The Spurs confronted a younger Thunder group that must be one in all their largest rivals for years to return to kick off preseason in a matchup that didn’t disappoint. The house group obtained the 122-121 win, however all that mattered to anybody watching was attending to witness Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holgrem shine.
The primary half had the ambiance and the depth of an everyday season recreation, which was not that stunning contemplating the rookies concerned. The Spurs took management early on by taking part in with effort on protection and shifting the ball properly, wanting extra in sync than anticipated. Wemby made his mark with spotlight performs but it surely was extra of a group effort that allowed San Antonio to get an early. A nasty stretch from the guests obtained the Thunder again in it, with Chet Holgrem getting loads of probabilities to indicate off his abilities towards the smaller and slower Zach Collins, however San Antonio closed robust.
One thing comparable would occur within the second quarter, because the Spurs seemed dominant for a stretch solely to permit a comeback later, this time with neither Devin Vassell nor Wemby on the courtroom. With these two sitting and no Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan out there to spell them, the offense couldn’t generate high quality pictures and the deficit in athleticism on the opposite finish was evident every time OKC determined to drive. On the break, San Antonio was nonetheless forward in a high-scoring recreation however what mattered was simply how enjoyable and intense the matchup was.
Because it was preseason, ultimately the primary rotation gamers for each groups had been going to take a seat, however sadly for viewers, the Thunder determined to do it before anticipated. After the break, a completely new beginning unit was on the courtroom to play the second half. What was a surprisingly aggressive matchup grew to become lots laxer instantly and the development continued because the minutes handed and Pop emptied his bench as properly. There was a suspenseful ending with Devonté Graham making an attempt a game-winner that missed, however nobody within the enviornment was all too involved with the ultimate rating.
Recreation notes
Let’s get to the enjoyable half: Victor Wembanyama is a monster. Everybody has seen the highlights from overseas, however watching him do it towards NBA gamers was thrilling. It’s onerous to explain how a lot area he covers on protection. Not even a younger Anthony Davis works as a comparability, which is loopy.
On offense he did just a little little bit of every thing, which is anticipated because the teaching employees tries to determine find out how to maximize his skills. Probably the most noteworthy factor is that he clearly has the go-ahead to cherry-pick to get a mismatch on the opposite finish. The technique would work higher with a extra completed rebounder on the different ahead spot, however the Spurs have that kind of participant in Jeremy Sochan or Keldon Johnson. His teammates additionally must get used to throwing him the ball greater, when solely he can get it, however they’ll get there.
Will Wemby play within the publish lots? Will he be extra of a fringe participant? Who is aware of and actually who cares? When a participant can do issues like this, you let him have the liberty he wants to seek out his consolation zone.
With no Keldon Johnson or Jeremy Sochan out there, Julian Champagnie obtained the beginning and didn’t actually have an excellent night time. Cedi Osman and Doug McDermott each outplayed him and made a case for some minutes. It’s simply the primary recreation and Champagnie can nonetheless bounce again. It is going to be enjoyable to look at who out of these three can carve out a spot for themselves within the rotation.
Chet Holgrem was a horrible matchup for Zach Collins, as he’ll be for many facilities. The Spurs know what Collins can do and he seemed extra like himself within the second half when Holgrem was resting, so nobody ought to learn an excessive amount of into one preseason recreation.
Tre Jones solely hit one three however he tried a pull-up from past the arc after a display screen and obtained fouled on it. The mere incontrovertible fact that he was prepared to let it fly is a superb signal. How assured he stays on his exterior shot is among the issues to observe within the preseason.
Devin Vassell’s shot choice wasn’t the very best however he seems snug letting these midrange jumpers fly. He was additionally actually energetic on protection like a lot of the different Spurs within the first half.
Malaki Branham did what Malaki Branham does greatest: rating effectively. He completed the sport with 15 factors on simply eight pictures, and he made two handsome three-pointers. Regardless of who begins, the Spurs can have some bench scoring so long as Branham is round.
The Blake Wesley Expertise continues to be much like the Lonnie Walker IV expertise. Each have quite a lot of expertise and athleticism and each can have nice moments however they typically look utterly misplaced on offense. To be honest, within the first half, Wesley was legitimately good on protection, exhibiting that he can use his instruments properly on that finish, which is an efficient basis for the younger guard to have.
Devonté Graham and Sandro Mamukelashvili solely obtained minutes after each coaches emptied their benches. Does that imply they’re trailing behind others within the combat for minutes? Most likely not. It wouldn’t be shocking to see them get a rotation spot subsequent recreation. Once more, it’s simply preseason.
The G League crew of Sir’Jabari Rice, Dominick Barlow, Sidy Cissoko and Charles Bediako obtained some rubbish time minutes. There have been some good moments however nothing that stood out an excessive amount of.
If you happen to made it up to now, you deserve one final Wemby spotlight. Right here you go.
Subsequent recreation: vs. Warmth on Friday
The Spurs can have their first dwelling preseason recreation after they face the Warmth. TNT will likely be accountable for the published, however watching Wembanyama reside is unquestionably price it, so get tickets should you can.
