The jdeleonpsn1's Podcast

In Spurscast episode 643, Spurscast host Paul Garcia and Project Spurs writer Jonas Clark discuss the latest San Antonio Spurs topics: 

The Spurs in their last 8 games

Becky Hammon being hired as the new Head Coach of the Las Vegas Aces

The Spurs and other teams pushing forward through health and safety protocols

What has changed since the Boston game after Thanksgiving?

The Last 8 Games and Other Team NewsThe San Antonio Spurs went 4-4 in their last eight games since the last Spurscast recording. While the team is currently on a three game losing streak, they did surpass their expectations in the last eight games.

Based on the Vegas game lines, the Spurs were projected to go 3-5 in the last eight games, instead, they went 4-4.

Dejounte Murray, Doug McDermott, Lonnie Walker IV, and Devontae Cacok are currently in health and safety protocols. After missing the last four games, Murray is expected to return to the team soon after clearing protocols.

With four players in health and safety protocols, the Spurs recently signed Austin Spurs guard Jaylen Morris to a 10-day contract.

Becky Hammon to be new Head Coach of Las Vegas AcesNews broke last week that Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon will become the new head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. The deal is reportedly the most lucrative deal for a WNBA head coach and Hammon will finish the NBA season with the Spurs.

What has changed since the Boston game after Thanksgiving?Since the Boston game on November 26, 2021, the Spurs have gone 10-8 in their last 18 games. While initially it looked like it would be the defense the team relied on, it's actually been the offense.

The Spurs rank 6th offensively during the 18-game stretch and overall, they now have the 11th ranked offense.

In the episode, a discussion takes place on how Derrick White's improvement, a change in the lineup, and how a number of other players have helped the team improve offensively.

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Project Spurs writer Collin Reid discusses Thaddeus Young expressing his frustration over playing time on the San Antonio Spurs and how it's possible for neither side to be wrong in a situation like this.

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In Spurscast episode 642, Spurscast host Paul Garcia and Project Spurs writer Stephen Anderson discuss: 

The Spurs in the last four games against the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Charlotte Hornets

The Spurs closing the gap in free throw scoring with their opponents

Trade rumors involving Thaddeus Young and Bryn Forbes

The Last Four Games

The San Antonio Spurs went 2-2 in their last four games, and almost as if in a roller coaster sequence. The Spurs picked up a win against the Nuggets last Thursday, then two nights later fell behind by as many as 32 points and lost to Denver. Then the following night, the Spurs defeated the Pelicans, but then days later fell behind by 30 points and lost to the Hornets.

In the episode, the Spurs' last four games are discussed, as well as the Spurs' injury report.

Closing the Gap from the Free Throw Line

With Derrick White's improvement over the last 10 games, the Spurs have seen an increase in free throw makes and attempts. Considering the Spurs are already one of the best teams for the season in not putting opponents on the free throw line, they've closed the gap in free throw scoring.

Through 27 games, the Spurs are only being outscored from the free throw line by 5 total points. On a per game basis, they're losing the free throw line by 0.1 points per game, which is practically even.

The areas where the Spurs have a big advantage (paint scoring), where they're almost even with opponents (free throw line, mid-range), and where they have their biggest weakness (3-point line) are discussed in the episode.

Young and Forbes Trade Rumors

Lastly, the latest trade rumors surrounding Thaddeus Young and Bryn Forbes are examined in the episode.

A familiar Young to Phoenix rumor is floated that dates back to September, while it appears playoff contenders will be looking into whether or not to try to trade for Forbes before the February 10 deadline.

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In Spurscast episode 641, Spurscast host Paul Garcia and Project Spurs writer Evan Townsend discuss the following San Antonio Spurs topics: 

The Spurs going 2-2 in their last four games against the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, and New York Knicks

Takeaways from the 4-Game Winning Streak

Derrick White improving in the last 6 games

Lonnie Walker IV’s play through 23 games

The Spurs blew out the Trail Blazers by 31 points last Thursday. From there, the Spurs continued their road trip with a win against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

The Spurs' season best 4-game winning streak was snapped Monday on the road in a loss to the Phoenix Suns, and the Spurs' most recent defeat came at the hands of the New York Knicks Tuesday.

Though the win streak is over, there can be some takeaways to see what the Spurs can maintain going forward to find success.

A number of different factors contributed to the Spurs finding success. From Derrick White turning back into Derrick White, Jakob Poeltl getting healthy and providing rim protection, Dejounte Murray continuing his stellar play and a few role players having good weeks lately in Doug McDermott and Bryn Forbes.

Plus, the Spurs have started to go more and more away from the mid-range shot as of late to help close the gap in 3-point scoring and attack the rim more frequently.

Some team injury updates with Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell are discussed in the episode, and some movement with Austin, as Josh Primo has started to earn minutes with San Antonio as the team deals with injuries. Meanwhile, Jock Landale will be going to Austin for the first time this season.

After his breakout game against the Warriors with 21 points, Lonnie Walker IV scored just 9 points combined in the last two games.

Walker IV's season through 23 games is discussed on both ends, as well as the chances he'll be a longtime player with the Spurs since he'll become a free agent this offseason.

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In Spurscast episode 640, Spurscast host Paul Garcia and Project Spurs writer Rocky Garza Jr. discuss: 

The Spurs going 1-0 in their last game against the Washington Wizards

Commonalities in the Spurs’ 2-game winning streak

The backup center position between Drew Eubanks and Thaddeus Young

Trade scenarios for Young

1-0 in last game against Washington

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Wizards by 18 points Monday night for their first winning streak of the season. The Spurs once again used lockdown defense to hold the Wizards below 100 points.

Derrick White had a season high 24 points and the Spurs picked up their first win of the season when falling into a double digit hole.

Commonalities in the Spurs' 2-game winning streak

It's just two wins, but that's a big deal for a Spurs team that hadn't been able to do that so far this season. Commonalities on offense and defense are analyzed from the Spurs' victories over the Boston Celtics and Wizards in the episode.

Jakob Poeltl being back, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White each averaging over 20 points in the last two games, and Keita Bates-Diop starting are also reasons why the team has been finding success lately.

The Backup Center Position

So far this season the backup center position has been between Drew Eubanks and Thaddeus Young. While both players have been averaging similar minutes per game, Eubanks has played in all 19 games while Young sat out three games earlier in the season due to a decision by the coaching staff.

The play of both players is discussed in the episode and the roles each player has on the team. In the event Young is traded at some point during the season, some teams with trade exceptions or cap space large enough to absorb his salary are discussed in the episode.

The Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans, and Orlando Magic all have large enough trade exceptions to absorb Young's $14.1 million salary. The Oklahoma City Thunder can open cap space to take in Young's salary by renouncing their trade exceptions.

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Collin Reid evaluates his break-out candidates one month into the season to see if any of them are on track for a break-out season.

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In Spurscast episode 639, Spurscast host Paul Garcia discusses the latest San Antonio Spurs topics: 

The Spurs going 1-3 in their last four games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics

Can the Spurs get back to a Top 10 defensive level?

Tre Jones’ start to Year 2

Keldon Johnson’s improved 3-point shooting

1-3 in Last 4 GamesThe San Antonio Spurs snapped their 6-game losing streak Friday with a close win against the Boston Celtics. In the episode, the Spurs' losses to the Timberwolves, Suns, and Hawks are discussed, as well as the surprising win against Boston.

The Spurs are now 5-13 through 18 games. They're 3.5 games behind the Timberwolves in the standings for 10th out West and in 5th for the best lottery odds.

Doug McDermott and Devin Vassell's recent injuries are also discussed in the episode.

Can the defense get back to a Top 10 level?During their 6-game losing streak, the Spurs' defense had started to slip, allowing opponents to score over 110 points in 5 of those 6 games.

The Spurs showed on one night Friday against the Celtics they can become a Top 10 defense, after they held the Celtics to just 88 points.

The defense through 18 games is analyzed by where the Spurs are elite, where they're average, and where they're bottom 10 and need to improve to get back to a Top 10 level.

Tre Jones' Start to Year 2Tre Jones' start to his second year of his career is discussed. While Jones is known for his defense, he's been very efficient with his shot selection in the paint and he's making those paint shots at a very accurate number early in the season.

Keldon Johnson's Improvement from 3-Point RangeWhile his attempts are still low, Keldon Johnson has drastically improved his 3-point accuracy. He's now making 39% of his attempts from outside, which is the second most accurate number on the team among rotation players.

This is also shown in the wide-open 3s data. 70% of Johnson's 3-point attempts were attempted wide open at one point during the season. Now, that number is down to just 55% of his attempts being attempted wide open.

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In Spurscast episode 638, Spurscast host Paul Garcia and Project Spurs founder Michael De Leon discuss the latest with the San Antonio Spurs: 

The San Antonio Spurs going 0-2 in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers.

Dejounte Murray’s strong start to the season, despite the team’s struggles.

The Spurs’ 3-point shooting through 14 games, and why the amount they’re getting outscored by from outside is very concerning.

0-2 in Los Angeles

The San Antonio Spurs' losing streak extended to three after two losses in a row in Los Angeles Sunday against the Lakers, and Tuesday against the Clippers.

The Spurs are now 4-10 through 14 games and while they are struggling, they're still just two games behind the Sacramento Kings in the standings for the 10th seed. Getting the 10th seed would put the Spurs in the play-in game.

Jakob Poeltl and Jock Landale's injury statuses are also discussed in the episode.

Dejounte Murray's Strong Start to the Season

Dejounte Murray is leading the Spurs in scoring, collecting assists, deflections, steals, and defensive rebounds.

While different players on the team have had a number of games where they've struggled, Murray has been the most consistent player for San Antonio and he's even become their go-to player in crunch time.

Murray's 14 games to start the season are discussed in the episode, as well as a model that shows he's playing like an All-Star to begin the season.

If the team success doesn't improve, making the All-Star team will be tough for Murray even if he has similar numbers by the time All-Star voting takes place.

Concerning Sign From Outside

Last season the Spurs were outscored by 507 points from the 3-point line. Despite winning the 2-point battle and free throw line last season, the Spurs ended up being a -125 overall for the season.

With the team being 29th in 3-point attempts this season, a similar trend is starting to develop. The Spurs are winning the 2-point battle right now by 96 points. But, they're losing the 3-point line by 84 points and the free-throw line by 25 points.

Unlike last season with DeMar DeRozan, they're like to lose the free-throw line battle this season.

80% of their losses this season have been when they lose the 3-point line in the game. That is a concerning sign considering only 14 games have taken place and the team is already seeing another big gap in 3-point scoring.

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In Spurscast episode 637, host Paul Garcia discusses the latest San Antonio Spurs topics: 

The Spurs going 2-2 in their last four games against the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, and Dallas Mavericks

The team offense and defense through twelve games

Derrick White’s struggles on offense

Should there be a change to the starting lineup?

2-2 in Last Four Games

The Spurs went 2-2 since the last Spurscast episode, defeating the Magic by 13, losing to the Thunder by 5, defeating the Kings by 19, and then falling to the Mavericks by 14.

The Team Through 12 Games

Through 12 games, the Spurs are closer to a league-average offense and defense. The Spurs are 14th on offense scoring 1.073 points per possession and 15th on defense allowing 1.066 points per possession.

Some areas on offense where the Spurs are in the Top-10 are fast-break scoring, limiting turnovers, pace, ball movement, taking and making shots from the floater range, and scoring in the paint. They've also improved their 3-point accuracy to 8th among teams in the league.

Some areas on offense where the Spurs are in the Bottom-10 on offense are getting to the free-throw line and attempting 3-pointers.

On defense, the Spurs are Top-10 in not putting opponents on the free-throw line, not allowing many fast break points, forcing turnovers with steals, scoring off turnovers, and limiting opponent accuracy near the rim.

The Spurs have found themselves in the Bottom-10 on defense in allowing teams to get many shot attempts at the rim and teams are able to avoid taking many shots from the non-restricted area and mid-range against the Spurs' defense.

Derrick White's Struggles on Offense

White has had a tough last three games offensively, shooting 3-of-21 overall for 7 total points. For the season he's averaging 10.8 points on 10.3 shot attempts. His 3-point accuracy has dropped, but he's still moving the ball well on the team.

In the episode, White's shooting numbers are analyzed. While his finishing near the rim is still efficient, it's his shots from the floater range that are really having an impact on his shooting accuracy, along with his outside shot.

One good sign for White is that through these struggles, he's still making 46% of his wide open 3-pointers. The problem though is defenses are only letting him get 52% of his 3-pointers wide open.

Defensively, White continues to be one of the standout players on the team. He really pops out in defensive field goal percentage, contested shots, and blocks among his teammates.

Should There be a Starting Lineup Change?

In the episode, a starting lineup change is explored. The Spurs only got 7 games with Jakob Poeltl before he had to go into health and safety protocols. Because of the limited time with Poeltl, Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich may not want to make a starting lineup change until he sees a larger sample size with Poeltl and the other four starters.

If White were to go to the bench, Devin Vassell would likely be the next player to move into the starting lineup. If this happened, more responsibility would fall on Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson to have to create for the offense, since White is the second primary ball-handler on the team.

Looking at different data points, a starting lineup change with Vassell in for White is explored.

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Every week, we'll host an "open mic" on Twitter Spaces to talk about some of the latest San Antonio Spurs topics.

For our second episode yesterday, Michael De Leon and Evan Townsend talked about the Spurs lack of playing time for Joshua Primo and Jock Landale, who we just learned will be sidelined due to health and safety protocols.

We also previewed this week's slate of games.

Be sure to check back every week for the next open mic. You can listen in live or join in on the conversation.

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