ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Spurs 10/27/2023

As each day passes I honestly believe the past 3 drafts worth of ping pong balls are the absolute definition of basketball karma.

And Tilman got exactly what he deserved.

 

It’s been inconsistent for sure. There were times last year where he turned it up and locked down on players. He was a good shot blocker last season and more aggressive in rebounding. But I noticed he gets beat by smaller quicker wings and guards as his lateral movement isn’t great. He also cheats a lot or over commits on help coming down on a player in the paint leaving his corner or wing guy open. Everyone gets beat in the NBA as long as the effort is there and you help out your teammates. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he us terrible. He just isn’t a solid one on one defender on the perimeter.

 

LMFAO. This is exactly how smart I imagine Jalen is and him saying this exact thing sulking after the game because he's no longer (rightfully so) seen as the start player.

Here's two big ones:

- moving off the ball to get better position or create better space for your teammates
- setting picks for teammates

No wonder there's people here who think Jalen is a good player.

 

Did you say this in the preseason or summer league? If you watched at all last year he was a pretty good defender in the paint. He is very alert on defense and helps cut off driving lanes. He was a good rebounder last year with 7 a game and almost a block a game. He is inconsistent though and cheats a lot on help defense leaving his perimeter guy open.

Not sure why you’re directing your hatred all on Smith when Sengun was 2-6 in FT, had terrible touch fouls and moving screens along with an unecessary flashy pass that resulted in a TO. In my opinion they both had losing traits. They both made Losing plays. This is what coaches and GM’s talk about in terms of winning plays and mentality.

 

Yeah right. We've had lots of lousy free throw shooters on our team alone over the years.

 

That flashy behind the back pass that resulted in a TO was dumb. Those silly touch fouls on Collins dumb too. This is what separates good winning players from losing players. At some point he has to realize he has to play smarter with more discipline. For instance To not foul late when a player has position on you, goes past you and scores a bucket. Or to not make unnecessary difficult passes especially in critical moments.

 

lol same old discussions with Bobby.

 

Well unfortunately it’s s team game so everyone is responsible. And Sengun was 2-6 FT with 6 TO. Several touch fouls on Collins late and moving screens. Don’t forget the baseline behind the back bounce pass that resulted in a TO. Please be objective.

 

Yeah. That’s being a good teammate. Jabari looks totally beat there, I feel bad for the kid

 

If he’s as competitive as he seems, I know he probably didn’t have a good night’s sleep last night. And if he gets in the gym and keeps working, I don’t see why he won’t keep getting better

 

Might be time to get rid of Green also. He sucks

 

He was terrible defender last year and he is terrible defender this year so far.

You can check what i post after the summer league. Jabari is playing so well against G-league players, maybe he should try his luck with RGV.

Sengun moving screen offensive foul was not 99% but 100% Jalen's fault, Anyone with slight understanding of basketball can say that. Yes, he committed stupid turnovers in the overtime but it was going to be another blowout loss if Sengun wasn't there carrying them anyway.

 

another 100+ page game thread, I'm impressed

 

You're the one not being objective. Sengun played great. 3 offensive fouls were half his turnovers. Superstars do not get called for tik tak stuff like that. Eventually he will earn the respect of the refs. One turnover was off an offensive rebound that he grabbed over two defenders.If he wasn't in there would be no turnover to be had cuz the possession was already lost. So he made one dumb behind the back pass but it's his creativity that makes him special. That touch pass to Brooks was a thing of beauty and resulted in easy layup in a close game. You have take the good and bad he's like a Ginobili. Cuz it's majority good. Players just need to make open shots. Hard to have a good assist/to ratio when 60% of your passes end up in bricks.

He had 1 touch foul on Collins that even mattered on the and 1 but Collins missed the free throw so why was it even a big deal? You get 6 fouls. 3 were offensive 1 was late to stop clock. Only 1 foul left, how you gonna say several. Clearly you hate Sengun and can't stand that Ime already realizes he's our best player. That loss was 100% on free throw shooting.

 

Right... free Green up so he can what? Make an open shot? Not turn the ball over? Dribble around and around tell 3 seconds left in the shot clock the throw up a crazy shot that hits off the backboard and goes in?

 

Right... free Green up so he can what? Make an open shot? Not turn the ball over? Dribble around and around tell 3 seconds left in the shot clock the throw up a crazy shot that hits off the backboard and goes in?

 

JABRONI SMITH

 

Looking through the stats after two games is pretty telling. We are currently starting 3 NBA players in Sengun/FVV/Brooks. Sengun is the star of the team and has been for 3 years now. 19.5/11/6.5 on 59% from the field. Jalen and Jabari are putrid. From the field, from 3 and from the line. So essentially we are fielding 2 rookies and having another leading the 2nd unit.

Now I will say that their contemporaries aren't faring much better. Cade is also very hot and cold like Jalen. Scottie too. Chet looked great last night but we'll see how consistent he is long term. Paolo has also been meh. Franz Wagner and Alperen Sengun are the best players from that draft so far. Keegan Murray is the best from last year. Not sure what's going on with this crop of rookies and new kids but I have a lot of suspicions. I feel like overall it's taking them longer to grow up and few are actually where they need to be mentally for this grind. Even others like Ant Edwards and Lamelo Ball don't give me much confidence. They're all just so unserious. We b**** about Jalen, and I have been a lot the last couple days (@Mathloom), but I look around and I'm like...ehhhhh.....

 

Laredo Taqueria, but not the one on Washington….no sir…the one on 6904 Irvington Blvd

 

I was as down on the team after the 1st, but I am very pleased with this one and cannot see how so many people are negative about it. Guess it's the emotion and it's easy to just give up on our young guys like last year, but ragging on Sengun in particular is just laughable. I loved what I saw. This was the team that showed up during pre-season. We showed serious effort, hustle, were the first ones to punch the Spurs in the mouth and showed them we are not going to be pushed over like during pre-season and the 1st game in Orlando.

Some thoughts:
- Sengun was absolutely amazing, that dunk is dunk of the year so far and he played with Collins like a chew toy. On defense he stood his ground, made great reads, had his hands a lot in there and got some steals.
- FVV is a baller, his energy is contagious and he seriously reminds me of Bogues with the relentless energy. He's just up and down on the court, getting a lot of steals and forcing turnovers. He's worth every penny.
- Brooks has been great, as much as I still dislike the signing. He's doing as he said he would, play defense, be that Mad Max guy for us, taking on the challenge, not back down and take shots within the offense. If he keeps this up he might even win me over.
- Boban was great and glad he was actually on the court for some serious time. He was a difference maker on defense, though was surprised he wasn't put on Wemby. That one foul wasn't even one. Wemby didn't even try to challenge aside from that. Those who came inside couldn't get a proper shot up when he was in the right position.
- Jabari and Green had their moments, but overall did not impress again. Green couldn't stop anyone on defense and Jabari on offense was very much a non-factor.
- Amen again jittery, Bullock again a non-factor, but Jeff Green proved again he's more than just a veteran locker room guy with solid drives to the basket and Tate was of course everywhere.
- referees calling it favorable for the Spurs was not a surprise, I was waiting on it, and it's typical of a game where they want the home team to come back. And they go with the one who's hot too. And we actually got away with quite some stuff before the 4th so I'm not going to give the refs credit of this loss as some of y'all do.