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

[pope]

Interesting ... did not expect Wemby playing all PS games ...

Same but it’s a good sign that better conditioning through game reps has been a focus this offseason

 

[Guru of Nothing]

 

[Ice009]

Same but it’s a good sign that better conditioning through game reps has been a focus this offseason

His conditioning definitely seems better to me so far. What do you guys think? Too early to say whether that work has paid off, but going by these few preseason games, looks good.

 

[brazil]

His conditioning definitely seems better to me so far. What do you guys think? Too early to say whether that work has paid off, but going by these few preseason games, looks good.

Victor said he worked like a madman during offseason, he mentionned that he was particularly excited to test his new motor. This was one of the silver lining of his injury, it gave him a window he never had to do just that. Now a 7'5 dude will never have the stamina of a guard especially playing both side of the ball and moving around the perimeter on offense but I believe he will manage better the 4 quarters. Usually he starts strong then have a down period late 2 and 3rd quarter but he most of the time finishes strong. Hopefully he can balance it out during the 3 first quarters and keep the strong finish late in the game.

 

[LeBowen]

Victor said he worked like a madman during offseason, he mentionned that he was particularly excited to test his new motor. This was one of the silver lining of his injury, it gave him a window he never had to do just that. Now a 7'5 dude will never have the stamina of a guard especially playing both side of the ball and moving around the perimeter on offense but I believe he will manage better the 4 quarters. Usually he starts strong then have a down period late 2 and 3rd quarter but he most of the time finishes strong. Hopefully he can balance it out during the 3 first quarters and keep the strong finish late in the game.

It's too early to say, but I didn't notice any huffing and puffing like he used to do in previous seasons.
He's still the first sub, so we won't really know until the regular season if he's got enough stamina for 8+ minute stretches.

His rotation is prboably going to be something like:
5 minutes of play
5 minutes of rest
2 play - end of Q1
2 play
3 rest
7 play - end of Q2
Repeat in second half with the possibility of coming on a couple minutes earlier mid-way through Q4.

 

[scott]

Still no Sochan huh?

 

[spurraider21]

my guess is that for now, Keldon would move to the bench

Castle/Champagnie/Vassell/Barnes/Wemby
Harper/Waters/Bryant/Keldon/Kornet

however, if they are serious about moving Castle off point, then perhaps we see Harper get the nod, and we see if Harper/Castle/Vassell/Barnes/Wemby can hold up

 

[jeebus]

Little over a week til the season starts. Let the regulars play their half a game, let DJG take over the 4th so he can get a contract, no injuries.

 

[spurraider21]

my guess is that for now, Keldon would move to the bench

Castle/Champagnie/Vassell/Barnes/Wemby
Harper/Waters/Bryant/Keldon/Kornet

however, if they are serious about moving Castle off point, then perhaps we see Harper get the nod, and we see if Harper/Castle/Vassell/Barnes/Wemby can hold up

https://twitter.com/x/status/1977851973752807833

 

[DTW]

I don't trust Johnson's 3 or decision making, but let's hope the flashes of competency become more of a constant because he's actually sneakily important to eat minutes at the four.

- Barnes might have lost another step
- Sochan can't play next to Kornet
- Kornet can only play limited minutes next to Wembanyama
- It's unclear how much Olynyk has left in the tank
- Bryant is destined to be G-League bound a lot of the season

 

[LeChonAsado]

It never seems like the Spurs can find that consistent starting 5. Also seems like just a bunch of dudes that have no basketball soul. No flow or identity. Thinking about becoming a playoff team and hitting the over on 43.5 projected wins seems like a stretch. It’ll be interesting to see this team either find that identity or get rid of the non core players and find Wemby’s robin to his Batman.

 

[OK Computer]

It never seems like the Spurs can find that consistent starting 5. Also seems like just a bunch of dudes that have no basketball soul. No flow or identity. Thinking about becoming a playoff team and hitting the over on 43.5 projected wins seems like a stretch. It’ll be interesting to see this team either find that identity or get rid of the non core players and find Wemby’s robin to his Batman.

Fox?

 

[sKiN20]

GsG

 

[sKiN20]

It never seems like the Spurs can find that consistent starting 5. Also seems like just a bunch of dudes that have no basketball soul. No flow or identity. Thinking about becoming a playoff team and hitting the over on 43.5 projected wins seems like a stretch. It’ll be interesting to see this team either find that identity or get rid of the non core players and find Wemby’s robin to his Batman.

Wemby has his robin in Fox

 

[spurraider21]

It never seems like the Spurs can find that consistent starting 5. Also seems like just a bunch of dudes that have no basketball soul. No flow or identity. Thinking about becoming a playoff team and hitting the over on 43.5 projected wins seems like a stretch. It’ll be interesting to see this team either find that identity or get rid of the non core players and find Wemby’s robin to his Batman.

i wouldnt really expect them to settle on one anytime soon either. other than Wemby/Fox/Vassell i think the rest is in flux. realistically, theres an argument for Vassell to come off the bench instead of Champagnie given how he's played last couple of years (and what the team really needs from that spot) but i dont see them benching him with his contract

but will Castle or Harper fit better with Fox? they'll have to play it out. they will default to Barnes as a starter because they desperately need a sniper and he was pretty automatic from the corners last year... especially if we plan to start Castle at the 2. but i dont see it as a foregone conclusion that "if hes healthy he starts"

hopefully by the holidays they've really figured it all out

but as far as a robin... that's not ambiguous. its Fox

 

[Splits]

If....

anyone has a stream with Spurs broadcast, please DM me

or...

anyone needs a stream (Pacers broadcast obv), please DM me

 

[LeChonAsado]

Fox?

What about him?

 

[Kick-Stand]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1977851973752807833

Damn SR21 kicking it old-school with The Kluby

 

[LeBowen]

This is actually a big test for Castle.
Harper has already shown he's a natural playmaker and if Castle can't run the offense in the same way, Harper should have the advantage at PG position while Fox is out.
Then it becomes about if Castle should start ahead of Devin and/or Champ.

 

[LeChonAsado]

i wouldnt really expect them to settle on one anytime soon either. other than Wemby/Fox/Vassell i think the rest is in flux. realistically, theres an argument for Vassell to come off the bench instead of Champagnie given how he's played last couple of years (and what the team really needs from that spot) but i dont see them benching him with his contract

but will Castle or Harper fit better with Fox? they'll have to play it out. they will default to Barnes as a starter because they desperately need a sniper and he was pretty automatic from the corners last year... especially if we plan to start Castle at the 2. but i dont see it as a foregone conclusion that "if hes healthy he starts"

hopefully by the holidays they've really figured it all out

but as far as a robin... that's not ambiguous. its Fox

Yeah you might be right. But everyone just wants to trade him all the time so I try not to get too comfortable with him for the foreseeable future. Not to mention injuries are a problem. But maybe I personally don’t trust my eyes yet. There’s a lot to be excited about but then the consistency sucks ass. I really miss the understanding of players roles. Maybe the game has passed me by. But I can’t figure out who the hell is a real franchise piece other than wemby.

 

[Neuromancer]

2 TO on the first 2 possessions for Vic smh

 

[FiestaSpurs]

Ah, I was hoping it would be on Fan Duel Sports so I could watch.

 

[sKiN20]

2 turnovers already from victor

 

[LeBowen]

2 turnovers already from victor

Not really concerning because one was a travel which rarely happens and isn't a live ball turnover and the other one was a Jokic pass attempt which won't ever happen in a serious game.

Nice coast to coast.

Yeah, Wemby looks good.

Alright, that was a bad turnover.

 

[Arguendo]

It never seems like the Spurs can find that consistent starting 5. Also seems like just a bunch of dudes that have no basketball soul. No flow or identity. Thinking about becoming a playoff team and hitting the over on 43.5 projected wins seems like a stretch. It’ll be interesting to see this team either find that identity or get rid of the non core players and find Wemby’s robin to his Batman.

I agree with a lot of what your saying, especially team lacking flow and identity. But think about what your saying.
Spurs had no consistent starting 5 in Vic's rookie yr? Of course, it was a team that was built to tank hard that happened to luck into Wemby. Outside of him, Vassell was the only guy rostered that looked anything like a real NBA caliber starting talent. Sochan was forced to start, ditto Tre and Collins and Champ. Shit even Branham. Keldon fooled people based on volume as a tank commander.
Yr two? Added CP3 and Barnes as starters, added rookie Castle, coach strokes out, still started Sochan out of necessity, traded for Fox to be the Robin you want. Robin gets hurt, Vic has fluke health issue, interim coach still takes us from 22 wins to 34 missing Wemby and Fox 1/2 the season.

I don't think its a stretch at all to assume a healthy Vic carries us to 44+ wins and finishes Top5 MVP.