I like Derrick White but I don't know if I 73m dollar like him.

Derrick played well in the bubble. If he keeps that up, it will be worth it.

Not sure why the most important part of an extension would be to prove a point to future draftees. I don't really follow that.

For instance, say the Spurs land the #2 pick next year and have their eyes set on Mobley. Also say the Spurs have a track record (ahem Knicks) of not developing and rewarding their players for their hard work. This also means our 'core' guys change from year to year. Because of this it's not out of the realm of possibility for that draftee (and their agent) to refuse workouts and interviews with the Spurs leading to the spurs not drafting that player, perpetuating the downward fall of a team in a small market. Reputation matters. And really at this point, it's one of the few things the Spurs have that is elite.

That's fair value for White. I think him, Johnson and Vassell will be 3 sure fire high end two way players. The jury is still out on Walker and Murray.

With Murray, I think this is the last season where he gets a long leash. His ability to rebound, get in the passing lanes and get out in transition is excellent. However, if he can't finish and create/score off the dribble (other than FT pull-ups), his role needs to change on this team. And I think it will, if he doesn't take that next step (or half step even). At some point, particularly with finishing layups, he is who he is and we have to accept that and provide him with a different role in the team. He's shown to be a decent 3 point shooter, so the Bowen mold (plus rebounding) isn't out of the question.

I think this season is Walker's last opportunity. He's so physically gifted but I can't remember the last time I've seen a player in the Spurs lineup that's so invisible. When he's on, he's on and the confidence and effort is there. When he's off, he gets down on himself and gets into a hole where he doesn't contribute. I hope I'm wrong but I think Walker's lack of confidence is going to take him from the NBA to China or Europe sooner than later.

But if Walker can improve and DJ doesn't progress into something greater, I think they'd make great bench spark plugs.

Kills about $10mm off the max cap space for next year.

From ESPN article today...

Quote:

---

20. San Antonio Spurs
When we last saw them ...
San Antonio, missing key pieces, went small in the bubble, giving DeMar DeRozan time at the four on their way to a 5-3 record in Orlando. However, it was the first time San Antonio missed the playoffs since the 1996-97 season -- a streak of 22 straight seasons that tied an NBA record.

Win-loss projections

• ESPN Forecast: 31-41
• BPI: 31-41
• FiveThirtyEight: 34-38
• Caesars: 30.0 wins | Title odds: +20000

Spurs in NBArank

• DeMar DeRozan (82)
• Dejounte Murray (83)
• LaMarcus Aldridge (95)
• Derrick White (97)

Breakout candidate: Derrick White
White showed big improvement in the bubble, averaging 18.9 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3% on his 3-pointers. White will form a pretty potent starting backcourt combination with Dejounte Murray.
play
0:21

DeRozan slices through the paint for and-1 bucket
DeMar DeRozan knifes through the paint between Rockets defenders to draw the contact and sink the layup for a chance at a 3-point play.
Pivot point for 2020-21: Are the younger Spurs ready to shine?
Gregg Popovich and the Spurs found success in the bubble in part because of the commitment to the youth movement. With LaMarcus Aldridge out because of injury and Patty Mills set to rest (although he was eventually pressed into action), the Spurs' plan was to go young. But there was still a spot for DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay to thrive.
Heading into the new season, how will Pop balance out the youth movement with the older veterans? DeRozan (31 years old, $27.7 million), Aldridge (35 years old, $24 million), Gay (34 years old, $14.5 million) and Mills (32 years old, $13.5 million) all are on expiring deals but all can still contribute at a high level.
With Murray and White in the backcourt, Lonnie Walker IV and draftees Devin Vassell and Tre Jones could fight for minutes there. Keldon Johnson, the Spurs' 2019 first-round pick, was outstanding in the bubble (14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 63.8% shooting and 11-of-17 from deep in 26.1 minutes per game) and figures to get minutes this season. Trey Lyles and Jakob Poeltl also figure to get minutes in the frontcourt.
How the team balances the young and the old could determine if they swing and miss on the postseason or start a new streak.
-- Lopez

---

Keldon may be available to play tomorrow.

Good Poster said:

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From ESPN article today...

Quote:

---

20. San Antonio Spurs
When we last saw them ...
San Antonio, missing key pieces, went small in the bubble, giving DeMar DeRozan time at the four on their way to a 5-3 record in Orlando. However, it was the first time San Antonio missed the playoffs since the 1996-97 season -- a streak of 22 straight seasons that tied an NBA record.

Win-loss projections

• ESPN Forecast: 31-41
• BPI: 31-41
• FiveThirtyEight: 34-38
• Caesars: 30.0 wins | Title odds: +20000

Spurs in NBArank

• Lonnie Walker (6)
• Dejounte Murray (83)
• LaMarcus Aldridge (95)
• Derrick White (97)

Breakout candidate: Derrick White
White showed big improvement in the bubble, averaging 18.9 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3% on his 3-pointers. White will form a pretty potent starting backcourt combination with Dejounte Murray.
play
0:21

DeRozan slices through the paint for and-1 bucket
DeMar DeRozan knifes through the paint between Rockets defenders to draw the contact and sink the layup for a chance at a 3-point play.
Pivot point for 2020-21: Are the younger Spurs ready to shine?
Gregg Popovich and the Spurs found success in the bubble in part because of the commitment to the youth movement. With LaMarcus Aldridge out because of injury and Patty Mills set to rest (although he was eventually pressed into action), the Spurs' plan was to go young. But there was still a spot for DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay to thrive.
Heading into the new season, how will Pop balance out the youth movement with the older veterans? DeRozan (31 years old, $27.7 million), Aldridge (35 years old, $24 million), Gay (34 years old, $14.5 million) and Mills (32 years old, $13.5 million) all are on expiring deals but all can still contribute at a high level.
With Murray and White in the backcourt, Lonnie Walker IV and draftees Devin Vassell and Tre Jones could fight for minutes there. Keldon Johnson, the Spurs' 2019 first-round pick, was outstanding in the bubble (14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 63.8% shooting and 11-of-17 from deep in 26.1 minutes per game) and figures to get minutes this season. Trey Lyles and Jakob Poeltl also figure to get minutes in the frontcourt.
How the team balances the young and the old could determine if they swing and miss on the postseason or start a new streak.
-- Lopez

---

---

Better

MookieBlaylock said:

---

Good Poster said:

---

From ESPN article today...

Quote:

---

20. San Antonio Spurs
When we last saw them ...
San Antonio, missing key pieces, went small in the bubble, giving DeMar DeRozan time at the four on their way to a 5-3 record in Orlando. However, it was the first time San Antonio missed the playoffs since the 1996-97 season -- a streak of 22 straight seasons that tied an NBA record.

Win-loss projections

• ESPN Forecast: 31-41
• BPI: 31-41
• FiveThirtyEight: 34-38
• Caesars: 30.0 wins | Title odds: +20000

Spurs in NBArank

• Lonnie Walker (6)
• Dejounte Murray (83)
• LaMarcus Aldridge (95)
• Derrick White (97)

Breakout candidate: Derrick White
White showed big improvement in the bubble, averaging 18.9 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3% on his 3-pointers. White will form a pretty potent starting backcourt combination with Dejounte Murray.
play
0:21

DeRozan slices through the paint for and-1 bucket
DeMar DeRozan knifes through the paint between Rockets defenders to draw the contact and sink the layup for a chance at a 3-point play.
Pivot point for 2020-21: Are the younger Spurs ready to shine?
Gregg Popovich and the Spurs found success in the bubble in part because of the commitment to the youth movement. With LaMarcus Aldridge out because of injury and Patty Mills set to rest (although he was eventually pressed into action), the Spurs' plan was to go young. But there was still a spot for DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay to thrive.
Heading into the new season, how will Pop balance out the youth movement with the older veterans? DeRozan (31 years old, $27.7 million), Aldridge (35 years old, $24 million), Gay (34 years old, $14.5 million) and Mills (32 years old, $13.5 million) all are on expiring deals but all can still contribute at a high level.
With Murray and White in the backcourt, Lonnie Walker IV and draftees Devin Vassell and Tre Jones could fight for minutes there. Keldon Johnson, the Spurs' 2019 first-round pick, was outstanding in the bubble (14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 63.8% shooting and 11-of-17 from deep in 26.1 minutes per game) and figures to get minutes this season. Trey Lyles and Jakob Poeltl also figure to get minutes in the frontcourt.
How the team balances the young and the old could determine if they swing and miss on the postseason or start a new streak.
-- Lopez

---

---

Sounds like things are promising with a top 10 player

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Grizzled favored by 2.5 tonight hosting our boys

I like this lineup. I'll like it better when Derrick White gets back.

Well the offense looks good (like it did in the bubble). Defense is still terrible.

I'm beginning to think Keldon at #29 was a nice find.

Put the clamps on that second quarter. Great to see after an abysmal 1st. Let's keep it up.

Shooting the ball well

On pace for 72-0

Real nice to see the young athletic guards score and move the ball up the floor. There were some areas were it was crazy but it's the first game. Keldon is looking good. Defense is still an issue but that seems to be today's NBA.

Nice to see everyone that played scored and contribute. Undefeated in the fiesta jerseys.

Tony Parker got a new boat

https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/tony-parker-superyacht-infinity-nine-1234588067/

Guitarsoup said:

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Tony Parker got a new boat

https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/tony-parker-superyacht-infinity-nine-1234588067/

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It was great not seeing Lyles on the court.

I hope Vassell is still able to find minutes when Derrick comes back. He's too good not to play. Maybe the Spurs go back to the Spurs of old with no one playing more than 30 mins. Except for Derozan.

It's also nice not seeing Forbes there either. It seems like a nice guy but at times held the team back in fast breaks, defense, can't create his own shot, size, and slumps.

It was nice to see the team run a fast break with athleticism, size, and execution.

Pop has been vague on an exact date for White's return, but this is encouraging.

The defense is once again, atrocious. Hopefully we figure it out like we did in the second quarter against Memphis. We can't stop Siakam and we're getting killed on the boards.

Exact same first half as the Memphis game. Starters give up a lot of points but we tighten it up in the second. That Keldon dunk was nasty.

And we come out and put the clamps on Toronto in the 2nd quarter... just like against Memphis the other night.

I wish we could figure out how to play that kind of defense, or at least something close to it, to start the game.

Enzo The Baker said:

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Exact same first half as the Memphis game. Starters give up a lot of points but we tighten it up in the second. That Keldon dunk was nasty.

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I'm starting to sense a pattern here...

Vassell has had a couple of nice defensive plays. His length really stands out on the court.

Another solid quarter defensively. Our youth really shows throughout games where we'll have lapses (no communication on d, multiple turnovers trying to do too much, etc.) but they also consistently bring constant energy to the game. Also helps that Patty is going off tonight.

Thank goodness pop is putting Keldon back in. He was about to go with our worst defensive lineup down the stretch.

2-0 and still on pace for 72-0

Wow. Did not expect to pull that one out down 4 with under 1:30. Gutted it out. DeRozan hitting threes this year. I approve.

Triple double for Dejounte tonight. It wasn't always pretty, but this team moves the ball sooo much better than we did pre-bubble last year.

9-0 to finish is out. I believe Demar had three 3's this game. Still getting use to this team running and scoring. Defense still needs work but the team already looks different.