives hustle minutes, and can knock down open shots. That kind of role is important.
Grade: B


Harrison Ingram
Ingram logged 11 minutes, scoring 4 points (1-of-4 FG, 1-of-3 from three), with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. ESPN.com Not a standout night, but he showed a little length, activity, and willingness to mix in. He’s still fighting for consistency.
Grade: B-


David Jones-Garcia
Jones-Garcia had a productive night: 11 points in 18 minutes, knocking down 4-of-8 from three, grabbing 3 boards, and dishing 1 assist. ESPN.com He’s carving out that 3-and-D role — the Spurs need shooters who can stretch defenses, and he’s beginning to make that role his.
Grade: B+


Carter Bryant
Bryant’s stat line (4 points on 1-of-3 FG, 2-of-2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block) isn’t gaudy, but his flashes were nice. ESPN.com He remains a young guard still ironing out consistency, especially in decision-making, but his tools are still intriguing.
Grade: B


Riley Minix
Minix didn’t find much in limited time — 0 points in 3 minutes, no rebounds, no assists. ESPN.com He still seems more like a two-way or developmental piece unless he ups his offensive impact.
Grade: C


Luke Kornet
Kornet delivered in perhaps his best showing yet. In 22 minutes, he pulled down 7 rebounds, scored 4 points, blocked 2, and showed activity around the rim. ESPN.com He’s proving he can be a glue big — defensively stout, disciplined, and useful next to Wembanyama.
Grade: B+


Micah Potter
Potter played just 3 minutes and didn’t register much (0 points), but that’s not unexpected in this depth grouping. ESPN.com He hasn’t made a strong enough impact yet to demand more looks.
Grade: C

---

Coaching / Rotation Notes​

I like the way the coaching staff distributed minutes in this one: Wembanyama got a solid chunk, Kornet played next to him, and the Spurs got reliable production from their bench. The balance between giving younger players run and ensuring tempo control worked in their favor.
Grade: A-

---

Bottom line:
This was a strong team showing from the Spurs. They looked cohesive, got meaningful contributions from deep in the rotation, and didn’t lean on any one player too heavily. Wembanyama continues to dominate attention, but the secondary pieces are showing signs of life — and that’s what you want heading into the regular season.

 

[NASpurs]

I fed it a timvp article along with the boxscore and that's what ChatGPT spat out. A lot of B's like usual.

"It’s preseason, but if your veteran (Harrison Barnes) wing isn’t contributing, it becomes harder to justify a big role. He’ll need to respond quickly." Yes! That's what we're saying.

 

[sKiN20]

I think it would be a pretty great outcome for Harper to be like Manu, only thing not superstar about Manu's game was his stamina. But OK, everyone compares Harper to Harden and Harden won 65 games in a loaded west next to the biggest ballhawk in the league at PG in CP3 and you don't think that kind of player can fit next to Fox?

Harden was the superstar and the number 1 option for the rockets not cp3 . And he was a starter ofcourse. Different situation to fox and harper. Harper is playing off and is not the number one option in offense and it will not happen if fox is on the team. Also you have wemby which is yhe number 1 option for sure.

 

[Exstatic]

In the name of TimGPT, I asked ChatGPT to come up with a game report using this prompt:

"Write a basketball game report in the format of all the linked articles in this page: https://www.spurstalk.com/grades/ based on the comments from the entire thread here https://baselinebums.com/threads/spurs-pacers-mon-10-13-25-6-00pm-cdt.93/. There are a total of 20 pages in the baselinebums thread so it must ingest all that input."

The output below is far from perfect (VW is somehow a role wing, comments are all over the place, Jeremy Fox is a now a thing), but maybe with some refinement this can be a thing going forward.

Final Score & Summary​

While this game is unofficial (preseason), Spurs fans were eager for signs of chemistry, rotations, and how Victor Wembanyama’s role would continue to evolve. The Pacers provided a solid test, especially with bench players and role‑players active. Though the official box score isn’t in the thread, the discussion reveals how the fans felt about effort, matchups, and individual performances.
Here’s a fan‑driven “grades & notes” report, inspired by how SpursTalk frames its recaps. SpursTalk

---

Player Grades & Notes​

Player	Grade	Narrative & Fan Takeaways
Victor Wembanyama	A / A‑	The dominant presence continues to draw praise. Even in preseason, fans expect him to be the fulcrum. Some expressed surprise and delight that he’s getting solid minutes across all preseason games. Baseline Bums
Stephon Castle	B+ / A (debut)	High expectations for his debut. One fan post: “Do we know yet if we'll see my boy Castle?” Baseline Bums The anticipation suggests if he showed flashes, the community would reward him highly.
Devin Vassell	B	His 3‑point totals continue to be a point of community interest. One fan noted: “Vassell is about to pass Bowen 4th all time on 3 pt FG made.” Baseline Bums The bar is set high.
Julian Champagnie / Keldon Johnson / Barnes / VW (role wings)	B / B+	The bench and role wings are under scrutiny — can they step up in smaller lineups, guard versatile forwards, and hit open shots? Community speculation suggests these wings will be critical.
Rookies / 2‑way players	C / B‑	The usual fan worry: are they being squeezed out? “The 2‑ways might be getting squeezed out this week.” Baseline Bums They’ll need to make strong early impressions.
Injured / Absent	–	Notably, Jeremy Fox is still out. Baseline Bums+1 His absence is felt in depth and backcourt rotation flexibility.

---

Themes & Fan Reactions
1. One recurring thread: the rotation is expected to narrow as the regular season nears. Fans are very curious to see which two‑way players survive the cut. Baseline Bums The idea is that preseason is when chemistry and trust are built, and the Spurs especially need that with a young core. Baseline Bums

2. Leading into the game, Castle’s first appearance was a talking point. “Haven’t seen an update yet … do we know if Castle plays?” Baseline Bums “Dan Weiss just posted Castle is expected to debut tonight.” Baseline Bums When he steps on the floor, every possession will be under fan magnification.

3. There is skepticism and cautious optimism about improvements in jumper mechanics. One fan lamented: “That jumpshot improvement is never happening.” Baseline Bums+1 Another retorted that the hitch is almost gone, replaced by a fluid release. Baseline Bums

4. Fans are consistently watching how Wembanyama is deployed. Some expressed surprise that he’s logging full preseason minutes, which suggests trust from the coaching staff. Baseline Bums There’s tension in balancing rest versus building momentum.

5. Several fans voiced frustration that key players haven’t had full preseason exposure in past seasons, putting the team behind when the regular season begins. Baseline Bums The idea: this year’s preseason matters more for chemistry and readiness.

---

Final Fan Verdict

Though this was a preseason matchup (and thus lower stakes), the community reaction is mostly optimistic with cautious reservation. Fans saw glimpses they liked — Castle’s anticipated debut, Wembanyama’s presence, and rotation possibilities — but also asked tough questions about shooting consistency, depth, and roster cuts.

If this were a SpursTalk “Grades & Reaction” piece, the headline might read:

“Castle Debuts, Wemby Leads, Role Players Battle — Spurs Show Promise but Leave Room to Grow”

In addition to accurate instructions, one of the most important aspects of a prompt is the sentence “no drifting” at the end. AI just randomly does stuff if you don’t rein it in, like ‘Jeremy Fox’.