One other sport, one other loss: Although the San Antonio Spurs held tight till halfway into the fourth quarter, versus their traditional third quarter collapses, they misplaced contact in the long run and misplaced by 15 factors. In a sport wanting true highlights, as even the Pels’ stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram largely upset, it was as traditional, Jonas Valančiūnas whom the Spurs simply couldn’t comprise.
On a hypothetical listing of the Spurs’ main antagonists of the previous 5 years, I may discover a place for Valančiūnas within the High 10. It’s simply exhausting to see him dominating whichever huge the Spurs throw in his path, from LaMarcus Aldridge to Zach Collins.
That’s to not say that each one the Spurs’ bigs upset. Subsequent to his fellow second-stringer Cedi Osman, it was Charles Bassey who was the Spurs’ fundamental spotlight supplier Friday evening.
Right here’s the Spurs’ spotlight of the sport for me, Charles Bassey arms off the ball to Devin Vassel, who finds Cedi Osman on the perimeter, who slashes into the zone, and, then, with what appears like a double eurostep, serves Bassey a dunk alternative on a silver platter. Anybody else getting Manu vibes right here?
Not too dissimilar is that this play that Charles completed with one other highly effective stuff: Keldon runs into bother, however is offered with a approach out by Julian Champagnie making himself accessible out on the perimeter. (Thoughts you, there’s at all times a serious threat concerned when Herb Jones is, or could possibly be, between you and the man you need to cross the ball to.) Champagnie then makes his approach in direction of the zone to seek out Bassey unguarded beneath the basket.
I do know, us Pounders aren’t getting enthusiastic about DeMar DeRozan vibes as a lot as we’re getting enthusiastic about Manu vibes, however right here Cedi exhibits he’s acquired a little bit of DeRozan in him as properly, with this lovely inside/out cross to Devin Vassell, whose capturing movement is a factor of pure magnificence.
Few highlights from final evening didn’t contain both Cedi or Charles, and this lovely “Durchstecker”, as we name it in Germany, from Charles to Keldon for the dunk isn’t any exception.
Once more, it’s huge man Bassey who finds Keldon, this time for a 3. (Is that perhaps one thing the Spurs may have finished extra final evening? With Victor Wembanyama out and Devin Vassell nonetheless not again within the beginning lineup, the Spurs subsequent go-to man solely took seven subject purpose makes an attempt final evening. Would have been good to see the staff’s most effective scorer featured extra.)
Nearly as good a Devin is from past the arc, him slashing into mid-range territory, the place he’s among the many league’s absolute best, is at all times a good suggestion.
One other good thought, in case you missed final evening’s sport, is watching the total highlights. Right here they’re:
