(PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images.)
10/25/2016
THE GAMES
NY 88 (0-1) @ CLE 117 (1-0)
UTA 104 (0-1) @ POR 113 (1-0)
SA 129 (1-0) @ GS 100 (0-1)
THE BASKETBALL MACHINE CONTINUES
So the Spurs gave a lesson the Warriors aren’t going to forget soon. Everything was working well for the Spurs from the bench to the midrange jumpers to the long distance jumpers to the defense. Kawhi Leonard put up a career-best 35 points while LaMarcus Aldridge was nearly unstoppable with 26 and 14. The Dubs didn’t take care of the ball. They were bum rushed by the Spurs.
I think the San Antonio Spurs exist to make us look stupid. Yeah, it’s one game but, sometimes, seeing them perform like this against an elite team can tell you what they’re capable of. And apparently, these guys are here to stay near the mountaintop.
While it was the signing of Pau Gasol that sort of made headlines for the Spurs, it was the emergence of Jonathon Simmons that turned the tide in this game. He ended with 20 points off the bench, including a vicious and delicious jam over walking blooper JaVale McGee, in the final seconds of the contest. If he can provide that kind of production throughout the year, the Spurs may have found another gear that can keep them in contention.
The Spurs still have enough depth to compete. But if Kawhi turns it up another notch, LaMarcus stays next level, and a guy like Simmons helps take the pressure off the ageless Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, maybe they’re not farfetched as title contenders.
But it is only one game. The Warriors will be all right but you still STILL have to keep an eye on these Spurs.
As for Cleveland? They had one hell of a day. The Cavs had their first-ever ring ceremony, LeBron James had a triple-double, and their MLB team won Game 1 of the World Series. Cleveland rocked, indeed.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Sean Meagher/The Oregonian.)
In that Blazer win, Damian Lillard went for 39 points, 9 boards, and 6 assists. He made a clutch three to put the Blazers up seven. He is aiming for that MVP award.
I heard his song on the radio four times while I was in Portland, by the way. The guy is doing all right. On both the mic and the court.
WATCH THIS PLAY
To punctuate the embarrassing loss the Warriors had, JaVale McGee got some PT only to be punked by Simmons at the rim. Normally, everyone else would take offense to that as this seemed like the Spurs were pouring on but that was probably the least of Golden State’s worries.
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
us on FaceBook! Thank you!