Too bad there isn't a play in to the play in game so the Suns and Grizzlies could go at it. Grizzlies without JJJ have no business being in that game especially with how hot the Suns are.

Finally get a televised game and the spurs have some idiot out there with a movement slogan spelled wrong.
Its me too
Pop Cant even get that right

Hell of a run, boys!

Can the spurs win the lottery?

Hell of a run. Now its time to get some talent. I'd rather suck for a few years than be stuck in NBA purgatory.

Walker and Murray should only focus on ball handling and layup drills this offseason. My goodness.

They also each could each learn a lot from guys like Derrick and even Keldon who set out to do all of the small things first, and then let the stats eventually come to them. Even the games Derrick has <10 pts you can still feel his impact.

Pretty shocking we won't be watching playoff Spurs basketball...

Everyone pour one out for the Spurs

The more I watch the Murray the less I think he should be a ball handler. He hasn't shown that he can finish, shoot, or handle the ball without turning it over consistently. As a player finishing his 4th year he makes a lot of mental mistakes. A PG he is not. I think should be a utility player. Focus on rebounding, defense and push it in transition when he has the opportunities. Develop a dependable three point shot (percentage is getting there, volume is not) in certain spots and only drive it on the close out.

I want Lonnie to succeed. He has all the physical gifts but with him, I think it's a confidence thing. I was actually impressed at some of the passes he made during the bubble. He still has a lot to learn but I think he can be a solid shooting guard if he gets out of his head.

It's also pretty clear that the Spurs were going for a homerun with Luka. We all expected that he would be a project but he seems pretty timid and lacks an edge. Something is missing. IMO, the Spurs would have been better off stashing him in Europe for a couple of years so he could develop some confidence. The DLeague circuit doesn't seem like the best environment for a 19 year old foreign kid, especially ones who are soft.

Looking forward to the draft. Lottery is next Thursday. Hoping we can at least crack the top 10.

Just got home and wasn't able to watch any of the games today, but I share the same sentiment as everyone else. I was 6 the last time the Spurs didn't make the playoffs, so this is a weird feeling not being very invested in the playoffs. Although it's disappointing, I thought we came out and played way above expectations in the bubble. The young guys all showed some really good things and got a lot of really good experience from their playing time.

Enzo The Baker said:

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The more I watch the Murray the less I think he should be a ball handler. He hasn't shown that he can finish, shoot, or handle the ball without turning it over consistently. As a player finishing his 4th year he makes a lot of mental mistakes. A PG he is not. I think should be a utility player. Focus on rebounding, defense and push it in transition when he has the opportunities. Develop a dependable three point shot (percentage is getting there, volume is not) in certain spots and only drive it on the close out.

I want Lonnie to succeed. He has all the physical gifts but with him, I think it's a confidence thing. I was actually impressed at some of the passes he made during the bubble. He still has a lot to learn but I think he can be a solid shooting guard if he gets out of his head.

It's also pretty clear that the Spurs were going for a homerun with Luka. We all expected that he would be a project but he seems pretty timid and lacks an edge. Something is missing. IMO, the Spurs would have been better off stashing him in Europe for a couple of years so he could develop some confidence. The DLeague circuit doesn't seem like the best environment for a 19 year old foreign kid, especially ones who are soft.

Looking forward to the draft. Lottery is next Thursday. Hoping we can at least crack the top 10.

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We'll either pick 11 or top 4, no chance of anything in between.

As I stated in my previous post, I wasn't able to watch today but Luka's spacing ability going 3-5 from three was a big part of that potential they saw in him. I think a full offseason with the training staff adding muscle will do wonders for him.

Didn't realize that about the odds. Interesting.

One of the things that surprised me was his size. He already looks like he's built pretty well for his age. Definitely has to get stronger but I think working on his speed will be key for switching. He does have a pretty nice shot.

Enzo The Baker said:

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Didn't realize that about the odds. Interesting.

One of the things that surprised me was his size. He already looks like he's built pretty well for his age. Definitely has to get stronger but I think working on his speed will be key for switching. He does have a pretty nice shot.

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Yeah the NBA took the pre-shut down positions and used that for the draft odds unless a lower team made the playoffs. So the only way the Spurs could have improved their odds would have been for Phoenix to make the playoffs (which they damn near did).

I thought PHX can still make it if Portland loses?

Enzo The Baker said:

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I thought PHX can still make it if Portland loses?

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You're right, just got ahead of myself.

West Texan said:

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Enzo The Baker said:

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I thought PHX can still make it if Portland loses?

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You're right, just got ahead of myself.

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Portland pulls it out for a 1 point win over Brooklyn and eliminates Phoenix.

We'll be 11th in the draft lottery.

Spurs odds breakdown according to tankathon:

#1 - 2.0%
Top 4 - 9.4%
#11 - 77.6%
#12 - 12.6%
#13 - 0.4%

If DeRozan doesn't opt in and goes elsewhere, what do you all think about Bogdan Bogdanovic as a replacement?

Luka doncic or get out

Enzo The Baker said:

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If DeRozan doesn't opt in and goes elsewhere, what do you all think about Bogdan Bogdanovic as a replacement?

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I wanted us to get Bojan last offseason, so the other Bogdanovic brother would be fine. Much better spacing, but doesn't have that ability to just go get a bucket that Demar does.

Another guy that may be available is Jeremi Grant. I expect Denver to try everything to keep him, but the nuggets have a plethora of forwards and he may want a situation where he can have a bigger role.

Grant would be a huge get. We need a big body wing badly (aside from the 'big body' we have in KJ).

Quote:

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Couple questions.....

With Golden State being "back" next year, does that pretty much mean Rockets are at best a 4? Would be very impressed to be a 4 honestly next year....Denver is also gonna be very good again and they just seem to grind it out and get W's despite not being as good in postseason.

Do Pelicans even make the playoffs by year 3 with Zion (next 2 years)? Just not sure they bounce Utah/Denver/Dallas/Houston anytime soon and Portland/Memphis/OKC/Suns/Spurs gonna be there as well.

Is this the best all around the NBA has ever been? Good mix of old vets, early 30's, mid 20's, and guys just out of college. Being a top 30 or so player in the league has never been tougher.

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Posted on Rockets thread but curious what you guys think

I agree with the statement that the Rockets are probably at best the 4 seed next year unless a major injury happens. That being said, the Lakers outside of Lebron and AD are unimpressive so if one of them goes down for an extended period I could see the Rockets/Nuggets/Blazers type teams move up over them.

The West is going to be absolutely loaded next year with most current playoff teams looking like they'll be just as good if not better next year. The only teams I could see taking a step back are OKC because they overachieved for so much of this year, not to mention Gallinari is a free agent, and potentially Utah due to Conley's rapid aging coupled with possible Mitchell/Gobert issues.

I don't see the Pelicans making the playoffs with a fully healthy Portland and GS unless Zion can play more than 60% of the season. Ingram and Holiday are both borderline all stars too, but that won't be enough in next year's West.

That leaves teams like SA, PHX, and Memphis who on most years would probably be good enough to grab a low seed and sit a little over .500 on the year, but due to how loaded the conference is won't have a good record and will probably miss the playoffs altogether unless a lot of things bounce their way.

Yea the Spurs' chances of making the playoffs next year isn't that great. I expect all teams in the west except Mini and Sac to be ahead of them. And honestly that's kind of what I'm hoping for with the quality of next year's draft. That's the only way we can get a star. Sure as hell won't do it in free agency.

I will always support the spurs, that being said I wish pop would stfu

So if the Spurs buy in to going small ball, can they find a taker for Aldridge in exchange for a big that better fits the system?

Hard to make too many decisions based on a weird 8 game sample, but DeRozan looked much more effective in that system than playing 2-man ball with Aldridge.

Yep it's sad for sure.

LawHall88 said:

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So if the Spurs buy in to going small ball, can they find a taker for Aldridge in exchange for a big that better fits the system?

Hard to make too many decisions based on a weird 8 game sample, but DeRozan looked much more effective in that system than playing 2-man ball with Aldridge.

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Because he's on the last year of his deal, I think the best that we will get for LMA is a salary dump with a second round pick. I think in years past maybe we'd be able to get a first rounder with a dump but most GMs aren't stupid anymore. I think whatever DeMar chooses to do will drive what we do with LMA. It's pretty clear they shouldn't play together; the stats back that up.

If he didn't pull up on ZaZa and remained healthy for the rest of that run, maybe we could have won another ship. But Kawhi was going to LA no matter what. Even if he didn't use the Spurs' 'incompetence' with his health as an excuse.

That being said, man I miss Kawhi.

If the Bucks don't make it out of the first round, maybe we can snag Bud back off of the scrap pile.

Draft lottery is tomorrow at 7:30. Here to hoping we get a miracle and end up in the top 4.

I posted this after the shutdown and before the bubble restart.

West Texan said:

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We've all been prepared for this for much of the season, but with talks of restarting with a shortened season taking the Spurs already slim playoff chances to next to none, we're staring the lottery in the face (for only the 4th time in team history). So, I feel it's not too premature to talk about my favorite part of the offseason, the draft.

Currently we would have the 11th pick, but obviously all that could change with remaining games being played. I think our biggest team needs are still pretty obvious: versatile wing defender for bigger 3s and 4s and 3 point shooting. This draft class doesn't have a ton of star power, but I do think there could be some solid role guys that could become very good starters that would be available to us. Some wings that I like that may be available at 11.

Devin Vassell, 6'7" SF, Florida St
Probably my favorite prospect at this point, but he's been shooting up mock draft boards lately and may not be around when we pick. He's got the height and length (6'10" wingspan) of your typical SF, he's a very good defender, both on the ball and off, he rebounds the ball pretty well for his position, and he's shot over 40% from 3 both seasons in Tallahasee. His assist numbers aren't great, so he may never turn into much of an overall playmaker, but he takes care of the ball and doesn't turn it over very much. I think at minimum he turns into a very good 3 and D type player, with the potential to unlock more of shot creating skills. He's going to need to put on some muscle to guard bigger players. I've seen him listed anywhere from 180-195 lbs. He'd get abused by guys backing him down, but he's still young and an NBA strength and conditioning program would do wonders for him.

Isaac Okoro, 6'6" SF, Auburn
Might be the best defender in this draft and he's already built like an NBA player (225 lbs). Super athletic and active on defense, I think he could be an impactful defender right away. He's got some good ball skills and creativity with the dribble and is able to create his own shot, as well as some flashes of pretty good passing instincts. The biggest knock on Okoro is his shooting. He shot a very poor 28% from 3 and 67% from the free throw line as a freshman. Watching him on film, his jumper doesn't look broken or super funky, and we all know the magic that Chip Engelland can do. But there's still concern that he'll never be able to turn into a very good shooter to space the floor.

Aaron Nesmith, 6'6" SF, Vanderbilt
Probably the best shooter in this draft. He only played in 14 games this past season because of an injury, but he was shooting a ridiculous 52% from 3 on over 8 attempts per game! He shot 82% from the free throw line both seasons at Vandy, so he's clearly got some very good shooting mechanics and this past season was just some flash in the pan. He's not as athletic as the guys above, so I think he'll struggle beating good defenders off the dribble and his handles need a lot of work. He's also not as good defensively. He did average 1.4 steals per game, so he's got some good anticipation, but he doesn't have the lockdown potential on that end. He reminds me of a shorter, more athletic version of Cameron Johnson from last year's draft.

Saddiq Bey, 6'8" SF, Villanova
Might be a reach at 11, but certainly a possibility if we were to trade back. 45% from 3 this past season, he also shows some flashes as a ball handler and creator out of the pick and roll. He's not as quick or athletic as Okoro or Vassell, but he was Nova's best defender and seems to know how to use his length to help compensate for what he lacks in quickness. His rebounding numbers are really lacking, especially for a guy with his size and length. He's also already 21, so he may be pretty close to his ceiling already. Coming from Villanova, he knows how to play and their track record the last several years should give teams confidence that they're getting a solid player.

Tyler Bey, 6'7" SF, Colorado
Another guy that would be a better pick if we trade back. Good size and length, very athletic, and he's strong. Another very good and willing defender, his physicallity lends to him being more versatile on that end and able to guard 4s as well as guards on the permimeter. Really good rebounder averaging over 9 rebounds a game is sophomore and junior season. He's got a good game around the basket and is a decent free throw shooter. He shot 41% from 3 this past season, but that was on 1 attempt per game and he was at 22% as a sophomore. His shot is going to need some work, but he has a reputation as a hard worker. Doesn't appear to be a great passer or have much ability to create offensively. The other knock on him is his age; he's already 22 so may be closer to tapped out. I think he'll carve out a really nice career as a very good and versatile defender and rebounder, but he'll really need to work on his outside shot. I think he's Andre Roberson 2.0 with the potential to be a better shooter.

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I still like all of these guys if we pick at 11 (or lower). A guy I'll add to this group is Patrick Williams from Florida State. He's 6'8" 225 and has a body that will only get stronger. He's one of the youngest guys in the draft having just turned 19, has solid defensive instincts for timing blocks and playing passing lanes and seems to enjoy playing on that end. He's not the quickest guy, so he'll struggle getting switched onto smaller guards. Still he offers a lot of potential defensive versatility. Offensively his shot has a quick release and doesn't have anything funky about. Good solid mechanics, although he only shot 32% from 3 this past season he did shoot 83% from the free throw line. Still some work the Chip and I think he could be a more than serviceable shooter. He's a solid rebounder and did some solid damage in the offensive boards as well. He's got a little creativity off the dribble, but not much and he's turnover prone. Like the other guys in the this list, he'll probably never be the primary option, but he's got a ton of potential to be a really good rotational player. His biggest thing holding him back is that it's all potential, partly because he is so young.