Wemby Watch: Spurs Die By the 3 and Blake Wesley vs. Lakers

If there are good losses, this was a good loss.

The Spurs didn’t deserve to win this game, largely because their MVP continues to choose the path of least resistance and because their coaching staff enables him to do so.

I like the Spurs going hard at the three point trend. I’m good with 45 attempts per game; it’s smart and it gives the team an edge over teams who aren’t playing the numbers.

What I don’t approve of is their 7'4 superstar drifting out beyond the arc and taking half of his shots there because it’s easier than pushing past the resistance.

Victor had been running hot over the previous 3 games, but, predictably, he cooled off in a highly contested game that went down to the wire. For the night he finished at 4–13 from three including some embarrassing air balls on forced attempts in the clutch.

The Spurs have to figure out that it’s a bad thing for Victor to become a JAC (just another chucker). Anybody can sit outside and launch threes, but nobody can treat an NBA rim like a Nerf hoop quite like Victor can.

In a great illustration of why it’s so idiotic for Victor to become a JAC: Victor actually toyed with Anthony Davis on a rebound and then dropped the ball in the hoop. If you can do this, why would you settle for 27 footers for the bulk of your offense?

The answer being the defense tries hard. But the response isn’t to just give in and acquiesce to the opponent’s game plan.

At some point, Victor must accept that the game is a battle if he’s ever going to be truly dominant. It may take some new coaches for this to ever be figured out.

Let’s go through some of my game notes:

• The Spurs once again raced out to a big lead in the first quarter (12) and then completely blew it within the same quarter (down by 1).
• The Spurs got a major break in Lebron missing 2 free throws late and still couldn’t cash.
• Victor not being able to seal Max Christie on a post up was completely pathetic.
• Victor’s defense was great and it was horrible. One time he saw Chris Paul taking on Anthony Davis in the post and choose to leave Paul out to dry. Also, I caught multiple times when he never ran back on defense.
• Once again, Victor cannot dribble from the perimeter in. I don’t know if the Spurs need a #DontDribble campaign to see this, but he cannot dribble to the hoop whatsoever. The turnover rate is around 50%.
• Stephon Castle had a really good showing. If he’s going to actually make outside shots, the Spurs have the best pick out of the ’24 draft.
• Blake Wesley is incredibly dumb. How many chances is he going to get? He left a trail of destruction this game. His play alone may have cost the Spurs this win.
• Zach Collins has more wherewithal than Wesley, but he doesn’t have the ability to play NBA basketball. The Spurs got lucky on one Collins stint because A.D. was winded and couldn’t really take advantage of Collins in the game.
• When Collins and Wesley enter the game, the Spurs immediately start to turn downhill. This partially explains the first quarter dominance and then surrender. It’s a deadly mix for the Silver and Black, one that both Pop and now Mitch Johnson can’t get away from.

The Spurs play the Mavericks tomorrow so there’s that.

I think the Lakers (7–4) were a good test for the Spurs and the Spurs fell about where I expected tonight. Yes, they lost the game, but the Spurs are clearly capable of beating them.

With Tre Jones coming back soon to relieve Blake Wesley of whatever he does, that should provide a lift.

And when Jeremy hits the court in January, the team will vault back into playoff caliber status.

All they need to do is stay near .500 until then. The next several games will be rough, but the Spurs are resilient enough to rebound from a losing stretch.