In their own right, these Spurs have resources
” I told them after the game, I wish they weren’t so selfish, 37 assists is not enough. They are so young that it took them a few seconds to realize it was a joke. »
On Monday, Gregg Popovich had these fun words about his team after the impressive victory (115-106) on the floor of the Wolves, the third in four games of this young 2022/23 season.
The legendary Spurs coach leads this season’s favorite young squad, which at first glance is expected to be ace tanks, but in fact, at the end of the first week of the competition, it is a very positive surprise with the second best record of the Western Conference ( 3-1 ).
” They play a lot and enjoy playing for each other. Often while learning to play collectively in this league. Some visibly gain confidence and it shows on the floor. […] They are modest but confident. Of course we won’t win every match, but they play with an intensity that shows they want to win every match. When we have a group like this, we sleep well at night. added the legendary Spurs coach.
Inexperienced but courageous Spurs, like their leaders
At the helm of this young and carefree troupe from Fort Alamo is the equally young and carefree Tre Jones having a blast. Promoted as the starter after Dejounte Murray’s summer departure, Tyus’ youngest has established himself as a reliable leader who is good at running the offense and running systems. Finally, the leader of “Pop”.
” Dejounte got hurt at the end of last season and I had a few scraps. It was a way to gain some experience before entering this season. Tre Jones slipped, his coach says of him that he hardworking kid and solid and complete player“.
With 18 passes for just 8 turnovers since the start of the season, not to mention 7 interceptions that resemble a plague profile on defense despite his limited frame, the Minnesota native is doing well, all sober. He even brings good volume offensively where we least expect it, with over 14 points per game.
” Tre is Tre. just sums up Keldon Johnson. ” He’s been a playmaker his whole life, knows what he’s doing and does what he’s asked. He’s not trying to emulate those before him, Tony [Parker] and Dejounte. He sticks to his game. There’s only one Tre Jones, one Tony Parker and one Dejounte Murray. And each has its own characteristics. »
“Spurs culture” is still very much alive
With the season both young and very long, no conclusions can be drawn about these Spurs targets. Like the Jazz, another surprise team in the Western Conference, their current form probably won’t last through the regular season.
But for now, this young Spurs respects the culture of their club after the departure of the historic “Big Three”, deals with the tools on board and denies “tanking”.
” I try not to listen to what is being said, but I’m not going to lie, sometimes it hurts to hear that we have to lose, tank, tank, tank. “Said Devin Vassell, one of San Antonio’s strongmen this season.” We are professional athletes. We want to play basketball and that’s why we want to win. When you look at the schedule, you say, ‘Are we going to win this?’ we don’t say Or this?’. It is bad to know us. Our only goal is to be competitive and win matches. »
” We can only be happy for them“Just 73 years old, calm and contented Gregg Popovich concludes.
| Shots | It bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Turn off | Def | Early | p.d | bp | Int | CT | party | Points |
| Keldon Johnson | 4 | 32.2 | 44.9 | 36.7 | 60.0 | 1.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 20.5 |
| Devin Vassell | 4 | 32.5 | 40.9 | 39.4 | 75.0 | 0.3 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 19.8 |
| Jakob Poeltl | 4 | 28.3 | 60.0 | 0.0 | 60.9 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 10.8 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 15.5 |
| Tre Jones | 4 | 29.9 | 47.6 | 33.3 | 93.3 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 14.3 |
| Josh Richardson | 4 | 20.8 | 50.0 | 47.4 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 11.8 |
| Doug McDermott | 4 | 17.5 | 44.4 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 7.8 |
| Joshua Primo | 4 | 23.3 | 34.6 | 25.0 | 77.8 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 7.0 |
| Zach Collins | 4 | 14.0 | 52.4 | 33.3 | 66.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 6.5 |
| Jeremy Sochan | 4 | 20.5 | 45.8 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 5.8 |
| Isaiah Roby | 3 | 11.8 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 4.3 |
| Gorgui Dieng | 2 | 10.7 | 42.9 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.5 |
| Keita Bates-diop | 4 | 4.5 | 80.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.3 |
| Romeo Langford | 2 | 4.6 | 40.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
