SPURS GAME DAY! GAME 42: SPURS AT WIZARDS, 20-1-2024, 6PM (CT)

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WHY NOT GIVE IT BACK TO WEMBY FOR A DUNK?????

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Wemby's best, most decisive possession. Forced his way to low position, strong seal, target hand, turnaround lefty J.

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Five point game with a nice quick 7-0 run.

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Yeah, that was goaltending

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KELDON WILDER DUNK RAWR!

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Tre great cut and finish.

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You mean we had 2 guys working together to get an important basket??????

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!

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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO POP'S FURY FINALLY BURSTS OUT!!!

**** FURIOUS WE'RE **** UP THE SET.

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GREAT ATO, POP!

GREAT EXECUTION, SPURS!

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Those were some big FTs for Sochan

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Wow, they looked like our offense. Thanks Kuzma!

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YEAH! See what happens when you take decent shots and not turn the ball over for 3 1/2 minutes??? Nice job!

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4TH Q: SPURS 131 WIZARDS 127

Good to get a W like this: strong first half, winning it 72-66, finishing on a 23-9 run; waned in the 3RD and then sagged through the middle of the 4TH and it didn't look good down 12, but there were specific turning points that we responded to very well to pull ahead and keep punching back to stay ahead in most critical, tense moments.

Honestly, I didn't have us coming back from that double digit deficit. The momentum and energy shifted away from us, especially after a disappointing previous close game we let slip away, and traveling on the SEGABABA it looked like we didn't have any juice left.

Wemby wasn't his sharp, crisp self, making several mistakes, weak passes and poorer ball protection (bringing it too low for swiping hands to reach) for 6TOs, some early clock outside shots, and getting outhustled mostly through opponent game plan of making sure they were physical on him which looked to keep him out of rhythm.

Then a Pop timeout at the 5 minute mark of the 4TH Q just shifted our focus and trajectory. Whatever energy reserves we had left, and whatever Pop told the guys, it worked because Wemby moved off ball sharply and resolutely, and though Pop was upset at out positioning to set up, we ended up scoring on the ATO, leading to a 7-0 run and trimming the deficit to only 5 with 3:49 left.

We ran back on D, switched and covered opponents well, protected the rim, rebounded, and ran in transition. More scrambling plays, more fundamentals, more hustle, and we forced a timeout.

Full court press, great inbounds set play executed for the Keldon dunk, terrific, quick wet execution for the Wemby 3 and another 5-0 run for the tie before it went back and forth, making it anyone's game. But momentum and reps of our sets have been setting in, and a give and go between Wemby to a cutting Tre kept us neck and neck.

A dreaded O board against resulted in a putback (again), before another incorrect positioning for out set enraged Pop and he burst out with anger and called a timeout with 1:05 left. We could ill afford another breakdown like earlier given the time and score and situation of the game. We should know better by this point, and the leash is shorter for **** ups.

Wemby was terrific in the 4TH, scoring 9, grabbing 4 boards (1 on O), and setting up Tre for the assist, and getting 2 blocks - I think both were on a single play, including a 360 spin to block a driver behind him at the rim. Incredible. Then he blocked the putback attempt. Super impactful on both ends.

Still, joining him in the final 1:50 was Sochan showing out on both ends.

Sochan made the 3 coming out of the timeout, freeing himself from the post, moving out of Wemby's way there, and Devin deftly passed to the left side for the clutch go ahead shot. Then he drove into a gaping hole in the middle, moving left, earning the foul, Pop clapping him on. CLUTCH FT's, making both, putting us ahead again. Then he stayed with the driver and contested well enough for the miss, with Wemby getting the D board. Tre clutch FTs.

Sochan then stayed with the shooter very well again, avoiding the screen, staying on the balls of his feet, wide stance, bouncy, making sure there was absolutely no way to drive, and contesting a 3 heave miss very well with a well timed jump and both hands up. Devin went 1-2FTs (phew!) putting us ahead by 4, and on their final play, Sochan once again employed an absolute torture chamber defense, biting for a pump fake but getting his hands on the ball while staying in his space by jumping horizontally rather than into the shooter's space. Frankly, had this been Curry, you have to wonder about whether that call would have been made, but regardless, it would have meant 3FTs with maybe a couple of seconds left. Anyway, there was also a throwing out of arms to exaggerate contact from the shooter, but it didn't stick. I concede it could have gone either way, but for all those times that Sochan was the initiator on O to try to make things happen on the last play only for it to not work, it was good to see the same initiative work on D.

Defense - switching, rotating, fighting screens, staying with a given man, focus, fundamentals, rim protection, rebounding and right, quick sets as well as scrambling to make things happen in transition really made a huge difference in that final five minutes for us.

Tre finally got a win versus his brother, and he got a near triple double with 11 (4-9, 0-3 from 3), 3-3FTs, game high 12 assists, 8 boards (starter high 3 on O), team high 3 steals. But for the missed 3s, still a work in progress in terms of consistency (meaning, of course, a higher floor, not 4-4 one game, 0-for-everything the next), the trust he has form his teammates and the way he settles everyone shows what a true hub he is for us. His chemistry with Wemby, both feeding him and feeding off him, is growing with each game.

Wemby may have struggled, but that clutch gear kicked in at just the right time and he ended up leading us with 24 (10-21, 25 from 3, 2-4FTs), 8 boards (1 on O), 4 assists, 6 blocks, 6TOs. He said after the game that his legs felt heavy this game, that a couple of days off once he got used to the rhythm of the season feels like a lot longer. From his and Pop's interviews, it sounds like the minutes restriction will soon be lifted. We have had Wemby playing for all of six games (in which we are 0-6) and even on minutes restrictions, the slight changes, and gradual introduction of them has been beneficial for Wemby short term and for him and the team long term. We need to know how his body responds in general (his previous regular seasons in France were 18 games), protect him from potential problems (it's not just about a single incident but protection from a larger one with repeated wear and extension strain of any one body part), and monitoring how he responds to a change in position and the increased physicality at C. All of this - the minutes restriction, the no back-to-backs, the increased usage, the more sustained play from start to finish with more concentrated bursts and rest in between - has helped acclimate him and ensure he has energy for the second half of the season. It's been instructive and beneficial for him and for us.

Flourishing since returning to PF is Sochan who is continuing to grow and impress on both ends. His two main weaknesses last season were FT and 3s efficiency. And now they're both his strengths. It's an eye opening trajectory of improvement. He's increased his FTs by 10% up to 79.1% this season and his 3s by 13% up to 37.5% this season, which is fourth best on the team! An incredible, all around impactful game with 23 on stellar 8-11, 1-2 from 3, starter high 6-6FTs(!), 4 boards (2 on O), 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks for a game high +27. When he gets in front of a defender in half court he is very difficult to pass with that wide stance, bouncy movement on the balls of his feet, arms out, balanced position. He is strong, big, and mobile, and holds it all together with his relentlessness. Great energy and courage. And on O he is making that spin into the paint and a fadeaway J his go-to move. It's increasingly effective as it's increasingly accurate. He needs to work on his handles and finishing at the rim with a variety of shots versus bigger defenders, earlier releases, higher archs, different angles, but he's more decisive, reading open lanes better, reacting to what teammates are doing better, clearing space better. His growing synergy with Wemby is growing too. Noted. Just a pleasure to see him putting it together and growing before our eyes.

Julian is getting more shots per game as we're finding him better. He runs the floor in transition and runs off ball to get open for 3s. He did that in this game scoring 11 on 4-7, 3-6 from 3, 7 boards (2 on O), 2 blocks in starter low 23 minutes. He starting games and provides decently what he does, including sound D versus big opponents, even if he gets outdone by them at times. He's not a shot creator in terms of beating his man off the dribble, but he's sound in what we need right now.

Devin had a balanced, thoughtful game, scoring 21 on 8-14, 4-6 from 3, 1-3FTs, 5 boards, 5 assists, 1 steal. Four TOs, uncharacteristic, but he was looking to set other up, didn't take as many ill-advised contested heater shots, played more within himself, and hustled well on D tracking his man through various screens and cuts to prevent any open lanes. Smart, effort-infused, two-way game.

Keldon may have been moved to the bench, but his minutes are about the same as last season, and he finishes games, which are crucial tradeoffs for his benefit. His FGAs are slightly down from last season but he was the primary scorer for us, not a role we expected him to keep (though the experience was integral for him), and his 3s and FTs efficiency is higher this season with more rebounds now and averaging a career high in assists (3.5). He moved so well on D this game, making sure he stayed with his man, is switching better, and contesting well. His physical drives, relentless energy, and creative scoring are so important for us to keep up a level of play leading the group he's in with. He led the bench with 19 on 7-15, 0-3 from 3, 5-7FTs (bench high), team high 9 boards (team high 4 on O), 2 assists, for a bench high +5 as well in 28 minutes (same as Wemby and Sochan). His attitude about what some players may have considered a demotion (rather than doing what's best for the team - we need him there, it's important for us), and his ability to adjust and adapt while making the most of the change has been crucial for us.

Zach back shows the experience we've been missing. It didn't take long for him re-acclimate himself, and his rhythm looks like it's back alongside his ever present motor. He contributed 8 points on 4-9, 0-1 from 3, 3 boards (1 on O), 3 assists in 20 minutes. He shows the value of reps and fundamentals down pat. Good footwork on post ups and moves into the paint for that baby hook shot is reliable. We know he can spread the floor (though his shot has not been falling as well), but he's a hard nosed defender, and a steady two-way presence, with an understanding of where to be and what to do on D, a willingness to bang with fellow bigs on both ends, and good vision and passing willingness on O. Like Keldon after him and Tre before him, Zach has accepted the bench role without complaint or it affecting his effort or level of play on either end. It's tough but mental fortitude amidst changes and making the most of minutes while having chemistry with more teammates stands out.

Twins Cedi and Doug moved very well off ball, and combined for 2-5 from 3 on O. Cedi played more and also contributed 3 boards and bench high 4 assists. Doug was targeted on D and it worked. We know his D is not good even though he tries and gets scored on even when in the right positions. These vets are our best 3s shooters, and we know what they provide, though Cedi has more breadth to his game. Whatever their fate after the trade deadline, they have been positive, even keeled influences in the locker room and god examples of honed craft. If we move them as is expected, it will affect roster positioning and minutes.

There has already been a lot of shifting around, gradual though it has been, with trying and moving of positions, with trying and moving of roles, with trying and moving of starting and bench groups. Part of that has been development, part of that has been adjusting to Wemby as he continues to acclimate to the NBA game, part of that has been finding good fits, and part of that has been balancing rosters between the starting and bench units. It feels like we have a really nice balance now.

While there has been a lot of patience with the inexperience and playing through errors in a rebuild, another aspect that has emerged in the shifting around is competition for minutes. Last season we had guys who played their way off the team and some we moved on from to give the guys we kept more minutes. This is where previously mentioned attitude and effort comes in. Blake played with the Spurs last season and this season looked almost as raw and out of control with his speed and ball handling. Branham has a solid hold on his spot on the team with a more polished O game. At his best, he's a smooth three-level scorer, smart screen user, quick creative finisher at the rim, with a compact 3 shot. He remains, for the most part but for a few better plays here and there, an abysmal, lost-man-on-an-island defender. Part of it is just basic understanding of where he needs to be, what he has to do. The other part of it is effort and basic fundamentals - arms out, fight over screens consistently, hustle back hard!

After Pop said that he was going to start sending a message, the clearest one is being sent to Branham. He's gone from bench role to starter to sixth man, to playing fewer minutes overall, to being bench in second halves of games to now playing only four minutes towards the end of the 1ST Q and sitting the rest of the game. OOOOOOF OOF OOF.

He ran out well in transition when Blake got the rebound, and finished Blake's pass with a layup. Ok good. Then a collection of consecutive bad moments coalesced into a spectator role the rest of the evening. After getting blown by and not contesting in any way as his man scored right in the middle of the paint (so two serious errors - a blow by into the middle and no hands up or no manner of contesting or disturbing the shot whatsoever, a spectator of the shot going in). Just afterwards it was our final possession of the 1ST Q. He brought up the ball, pulling up to run the clock, waiting for the high screen to come from Zach, and just then the defender closed in on him and stole the ball, running dribbling ahead for a layup. So Branham didn't protect the ball, and then in running behind the opponent, didn't contest to prevent the basket. THEN he got the ball inbounds with about 3 seconds left, he held onto the ball, did not think or bother to pass ahead to any teammate who was open, did not shoot so as to save his efficiency, only heaving a shot after time expired.

I mean... there's lack of focus about doing basic things right like protecting the ball, or running hard to prevent a score after not protecting the ball to contest the shot from behind, and then there's the me-first, no D effort that was on full display in this short sequence. Four minutes.

I don't think it's come to this, but recall when Luka Samanic in either a Summer League or pre-season game didn't bother to run down an opponent steal (don't recall if he caused the TO) and his laissez-faire effort was the final unacceptable straw that got him cut soon afterwards.

And while Branham has doubled down on selfish, low level D and effort play, Blake has taken his time over in Austin seriously, accepted the need for improvement, and embraced the challenge. Like other Spurs who have had their roles changed, Blake has shown a good attitude and responded with much better play. So it's not as if the extra minutes were handed to him because Branham hasn't shown growth, it's also because Blake has absolutely forced Pop to give him more minutes. His dogged man D has been gaining praise from opponent commentators, from opponents, and from teammates and fans alike. He's a full court pest who fights very well over screens, who uses his speed on both ends but now with better, more controlled handles, more willing passing, more assertive, physical drives, and better finishes at the rim. Add a middy J and while there's still room to grow, he's already shown enough to be a two-way impact player, honing his raw strengths into more polished and controlled and effective game. In 15 minutes, he scored 6 points on 3-4, with 1 O board, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

His speed, energy, and all out effort, in addition to a positive attitude on the court and bench cheering his teammates on all stands out. THIS is two-way effort and impactful use of improved skills:

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And these are the rewards:

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Memo to Branham: staying planted at the end of the bench and not cheering for when Wemby made a devastating dunk (much to the delight of just about every other Spur before it got called an O foul), not cheering the comeback towards the end of the game is not the best look. He did get up at the end when we won to high five the Spurs who got it done. So it all may be a shock to watch most of the game and to let it sink in for the game and deal with the emotions of getting benched, but other guys who didn't even play were much more engaged, and going forward, he may have to rebuild trust through attitude on the bench, then basic plays done well in whatever minutes he gets.

Part of this season, as Pop said, was seeing which guys we stick with going forward. It's largely up to them given how generous the minutes are on a rebuilding team. We'll see how things continue to develop from here on out, but it's not lost on anyone that when Branham goes out and Blake goes in, good runs happen. Full credit to Blake for the massive stepping up and showing out.

As a team, we did some terrific things like assists - 38(!), blocks - 10(!), more balanced scoring (33% of our total shots were from the arc so we did not over rely on it), more PITP (74-66), better work getting to the FT line (23FTAs, though 17 makes), and better rebounding as the game progressed, with two crucial D boards late in the game.

Still, boxing out and giving up second chance points continues to be a glaring aspect that needs improvement. We just occupy random spaces, are not nearly as well aware of where opponents are as we should be, we don't position ourselves well on D boards nearly as consistently as we should. Thank goodness Zach is back as it stands out that he at least makes an effort in this aspect as well as actually going after the ball when it's in neutral 50/50 space.

Seventeen TOs is too high, especially as 10 came on opponent steals. It was not a clean game to start, but we pushed through the messy ball handling with accurate scoring which kept up our momentum. I do really like that we stayed in the game without too much of a dip for most of it, this on a travel back-to-back, yet we didn't use the built-in excuse as a reason to give up. It helped that Pop now has the team on a tighter leash with higher expectations and less tolerance for mistakes we were allowed to play through earlier in the season. He galvanized the team, reset the focus and the plays, and the lit fire under collective asses worked to get us to play at a higher level just when we needed it most.

It was a good experience to fight through and respond well to get back the lead and execute on both ends in pressure situations. It's a notch in our growth.

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NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS

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