3 Takeaways from San Antonio Spurs Loss vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The San Antonio Spurs fell to the Los Angeles Clippers last night, 109-102. It was refreshing to see the Spurs stay in the game after losing earlier in the season to Los Angeles by 40 and 25 points.

Obviously, the players on either side were not the center of attention. The game started with longtime Spurs’ broadcaster Bill Land announcing that he is battling cancer, and highlighted by Gregg Popovich going rogue and addressing fans over the PA system in the middle of the game.

Despite the sideline activities, a basketball game was played, and despite the loss, the Spurs’ performance was mostly positive.

However, the Spurs need to feed Wembanyama. In the fourth quarter, Victor Wembanyama only got two shots off for a total of two points. When the best player on the team isn’t getting touches late in a close game, that’s hugely indicative of a problem.

Earlier in the game, a wide-open Wembanyama was flailing for the ball under the basket, and point guard Jeremy Sochan decided to dump the ball to Zach Collins instead. Collins eventually found Wemby under the hoop, but so had the defending Clippers, resulting in a turnover.

Collins was able to find Wembanyama the play before for a stellar play, but the fact remains that Wemby needs to be leading the offense in crunch time.

The Spurs played with fire. The Spurs never once led in the game and faced an 18-point deficit in the third quarter, but still managed to outscore the Clippers 32-27 in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t quite enough, but the Spurs closed the gap and got it within five points in the final two minutes, putting the pressure on the Clippers.

The best part of the game for the Spurs was that they never counted themselves out. Cliche, sure, but it’s true. The Spurs amped up their intensity on both ends of the floor and almost stole a win away from LA. The fans got into it as well, despite being chastised by Coach Pop.

Popovich is a teacher. Not in the coaching way, but in that he is responsible for a lot of young men. Sochan and Wembanyama can’t even order a beer and a lot of the young Spurs are living on their own for the first time in their lives.

For the first time in his career, Popovich doesn’t have the steady veteran presence of David Robinson, Tim Duncan, or LaMarcus Aldridge. Popovich is 74 years old, senior enough to be the grandparent of most of his players, and he is taking on the role of veteran leader as well as head coach.

Unfortunately, his attitude towards the guardianship of his players (which is a good thing!) spilled over to the fans. By addressing the crowd about booing Kawhi Leonard, he might have overstepped his bounds a little.

Johnson Bucks Trend in Loss to Clippers

A brief editorial: I love Coach Pop and think he can do no wrong and fully support his message, as well as his vehicle of delivery. That being said, I definitely understand why the fanbase is divided.

As for how his actions translate to the Spurs, well, it definitely shows that sometimes he is the only adult in the room, for better or worse.