Rummpd
09-06-2019, 09:16 PM
https://www.si.com/nba/2019/09/06/san-antonio-spurs-dejounte-murray-derrick-white-gregg-popovich-new-era
Part of decent article:
....The Spurs have invested plenty in their backcourt and wings in recent years. They drafted point guard Dejounte Murray out of Washington in the first round of the 2016 draft, then doubled down with Colorado’s Derrick White in the 2017 draft. The two lead guards were joined by a pair of wings in 2018 and 2019, with San Antonio selecting Miami’s Lonnie Walker and Kentucky’s Keldon Johnson in the first round. It wouldn’t be shocking to see DeRozan leave San Antonio before July 2021, more likely being dealt as an expiring next season. If the Spurs aren’t willing to re-up on a deal for DeRozan, its wealth of backcourt draft picks will need to lead the way in the next decade.
San Antonio’s first rounders in 2016 and 2017 provide the greatest reason for optimism. Murray is already among one of the elite defensive guards in basketball, earning All-Defense honors in 2017-18, just his second season in the league. The 22-year-old entered last season widely touted as a potential breakout candidate before a torn ACL. Murray played on three of San Antonio’s top four three-man lineups by net-rating last season. Only six defenders posted a better defensive rating in the entire NBA. Murray’s shot remains a work in progress, but he grew as a playmaker in his second season. If he can regain his pre-injury athleticism, Murray projects to be a building block in the Lone Star State for years to come.
Murray fits the athletic profile of a potential All-Star in the backcourt. He’s 6’5” with an even longer wingspan, twitchy and stout defensively. White isn’t built in the same mold. Lightly recruited out of high school before joining Colorado as a transfer from Division II, White doesn’t boast an imposing frame. Yet he’s an impact defender and an impressive leaper near the tin, unafraid to attack the rim with authority. White dominated the Nuggets with 36 points in Game 3 of the first round last season, then continued his rise by earning a spot on Team USA at the FIBA World Cup. He appears to be garnering the same preseason praise as Murray from a year ago. ...
Part of decent article:
....The Spurs have invested plenty in their backcourt and wings in recent years. They drafted point guard Dejounte Murray out of Washington in the first round of the 2016 draft, then doubled down with Colorado’s Derrick White in the 2017 draft. The two lead guards were joined by a pair of wings in 2018 and 2019, with San Antonio selecting Miami’s Lonnie Walker and Kentucky’s Keldon Johnson in the first round. It wouldn’t be shocking to see DeRozan leave San Antonio before July 2021, more likely being dealt as an expiring next season. If the Spurs aren’t willing to re-up on a deal for DeRozan, its wealth of backcourt draft picks will need to lead the way in the next decade.
San Antonio’s first rounders in 2016 and 2017 provide the greatest reason for optimism. Murray is already among one of the elite defensive guards in basketball, earning All-Defense honors in 2017-18, just his second season in the league. The 22-year-old entered last season widely touted as a potential breakout candidate before a torn ACL. Murray played on three of San Antonio’s top four three-man lineups by net-rating last season. Only six defenders posted a better defensive rating in the entire NBA. Murray’s shot remains a work in progress, but he grew as a playmaker in his second season. If he can regain his pre-injury athleticism, Murray projects to be a building block in the Lone Star State for years to come.
Murray fits the athletic profile of a potential All-Star in the backcourt. He’s 6’5” with an even longer wingspan, twitchy and stout defensively. White isn’t built in the same mold. Lightly recruited out of high school before joining Colorado as a transfer from Division II, White doesn’t boast an imposing frame. Yet he’s an impact defender and an impressive leaper near the tin, unafraid to attack the rim with authority. White dominated the Nuggets with 36 points in Game 3 of the first round last season, then continued his rise by earning a spot on Team USA at the FIBA World Cup. He appears to be garnering the same preseason praise as Murray from a year ago. ...