What a distinction a day makes. On Wednesday, I couldn’t await Thursday’s recreation. I hoped the Spurs, with two quasi-home video games forward, adopted by a winnable mini-series in New Orleans, might go on a run and by some means get again into that play-in combine.
Then on Thursday I discovered, right here in a PtR remark thread, that Victor Wembanyama was going to overlook the remainder of the season. My preliminary response, which now appears utterly dumb: A tank transfer? I even went on to put in writing that within the remark thread. I took some flak for that, and rightfully so. What can I say? Typically individuals say silly issues. And I’m definitely no exception. I’m sorry.
There’s one factor, and actually just one factor, that issues right here: Victor’s well being. It doesn’t matter that he’s going to overlook the remainder of the season. It issues even much less that we gained’t see him play basketball earlier than October.
The great factor is that the Spurs have voiced optimism about his situation, and so have quite a lot of consultants who had been requested in regards to the matter. Len Werle, a German NBA podcaster, had his father, a heart specialist, come on Vom Parkplatz to elucidate (in a beautiful Swabian accent) what thrombosis really is and what may be achieved in opposition to it.
I’m not going to recount what was mentioned as a result of I don’t really feel assured in my skill to explain medical circumstances, however one factor he mentioned made me really feel longing for Wemby: Pulmonary embolisms are far much less widespread when the thrombosis is within the higher physique.
Then again, the Spurs now need to discover a solution to take care of this case and set up their priorities. Bettering their lottery odds is one potential precedence. Let’s face it: There’s nothing left to win for the Spurs this season.
Additionally, for the reason that commerce for De’Aaron Fox, some issues counsel that successful wasn’t the highest precedence anyway. This pattern continued final night time within the blowout loss to the rising Detroit Pistons.
Takeaways
The beginning lineup with two level guards – Chris Paul and De’Aaron Fox – and Devin Vassell on the three continues to amaze me, and never in a great way. Not solely is it a particularly small beginning lineup, however it additionally places Devin Vassell able the place he clearly can’t – or doesn’t need to – function. His touches have been diminished, and on the uncommon events when he has the ball, he does issues that don’t make a lot sense, like taking a tricky shot over two defenders. Fox, an All-Star-caliber participant in his prime, by some means works in that lineup, however CP3 and Vassell combining for a measly 9 factors on 3-of-10 taking pictures in 44 minutes of play is solely not starter materials. Then once more, if it helps enhance the workforce’s long run growth (or its lottery odds) and that’s by design, then so be it.
5 and a half minutes into the sport, Jeremy Sochan and Stephon Citadel entered the sport collectively. You’d suppose the beforehand poor protection would enhance, however the reverse was the case. The one man offering good protection for the Spurs within the stretch that adopted was Fox. The Pistons scored on virtually each possession, besides when stopped by Fox. In the meantime, on the offensive finish, the sector belongs to Stephon Citadel – with respectable outcomes. Little spacing creates tough circumstances for Citadel when attacking the basket, however I’m completely happy to dwell with that. Citadel’s growth must be a prime precedence with Wemby sidelined. And to maximise his growth, possibly he ought to play greater than 13 minutes (and a few extra with out Sochan).
With Bismack Biyombo and Charles Bassey the one choices at heart in the meanwhile, will probably be robust forthe Spurs to many video games. Neither of them is reduce out for greater than backup minutes. Bassey is usually out of place on the defensive finish, and Mamu, who was additionally used as a 5 final night time, isn’t actually a middle – and is strictly a one-way participant on prime of that. The Spurs had been large open like a barn door again and again final night time, they usually obtained killed on the boards – a straightforward kill for a man like Jalen Duren. (I grew up having fun with gamers like Dale Davis and Kevin Willis, and it’s enjoyable to observe Duren’s work on the court docket – simply not in opposition to the Spurs.)
Talking of enjoyable issues, on an evening when not a lot was going properly, Keldon “Aaaaayyyyyy” Johnson made me smile quite a few instances. And so did Fox. The Spurs lastly have one other participant with expertise that stand out even among the many greatest NBA athletes. Fox’s deal with is a factor of magnificence, and so is his motion when he stretches for a layup. He’s the form of man who makes you understand what a bonus it’s to be faster than the remainder. Nice to see him in Silver and Black! In his post-game interviews, he additionally comes throughout as a genuinely pleasant and refreshingly constructive man.
