Thank you to everyone who tuned in live for the latest edition of Corporate Knowledge: After Dark, this time after a 135-132 Spurs win in New Orleans.

Just days after losing the third quarter 44-19 in Cleveland on its way to a seventh loss, San Antonio was once again dragged 45-23 in the 12 minutes after halftime. I wish I had an exact answer for what’s going on, but I do not, dear reader/listener. It’s not as if there’s one recurring issue, or one player in particular performing poorly on the regular. The ailments are myriad, and I will be diving into them more.

But in a crowded Western Conference, you do not apologize for any win, no matter how ugly. And against the Pelicans, you saw a teenager take the game into his own hands for the eventual game-sealing bucket, which gives everyone a good enough reason to celebrate.

Show topics included:

• You guessed it: What the hell is happening in these third quarters?
• Harrison Barnes kept San Antonio afloat as everything slipped away; his baskets kept them in a game that could’ve gotten away even further.
• Dylan Harper, a 19-year-old, ultimately saves the day.
• What to make of the trio of Harper, De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in their first game together this season.

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Postgame show topics included:

• The third quarter doomed the Spurs, and there simply wasn’t enough left in the tank to make any sort of real run
• Cleveland took 54 percent of its shots at the rim and scored 80 points in the paint. That’s crazy, and a nearly impossible stat to overcome.
• The absence of Luke Kornet was obvious on the defensive end, but they badly missed his screening, rolling, passing and rebounding on the offensive end as well.
• This schedule is just nuts — basically like another Rodeo Road Trip — and San Antonio is going to have to take advantage of these two days off in New Orleans to refuel.

For those of you who would like to join live in the future and get in on the chat, you can do so by first downloading the Substack app and subscribing to Corporate Knowledge. You’ll get a notification when we hit the air, which will be shortly after as many road games as we can. If you do miss a show, fear not. They will be sent out via newsletter either late that night or at some point the next day, and will also be available on the Small Market Bias podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts.

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First, Matthew Tynan and Trevor Zickgraf break down San Antonio's recent performances and discuss why there are signs that all this success could be sustainable. Getting into dangerous territory here.

Then, conversation about how all the injuries since the start of training camp have allowed so many players to embrace their roles and find their footing, and the critical signing and performance of Luke Kornet during Victor Wembanyama's absence.

Finally, because y'all love the transaction talk, Tynan transforms into a wet blanket once again to throw cold water on the Giannis rumors.

Episode produced by Tyler Prince.

For more of Matthew Tynan's work, check out the Corporate Knowledge newsletter.

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