3-on-3: Spurs and Rockets kick us off

by

kawhi-leonard-spurs

The Leonard era begins tonight. (Photo credit: NilDesperandum_)

Guess what everybody? The NBA is back. For the Spurs and Rockets, preseason starts tonight. To celebrate the evening’s occasion and look ahead to the action, we asked Rahat Huq of TrueHoop Network Rockets site Red94 to join Varner and I for a little 3-on-3 discussion. Enjoy tonight’s game (7 pm central time on NBA TV) and head back to 48MoH immediately after the game for a live postgame show.

1. Entering this season, which team has a better shot at winning the Southwest Division?

Rahat Huq, Red94: San Antonio. Even if the Spurs may not be true contenders anymore, they’re still a step ahead of the Rockets. I would not be at all surprised if Pop once more rebuilt the Spurs’ identity and scratched out 60 wins (if it was an 82 game season).

Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes of Hell: The Spurs. Last season’s 60 game stomp was a mirage, but they’re returning nearly the same team and will continue to find motivation in the fact that their time is almost up.

Andrew McNeill, 48 Minutes of Hell: I’d say the Spurs. The Rockets have some solid pieces in place, but they’re still in that “one star away” territory. The Spurs, while declining, have those stars in place along with some solid role players. Spurs for this season, at least.

2. What one thing in particular are you hoping to see out of Saturday night’s preseason game?

Rahat Huq, Red94: The Rockets ended last season on a tear off the strength of one of the league’s best offenses. I’m curious whether the time off, the coaching change, and the loss of a facilitator in Chuck Hayes will be too much to overcome.

Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes of Hell: Kawhi Leonard.

Andrew McNeill, 48 Minutes of Hell: Competitive basketball. June was a long time ago, y’all. April was even longer. Even though it’s just preseason, I’m giddy about the best basketball players in the world getting back on the court, even if they half-ass it tonight.

3. Which young player on the Spurs or Rockets has the most promise?

Rahat Huq, Red94: I’d have to say Terrence Williams. He has all of the physical tools-size, athleticism, handles, vision-to be an All-Star. Will he finally change his attitude and get it together?

Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes of Hell: Leonard. He’s a multi-positional defender with a tremendous rebound rate. Even if his offense never arrives, those traits are enough to make him an impact player in the NBA.

Andrew McNeill, 48 Minutes of Hell: All aboard the Kawhi Leonard bandwagon, folks (what is a bandwagon, has anyone seen one of these before?). In my head, he’s the destructive defensive force the Spurs need, while the explosive athlete they’ve always lacked. He’s also a dead-eye 3-pointer shooter in my head (Side note: Spurs basketball is fun in my head).

  • DieHardSpur

    I think James anderson is going to surprise everyone this year….

  • Tim in Surrey

    JSYK, Andrew - A bandwagon is the circus wagon that carries the band. IIrc, the term was coined by P.T. Barnum. But I think it was Teddy Roosevelt who coined the phrase about “jumping on the bandwagon”, by which time the term was also applied to wagons used in political campaigns.

    As for the bandwagon you’re referring to (Kawhi Leonard’s), you and I have had spots on it for quite a while now. But I think you’re right, it’s going to get really crowded really quickly. Kawhi is going to be a lot of fun, and will show better skills on offense than most realize he possesses. And hey, everybody, don’t forget that there’s still room on the James Anderson bandwagon! It has been lonely ever since he got injured last year. But JA is going to remind everyone that he was as big of a steal as Kawhi-if not bigger. Tonight we’re going to see the Spurs suddenly leap from weakness to strength at the SF position.

  • Tim in Surrey

    Amen.

  • Mackattack777

    WHO the HELL is Antoine Hood

  • http://48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    I now know the origins of a bandwagon.

  • Anonymous

    Let’s see them young fellas this season, Mr. Pop.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=173600134 Ryan McShane
  • 48 Minutes of Bacon

    I am pretty excited about this season. i think I have finally made peace witht e Spurs’ place in the world. We had a good run and now it is time to transition into the future. I think the FO has done a pretty decent job of setting up the foundation with some quality youth to complement whatever big names we bring in/draft after the Big 3 hang them up. i dontt hink the rebuilding prcess will be as painful as it has been for other teams. I see this season as a bit of a measuring stick for our young guys going forward. KW and JA will be this year’s versions of Gary Neal if they stay healthy. I do wish we couldve signed a decent big but that aint happening any time soon. I think te Spurs should take notes from Indiana, they have managed to quietly build a solid roster missing only one or two key pieces to be really really good, and all being a small market franchise with zero rings. If they can do it so can we. Go Spurs Go!!! Basketball! Finally!

  • robinfeud

    The irony of talking about bandwagons and being a city called “Surrey” is overwhelming.

  • Drew Daddy

    Better chance of winning the Southwest???:

    Spurs. The Rockets ~MIGHT~ have had a chance, in 2012-2013, but Mr. Stern veto’ed that when he didn’t let Chris Paul go to LA, thereby freeing up over $19 million and 3 roster spots for the Rockets. Now next year, they have to find a way to attract big name talent and sell them on Luis Scola.

    GL :) lol

    One particular thing for tonights game???:

    Pop’s face. This is the 5 year anniversary of our last championship, so it’s time to start thinking long term. We are the only former ABA team to win a ring, and I wonder if Pop thinks the FO is doing all they can to improve the
    team, or if they are content in the storyline of history and letting D.Stern relegating us to being the slowly dying face of a long gone era.

    Young player???:

    Hasheem Thabeet. This guy was fun to watch in college, and if his body thickens out, he could be a force to be reckoned with. Plus typically 3rd year players have shook off all the butterflies.

  • JT

    man this game is horrible so far, haven’t been impressed by anyone so far.

  • http://radsci.uthscsa.edu/index.php/User:Nima Nima K.

    At halftime, aside from the usual Manu, Bonner and Blair seem to be the best we’ve got.

    Lordy lord, we’re screwed.

  • JT

    just why or why are Spurs overall just bad shooters

  • Anonymous

    Tbh I’m not annoyed about the game, just missed a lot of shots, we moved the ball quite well I thought!

  • DorieStreet

    I second the motion. These 2 preseason games will not be enough time to evaluate player combinations, etc. Especially for this team, with 2-year guys Splitter and Anderson having limited roles due to injuries and lack of time in the system.
    Especially this season —-I’ve looked at half a dozen (team) schedules. The Spurs and everyone else will have 9 games in the first 13 days- Christmas through Saturday, January 7th.
    Whoever makes the roster and becomes our bench -Green, Hassell, Lawal, Zeller- put them on the court for meaningful game time.

  • DorieStreet

    Good perspective and observation, Bacon-espically about Indiana. I watched them in that first round matchup vs. the Bulls last postseason. The team played hard every game (should stole that first game in Chicago). Larry Bird and his group have something going- and if David West can regain his form pre-injury, the Pacers might come in at a the 6th or fifth spot in the eastern conference playoffs.