Chat version of El Conclusión: Spurs 132, Suns 121
What a game. What a performance. Get used to this, because it's only going to get crazier.
Introducing (or reintroducing) El Conclusión: a post-game format in which a somewhat-educated basketball writer grades the performances of NBA players right after a game without having a chance to go back and watch any film. It’s perfectly irresponsible.
An important note: “El Conclusión” is a play off one of Manu Ginóbili’s nicknames, “El Contusión.” While the article ‘El’ is incorrect here (it should be ‘La Conclusión,’ technically) we just wanted to keep with the spirit of the name!
Friends, I will get to this game tomorrow morning, on top of other stuff I’m working on, because I’m gonna straight up fall over dead if I don’t get some sleep — these late games stink. A lot to dissect in what was an incredible performance from a number of different standpoints.
Victor Wembanyama: All-World, All-Planet, All-Universe talent. Don’t have a clue what you do to stop him once he figures out what the hell he’s supposed to be doing out there. Go to bed.
Jeremy Sochan: Career-high 9 assists while being given the job of defending Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, with a massive block on Booker down the stretch, and a huge iso-post basket on a broken play when they needed it badly.
Zach Collins: The 3-pointer started falling. Watch out. That floor-spacing from the 5 with Wemby on the court is gonna kill defenses eventually. On top of that, the scoring from the block and the passing just make him a criminally underrated basketball player.
Tre Jones: Again, just a lightning bolt off the bench. Got shouldered in the face unintentionally by Drew Eubanks (a big dude) and probably got tested for a concussion at halftime, but was right back out there in the second half. He is playing at a different speed right now.
Cedi Osman: It’s copy/paste with this guy. Feels like he’s been in San Antonio for forever. Perfect fit, perfect attitude, perfect skill set. First dude off the bench every night and there’s a good reason why -- hits 3s, passes, defends, gets out in transition. What an addition who nobody has been using correctly until now.
Keldon Johnson: Just stayed playing the supporting actor. Saw a lot of moments where last year he’d try and take over, but he didn’t tonight. He let the guys who were going get theirs, but got a few of his own. The reserves are being kept full for later, but I’m telling you, this is the type of measured Keldon performance you want to see. More will be needed later, but not taking more than he needed to at this point is a major sign of a dude growing up right in front of your eyes.
Devin Vassell: Got downhill early, stayed aggressive, but got hurt. Groin issue. Will know more tomorrow, but he’ll probably be out for “a little while” per Pop. Pretty impressive performance from SA without its best perimeter scorer in the second half.
Doug McDermott: Again, did his job, hit important shots, but the ceiling feels limited right now. This team is just starting to find a rhythm though, and a movement shooter like him will only benefit once it truly does. Feels like it’s coming soon, though. He makes damn near everything. Once the randomness subsides it’s gonna be lights out for this dude.
Malaki Branham: Might get some more opportunities here soon if Vassell misses time. His shot has been off the last few nights, so maybe added chances will be good to get him going. He’s too clinical to stay this cold.
Please let me know if this format is as enjoyable as the other. I’m trying to test things and find a balance, and I’m here for firing off immediate thoughts like this without having to format. You’d be shocked how many hours are added with the other stuff. Anyway, what a win for the Spurs. What a performance from a multitude of players. And Wembanyama is an absolute killer —that’s something you should all be able to rest easy on tonight. It’s going to be exceptionally entertaining watching the league adjust to him, and him adjust to the league. A total alien. Like nothing we’ve ever seen. Not much left to say.
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I really like this format, except for the notification from the Substack app spoiling the score for us Euros 😱 Could a post title leaving out the final score work? Something like "El Conclusión: Spurs @ Suns".
I like the quick readability of this format. I am occasionally guilty of skimming to the letter grades in the longer version, especially outside of the guys who played big minutes. (I know you've only done this a few times on CK, but I'm counting my 48MOH reading history)