I’m certain the very last thing all of us need to be speaking about is one other loss to the Memphis Grizzlies — particularly with the rash of fine information we’ve been feasting on these days. The Spurs are making strikes. They’re placing chips within the center. They’re within the combine, so to talk. Nonetheless, with De’Aaron Fox making his debut on Wednesday in Atlanta, that “combine” nonetheless feels a number of days away. This sport nearly felt like an afterthought, and, effectively, it type of confirmed.
Or perhaps it didn’t? I don’t know. It could be straightforward to jot down this off as only a schedule loss and transfer on, however I feel the concept that the Grizzlies are a Rubik’s dice the Spurs simply can’t appear to unravel these days isn’t an issue that’s going away — even with the brand new additions. It’s not nearly their expertise degree or toughness, neither is it that they’ve some particular sport plan that will get deployed after they see Silver & Black on the court docket. They merely apply strain totally and relentlessly for 48 minutes, giving no quarter, and when that’s achieved in opposition to a group just like the Spurs — recognized for temporary lapses in focus and energy — it proves lethal.
Chris Paul mentioned after the sport, “They’ve obtained a system they usually decide to it night time in and night time out… They push the tempo. Everybody can shoot, move, and dribble. They defend. They’re one of many hardest groups within the league proper now.” Greater than something, I feel that simply speaks to the concept that the Grizzlies know who they’re. Their identification will not be good, however it’s set in stone to the purpose that, no matter who comes into the sport, they know precisely what to do and precisely what’s anticipated of them. Ja Morant doesn’t need to be the focus for this group to succeed. I imply, G.G. Jackson lit San Antonio up for 27 factors final night time, and albeit, it felt like a efficiency that would’ve come from wherever.
The Spurs don’t have that but. Proper now, their model of an identification is “Let Victor Prepare dinner” and hope good issues occur — which is likely to be ok to smell round a .500 document, on condition that Victor Wembanyama is doing issues on a basketball court docket that may make James Naismith begin talking in tongues — however it falls wanting nearly every part else. Each time one in every of our gamers talks about expectations, they don’t mince phrases. They need to be taking part in significant basketball. They aren’t aiming for the Play-In Match; they’re aiming for the Playoffs. They’re attempting to get to the playoffs, they usually’re attempting to win within the playoffs. Cheap or not, that’s their objective, and, cheap or not, they aren’t fairly residing as much as it but.
If that’s the usual they need to be held to, then it’s time to start out doing the work. This was most likely the final 12 months they might’ve gotten away with nonetheless type of figuring it out, bumbling round, and ending up with a lottery choose. Everybody was prepared to present them a move. Shoot, even the Entrance Workplace appeared prepared to chalk this season as much as a part of the training curve. However that’s not the way it performed out. Victor declared to everybody that he’s right here for actual, and his teammates stepped up and mentioned they wished the smoke. Nicely, girls and boys, the smoke is right here. The bell is ready to be answered. The music is able to be confronted. The plate is able to be stepped to. Different metaphors as effectively!
Look, I don’t count on the Spurs to win a championship proper now. I don’t even actually count on them to have all of this absolutely found out by the tip of the 12 months. I simply want them to take a look at these losses — like those to the Grizzlies — and notice {that a} fast inflow of expertise isn’t what’s going to place them excessive. They should know who they’re as a group, and they should know precisely what they’re about.
Then? Nicely. Then they should exit and do it for 48 minutes.
Each. Single. Night time.
Takeaways
It did type of really feel bizarre to be taking part in a sport with largely the identical items we’ve been taking part in with all 12 months however nonetheless someway appear to be we have been lacking one thing. I’m certain that’s a part of why final night time felt a bit of off.
The Grizzlies have gained 16 of their final 17 video games in opposition to the Spurs. That feels insane?Everybody all the time talks about Lakers exceptionalism, however I feel Spurs exceptionalism is that I discover stats like that to be personally offensive. That’s the type of streak the Spurs used to have in opposition to groups and, let me let you know, the shoe doesn’t really feel so good on the opposite foot. Not even one little bit. Bear in mind when the Warriors mainly simply couldn’t beat the Spurs in San Antonio for like 3 a long time? We gotta get again to that. The true cause the NBA rankings are down is as a result of the Spurs aren’t working the league anymore. PRINT THE LEGEND!
When it was introduced the Stephon Citadel was going to be within the dunk contest, I type of did a double take. Him? Our man? Actually? Are you certain? I imply, he undoubtedly had some good ones this 12 months however I don’t bear in mind pondering he was setting the world on hearth with something. They have been simply strong, athletic, throw downs. In my head, they’d a nonchalance that was vaguely Kawhi-ish if we’re being trustworthy. Anyway, because the announcement, I’ve began to pay a bit of extra consideration to see what I missed and, I imply, there’s one thing there. To name his dunks “athletic throw downs” is, clearly, promoting him fairly quick. He’s not flashy by any means, however he places a bit of stink on them. He’s obtained a spark of creativity that he properly retains in examine however, yea, I see the potential. It’s there. I’m able to imagine.
WWL Put up Season Press Convention
– Are you able to think about being traded to a different group midseason?
– Oh, you imply, like as a author?
– Positive, like, if PTR have been to commerce me to Brew Hoop for one in every of their writers and money issues
– Yea I imply, that’d be robust for certain. I’d have a tough time wrapping my thoughts round it however, you already know, it is a enterprise. Yea? It hurts, however I’m grateful for the chance that PTR gave me and I’ll all the time cherish my time right here. That mentioned, I’m trying ahead to this new alternative with Milwaukee. It’s a recent begin and, I do know I’ve obtained so much to show, however I’m able to carry my sport to a brand new degree. I’m right here to do no matter it takes to contribute to Brew Hoop’s success.
– you didn’t truly get traded proper?
– I’m simply right here to deal with basketball. I’m going let my sport converse for itself as we begin this new chapter.
– It’s necessary for me to know that you already know that nothing has occurred.
– Go Bucks!