If this season is extra about course of than successful, you possibly can’t be too upset with how the San Antonio Spurs carried out towards the Los Angeles Clippers. Certain there have been the occasional offensive and defensive breakdowns. But, the Silver and Black fought till the bitter finish, making the sport fascinating late within the fourth quarter. There have been loads of positives to takeaway from the Spurs 109-102 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night time.
The most important story popping out of the sport had nothing to do with the precise play on the court docket. Within the final minutes of the second quarter, Kawhi Leonard went to the free throw line for 2 photographs. The San Antonio crowd was letting him have it, booing and jeering as he took his first shot. That’s when Gregg Popovich intervened.
After the sport Pop instructed reporters that he didn’t need Spurs followers to “poke the bear,” motivating Leonard with their negativity. Whether or not or not this was applicable or sensible from the pinnacle coach is as much as you, however it’s undoubtedly entertaining. This second will certainly be one we bear in mind at season’s finish.
The on the court docket product was enjoyable too! Jeremy Sochan had his greatest recreation of the season, going for 19 factors, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. He made some nice reads passing the ball, displaying he’s gotten extra snug taking part in the purpose. He was attacking on offense, and within the fourth quarter took over the sport for a stretch.
Sochan is taking pictures 37.5% from three this season, totally on catch and shoot jumpers. This pull-up exhibits he’s getting extra snug taking lengthy vary photographs. His jumper appears to be like far more fluid off the catch and the dribble. If he can develop right into a semi-reliable three-point shooter, that’s an enormous increase for the Spurs offensive assault.
Right here’s an instance of Sochan’s improved play on the level guard spot. He comes off the double stagger display screen, stays affected person and discover the relocating pop man for an open catch and shoot three. As he learns the place, you’ll see extra of Sochan holding the play alive together with his dribble and discovering the proper man because the play develops. Sort of like a quarterback scrambling out of the pocket to discover a receiver downfield. This was an ideal learn from the Spurs tall ball level guard.
Victor Wembanyama had an enormous bounce again recreation after struggling within the Spurs final recreation towards the Clippers. He attacked the basket and was far more selective together with his shot on the best way to 22 factors, 15 rebounds, 3 assists and three blocks.
Right here he seals the smaller Paul George on the low block in transition. He makes himself massive, and Keldon Johnson hits him for the drop-step layup. Wemby’s body could make it exhausting to determine place down low. Doing his work early to determine place and utilizing his size to complete excessive of shorter defenders will do him wonders on the block.
I’ve been impressed with Wemby’s chopping skill. He has good instincts on when to dive to the rim for a simple look. Right here the Clippers are scrambling after an offensive rebound, and Wembanyama finds a lane for the dunk. What a lob from Zach Collins! Not many massive males could make that go.
Wembanyama is a menace within the choose and roll, however the Spurs nonetheless don’t run it for him almost sufficient. Devin Vassell and the large man are a dynamic mixture within the motion. Vassell’s skill to attain off the bounce makes defenses pay for over-helping on Wembanyama. Wembanyama’s gravity opens up appears to be like for Vassell. I’d like to see them run extra of this shifting ahead.
Wembanyama can go it too! This can be a nice learn to seek out the chopping KJ when PG ball watches.
The Spurs get a break for Thanksgiving, then will probably be off to San Francisco for his or her final In Season Match recreation towards the Warriors on Friday.
Try full recreation highlights under.
