Richard Jefferson had the biggest Timmy scoop of the day, getting the quote of his career. Jefferson was discussing the Jokic vs Duncan in-their-prime-hypothetical matchup. Tim responded via text with the quote “I played him after I was me, and before he was him. I did alright”. LINK
Wembanyama is at the very start of his career, while Kevin Durant, LeBron, Steph and others are near the end. LeBron is openly discussing how he will go out. Tonight LeBron casually controlled the game, finding cutters and shooters with ease and making time to get up some shots within the flow of the game.
I mean look at this. Bron gets an easy assist by (unnecessarily) no-looking a pass to DeAngelo Russell who casually hits the three. At this point, Wemby had something like 15 and 7 in the first quarter, but he wasn’t in control of the game. Bron didn’t have the same stats, but he was running the game, controlling the pace, and making it easy for his team. The Spurs were their usual frantic, hopeful selves. They run the sets, but there is no danger.
The stretch in the third quarter where Sochan was disruptive on defense and the recipient of Wembanyama passes was (hopefully) a preview of the future. The comeback was sparked thorugh good ball movement, some opportune defense, and some wide-ass open threes.
Then Bron and the Lakers killed the game with a big run. James worked his way into the paint for a handful of easy shots. He worked over Sochan a few times on pick and rolls and some post ups. It was a masterclass. Wembmanyama filled up the statsheet but LeBron James controlled the game.
Bron isn’t who he was and Victor isn’t who he will be. So it goes.
Assorted thoughts from the game tonight:
Collins looked rough. In the fourth he turned the ball over in the backcourt and also got lost under the rim
Branham yammed on Bron.
There was an overlong review of the Wemby block on Bron that resulted in the play going the Spurs way
The Sochan-Wemby pick and roll is something.