The Spurs performed one of the crucial entertaining video games of the season in Denver on Saturday. Sadly, it ended with a painful loss in additional time for the Silver and Black, which helped affirm the considerations of the skeptics about San Antonio’s probabilities to execute down the stretch in opposition to top-level opponents in video games with playoff depth.
In actuality, the loss, whereas annoying, is definitely encouraging for the Spurs. It doesn’t make it sting any much less, as a result of the staff appeared to have it within the bag a few occasions, nevertheless it confirmed simply how excessive the ceiling of this group is, even when they aren’t at their finest. Let’s break it down.
The Spurs made loads of errors and nonetheless virtually received the sport
Shut losses to different contenders are discouraging when a staff performs virtually flawless basketball, and it’s nonetheless not sufficient. When your finest falls brief, it’s time to rethink whether or not you may truly measure up with the highest canine. However the Spurs didn’t play close to their finest down the stretch, and so they nonetheless had an opportunity to beat an opponent the consensus believes can win a championship.
Whereas rewatching the fourth quarter, listed below are the errors in judgment I may see:
Once more, these are simply errors in judgment, not execution. The possessions wherein the ball acquired sticky and the Spurs didn’t discover an open shooter rapidly sufficient, or, for instance, when De’Aaron Fox closed out too recklessly on a 3 for a four-point play, will not be counted. The main target can also be on course of over end result, so Harrison Barnes airballing an open three or Citadel travelling on an isolation in opposition to Hardway Jr., for instance, aren’t on this record.
No staff is ideal, and the Nuggets additionally had their errors, however these are loads of errors for San Antonio, particularly in opposition to an opponent that may capitalize on them. that record, you’d think about the Spurs acquired crushed within the fourth quarter, however they solely misplaced by 4 and held a two-possession lead within the last minute.
The teaching and execution have loads of room to enhance
Now, for the reason that largest knock on the Spurs as authentic contenders is their youth and lack of expertise, some would say that the actual fact they misplaced due to poor decision-making reveals that there are many causes for concern. However the sport was additionally misplaced strategically, and that shouldn’t occur in a playoff sequence the place apparent changes are anticipated.
Once more, simply specializing in the fourth quarter and additional time, there have been loads of tweaks Mitch Johnson may have made to counter the Nuggets’ play. One of many primary ones concerned Nikola Jokic. Denver hid The Joker on Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, and Stephon Citadel, alternatively. As a substitute of getting the large man concerned in the primary motion and forcing him to defend both Wembanyama or a guard after a change, they largely allowed Jokic to relaxation on protection, as he stood close to the nook, barely contesting pictures if the ball moved to his man.
So in the event that they weren’t looking Jokic, what have been the Spurs doing on offense? They have been working loads of their performs by way of Wembanyama on the elbow. When Wemby acquired Jamal Murray on a change, that was a superb consequence, as he both scored or somebody acquired an open three after a double staff. The issue was that at any time when Aaron Gordon managed to recuperate and guard Wemby, he struggled in opposition to the most effective defenders within the league, both taking off-balance pictures or holding the ball for too lengthy and passing out with the shot clock about to run out.
Is it worrisome that the changes by no means got here? Provided that you imagine that Johnson wouldn’t make them if these two groups met within the playoffs.
The Spurs most likely wanted this loss to maintain them sharp
It must be at the least considerably reassuring to see that this Spurs staff is so gifted that there have been a few performs away from successful the sport. If Wemby doesn’t botch the change within the tying Nuggets’ bucket in regulation or hits the would-be game-winner, the discourse can be fully totally different. Had Fox made a barely higher go or had Vassell been capable of management the ball within the alley-oop try and tie it with 23 seconds to go, possibly San Antonio would have ended up successful.
On the similar time, loads of video games, particularly shut postseason video games, come right down to a handful of performs. The Spurs must be those who’re sharper, and so they weren’t getting examined a lot up to now couple of months. There are not any ethical victories for contenders, however there are studying experiences, and this was one. Even the gamers agreed.
“A sport like that is one thing that we would have liked, particularly with the video games we’ve been taking part in the previous week and a half, with some groups that aren’t combating for what we’re combating for,” mentioned Julian Champagnie. “Clearly, we misplaced, and that’s not the result you wish to depart with, however I believe that after we return and watch the movie, there can be loads of helpful issues that we will take from that.”
In the meantime, Wembanyama known as the matchup “enjoyable” and touched on the identical subjects as Champagnie:
“My conclusion for this sport is that it’s good for us. Every thing that occurred tonight is sweet for us. It’s an actual check in opposition to a staff that truly is taking part in for one thing proper now. It had a bit of little bit of playoff vibes.”
A win would have been excellent, and was inside grasp, however the loss reminded the Spurs they should clear issues up because the postseason approaches, which is undoubtedly a superb factor.
