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

[heyheymymy]

These white Utah Jazz purple mountain jerseys look fresh af

 

[timtonymanu]

Please don’t extend Sochan. His importance to the team has dropped so much. Would be an idiotic move by the front office to give him a friendly extension. He has to take less to stick around here.

 

[Ariel]

I know people don't care about the NBA Cup but I bet the Spurs will win it.

I definitely DO care, it's not a championship per se but it's a nice incentive, it could be the prologue to bigger things to come.

 

[O_V]

I’ll be a fan of someone that deserves it, tbh. I didnt know who the hell djg was, and he’s earning my fandom. Carter’s not really showing much to get all the praise thus far. He’d easily get it if he was showing anything noteworthy.

There are reasons to really like CB. He seems to be a really hard worker and very coachable. He is absolutely unafraid. He's learning to trust his feet on defense. And when he focuses on his form, his stroke is quality.

Given what we know of his personality, I wouldn't even put it past him to work his way into the rotation by the end of the year, but it's a lot to ask of a three and D wing. I think all of us really like him, but some of you guys are gonna get teased if you don't pump the brakes.

You can tell all of us you told us so when he's an all-star.

 

[drpill]

Starting to get that feeling like when Tony showed he was legit by the end of his rookie year and knowing Manu would be coming over the next season. Can't believe having Fox/Castle/Harper here next to Vic and Luke looking like such a seamless fit is just the cherry on top.

Yeah man, something special is brewing. It's not a perfect team yet but it's such a breath of fresh air.

 

[brazil]

Even keldone played good

 

[O_V]

Quick takeaways:
Wemby is on another level conditioning wise.
Castle's shot looks way better, I'd also say his passing was good.
Harper will be too good for bench minutes in no time.
Devin isn't helping his case at all.
Champagnie's stock has risen the most during this preseason.
Keldon is also looking better.
Kornet will probably have a case for the best backup big in the league.
Barnes has been by far the worst player out of regular rotation members.

Well put. I agree with everything but your take on JC. I think his progress is right on track from last year.

 

[O_V]

Even keldone played good

Get him the ball in his spots and he's pretty good.

 

[Arguendo]

I’ll be a fan of someone that deserves it, tbh. I didnt know who the hell djg was, and he’s earning my fandom. Carter’s not really showing much to get all the praise thus far. He’d easily get it if he was showing anything noteworthy.

He's 19 year old, not 23. He's full 4 years younger than DJG playing against men.
He has an NBA body already and has shown enough on D and passing to deserve some respect. And IMO he's clearly a better shooter than Sochan. His physical profile and athleticism are noteworthy even if you don't think his stats at 19 are.

 

[LeChonAsado]

Dammit I waited all game to watch some CB and I couldn’t stomach the gleague at the end.

 

[Kick-Stand]

These white Utah Jazz purple mountain jerseys look fresh af

Pic?

EDIT: Oh shit those are sweet

 

[spurraider21]

some first half observations

1) Harper gets to the rim much more easily and smoothly than Castle off the drive. much more natural penetrating point guard. he also just never looks out of control or rushed. the assists come easily to him even if they arent spectacular/dazzling passes

2a) If Wemby just stops trying to be a ballhandler in the half court offense... he's looking like he's really taking the leap. I like him pushing in transition. But once the driving lanes become even mildly congested or there's a competent perimeter defender in front of him, it continues to be a trainwreck.

2b) Defensively, he was active... but when guys have the ball at the 3 point line, he should invite the drive more, as he has shown the ability to recover and block from behind. He should especially have this approach when we have the 2 big lineup. Instead he has backed off and given up a few clean 3pt shots over his head

3) I really hope this shooting leap from Julian is real

4) Harrison Barnes looks like complete toast. with that said, he looked pretty damn abysmal last preseason, and a few posters including myself were having DeMarre Carroll PTSD. hopefully he's just playing possum again

5) castle doing a little bit of everything. whipping one handed live dribble passes, being a pest on defense, and even went 2/3 from 3. however, he was responsible for a wide open 3 given up in the corner when he collapsed into the paint when both wemby and kornet were there... i dont understand this stuff at all

6) i dont hate how Vassell is playing offensively... but he just cant hit the broad side of the barn. and for a guy being paid 27 mil to be a shooter and scoring specialist, thats a big problem. defensively, he hasnt been as active as he was against Utah

7) Kornet mostly solid, except one possession where he irresponsibily "closed out" on a 3 point attempt that was already underway and gave up the easy rebound

8) Keldone doing us a solid with his trade value tbh

Second half observations:

1) Harper could have easily had double digit assists. he just looks incredibly smooth out there, and having one of Fox or Harper on the floor at all times is going to be an absolute godsend for the offense

2) more of the same from Wemby. he looks like he's on another level this year with his physicality and conditioning. but he still gets sloppy and gets too fancy. those mistakes seem very coachable/fixable though

3) no new notes on Vassell or Barnes from what i have above

4) Castle got a bit lost offensively when trying to score in the 2nd half. ended the game 2/5 from the free throw line

5) Kornet is so damn good. with him playing this many minutes with Wemby, thats going to mean less opportunites for Sochan

6) i dont know whats gotten into Keldon and Julian but i like it

 

[drpill]

Carter Bryant is very promising. I'd be happy to see Sochan prove the haters wrong and find a place on this team, but I think CB is likely a big reason the Spurs are not so eager to extend Jeremy just now.

 

[LeBowen]

Well put. I agree with everything but your take on JC. I think his progress is right on track from last year.

Last season I got really frustrated at how he did great early in the season while Devin and Jeremy were injured only to have his minutes cut as soon as they came back.
He was our second best shooter after Barnes and he's the only one with legit SF size.

 

[OK Computer]

He's 19 year old, not 23. He's full 4 years younger than DJG playing against men.
He has an NBA body already and has shown enough on D and passing to deserve some respect. And IMO he's clearly a better shooter than Sochan. His physical profile and athleticism are noteworthy even if you don't think his stats at 19 are.

I disagree that he’s shown enough on either defense or passing. The team defense suffers when he’s on the floor. He’s exhibiting such low IQ on both ends, resulting in turnovers or being in the wrong spot on defense. That’s just a few examples.

Some of you guys are acting like I’m not rooting for the kid. I obviously want him to succeed. I’m a Spurs fan first and foremost, and it would benefit the team a lot if he reaches his ceiling.

I’m commenting on the here and now. Saying that he’ll learn to become a better player in Austin means nothing to me. It’s like this is y’alls first rodeo. A player can be so promising because they’re new. But getting from point A to point B in player development is much more difficult than how it’s being painted. We’ve gone through years of different prospects, each with same hope we’re applying to Carter. It’s not “different this time” just because it’s Carter Bryant.

 

[Arguendo]

6) i dont know whats gotten into Keldon and Julian but i like it

Agree with all except 6b...

I think this is Champ's natural progression. He's always produced when given minutes. Sure, he's been inconsistent game-to-game, but career 57.7% TS%, same as he did last yr.
24 year old, entering he's 4th season. Give him minutes and he's a legit piece.

 

[Biggems]

Pic?

EDIT: Oh shit those are sweet

I'm so glad we don't wear those Jizz jerseys

 

[Biggems]

Who do we see getting consistent rotation minutes after 4 preseason games?

 

[LeBowen]

I’m commenting on the here and now. Saying that he’ll learn to become a better player in Austin means nothing to me. It’s like this is y’alls first rodeo. A player can be so promising because they’re new. But getting from point A to point B in player development is much more difficult than how it’s being painted. We’ve gone through years of different prospects, each with same hope we’re applying to Carter. It’s not “different this time” just because it’s Carter Bryant.

Bryant's path from point A to point B will be fairly easy compared to some other players because his role will be simple compared to let's say Derrick that had to learn how to be a point guard.

Wings are our obvious weak point, mostly because we don't have a single above average 6'7-6'11 athlete.
Bryant is obviously already a great athlete and he got drafted because of his defensive upside.
If he's got above average IQ he'll be a positive defender by the end of the season.
If he can hit wide open shots like he's been hitting them, he'll give Mitch a lot to think about.

I'm not saying he'll be able to guard star players in his first few years, but tonight there was a stretch that has shown we'll struggle against big PFs when Wemby is at C.
Noone could guard Siakam.
Who's matching up with Lebron, KD, Gordon, nephew, Randle, JJJ, AD, Zion, Markkanen?
Bryant won't be ready to do it this season, meaning it's just Jeremy or double big lineups with Wemby at PF.
But if Jeremy doesn't improve his shot, then our offense suffers.

 

[heyheymymy]

Pic?

EDIT: Oh shit those are sweet

Yes, that is the one. Not sure if they had this exact variant last season too but glad they are leaning into the era style bc I always loved those mountain jerseys

 

[Arguendo]

I disagree that he’s shown enough on either defense or passing. The team defense suffers when he’s on the floor. He’s exhibiting such low IQ on both ends, resulting in turnovers or being in the wrong spot on defense. That’s just a few examples.

Some of you guys are acting like I’m not rooting for the kid. I obviously want him to succeed. I’m a Spurs fan first and foremost, and it would benefit the team a lot if he reaches his ceiling.

I’m commenting on the here and now. Saying that he’ll learn to become a better player in Austin means nothing to me. It’s like this is y’alls first rodeo. A player can be so promising because they’re new. But getting from point A to point B in player development is much more difficult than how it’s being painted. We’ve gone through years of different prospects, each with same hope we’re applying to Carter. It’s not “different this time” just because it’s Carter Bryant.

K. It's actually different with every single prospect. They are different people, different make-ups and personalities.
Here and now he's 19. I don't expect a 19y/o who was drafted as a at-least-a-year-away prospect to play perfect, make all the right rotations, be in all of the right spots. I don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

You want him to reach his ceiling but you don't care if he become better in Austin? Only the here and now matters, tomorrow doesn't matter until tomorrow. Ok, that's not how development works.
I didn't expect him to play any meaningful minutes this season. Now I think there's a real chance he can contribute after the AS break.
It's different with every single player. Sochan, Branham, and Welsey's development have nothing to do with Bryant's. It is actually different. Those guys came to a hard tank organization without any structure with the expectation of losing as much as possible. The coach looked like he was checked-out.
Different team, different coach, different expectations. A lot is different.

 

[OK Computer]

K. It's actually different with every single prospect. They are different people, different make-ups and personalities.
Here and now he's 19. I don't expect a 19y/o who was drafted as a at-least-a-year-away prospect to play perfect, make all the right rotations, be in all of the right spots. I don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

You want him to reach his ceiling but you don't care if he become better in Austin? Only the here and now matters, tomorrow doesn't matter until tomorrow. Ok, that's not how development works.
I didn't expect him to play any meaningful minutes this season. Now I think there's a real chance he can contribute after the AS break.
It's different with every single player. Sochan, Branham, and Welsey's development have nothing to do with Bryant's. It is actually different. Those guys came to a hard tank organization without any structure with the expectation of losing as much as possible. The coach looked like he was checked-out.
Different team, different coach, different expectations. A lot is different.

Never said “you don't care if he become better in Austin”. That’s a misinterpretation of what I posted. My point was that it’s no guarantee he makes those strides. You want to apply optimism to what will happen with Carter’s growth, go ahead. I’m taking a wait-and-see approach. That’s all.

 

[OK Computer]

Bryant's path from point A to point B will be fairly easy compared to some other players because his role will be simple compared to let's say Derrick that had to learn how to be a point guard.

Wings are our obvious weak point, mostly because we don't have a single above average 6'7-6'11 athlete.
Bryant is obviously already a great athlete and he got drafted because of his defensive upside.
If he's got above average IQ he'll be a positive defender by the end of the season.
If he can hit wide open shots like he's been hitting them, he'll give Mitch a lot to think about.

I'm not saying he'll be able to guard star players in his first few years, but tonight there was a stretch that has shown we'll struggle against big PFs when Wemby is at C.
Noone could guard Siakam.
Who's matching up with Lebron, KD, Gordon, nephew, Randle, JJJ, AD, Zion, Markkanen?
Bryant won't be ready to do it this season, meaning it's just Jeremy or double big lineups with Wemby at PF.
But if Jeremy doesn't improve his shot, then our offense suffers.

Just because there’s a roster gap doesn’t mean the least ready player becomes the answer. A void isn’t proof of readiness. You fix that through roster changes or external additions, not by projecting best case outcomes onto someone raw. Banking on Carter’s rapid progression or assuming stagnation elsewhere isn’t a plan. If the gap matters, address it through acquisition, not wishful internal promotion.

 

[Arguendo]

Never said “you don't care if he become better in Austin”. That’s a misinterpretation of what I posted. My point was that it’s no guarantee he makes those strides. You want to apply optimism to what will happen with Carter’s growth, go ahead. I’m taking a wait-and-see approach. That’s all.

"Saying that he’ll learn to become a better player in Austin means nothing to me" sounds pretty much identical to that. Don't care = means nothing.
But fair enough. I just don't understand the point of hard pessimism. I expect the worst and hope for the best. There are no guarantees, ever. CB was absolutely drafted as a project, not a guarantee.
I'm waiting and seeing as well, I've just been pleasantly surprised, I didn't expect him to be this physically mature. On a team with only HB, Oly, Sochan that physical maturity is enough for me to be optimistic about. '
To each there own

 

[LeBowen]

Just because there’s a roster gap doesn’t mean the least ready player becomes the answer. A void isn’t proof of readiness. You fix that through roster changes or external additions, not by projecting best case outcomes onto someone raw. Banking on Carter’s rapid progression or assuming stagnation elsewhere isn’t a plan. If the gap matters, address it through acquisition, not wishful internal promotion.

We're Spurs fans, internal promotion is what we do.
It's hard to find good 3-D wings without overpaying. I dount Wright would go for a stopgap solution and I doubt he'd spend a FRP on a 4th/5th option.
I'm not saying Bryant should get 30mpg, but if our PF issues persist, 5 to 10mpg in final months of the season is realistic.