The Team Fundamental - San Antonio Spurs

[Cruzerr]

Hey Everybody, long time no see!

I've gone on a bit of a hiatus, and now I am back! I figured for a while, who was the team to pick this time, and as I was going over last years playoffs, I saw somebody get injured and just wondered - what if Kawhi never got injured?

This is a storyline of shooting for glory again with the San Antonio Spurs, which will feature a bit of a storyline along with the games. I will use "Start Today", so we would start off where the league currently stands. I hope you will enjoy this!

[Cruzerr]

[Cruzerr]

vs Trail Blazers

[Cruzerr]

[21-10] San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers [16-14]
116-126
Spurs | Team Stats | Trail Blazers

Portland catch fire from deep
December 20, 2017

One of the better defensive teams really couldn't find an answer to the three-point barrage, as Portland kept on running and gunning at them. The star backcourt of Lillard and McCollum combined for a total of 12 threes (6 each). Coach Pop wasn't happy with his team's performance.

"We won't win games like this. They just got open shots and we were completely helpless. Disappointing performance, but the season is long and I let the guys know about it, as always."

Lillard lead the team in scoring, matching Aldridge's tally of 34 points. Portland will stay home to face the Nuggets, while the Spurs continue on the road to face Utah.

Simmed games:

73-95 vs Utah (L)
123-92 vs Kings (W)

Key notes of the week:

• Gary Harris out for the season with a torn right achillies
• Khris Middleton missing 6-8 weeks due to a high left ankle sprain.
• Rockets win their 16th in a row, beating Clippers 126-101 (Harden 29 PTS)
• Clippers resign SG Louis Williams to 3yr/$24.35M deal
• Suns resign C Alex Len to 2yr/$16.62M deal
• Jazz resign PF Derrick Favors to 3yr/$48.34M deal
• Best of the Week: DeMar DeRozan (East), Russell Westbrook (West)

[Cruzerr]

[19-15] New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs [23-12]
126-143
Knicks | Team Stats | Spurs

All-around performance for San Antonio
December 28, 2017

While the Spurs have been known for their solid defensive play, you can't sleep on them offensively, as 8 of their players ended up in double-digits on a running and gunning night. The Small Forwards, Kawhi Leonard and Rudy Gay lead the team in scoring, while Aldridge lead the team in rebounds. While it did seem like the game was quite tight, it never looked like the Spurs would lose control.

For the Knicks, who are currently sitting on the last playoff spot, it was a tough night for them, due to their turnovers (14 against Spurs 2). They looked solid shooting, while "The Unicorn" Porzingis lead the team with 32 points, but the sloppy play was the reason why the Spurs got to punish them.

For San Antonio, they will face the Pistons in their next game, while the Knicks go up against the Cavs.

Simmed games:

112-93 vs Nets (W)
99-92 vs Kings (W)

Keynotes of the week:

• Porzingis drops 42 PTS and 12 REB along with 5 blocks against the Bulls
• Vucevic with a triple-double (29-11-10) against the Pistons in a win
• Anthony Davis goes for 47 points and 19 rebounds against the Mavericks
• Warriors Stephen Curry (West) and Knicks Kristaps Porzingis (East) named Players of the Week

[bebetomatos14]

First good luck in your dynasty. The San Antonio Spurs are a sensational team, with an extremely beautiful and efficient game, but sometimes somewhat pragmatic.

It was two big games, especially offensively. In the first match the backcourt of Portland was on fire and managed to dismantle the good defense of Pop. Against the Knicks the team had a high score with Kawhi practically flawless, just missing a pitch.

In the simulated games he won two more victories against relatively weak teams.

I'll be following up from now on.

[Cruzerr]

December Recap

NBA Standings - Updated: Jan 1, 2018
EASTERN CONFERENCE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Boston Celtics	28	12	--	5-2	18-9
Cleveland Cavaliers	26	10	--	6-3	18-7
Toronto Raptors	25	10	0.5	5-2	13-5
Indiana Pacers	20	17	6.5	6-3	14-10
Milwaukee Bucks	19	16	6.5	4-4	8-10
Detroit Pistons	19	16	6.5	3-5	11-11
New York Knicks	19	17	7.0	5-2	11-11
Philadelphia 76ers	17	19	9.0	0-6	6-10
Miami Heat	17	19	9.0	5-4	10-11
Brooklyn Nets	17	20	9.5	1-4	9-11
Washington Wizards	17	20	9.5	3-3	8-11
Orlando Magic	15	23	12.0	4-4	10-13
Charlotte Hornets	14	22	12.0	4-2	9-12
Chicago Bulls	13	24	13.5	2-6	11-12
Atlanta Hawks	10	26	16.0	2-5	6-19
WESTERN CONFERENCE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Houston Rockets	31	4	--	5-2	18-2
Golden State Warriors	30	7	2.0	4-1	17-4
San Antonio Spurs	25	12	7.0	5-3	12-8
Oklahoma City Thunder	21	16	11.0	5-5	11-10
Minnesota Timberwolves	21	17	11.5	5-3	17-9
New Orleans Pelicans	20	16	11.5	3-2	10-12
Portland Trail Blazers	19	17	12.5	3-2	11-8
Denver Nuggets	19	17	12.5	3-6	9-12
Utah Jazz	16	21	16.0	5-5	10-11
Los Angeles Clippers	14	21	17.0	6-2	9-13
Phoenix Suns	14	24	18.5	3-5	9-13
Memphis Grizzlies	12	25	20.0	4-6	11-14
Sacramento Kings	11	25	20.5	4-3	8-11
Los Angeles Lakers	11	25	20.5	2-8	5-18
Dallas Mavericks	8	30	24.5	3-7	6-18

NBA League Leaders - Updated: Jan 1, 2018
Points Per Game		PPG	Rebounds Per Game		RPG
	1. James Harden	30.5		1. Andre Drummond	14.5
	2. Giannis Antetokounmpo	29.6		2. DeAndre Jordan	13.8
	3. Stephen Curry	27.8		3. Dwight Howard	12.6
	4. LeBron James	27.7		4. DeMarcus Cousins	12.2
	5. Damian Lillard	26.9		5. Karl-Anthony Towns	11.5
Assist Per Game		APG	Steals Per Game		SPG
	1. Russell Westbrook	10.1		1. Paul George	2.4
	2. LeBron James	8.9		2. Russell Westbrook	2.2
	3. James Harden	8.9		3. Kris Dunn	2.1
	4. Kyle Lowry	7.7		4. Ben Simmons	2.0
	5. Ben Simmons	7.4		5. Kent Bazemore	2.0
Blocks Per Game		BPG	Field Goal Percentage		FG%
	1. Myles Turner	2.3		1. Clint Capela	.682
	2. Kristaps Porzingis	2.2		2. Steven Adams	.631
	3. Kevin Durant	2.1		3. DeAndre Jordan	.630
	4. Joel Embiid	1.9		4. Jonas Valanciunas	.592
	5. Clint Capela	1.9		5. Enes Kanter	.588

Rookie of the Month
East

Ben Simmons - 17.4 PPG | 8.8 RPG | 7.4 APG | 2.0 SPG | 0.9 BPG | .509 FG%

Ben Simmons has earned the ROTY award now twice in the East, which raises the question - is there anybody else in the Eastern Conference, that can dethrone him? Still playing close to triple-double average, Simmons has been on fire, as the Sixers are still in a playoff spot, standing at the eighth spot. Some of his more memorable performances this month include a 27-13-5 game against Sacramento and a 27-5-10 game against the Pelicans.

West



Donovan Mitchell - 17.2 PPG | 2.9 RPG | 3.3 APG | 1.6 SPG | 0.5 BPG | .426 FG%

The Utah Jazz aren't currently in a playoff spot, but they must be excited with their rookie, as Mitchell has put up some insane scoring performances. This month has started for him with a huge, 41 point performance against the Pelicans. After that, he followed up with two games with 30+ points (Oklahoma and Chicago) and six games with 20+ points (Cleveland x2, Golden State, Houston, Washington, and the Clippers). The man is looking unstoppable, so if the Jazz want to make the playoffs, they have to keep giving this man the ball.

Player of the Month
East

Giannis Antetokounmpo - 29.6 PPG | 9.9 RPG | 4.6 APG | 1.8 SPG | 1.8 BPG | .555 FG%

"The Greek Freak" keeps on pushing his team to the limit. Currently fifth in the conference, Giannis has been rolling, as he and Bledsoe are still currently finding their click. Whether it is 43 points and 11 rebounds against Charlotte or 37-13-7 against Utah, he is still showing the league that he can go from MIP to MVP.

West



Russell Westbrook - 24.2 PPG | 9.8 RPG | 10.1 APG | 2.2 SPG | 0.2 BPG | .422 FG%

Nobody is quite sure how the Western Conference is shaping up. The back-end of the playoffs looks really close, with teams being just a game apart. Yet Russell Westbrook is trying hard after OKC have struggled to claw their way to the top. Still continuing with his triple-double trend, with such performances like 37-16-10 against (surprisingly) the Bucks, 25-12-12 against Atlanta, 28-18-15 against Philadelphia. The list can go on and on, but it seems Westbrook won't let his foot off the pedal.

[georgiafan]

cool team to follow with the Spurs to see how they get younger and get past GS. Nice format makes it quick and easy to follow along