I'm happy with the win, but it definitely had NBA finals collapse vibes there for a bit.

Wemby was insanely awesome. He would need to rest and the mavericks would immediately close the gap.

I believe the collection of talent on this roster should allow for far less of a drop off than we are seeing when Wemby goes to the bench.

Vassell seems to struggle in the PF role. Our shooting woes continue. We are starting to see enough of a sample size that it's fair to ask if the Spurs did enough this off-season to address that 3pt shooting weakness.

Bryant with the DNP is interesting. Maybe he should go to G league to get some run..seems like his finals role was bigger than what he is seeing this year. I was hopeful he would have made a bit of a jump. His shot looks smooth it just doesn't go in enough yet.

Kornet clearly struggles against teams that force him to switch. I think a couple Reed minutes could have happened when we were up close to 20 to see what he could give. Harris should help too.

This board is full of Aggies in the midst of a historically awful season. It's going to slant a bit more negative than your average message board right now. I wouldn't sweat it.

FTAG 2000 said:

---

This coaching staff just sucks.

We haven't changed a thing on our O since the Finals. And there's not a single player who is shooting better than last year from three. Zero player development.

---

I see you haven't changed since last year either. Same tired crap. Coach takes the team to the finals and in a 6 game win streak and you're still *****in' about something.
You do know they play against other professionals, right?

That is the Wemby we need. Aggressive and attacking, not hanging around outside the 3pt line. Kornet is bad and that hopefully works itself out with Tobias Harris healthy. We can't keep racing out to 20 pt leads, imploding when Wemby and co rest and pulling it out by 1 pt in the end. Our bench scored 10 points. 10. Insert Harris into the lineup and someone moves to the bench and provides a spark and help stagger the lineup better. They also need to go trade for a knock down 3 pt shooter.

Don't like the 3 guard lineup, our bench is already weak as it is, love Harper coming off the bench. Feel like with Fox in at same time it clogs lane even more for Harper.

Blowing a large lead happens around the league almost nightly. In some cases it happens more than just one game a night. I cant remember who, but I swear there were several teams last night that had large leads, only to lose or the game come down to the last shot.

Its NBA culture. The team that plays the best in the last 2 mins... wins. I didnt see anything concerning last night in San Antonio being a Spurs fan

I wouldn't mind seeing Tobias paired with Kornet on a second unit. That would give that unit a bit more size and help Kornet with rotations while also moving Julian to a 3 role and stretching the floor a bit more.

Enzo The Baker said:

---

jsc8116 said:

---

Don't like the 3 guard lineup, our bench is already weak as it is, love Harper coming off the bench. Feel like with Fox in at same time it clogs lane even more for Harper.

---

Manu needs to have 'the talk' with Harper.

---

Im imagining they are starting Harper because they don't wanna risk him leaving? He's going to be the starting PG in San Antonio as long as he wants to be there.

Selfishly id love for him to come off the bench as the 6th man. This is a great problem to have

Yes, we won, but they had the last shot and we gave up another second half 20 point lead. Something we have consistently done with Mitch coaching.

Yes, we have won 6 straight, but those were against the Jazz twice, Kings, wolves without Ant, and Mavs twice (once without Cooper). We're going to play a lot better teams that will punish us for poor three point shooting and giving up 20 point leads.

I don't think it's a ridiculous thing to question a coach's ability when their team gives up 20 point leads consistently.

Enzo The Baker said:

---

jsc8116 said:

---

Don't like the 3 guard lineup, our bench is already weak as it is, love Harper coming off the bench. Feel like with Fox in at same time it clogs lane even more for Harper.

---

Manu needs to have 'the talk' with Harper.

---

I really don't know if that's the answer. Why would you not run Harper/Wemby together as much as possible while they were young and build for a post Fox future? Manu was much more mature/established himself and came into a more veteran club. It doesn't seem like the same situation to me.

Fox seems like the instant offense player that you could ask to take on that bench role. He would still get plenty of fun with the 1s throughout the game but this would be his chance to be the primary scoring option versus the 4th or 5th option like he is just the 1s (based on his shots per game this year). I also expect the will have solid chemistry with Harris in the pick and roll game. If those two savy veterans took some humble pie to come off the bench and made the bench a strength and not a weakness then we would crush teams instead of giving up 20 pt leads.

I think this team need 3 pt shooters on the court at all times. You would have Vassell and Champ with the 1s.
Then you have Harris and Fox adding just enough 3 pt shooting with the second unit. KJ to add a little scoring and then Bryant as a 3 and D. Then Kornet/Reed to anchor the defense and rebound. I think you could almost two platoon teams almost like OKC has the last few years. That would give them a set lineup to develop some chemistry.

Wemby
Harper
Castle
Vassell
Champ

Fox
Harris
Bryant/Barnes
KJ
Kornet/Reed

I think that 2nd unit would be competitive without the huge drop off.

Average Joe said:

---

Yes, we won, but they had the last shot and we gave up another second half 20 point lead. Something we have consistently done with Mitch coaching.

Yes, we have won 6 straight, but those were against the Jazz twice, Kings, wolves without Ant, and Mavs twice (once without Cooper). We're going to play a lot better teams that will punish us for poor three point shooting and giving up 20 point leads.

I don't think it's a ridiculous thing to question a coach's ability when their team gives up 20 point leads consistently.

---

They beat a 7-1 Houston team without Antman.
The most deflated team in the NBA (OKC) beat the Cavs (twice) now

Everyone take a deep breath. This San Antonio team is great

Did anybody else notice Pj washington purposely tripping Wemby??? #Spurs #Nba pic.twitter.com/bRUfoJlWmC

— Squirt (@SquirtWembanyam) November 5, 2026

Tripping is flagrant, right?

I saw it live and didnt think it was intentional

Nvm. Im thinking about when he twisted his ankle

blowing huge leads is 100% on the coach

find a better rotation or find literally anyone that can score with the second unit. Use timeouts, hack a shaq techniques, or anything to break their rhythm when on a run. The 2nd unit has to be serviceable. They are feast or famine.

When they get these big leads like they did in the Finals, and last night. They need to then slow things down and look for better scoring opportunities. Chunking up 3s with 15 secs still on the shot clock isn't good and typical of young teams

This is another reason I like the idea of Fox and Tobias being the seasoned veterans anchoring the second unit. They should provide stability and be a steadying force to know when to milk the clock and still get off a quality shot. I think you could hide/develop Bryant/Reed a bit as a young pups with that veteran group. They both need quality PT unless we plan on pushing them to G league. A few garbage time minutes isn't developing anyone

On paper this makes alot of sense. You take Fox out of the 1s which probably means your turnovers go up a bit and your efficiency goes down a little while the pups grow, but the long term ceiling if this group is much higher. Then you automatically have a competent second unit with seasoned scorers to prevent these crazy +- swings during the non-Wemby minutes that continue to be a problem. You better balance your shooting too in theory.

I think its just a matter of time. Bryant/Reed/Harris will all see quality mins this season. We're in the first week of November. Even if this team experiences no injuries (they will) we'll see these three guys getting rotated in.

Reed is the guy that I think could have the biggest impact coming off the bench later on. It will be interesting to see what this team looks like after the All-star break

They have to play their 5 best guys and oddly enough that takes you to this 3 guard lineup.

Ive been watching some other teams and San Antonio looks as fast if not the fastest team in the league. Theyre the team to beat right now

With improved shooting this team is definitely the team to beat. Especially with OKCs injuries. Philly and Houston are in the mix but both are older injury prone in places.

The bench question will get some support regardless when Harris comes back. Spurs essentially have 6 starters now: Wemby, Fox, Castle, Harper, Vassell and Harris. Add Champ if you want the shooting. So someone expecting to start and finish will not get to. Someone's ego will have to get managed. To me the veterans make a lot of sense to take on that role. They are getting paid like starters and they have already had their accolades. What they don't have is a championship. If they get upset about it then they probably only have a couple years with the team so better to upset them than the future core. If the bench becomes a strength and the shooting evens out then the Spurs would be nearly unbeatable. That should be sellable to the vets.

Love hearing JKidd talk about Wemby on NBA Today. Even he questioned the lack of timeout to give Wemby a breather. Can we get him on the bench too?

Conroe_Ag_8 said:

---

Love hearing JKidd talk about Wemby on NBA Today. Even he questioned the lack of timeout to give Wemby a breather. Can we get him on the bench too?

---

Is it possible they left him out there because he was on pace for ridiculous numbers? At the half he was on pace to basically finish 60/30/10. Id wager Wemby didn't want to rest. The rest of the team played like trash and when he sat, Dallas began reeling them in

I think we're really starting to see the roles between Fox, Wemby and Harper evolve. Fox looks so much more comfortable as a facilitator first and isn't forcing shots anymore. That leaves Wemby and Harper to just ball out.

Castle has not been efficient but consistent. I have really noticed him not selling out his body as much and refining his game. I think it's going to be huge in the long run if he can continue to develop to be more of a rounded shooter.

I feel like Vassell has been the biggest loser of the three guard look. He can do everything, and I feel like he isn't utilized as well now.

I saw a comment post game where Wemby said that he's been sick for a while and last night was the first time he felt he had his legs back.

I think the offense has looked a lot better. Tons of open looks and theyve been getting Wemby good touches inside. I think getting Tobias back will be huge. That will bring Vassell off the bench. I do wonder if Reed learns fast enough to take Kornets minutes. That would be a huge athletic upgrade.

One major change in Castle's game is he hasn't really used his 'slow step' / 'slow euro' move at the rim at all this season.

Good breakdown of the game.

2008and1 said:

---

One major change in Castle's game is he hasn't really used his 'slow step' / 'slow euro' move at the rim at all this season.

---

I noticed that, as well. I'm wondering why. Maybe the advanced metrics showed that his shot suffered when he did. He has been very patient at the rim, though.

Average Joe said:

---

2008and1 said:

---

One major change in Castle's game is he hasn't really used his 'slow step' / 'slow euro' move at the rim at all this season.

---

I noticed that, as well. I'm wondering why. Maybe the advanced metrics showed that his shot suffered when he did. He has been very patient at the rim, though.

---

I wonder if the finals has something to do with it. Could be remembering wrong, but I feel like I remember the Knicks honing in on it pretty well and Castle struggling at the rim that series.

Dylan Harper probably has the most unique shot chart of any player so far this season…

Lights out above the break 3. Missing EVERY single corner 3 and midrange jumper. Rough in the paint non-rim area. S-tier rim finishing. pic.twitter.com/0I5yjyRSWu

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) November 6, 2026

That's just crazy

I said this a ton last year also, but we need to create the conditions for Harper to have a higher usage rate to see exactly what kind of efficiency he can maintain. I think we basically have a young version of SGA on our team without the foul baiting. He's going to be an MVP level scorer once he has the usage rate to unlock that version of himself.

That should also unlock Wemby to dominate even more once teams are forced to adjust to Harper.

I like lots of guys on this team, but Harper and Wemby are clearly the two ELITE guys that win you championships.

I think that graphic shows that Harper has absolute elite skills but is still refining his scoring game like any young player. That's why I like keeping him with the starters where he doesn't have to shoulder the main scoring load. I get the argument to put him on the 2nd unit and let him take as many shots as he wants as the primary option but I think you want him to run an offense and develop elite chemistry with Castle and Wemby and become an elite PG not just a scorer.

Fox with the ones probably make the first unit more efficient right now. But I think it will still be darn good with Harper. Conversely I think the second unit will be significantly better with Fox and Harris anchoring it with their maturity and established scoring prowess rather than just giving the ball to Harper and saying shoot it as much as you want.

Champ thrives the most with open shots. If you can't get him a half dozen good looks a game then we aren't utilizing his skillset and why he got that contract. I think he can get those to some degree with both units but Wemby's gravity is more of a sure thing and pairs better with our slashing young guards. We obviously were pretty darn elite last year with Champ in the starting role.

Harris is the wildcard in all this. He maybe so good he has to start or maybe his chemistry is elite with one of the 3 guards and they anchor the second unit. His 3pt shooting might be as good as anyone's on this squad. Time will tell.

I also think this year is incredibly critical for Castle to prove what he is and what he's not.

In my mind, if he doesn't make the jump to being an all-NBA level guy, we absolutely CANNOT extend him for the max. If he doesn't make the jump and if he's willing to sign for what Devin signed for, then AWESOME and we keep him as part of the core. If he doesn't make the jump and he wants a max deal, then I think we should (although I doubt we will) let him reach restricted free agency and feel out what his value is around the league while we still have the ability to match any offer he gets. There is obviously a ton of risk here with alienating Castle and other guys by not immediately extending him, but I think the risk is even greater if we end up stuck on Castle if he's not actually an All-NBA level guy who demands the max.

The great thing about him getting to restricted FA is that not only can we match, but we can also perhaps set up the conditions for a trade that helps us reload some more future draft picks if we can find a team that thinks he is the missing piece for them as part of a sign and trade. Any version of us having a long (10-year+) window requires us to hit on some young guys in the draft, and the more bites at the apple we have the better chance we have of finding productive players.

It's early, but if what we've seen so far from Castle is who he is the rest of this year, I'm fielding calls in the off season understanding that bringing back 2-3 first round picks + a matching salary role player is better than accidentally over-paying and locking us in long-term at a number that reduces our flexibility to keep a deep team around Wemby. It's not a dig on Castle as much as it is a realistic outlook on how we keep ourselves competitive and forward looking.

We need Harper to come off the bench to help boost the 2nd team, be our Ginobli, but still get a lot of minutes. Same with Harris, him and Harper playing together should boost our bench productivity by quite a bit.

Starters should be:
Fox
Castle
Vassell
Champagnie
Wemby

Bench guys:
Harper
Keldon
Harris
Barnes
Kornet
Bryant