There have been reports that Kawhi put in training sessions with Kobe in the summer.

https://instagr.am/p/BMHo7mMAptx

GatorAg03 said:

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What's the latest on Murray? Is he expected to be the 3rd PG this year and be a normal rotation player or not. I thought the early buzz on him was really good, so I kind of expected to see him on the court. I know it's early season and he is a rookie, so just curious. Definitely could use some PG help, although I think Mills will have a great year after his Olympics performance.

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The buzz is justified in that he clearly has an unusual athletic tool set and huge potential as a scoring 1 or 2.

However, based on summer games he is EXTREMELY raw. Turnover prone, high dribble, poor shot selection, and couldn't get through picks. He probably needs a year of NBA strength and conditioning because he's very light.

With Dedmon, Gasol, Lee, and Simmons to integrate into the regular rotation, there is plenty for the big Spurs to handle already. They'll give him lots of minutes and coaching attention in Austin with occasional minutes in SA, basically a redshirt year, while Parker/Mills/Simmons handle point. Then next year he'll get a lot of SA minutes auditioning for a starting role because TP's contract runs out summer '18 and he's running on fumes anyway.

I'm sure everyone is watching the Ags, but Dejounte Murray is getting his first NBA action in a blow out against the Pelicans right now.

Murray looked like dog crap turnover after turnover jump shot was crap 2 brick free throws

Kid ain't ready

That new Argentinean is thoo

MookieBlaylock said:

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Murray looked like dog crap turnover after turnover jump shot was crap 2 brick free throws

Kid ain't ready

That new Argentinean is thoo

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Murray looked like a kid playing in his first NBA game. He's got a lot of developing to do, but we don't need him this season. He can bounce back and forth to Austin.

Laprovittola showed some really good stuff tonight. Excellent vision, knows how to move without the ball, is sneaky enough to get his shoulders past his defender and get into the paint. His jump shot looks a little goofy though, so I worry about his ability to space the floor.

Dedmon has been a pleasant surprise. He'll never be an all star, but he's really quick defensively for a guy that size and has a nice midrange jumper.

Forbes and Bertans are really good shooters. Bertans also had a couple blocks and was very active on D. I said it after the first game, but I think he finds himself some regular minutes before the season is over.

Simmons added Ajinca to his poster list.

Bertans looked decent. Needs to be a little quicker on the trigger, but he looked pretty fluid and active which was good to see.

Ulrich said:

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Bertans looked decent. Needs to be a little quicker on the trigger, but he looked pretty fluid and active which was good to see.

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I think he tried too hard to be unselfish. He and Forbes both had some possessions where they passed up really good looks for the sake of making the extra pass. The Spurs have to be one of the only teams that some times run into issues with guys over passing.

Anyone else see this story?


http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1138987-ginobili-i-sacrificed-my-right-testicle-for-spurs

I bet that hurt on a HUGE scale.

"The victory established a milestone for Leonard, who now owns more wins (235) than any player in history through his first 300 starts. Byron Scott ranks No. 2 with 231 wins, followed by Danny Ainge at 229, according to Elias Sports Bureau."

After win over the Pelicans.

TheMarcus will sit out tonight. Verde is still out as well.

West Texan said:

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Ulrich said:

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Bertans looked decent. Needs to be a little quicker on the trigger, but he looked pretty fluid and active which was good to see.

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I think he tried too hard to be unselfish. He and Forbes both had some possessions where they passed up really good looks for the sake of making the extra pass. The Spurs have to be one of the only teams that some times run into issues with guys over passing.

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Yeah, that's what I meant. Bertans in particular passed up 4-5 opportunities that he would have considered WIDE open in Euroleague play where they know he's a shooter. And then the one he took was so open that he over-thought it and clanked it off the front of the rim.

A little frustrating early in the year to watch guys pass out of great shots so that the defense can reset, but it's a wonderful problem to have. I love how all the new guys buy in and take the time to earn their attempts.

In the first quarter JSimms has taken two charges, forced an up and down, forced a missed layup with a near block coming from the weak side, and knocked the ball loose a couple times. His midrange jumper looks a lot cleaner than it did last year. Dribble could still use some work, but the dude is a legit two way rotation player.

I'm really liking Bertans as a backup four, too. He's doing a good job showing on picks and recovering to his man. Attacks the closeout well. Kawhi/Bertans is a really long, mobile combo with plenty of range.

Kawhi looks uninterested in playing today for some reason

Also Bertans can flat out shoot the ball

Defense really fell apart second half of the second quarter. They had 25 total points with about 6:30 remaining in the half and now are going to the locker room with 44 points.

210Aggie14 said:

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Kawhi looks uninterested in playing today for some reason

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His intensity ratchets up about ten notches against good teams or teams with good small forwards.

His passing has gotten better this year.

Yeah I mean I get that but its late in the 3rd and its a 5 point game.. so lets step up the intensity a bit

Our transition d is god awful right now. We've let Miami back in it on fast breaks.

cant believe we are allowing the heat to stay in this game

Really lucky to be leaving Miami with a win. Team looked flat and lifeless. Only player that put some effort out there was Patty who hit some great shots.

kawhi took control at the end

Have pundits started talking about Kawhi for most improved? Because if they haven't they are about to.

Ulrich said:

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Have pundits started talking about Kawhi for most improved? Because if they haven't they are about to.

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Runner up mvp last season, most improved and mvp this season?

West Texan said:

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Ulrich said:

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Have pundits started talking about Kawhi for most improved? Because if they haven't they are about to.

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Runner up mvp last season, most improved and mvp this season?

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They love saying stuff like that.

210Aggie14 said:

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Kawhi looks uninterested in playing today for some reason

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How can you tell? Looks the same when he won the championship.

agwin12 said:

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210Aggie14 said:

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Kawhi looks uninterested in playing today for some reason

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How can you tell? Looks the same when he won the championship.

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No today was different. He didn't look like he was playing that hard. He almost looked like he was sick and just playing through an illness. Wasn't getting back on defense. Didn't get a rebound until the third quarter. Really turned it on in the 4th quarter. Really nice close.

Good to see gasol with some solid production

Gasol just needs to get comfortable

demack06 said:

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Gasol just needs to get comfortable

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His shot is so silky.

Dedmon has surprised me with his offensive skill set. Throw in his vertical, motor, mobility, and decent defensive instincts and spurs may want to lock him up for longer than his two year deal before everyone realizes that he's way more than a $3mm a year guy.

I like the team this year. TP looks kind of bad and theres something about Lapravittola that I don't like, but everyone else seems to be fitting in really well. And JSimms is a highlight factory. He came within a fraction of an inch of a dunk against Miami that would have ended the franchise.