As Otto Porter wins 3-PT Shootout, R.C. & Pop continue to perfect playoffs-ready rotation.

Tinker-tinker-tinkering away are Coach Popovich & R.C. Buford, as final roster experimentation continues. The Spurs sit at 54-3, towering over the rest of the league, but still not content with the rotation. They took a flier on Isaiah Thomas, who scored well, but was not retained after his 10-Day contract expired. Bench stretch big-man Marquese Chriss gained notice from the Dallas Mavericks after having a solid year so far with San Antonio; coupled with Jeff Teague's underwhelming results so far, the Spurs accepted Trey Burke in return for Chriss, releasing Teague.

The Spurs are now tenatively running Fred VanVleet as the backup point guard, with Trey Burke's score-first prowess coming in behind Buddy Hield. Otto Porter, fresh off winning the 3-PT Shootout, is excelling as a scorer for the Spurs, jumping into the starting lineup every couple of games. Brandon Ingram has started at the 3, but mainly at the 4, with Paul Millsap's earnest defense fittingly earning him some shine at the starting 4 spot. Brandon Clarke has mostly made up for the absence of Chriss, slotting in after Drummond & Love.

In his Spurs debut, Trey Burke had 19 points & 7 assists, showing his talent as a secondary playmaker. Paul Millsap had 22 points, 8 rebounds & 6 assists in his first performance as a starter. Burke has a 6'3" wingspan on defense, making up for his 6'0" stature, a wingspan superior to VanVleet's, and it doesn't hurt that Burke has always given a scrappy effort on 'D' as well.

"We're not sure yet," Coach Pop said when asked about what the rotation would look like for the imminent Playoffs, where the Spurs look to win yet another championship. "We want about 8 or 9 guys that we go to every game, and stick with it, build that rhythm. We're keeping the rest ready and training hard, so they're able to fill in if need be. Because of course we are. But we really want to iron out a rotation that puts us in the best position to win, both defensively and from a scoring perspective, every night."

The defending champions most recently topped the Jazz and finished the season series against the Thunder, winning 3-1. Up next, they face the Phoenix Suns as they continue to fine-tune the roster. Rumor has it ex-Spur Allen Crabbe is back on the comeback trail down in the G-League, and the Spurs also plan to be a player on the waiver/buyout market. The NBA trade deadline is also near.

All*Star Break: Spurs earn big wins over 76ers, Pacers, T'Wolves & Bulls, as B.I. hits game winner.

In yet another NBA Finals preview showdown, the Spurs met the 76ers and came out on top, 115-95 despite a career-high 29 rebounds by Joel Embiid.

 Then against the Pacers, the team rallied strong to win a 20th straight game. The Spurs got revenge on the Timberwolves, bursting out to a once-44 point advantage after a stalemate first quarter, 101-140. Lastly, Brandon Ingram slayed the Chicago Bulls at the buzzer, just barely getting the ball off his fingertips to devastate the home crowd. 

Buddy Hield leads the league in 3PT %, with Otto Porter recovering well after a shooting slump, dropping double-figures in this set of wins. Andre Drummond had 29 points & 17 rebounds in the final season win over the Mavericks. Dejounte Murray had 31 points, 12 assists & 8 steals against the Pelicans. Kevin Love had 26 points & 12 rebounds in his homecoming win against the Cavaliers. San Antonio remains the top team in the league, now at 51-3, still undefeated at home. Both Brandon Ingram & Dejounte Murray have made the All*Star Weekend, with Hield entering the 3PT Contest.

The 64 Point Slender-Man slays Denver as B.I. sets new career high; Spurs crush Nuggets, 112-147.

The Slender-Man, a volume scoring supernova of the Spurs, Brandon Ingram, notched 64 points and set a new career mark in the regular season on a stellar 27-36 shooting display, nabbing 7 steals as well.

Denver stood no chance as Dejounte Murray slammed the net for 25 points, 7 assists & 5 steals. Andre Drummond swatted Jamal Murray's lay-in hard off the backboard, a 14 point/14 rebound double-double his receipt. Wes Matthews chipped in 12 points as San Antonio cruised to a dominant home defense, mountaineering a new scoring total for the season of 147 points. They dominated the paint, 82-44, and Spur-fectly shared the rock for 44 team assists, leading by as many as 39 points, forcing 18 turnovers by the Nuggets.

In the thunderous blowout, Aaron Gordon had a strong showing of 22 points, but Nikola Jokic struggled with just 14 points. Murray had 5 turnovers, as Denver failed to find a rhythm all game long as the home crowd got more than its money's worth in the AT&T Center.

"He goes into another universe sometimes," Coach Popovich spoke in so many words about Ingram's new scoring feat. "It is sensational to watch. That kind of firepower in a scorer--there's nothing like it." Dishing the ball to Ingram several times throughout the game, Dejounte quipped post-game: "I mean, hey, I had 25? That's something, right? Nah, B.I. played amazing for us. I just gave him the ball and got behind security at a certain point. Maybe call the National Guard, I don't know," Murray chuckled in the feel-good locker room atmosphere.

Brandon Ingram had previously set his regular season career high of 63 points three seasons ago, topping it once in the playoffs last year against the Clippers, scoring 64 in the victory. Ingram also scored 45 points in the NBA Finals in that same season thrice removed from now. "Mr. 64" kinda has a ring to it, eh?

The Spurs move to 35-3 on the season, now 19-0 at home.

Next up, the Pacers come to town before San Antonio embraces a national TV road showdown against their NBA Finals rival, the Philadelphia 76ers, led by the duo of James Harden & Joel Embiid.

Recap: 1/3 of season in the books, Spurs still #1 and gaining chemistry.

With one-third of the season behind them, the Spurs remain atop the league standings at 34-3, despite a shoulder ailment keeping defensive presence Andre Drummond out of action, just as he was gaining momentum in the Defensive Player of the Year/MVP respective races. In The Big Penguin's stead, Kevin Love has been asked to play a larger role with his shooting and playmaking skills. The former #5 pick had his best game of the season, tallying a triple-double, in a huge 133-95 victory against the Brooklyn Nets, of 30 points, 21 rebounds & 11 assists. His play in the pick-and-roll with Dejounte Murray has been stellar, giving San Antonio another deadly shooting option in clutch game scenarios.

Unfortunately, Love fell just short of another triple-double in a heartbreaking 132-134 road loss to the feisty Minnesota Timberwolves, his former team, after D'Angelo Russell blew past Fred VanVleet and Love to score a go-ahead layup, signifying the need for Drummond's return and juxtaposing each big man's respective talents. San Antonio may've held on for a big win had Drummond been defending the rim, instead. Regardless, Drummond came back officially for San Antonio's next game against the Chicago Bulls, as the Spurs won a thirty-point blowout (137-107). Drummond had 17 points & 10 rebounds, with 3 steals & 2 blocks. Over the course of their next three games, Andre totaled 42 points, 41 rebounds & 9 blocks, showcasing why San Antonio needs their dominant center down low.

To rid all possible remaining tension, the Spurs front office agreed to a 2 year/$36m contract extension with Drummond to avoid any free agency stress next summer. Compared to this final year of his current contract, the Spurs will save roughly 12 million for those following two seasons, which bodes well for upgrading the roster via financial flexibility. It also establishes Drummond as a key piece of this Spurs dynasty trifecta, as Brandon Ingram & Dejounte Murray are set to receive the brunt of their own max contracts after this season. Drummond had previously been signed to a 4 year, 125 million pact.

San Antonio remains undefeated at home at 18-0, all three of its losses coming on the road. In those three losses, the biggest margin of defeat was 15 points to the Grizzlies, with a 5-PT loss to Utah & the recent 2-PT nailbiter loss to Minnesota. The Mavericks came close, falling by only 4 points in San Antonio. The Warriors had Klay Thompson sitting in shock as Buddy Hield's game-winner propelled the Spurs to a 2-PT victory at home--and Brandon Ingram's 44 points certainly helped, too. The Jazz, being the Jazz, also only lost by 4 to the Spurs.

Speaking of Hield, he scored 34 points and splashed in eight 3PT daggers against the Clippers as the Spurs hit a total of 22 long shots, a season high. Buddy is averaging 17.7ppg on 54% from 3PT territory, making 4 out of 7 every game. Hield has already toppled Fred VanVleet from the perch of the Spurs #1 3PT standings, with 148 so far this season. Buddy has shot into the third place, just behind Ingram & Murray on Total Points scored this season, proving his value to his new team.

As the Spurs continue to mesh as a unit, the goal is to have every player's talents at the ready, with team chemistry a priority and getting more burn for every lineup option. Otto Porter, Jr. continues to be a scoring weapon off the bench, with Paul Millsap's reliable veteran defense valuable, along with Brandon Clarke's raw athleticism and defensive energy. It looks like Marquese Chriss will be sticking around, having done well behind Love in Drummond's absence. Jeff Teague is beginning to show some control over the second unit as the playmaker, as chippy defenders Wes Matthews & Courtney Lee continue to surprise in limited action. Lastly, Dellavedova flusters the star point guards from time to time, showing his value to the team as well, with rookie center Charles Bassey showing promise. "We are fifteen strong this season, no doubt", Coach Popovich said after the team's latest win against the Clippers.

At the core of it all, Dejounte Murray continues to push toward a MVP caliber campaign: 19.9ppg/5.3rpg/7.2apg/3.1spg. Recently, Murray took the initiative and powered the Spurs to a victory against the Mavericks & Lakers.

"We hit a lot of 3's. Our shooters are great. Most of the time, I can just find them and they light it up. Sometimes, though, I see us falling behind and the action not quite flowing like we want it to flow, so I've been trying to step up my game as soon as I get that sense, to push us in a good direction, to win the game," Murray said. Dejounte's highest scoring performance so far this season was 41 points, coming in the loss to Memphis, but that is likely to accompany a "W" before long. Some games, it's Ingram that takes over the show, but together, they are a deadly duo.

"He's truly becoming a leader for us," Coach Pop spoke highly of Murray.

Despite first loss, Spurs burst into #1 seed.

 

Unsurprising, though still comforting is Andre Drummond's DPOY consideration so far this season as extension talks continue to go on with the Spurs front office. A nice surprise is Dejounte Murray's name in the running for M-V-P, an honor not bestowed upon him until now, joining Drummond & Ingram on that list as the star trio has shot out to a 19-1 record thus far.

Dejounte is averaging 18.4ppg/4.7rpg/6.9asg/3spg on 58% from the floor. Newcomer Spurs like Otto Porter, Jr, are averaging 55% from 3PT territory, 50% if you're Buddy Hield, and 47% for Kevin Love. Still deadly as ever is Fred VanVleet, shooting 48% from long range. Paul Millsap has already shown his value as a reliable defensive presence, boasting the lowest Points Allowed Per Game among San Antonio's regular rotation players. This defensive resistance and sharpshooting has given the Spurs the #1 3PT percentage in the league so far, the most assists as a team and the best points-off-turnovers ratio.

San Antonio has eclipsed 144 points in a big win over the Wizards and overcome an 18-point deficit in a thrilling victory over the resurgent Warriors. The Spurs topped off this storm of success with a big win over the Lakers, and by avenging its only loss against the Utah Jazz, despite 38 points from Donovan Mitchell.

In the win, Drummond got his shoulder tangled up on a rough screen and it'll keep him out of action for 2-4 weeks. To minimize his absence, the Spurs have signed athletic prodigy Marquese Chriss to a 10-day contract, hoping he gels with the team after recovering from a fibula fracture last season. The Spurs have also signed Courtney Lee to a rest-of-season deal and Wes Matthews has been a nice bench addition. San Antonio has been running Buddy Hield at the starting SF position and as the backup SG, yet whispers echo about trying to make a significant upgrade for the backup two spot, especially after trying Porter, Jr at the starting SF and a cycle of VanVleet/Hield in a sixth man role failed to succeed. Coach Pop prefers Otto's scoring punch coming off the bench.

Dominant Spurs stumble in Utah, lose 101-106.

After a 5-0 start to the season, as chemistry began to blend, the Spurs were walloped by a rival of old in the Utah Jazz, led by 36 points from Donovan Mitchell. A tale of two halves, San Antonio saw a strong lead evaporate, recovered to pose a road stand, before the wheels finally came off for the champs.

The first half was amazing to see: Buddy Hield was 4-4 from 3PT territory, then Fred VanVleet (20 points, 5-9 3PT, 3 steals) reminded everyone he's a deadly sniper all his own. Paul Millsap sparked the bench with 10 early points and Dejounte Murray dunked past Mitchell, who staggered to the hardwood. The Jazz went down by 20 points, after a spread of 26-19 & 38-30, for it seemed the Spurs would cruise to a sixth win on the season.

Mitchell rallied his team into owning the 3rd Quarter, 34-20, then 23-17 to fend off the resilient Spurs.

San Antonio got within 3 points after a 10 point swing, but just couldn't find a rhythm all night and there were signs of it, even in the first half of play. VanVleet had his eye on stealing the show as he's done in huge games for the Spurs in years past, but couldn't overcome the tough Utah defense. To the Jazz's credit, their choice to double-team Freddie V and Hield was very profitable.

Utah was also more aggressive, hitting 27 free throws and Andre Drummond (8 points, 8 rebounds, despite an insane highlight reel block on the Jazz early) fouled out, with Kevin Love scoreless in his stead.  Otto Porter, Jr. was a chilly 3-10 and Brandon Ingram scored just 13 points, on a rough 4-13 (0-3 3PT) showing. Dejounte Murray had an impressive evening, but was unable to muster a powerhouse performance (13 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists). A momentous dunk opportunity was blocked, also in highlight reel worthiness, by Rudy Gobert (18 rebounds).

"We're not there yet," Coach Popovich said post-game, noting the new roster would take time to gel, despite a "misleading" 5-0 start to the season. "I'm confident we will. That first half made me smile, but we gotta do it for a whole game. Too many fouls. It's a rivalry for a reason."

Spurs acquire Kevin Love & Buddy Hield, sign Otto Porter & Matthew Dellavedova as roster takes shape.

Kevin Love is officially a Spur, as San Antonio reluctantly parts ways with Alex Caruso & Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, which leaves them a bit short in the backcourt, despite signing spunky defender Matthew Dellavedova to assume Caruso's backup point guard duties. "Delly" will now don #8 like fellow Aussie, Patty Mills, once wore for the silver-and-black squad.

Love has had a rough time since LeBron James left Cleveland, falling out of the rotation due to various injury concerns, but the Spurs are hoping to reignite that championship fire inside of Love, whose rebounding and perimeter scoring will give Drummond some help down low. It also allows Brandon Ingram to slide down to the SF position, if needed. The Spurs intend to use Love primarily at the backup five spot, freeing them up to experiment with lineup possibilities. With Love's injury concerns, the Spurs plan to set his minutes at 25 per game.

Going to Sacramento is Evan Fournier, as the Spurs bid adieu to the French marskman in their effort to land its biggest fish of the summer. Off a 52% 3PT season, Fournier will be sure to exact some revenge on the Spurs as he showed flashes of Manu Ginobili during his two-year stint here. 

Meanwhile, in exchange for Buddy Hield, the Spurs have parted with sophomore Devin Vassell and rookie selection, Josh Primo, with some draft picks to acquire the sharpshooter. The Spurs lose some height in acquiring Hield for Fournier, but Hield is a deadly spot-up off-ball marskman who should benefit from San Antonio's trusted playmakers and Coach Popovich's elaborate offense. Pairing Buddy with Freddie V in the starting lineup will ensure that San Antonio has two deadly snipers, much like last year.

Otto Porter "took the money and ran" on a max salary contract years ago, with injury history spoiling it thereafter, but the Spurs are confident the worst is behind him. San Antonio has agreed to terms with Porter, Jr, via its mid-level exception on a three-year contract worth 30.15 million.

Otto is a natural scorer and a career 40% 3PT marksman, whose scoring ability and pretty fadeaway jumper, along with a pure perimeter touch and veteran presence, was much-needed. Porter's height also helps matters, as he has proven to be a solid wing defender during his stints in Washington, Chicago & Orlando, an ideal 6'8" sixth-man to have.

In other league news, the Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off a third loss to the Spurs in the NBA Finals in recent memory, have traded Tobias Harris. Trader's remorse set in for the Sixers, who reacquired Joel Embiid from the Rockets to pair alongside the deadly James Harden. Both players have scored 40+ in the Finals against the Spurs, and the 76ers are definitely eyeing a 4th meeting this year. The young Rockets were happy to say yes on Simmons, who still has a long career ahead of him.

Philly will now get to see the alternate future, if only two seasons later, had they kept Embiid originally whilst acquiring Harden. The 76ers are eager to see the classic center/guard duo go to work. The last time Embiid faced off against the Spurs, it was a historical double-overtime clash and the big man had 40 points & 25 rebounds with 3 blocks.

The Lakers have also made a move to nab Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, along with a bevy of savvy veterans to hopefully capture that elusive western conference title from the Spurs.

The Lakers are hoping that Westbrook's playmaking and passionate athleticism will pair nicely with Anthony Davis & LeBron James. The King is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder that James suffered in the series-ending loss during the Western Conference Finals last season against the Spurs.