The Spurs are used to being the group that doesn’t obtain the right stage of respect coming into video games, and currently they’ve been benefiting from unsuspecting opponents both with wins or pushing them to the restrict in tight losses. Nonetheless, Tuesday evening towards the Memphis Grizzlies (probably the most depleted group in NBA historical past), it appeared like they might fall sufferer to complacency themselves — and never for the primary time towards this group this season.
Regardless of lacking a number of key gamers in Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson and Cedi Osman, that was nothing in comparison with Memphis, who was down 11 (!!!) gamers, with arguably the one “rotation” participant accessible being Brandon Clarke — and even then he was enjoying in simply his sixth recreation of the season after coming back from an Achilles damage. Heck, they needed to signal an NBA-record thirty third participant yesterday simply to satisfy the 8-player requirement and never forfeit final evening’s recreation to the Spurs.
By comparability, no matter points the Spurs are going by means of, they nonetheless had Victor Wembanyama, Tre Jones and a number of other different legit NBA gamers enjoying final evening, so it could have been the in the end humiliation in the event that they couldn’t break their 13-game dropping streak to this membership and would have confirmed the Grizzlies Curse was actual. In each their dwelling video games this season, the Spurs managed to blow double-digit results in a skeleton crew Grizzlies squad that not less than had Jaren Jackson Jr., who in each circumstances led the comeback. (The loss at Memphis was excusable given it was within the uncommon stretch the place they have been close to full power, together with having Ja Morant.)
Taking all that into consideration, the Spurs discovered themselves in uncommon territory for this season: inexcusably behind 25-16 following a lackadaisical first quarter after the G League Grizzlies had gotten the lead as excessive as 14. The Spurs responded from there and outscored Memphis by 25 within the center two quarters to comfortably win, however that first quarter was actually a lesson realized for the longer term. Assuming the Spurs begin rising up the standings beginning subsequent season, they may discover themselves favored in additional video games, and that requires a special method and mindset than enjoying as an underdog with little to lose past delight.
Takeaways
There are two issues that can annoy me when trying again and reflecting upon this season. The purpose guard “experiment”, and Sandro Mamukelashvili not getting enjoying time till the tip of the season when accidents took over. Whereas each are explainable — the PG experiment had its function (it simply dragged on too lengthy for my part), and it was comprehensible the Spurs wished to see extra from Dominick Barlow when large man minutes opened up — each additionally depart some what-ifs behind. Mamu brings power and hustle each second he’s on the courtroom, is a succesful scorer, and seamlessly suits with nearly any lineup. Gregg Popovich has even known as him his favourite participant, so it stays a bit of complicated that he didn’t get an excellent look till this late within the season and underneath excessive circumstances. If Mamu finally ends up with a task on one other group sooner or later, he could really feel like somebody the Spurs let get away.
I’m intrigued to see what Sidy Cissoko will seem like in yr two. He’s a bulldozer who can drive to the basket at will and at all times appears to be in the precise place on protection. He’s nonetheless a hesitant shooter however confirmed he’s a succesful one within the G League. His confidence stage must be greater subsequent season, and he’s precisely the kind of defender the Spurs want if he could make his offensive recreation translate on the NBA stage.
I don’t see Wemby profitable Defensive Participant of the Yr as a result of irrespective of how good he’s, what the stats say, and the way a lot he deters gamers from even attempting to go at him as a result of I simply don’t assume voters will give it to a rookie on a backside 10 protection. That being stated, if this play from final evening doesn’t describe his defensive presence in a nutshell — the place the Grizzlies had a three-on-one however hesitated and handed out to the perimeter — I don’t know what does. This simply doesn’t occur with some other participant.
One remaining Wemby shoutout goes to this wonderful play, with the Shamgod crossover and spin to created an open layup. Once more, who else does that? He must be probably the most versatile 7-footer on this planet. He actually is an Alien.
