Wemby Watch: Tre Jones, Malaki Branham Doom Spurs, Victor Doesn’t Get Ball

Story of the Game

I didn’t know Tre Jones couldn’t handle the ball under pressure. Jones was actually forced to give up point guard duties because he had so much trouble advancing the ball against the Sixers forwards.

Jones finished with 5 turnovers but it could have very well been more. I counted three consecutive possessions where Jones just barely beat the 8 second backcourt violation. I think, on at least one possession, he may not have beat the clock. This just shows a lack of awareness on his part.

Also, Jones’s passing touch continue to be horrible.

And Malaki Branham is only down for two turnovers, but I could have sworn it was more. Either way, those two were incredibly stupid.

Oh, I just remembered the play where he allowed his man to get behind him on the jump ball tap in the first overtime and ceded two points right away. That accounts for one of my chalk marks for Branham.

I don’t think Pop is tanking anymore. I question some of the substitution patterns (why is Davonte Graham in the game for defense with .8 left?), but the Spurs were trying to win this game and obviously have done enough to win several others.

4th worst record only loses a few percentage points anyway.

Victor Stats

33 points, 6 assists, 18 rebounds, 7 blocks in 34 minutes

11–20 fgs, 5–10 3 fgs

Quick Thoughts

Victor had a monster game with the astericks that he went stealth for both overtimes. He might have had two points in the last 10 minutes.

Part of this is his own fault: he is continually looking to pass and failing to balance getting his own shots vs. getting his teammates shot.

Victor’s pass out to Champagnie for 3 near the end of regulation turned out beautifully, but there are far too many times Victor is looking to make the next pass vs. being the franchise player.

But, it takes more than Victor passing too much for him to be completely be ignored. How does he not get the ball in either overtime?

Also, Blake Wesley completely looked him off and passed out (rather than into Victor) earlier in the game. Sean Elliott was vocal in his displeasure and I’m done with Wesley.

I extra dislike Wesley’s aura. He walks around like he’s accomplished something. When I watch him barely high five his teammates, I’m thinking, who the hell are you?

This guy can’t shoot. He can’t pass. He turns the ball over. His pressure is good, but he’s actually not that good at straight up defense. And his game is basically running as fast as he can for a one hand dunk.

Cut him.

Nick Nurse is annoying. I’m glad the Sixers are only pretenders.

Tyrese Maxey looks very hard to stop. As far as I can tell, he has elite quickness and cardio for days. Combine this with his skill and he’s easily a top 30 player in the league.

Despite the loss, I love that we had another competitive game.

Davonte Graham gets credit for looking for the obvious Victor plays when no one else does.

Mamu played another solid, intelligent game.

Julian Champagnie hustled and hit a big three.

The Spurs had some bad stints and I would have liked to see Mamu play more (and replace one in the three guard lineup of Jones, Graham, and Branham), but all-in-all, I enjoyed the game.

We need more Victor shots. Just not that one 30 footer he forced for no reason that wasn’t even close.

The Sixers-San Antonio matchup is game #78 for the Spurs.

Betting: Spurs +3.5, Over/Under 225.5

(Guess-Prediction: I’ll take the Spurs and the over.)

Betting Record going into the game 55–56–1.

Philadelphia traveled to San Antonio for this contest.