Spurs drop Hornets and Warriors, roll to 13-0 on the season.

Danilo Gallinari scored 17 points, 14 rebounds & 4 steals.

The Hornets continued to struggle early this season, losing 99-94 at home, as the Spurs got the win while also being able to rest their star players (Andre Drummond & Brandon Ingram). Dejounte Murray saw just 9 minutes of action, dishing 4 assists.

Jarrett Allen had 10 points with 9 rebounds, with Johnathan Williams notching 6 points, 7 rebounds. Joe Harris scored 20 to top San Antone, hitting six three-pointers with Trey Lyles dropping 19 points. Fred VanVleet had 13 points, 5 assists.

In the loss, Galinari had 17 points, 14 rebounds & P.J. Washington had 15 points. Devonte Graham scored 14 points, but Terry Rozier III continued to struggle in Kemba Walker's wake with just 8 points, going 0-4 from 3PT range on a 3-9 night. Malik Monk was cold, going 3-10.

 The Golden State Warriors fared better than Charlotte, but came up short also 91-103 in San Antonio. Curry had 19 points with 8 assists, but shot just 6-21. James Wiseman had 12 points, showing flashes of stardom. Marquese Chriss had 11 points, 10 rebounds. Klay Thompson, though, had just 10 points with Andrew Wiggins going 4-12.

The Warriors were beaten badly in the 1st Quarter, 18-33. Brandon Ingram led the Spurs with 20 points, backed-up by VanVleet's 15. Andre Drummond devoured the glass with 18 rebounds & 12 points. Dejounte Murray notched a quiet 12 points with 8 assists.

Veteran reunion & prospect pursuit...

Shumpert no longer has the wild hair, but still has skill.

One season after being traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Joe Harris, Iman Shumpert has decided to sign with the Spurs on a veteran minimum deal, going through the summer without finding a suitor.

With twelve games in the rear view, the Spurs needed to shore up the shooting guard position. Shumpert brings the same veteran defensive talent and playoff shooting experience, a sore loss in exchange for Harris a year ago.

"High schools have reunions, so we said 'why not us'? " Coach Popovich told reporters during the press conference, as Shumpert was presented with his new Spurs jersey, donning #3 this time around (previously wore #4, now worn by new backup point guard, Rajon Rondo).

Lean but capable, Iwundu is a 6'7", 215 lb defender.

Probing the free agent pool further, the Spurs have come to a two-year, 7m deal with ex-Kansas State player Wesley Iwundu, formerly of the Orlando Magic, whose cap space mostly went to DeMarr DeRozan this past summer. Iwundu was in and out of the rotation in Orlando, but when he did play, all predictions led to a raise compared to the original 3 year/4 million rookie contract with the Magic, which all but led to a split.

With not many other teams able to swing money, the Spurs caught a steal in Iwundu, who is a hustle-friendly, 1.2 steal-per-game young talent with a nice wingspan and solid defensive intangibles. Shooting coach Chip Englund should be able to help Iwundu become more consistent, but the Spurs were mostly looking for the defensive qualifications due a few games so far in which both Kent Bazemore & Allen Crabbe have struggled to score. Fresh spirit in Iwundu will certainly raise the odds of being effective on the wing for the Spurs. San Antonio has seen firsthand how a "skinny" player like Brandon Ingram can still be effective.