Early Look at Keldon Johnson and Luka Samanic

[8FOR!3]

https://www.spurstalk.com/austin-spurs-early-season-breakdown/

let’s talk about some of the young prospects!

[Mugen]

Nice write-up - thanks bruh.

[Kobe'sAchilles]

I want to see Luka play this year, but the dude needs to hit the weight room hard. I like that Kelvin is letting the game come to him and not playing dumb (a rarity for Kentucky players). He's too green this year as well, but if he can work out with Chip all offseason, I don't see why he wouldn't play next year (except for :pop: )

[GAustex]

OP putting the work in-thanks that was a cool read.

[r0drig0lac]

:bobo

[Dex]

Nice article OP!

This seems like a good place to throw in some bonus highlights of Luka:

_3-jQb7Y89k

[8FOR!3]

He does tend to get pushed around a lot and there are times when he just lets an easy rebound bounce off his hands or gets muscled by someone else and they just take the ball from him. At the same time he has shown signs of moving his feet really well on the perimeter, better so than Bertans. And his shooting motion looks just as smooth. His handles and passing have looked polished. Usually his turnovers aren’t bc he got out of control, more-so just trying to do too much. Had a couple almosts trying to put guys on a poster. He has plenty of greenness to him but for a 19 year old he’s already got a set of moves that he’s successfully implementing like his spin move attacking the rim (it’s an awkward angled shot but he’s made it I want to say all 3 times I’ve seen him do it)

[Mugen]

Keldon looks like he could contribute this season tbh (we definitely have the need for him) but Luka looks 2 years away and this is coming from somebody who wants rookies to play as soon as possible. He needs to put on about 15-20 lbs and obviously get stronger.

That's why I actually like a possible Aaron Gordon trade because his contract lines up well with Luka's development.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Good article! :tu

Very excited for these guys to develop

[SAGirl]

great article, thanks.
:bobo

I watched the condensed Memphis/Austin game, Josh Jackson was impressive.

Keldon looks like he could play in the NBA right now. Samanic didn't look as ready. He doesn't look strong enough yet, gets bullied and it looks like he needs to work on footwork defending post ups.

[jjktkk]

Thanks for the writeup OP. I'm really intrigued by some of these prospects. Metu seems to flash more potential when hes getting garbage time minutes verses playing up in Austin.

[exstatic]

great article, thanks.
:bobo

I watched the condensed Memphis/Austin game, Josh Jackson was impressive.

Keldon looks like he could play in the NBA right now. Samanic didn't look as ready. He doesn't look strong enough yet, gets bullied and it looks like he needs to work on footwork defending post ups.

In baseball, he'd be called a AAAA player. There really isn't such a thing, since the highest minor league is AAA. What it means is that player tears up AAA, but isn't quite good enough to make the Major Leagues. Josh Jackson is the basketball version of that. I'm sure he's using his physical tools to overwhelm lesser competition, but he can't do that in the NBA.

[emanueldavidginobili]

It’s apparent that Luka needs to gain weight and get stronger but I’m impressed so far with his rebounding. He has two double doubles in his first 3 games. I would like to see Keldon and Luka get some time with the A squad and get some practice with them and even just to go through the regular game day routine with the main squad.

[EasyMoney]

I have high hopes for keldon. Need to see him shoot more though.

[spurspl]

for now thats nothing to be excited about. Still average players. There are thousands like them in g-league.

[rjv]

i might wind up being more interested in watching the toros this year than i am in watching the spurs.

[SAGirl]

In baseball, he'd be called a AAAA player. There really isn't such a thing, since the highest minor league is AAA. What it means is that player tears up AAA, but isn't quite good enough to make the Major Leagues. Josh Jackson is the basketball version of that. I'm sure he's using his physical tools to overwhelm lesser competition, but he can't do that in the NBA.
Size and athleticism was obvious but he shot the ball well too.

[exstatic]

i might wind up being more interested in watching the toros this year than i am in watching the spurs.

Except they haven't been the Toros in years...

[DPG21920]

I haven’t got to attend a game yet but I’m surprised Weatherspoon is struggling. With his SL play and experience I really thought he’d be the one to storm out of the gates early.

Probably the reason he doesn’t have the pedigree of KJ or Luka, but still optimistic for him.

[RC_Drunkford]

Samanic put on muscle during the draft. He also put on muscle during training camp. He'll probably have enough by the end of the season

[poopbox]

Nice article OP!

This seems like a good place to throw in some bonus highlights of Luka:

_3-jQb7Y89k

Already making passes LMA can't make