Game Thread: Summer League Game 3 - Spurs vs Rockets -July 11th, 2022 @ 6PM CT

[John B]

Sochan messing up with Tyty at the corner, "they're not gonna pass at you." :lol

[heyheymymy]

ORL OKC game next too bad Magic shelved Banchero

Would love to see Jalen Will though

[Mugen]

Spurs basketball :lol

[BatManu20]

Blake Wesley is an incredible teammate. Purposely shooting 2/19 from the field to take attention away from Primo’s abysmal performance last night. Inspirational stuff.

[BackHome]

Damn Wesley has potential but yeah he definitely needs the G League treatment- Work on his craft

[Robz4000]

Wesley shot like shit but he was pretty damn good defensively throughout. Needs to figure out when to dish and develop a floater game imo.

[GAustex]

Gonna be a long year

[RC_Drunkford]

I like that Branham was aggressive. Good to see. Missed some bunnies but put up 20

[Robz4000]

Now we wait for the news they signed Days.

[BacktoBasics]

Every variant has gotten more and more contagious. The R0 of the flu is 1.5, meaning each infected person infects 1.5 other people. The R0 of the alpha strain was 3.3. Measles is considered the most contagious virus known, and its R0 is 18.0. This new strain has an R0 of 18.3. Right now, deaths are manageable, because of vaccinations. It’s less effective on each strain, and there are documented cases of re-infection 3 weeks after and infection with this strain.

If one player gets the new strain, he will infect the whole team if he doesn’t isolate. Surgical masks are only minimally effective against it. If you’re going to mask, go back to the N95 or KN95. If you don’t mask, you will be infected. There’s no chance to avoid it.

I don’t want to get into a long drawn out discussion but being more contagious should be concerning if it leads to more hospitalizations. I don’t know where to look for SA’s numbers but in general hospitalizations are way down. Here in Corpus hospitalizations are the lowest they’ve ever been. Despite the fact the it’s ripping through town right now.

So it’s sucks more people are getting sick but for the most part we’re looking at a 48-72 hour bug with minimal symptoms.

I’m all for another booster if they alter it to target.

Fwiw I run a cleaning company and we do large large scale disinfecting and contamination clean up. So I have a pretty good grasp of the state of things throughout the state. It is nothing like it was prior. Much less severe. Like you I attribute that to vaccination as well as simply mutating to be less deadly etc.

At some point we’re going to have reconcile with this being less shitty than the flu but likely more contagious. Until it isn’t.

[heyheymymy]

Jeez Giddey is a fuckin maestro passer

[djohn2oo8]

Jabari Smith is really HIMhttps://media1.giphy.com/media/jIXcTEmU5RCpO/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b9528461dc0263a4b1c8b106bcb4230d b90525070536&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

[benefactor]

Gonna be a long year
Was the plan all along tbh

[heyheymymy]

Running JPJ and Eason was a really interesting look for HOU

[KobesAchilles]

The good news for us is that a lot of all stars have been picked in the top 3 of the draft over the past 5 years. And as a plus, there have been misses from other shitty teams who don’t know how to draft. So maybe we can luck out and get a Mobley, Ball, Tatum at the 3rd pick. Heck Luka was the 5th pick. Just gotta hope that Brian Wright knows how to draft…

[Ariel]

Wesley looks like a lottery pick. It’s so crazy why so many teams passed on him .
I proposed many times to trade up into the 20s range to get players like Branham or Wesley (plus Eason, Jalen Williams, etc). It's really a stroke of luck that both fell into our lap. They are both late lottery prospects, and in fact it was said that many teams had Wesley in that range but the dynamic nature of the draft caused him to fall for one reason or another. We came out of the draft with 3 lottery picks.

[GAustex]

Why then did Wesley fall?
Was there an incident?

[Mr. Body]

Why then did Wesley fall?
Was there an incident?

I figure his inefficiency cost him. But also -- the teams 10-20 who pulled guards went Johnny Davis, Jalen Williams, Agbachi, Dalen Terry. And then everyone between that Terry pick, which I think was 16, and 25, often went for toolsy forwards. David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, Christian Braun, Marjon Beauchamp. Those are contending teams who were looking for fairly similar things, it appears.

[GAustex]

I figure his inefficiency cost him. But also -- the teams 10-20 who pulled guards went Johnny Davis, Jalen Williams, Agbachi, Dalen Terry. And then everyone between that Terry pick, which I think was 16, and 25, often went for toolsy forwards. David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, Christian Braun, Marjon Beauchamp. Those are contending teams who were looking for fairly similar things, it appears.
Thanks
His game seems to warrant a higher pick

[spurs1990]

Blake Wesley is an incredible teammate. Purposely shooting 2/19 from the field to take attention away from Primo’s abysmal performance last night. Inspirational stuff.

2-19?? I hope that’s a typo. If it’s any consolation for those worried, a prime Tim Hardaway once shot 0-17 in an actual NBA game

[emanueldavidginobili]

Keldon and Romeo were at the game tonight.

[Dejounte]

I was fine with drafting Wesley with the 9th pick if it did happen and on record of saying so. He will be considered top 5 of that draft class when it’s all said and done.

[Dejounte]

Primo’s hope for a big role on the Spurs has two paths: a scorer or a facilitator. I think I prefer him as a scorer instead so he doesnt take too much time dribbling the clock away, but if he’s a scorer then it blocks Malaki from getting his opportunity. And at this point, I like Malaki’s potential on that end.

[tim_duncan_fan]

There will plenty of shots to go around for those willing to take them. My concern is actually having guys willing to take them. I know Blake will put some shots up, but we need other guys to not be afraid all the time like mild-mannered players tend to be.

[Chinook]

Primo's going to have to learn to score in order to get the leverage to facilitate. He has good vision and I assume decent passing mechanics, but if he can't put pressure on a defense, he won't open up the windows to make his teammates better. It shouldn't be seen as one or the other. The days of an Andre Miller or Rajon Rondo PG who dominates the ball and gets guys looks are over. A Primo/Wesley duo balances out the guard positions with speed, size, strength, touch, defense, all that. I'm very curious to see how that all fits together once the vets get put into the mix. Either Jones starts and you see Jones/Vassell/Sochan/Johnson/Poeltl or some other variation with Devin playing the two, or if Primo starts, I think you take your chances with Wesley next to him and go Primo/Wesley/Vassell/Johnson/Poeltl. It's just a really good fit, and I'd worry about the defense if Primo and Vassell were the guards.

[BatManu20]

2-19?? I hope that’s a typo. If it’s any consolation for those worried, a prime Tim Hardaway once shot 0-17 in an actual NBA game

Nope. He finished 3/20 for the game. Couldn’t throw it in the ocean tonight and at least 4 or 5 of his shots were blocked at the rim. That’s something he really needs to work on.

He never shied away from attacking the basket or taking shots though. So you gotta like his confidence. kid’s fearless. He’s just young and raw and needs a lot of seasoning. He’s going to be a good player for us at some point imo.

[ducks]

There will plenty of shots to go around for those willing to take them. My concern is actually having guys willing to take them. I know Blake will put some shots up, but we need other guys to not be afraid all the time like mild-mannered players tend to be.

If they are afraid they can ride the pine and the scouts that found them
Should be fired oh wait they fit in though so it is ok they have no balls to shoot

[ismael-robert]

Did Wesley get blocked like this in college or did he not attack like this? Is the competition that much a step up that he needs that much adjusting?

[Ariel]

I figure his inefficiency cost him. But also -- the teams 10-20 who pulled guards went Johnny Davis, Jalen Williams, Agbachi, Dalen Terry. And then everyone between that Terry pick, which I think was 16, and 25, often went for toolsy forwards. David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, Christian Braun, Marjon Beauchamp. Those are contending teams who were looking for fairly similar things, it appears.
Yeah, after OKC @ 11 & 12 I think the only team that drafted for talent was the Spurs, pretty much every other team drafted need:
13: Duren to Pistons (via Charlotte), they had Ivey and needed a center
14: Agbaji to Cleveland, they needed a wing who could defend and shoot right away
15: Mark Williams to Charlotte: they badly needed a rim protector
16: AJ Griffin to Atlanta: they needed shooting around Trae
17: Eason to Houston: they needed a defensive wing who could make up for a team with Jalen Green and Sengun
18: Dalen Terry: They have Ayo Dosunmu, Lavine and DeRozan on their roster, a more complimentary piece like the versatile Terry make sense
19: LaRavia: typical Memphis pic, trying to make the most of the rookie scale contracts with immediate production
20: Branham to Spurs, long coveted target
21: Braun: bigger wing who can shoot and contribute right away
22: Kessler: handpicked by Minnesota for Utah for a trade already in the works for Gobert?
23: Roddy, another Memphis rookie who can contribute right away
24: Beauchamp: mature wing who can contribute right away

Wesley is a very promising but very raw prospect at a position where most teams are already covered Pretty much all the picks in that range are not better talents than Wesley but better fits for the team picking. In an alternate universe one pick changes and Wesley rises 10 spots.

[TD 21]

Even with all the caveats (Summer League, all 19, two just drafted, just started a full scale rebuild), Primo, Branham, Wesley feels eerily similar to Murray, White Walker.

You see all these teams with, for the most part, their prospects who have good or better physical tools for their position, actually playing their ideal position and role, then you see this team where everyone is out of place and overstretched.



I haven't heard Mark Jones go to the "hotter than fish grease" go to line this summer league, but I just heard him say "he kept the 'I' and gave the rest of the vowels back" after that drive by the Rockets scrub.

:lmao There's also "stuntin' like his daddy" and "this one is cooked, glazed and sealed" . . . what makes his attempts at sounding hip by utilizing American slang by "inner city" youth sound funny is that it's coming from an old, biracial Canadian.

[dbestpro]

Wesley thinks he's World B. Free reincarnated.

[Russ]

Gonna be a long year

Now that's optimism! :)

[tbdog]

Even with all the caveats (Summer League, all 19, two just drafted, just started a full scale rebuild), Primo, Branham, Wesley feels eerily similar to Murray, White Walker.

You see all these teams with, for the most part, their prospects who have good or better physical tools for their position, actually playing their ideal position and role, then you see this team where everyone is out of place and overstretched.




:lmao There's also "stuntin' like his daddy" and "this one is cooked, glazed and sealed" . . . what makes his attempts at sounding hip by utilizing American slang by "inner city" youth sound funny is that it's coming from an old, biracial Canadian.

Still way to early. It's going to be a rough year. And we are one year behind the likes of Rockets, Magic, Pistons, Thunder. All those teams are still expecting another losing year before they start making team construction decisions.

[PuzzBeterson]

Yeah, after OKC @ 11 & 12 I think the only team that drafted for talent was the Spurs, pretty much every other team drafted need:
13: Duren to Pistons (via Charlotte), they had Ivey and needed a center
14: Agbaji to Cleveland, they needed a wing who could defend and shoot right away
15: Mark Williams to Charlotte: they badly needed a rim protector
16: AJ Griffin to Atlanta: they needed shooting around Trae
17: Eason to Houston: they needed a defensive wing who could make up for a team with Jalen Green and Sengun
18: Dalen Terry: They have Ayo Dosunmu, Lavine and DeRozan on their roster, a more complimentary piece like the versatile Terry make sense
19: LaRavia: typical Memphis pic, trying to make the most of the rookie scale contracts with immediate production
20: Branham to Spurs, long coveted target
21: Braun: bigger wing who can shoot and contribute right away
22: Kessler: handpicked by Minnesota for Utah for a trade already in the works for Gobert?
23: Roddy, another Memphis rookie who can contribute right away
24: Beauchamp: mature wing who can contribute right away

Wesley is a very promising but very raw prospect at a position where most teams are already covered Pretty much all the picks in that range are not better talents than Wesley but better fits for the team picking. In an alternate universe one pick changes and Wesley rises 10 spots.
Terry, Eason and Griffin were very much talent-driven picks.

[Atl Spur]

Wesley thinks he's World B. Free reincarnated.

That dude was pretty damn good :)

[Mugen]

As long as they don't neuter Wesley, we good tbh.

[tmtcsc]

Are you serious? What game are you watching? He set up Days perfectly for one of those 3s.

He was 3-20 shooting & your applauding one assist on a 3? That’s your take away from that game?

[tmtcsc]

classic Spurs basketball: We gonna curl and do a bunch of dribble hand offs, only for the ball to end up back in the point guards hands so he can take a bad shot :lol

Just like my son’s 8th grade AAU basketball team 🤣. Unless of course the coach’s son decides to forgo any passes & shoots a 30 foot 3 pointer.

[Dejounte]

This dude is a known troll and the best way to deal with trolls is to not acknowledge them and allow them to be the loud person in an empty room

[Atl Spur]

This dude is a known troll and the best way to deal with trolls is to not acknowledge them and allow them to be the loud person in an empty room

Who’s a troll?

[Mugen]

Why has Days not been signed yet?

[Robz4000]

Why has Days not been signed yet?

RC's been passed out drunk since Saturday while BWrong is trying to get ahold of Austin Daye to sign him with the remaining capspace.

[John B]

Why has Days not been signed yet?

Agree. I like Days as the 2nd two-way contract, with strength at the paint and ability to knock down 3pt shots. And he also has great motors.
The downside is he's 22. Too old for our 19 yrs old core :lol Joke

[Atl Spur]

#30 has shown some promise; would like to see him in austin

[ceperez]

Lots of upside for a 19 year old:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqYYiK7LBNc

[jjspur]

Darius Days has impressed me the most so far

He deserves the second two way contract at the least if not a minimum deal. It looks like he has more potential than Weiskamp, we could always use another big.

[duncan2150]

Really like what i saw from Days, strong guy, can rebound, shoot and not bad on D in general. I'll be very suprised if we don't sign him.

I'm not worried about Wesley shooting night, he'll need some work in a lot of areas but all the tools are there, i think he'll be better playing with better guys.

Good to see Branham more involved, Barlow looks interesting too.

[tmtcsc]

This dude is a known troll and the best way to deal with trolls is to not acknowledge them and allow them to be the loud person in an empty room

Who are you calling a Troll?

[J_Paco]

Lots of upside for a 19 year old:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqYYiK7LBNc


I understand why it happened, but it's a little shocking that kid that shows these flashes (handle, fluidity, ability, etc.) went undrafted.

Spurs might have lucked out with a kid with 2nd - round potential/talent in the undrafted pool.

I'm going to have to watch some G-League action this year to see if he's a flash in the pan or can build on these solid performances.

[TD 21]

Still way to early. It's going to be a rough year. And we are one year behind the likes of Rockets, Magic, Pistons, Thunder. All those teams are still expecting another losing year before they start making team construction decisions.

I know and I realize they're all 19 and none are blue chip prospects, but when's the last time they had a rookie take the league by storm in a sense and generate national coverage?



I understand why it happened, but it's a little shocking that kid that shows these flashes (handle, fluidity, ability, etc.) went undrafted.

Spurs might have lucked out with a kid with 2nd - round potential/talent in the undrafted pool.

I'm going to have to watch some G-League action this year to see if he's a flash in the pan or can build on these solid performances.

Some agents/players decline being 2nd round picks now because they don't want to be locked in on a minimal contract for 3-4 years.

I don't know if that was the case here though.

[tbdog]

I know and I realize they're all 19 and none are blue chip prospects, but when's the last time they had a rookie take the league by storm in a sense and generate national coverage?




Some agents/players decline being 2nd round picks now because they don't want to be locked in on a minimal contract for 3-4 years.

I don't know if that was the case here though.

Who? The spurs or just the league in general?

[TD 21]

Who? The spurs or just the league in general?

Which part? If it's the former, the Spurs. If it's the latter, the league in general.

[tbdog]

Which part? If it's the former, the Spurs. If it's the latter, the league in general.

First part.

when's the last time they had a rookie take the league by storm in a sense and generate national coverage


To answer, I suppose there have been very few rookies in any team that has taken the league by storm. Luka is the last one. Zion had buzz but was too injured. Then there was LeBron. In between you might say terrek Evans and Blake Griffin.

So the spurs haven't drafted anyone top 10 since 97. So the odds are stacked against this question.

[rogcl1]

As long as they don't neuter Wesley, we good tbh.

I actually agree with a post of yours. He has stuff you can not teach. Athleticism and he is not scared on either side of the ball. Needs to be molded and channeled into a finished product but I think the Spurs actually understand all of that.
He has a motor and if he gets it I think he could be special.

[RC_Drunkford]

I understand why it happened, but it's a little shocking that kid that shows these flashes (handle, fluidity, ability, etc.) went undrafted.

Spurs might have lucked out with a kid with 2nd - round potential/talent in the undrafted pool.

I'm going to have to watch some G-League action this year to see if he's a flash in the pan or can build on these solid performances.

his agent told teams not to draft him in the 2nd round cause he had a 2-way guarantee by the Spurs. Somebody would've drafted him if that wasn't the case

[Dejounte]

Teams also werent ready to trust Overtime Elite prospects yet

btw Barlow shares the same agent as Primo

[Ariel]

Teams also werent ready to trust Overtime Elite prospects yet

btw Barlow shares the same agent as Primo
To be honest, they're right... there's no way to accurately assess a prospect with as weak a competition. But that's not to say a good talent can't come out of Overtime Elite, like Barlow exemplifies. Drafting Primo might have actually landed us a lottery kind of talent down the road... it just happened that it wasn't him.

[Dejounte]

IMO, if there are ways to be innovative and evaluate players without using level of competition as a standard to be met then there are diamonds out there to be found. I’m glad the Spurs aren’t fixated on having a criteria such as that to find players.

[Trill Clinton]

Lots of upside for a 19 year old:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqYYiK7LBNc

No wasted movements when he gets the ball. He has a nice feel for the game and gets his teammates involved as well. FO has some intriguing prospects to develop.

[Dejounte]

IMO, if there are ways to be innovative and evaluate players without using level of competition as a standard to be met then there are diamonds out there to be found. I’m glad the Spurs aren’t fixated on having a criteria such as that to find players.

Hence also why they use the combine scrimmages as a valuable tool/resource to gauge players

[Ariel]

IMO, if there are ways to be innovative and evaluate players without using level of competition as a standard to be met then there are diamonds out there to be found. I’m glad the Spurs aren’t fixated on having a criteria such as that to find players.
True, but when it's a lottery pick we're talking about, it surely helps to have something more tangible to go by.
But then again, if Sharpe got drafted at no. 7 going by a few months worth of HS tape, someone will take that chance when the time comes.

[John B]

Barlow performed very well at the Combine which I think this management has relied on heavily the past recent picks, on top of the individual work-outs.

[wildbill2u]

his agent told teams not to draft him in the 2nd round cause he had a 2-way guarantee by the Spurs. Somebody would've drafted him if that wasn't the case

If the agent was telling teams that the Spurs had offered a 2-way, why wouldn't that incentivise them to draft him, assuming they think the Spurs scouting is good. Is there some kind of gentleman's agreement (scoff) that they will back off in a situation like the one described? I don't understand your comment or the reason behind it. Thanks for clarifying.

[Mr. Body]

If the agent was telling teams that the Spurs had offered a 2-way, why wouldn't that incentivise them to draft him, assuming they think the Spurs scouting is good. Is there some kind of gentleman's agreement (scoff) that they will back off in a situation like the one described? I don't understand your comment or the reason behind it. Thanks for clarifying.

Picking a player who doesn't want to play for you might start things on the wrong foot.

[Atl Spur]

If the agent was telling teams that the Spurs had offered a 2-way, why wouldn't that incentivise them to draft him, assuming they think the Spurs scouting is good. Is there some kind of gentleman's agreement (scoff) that they will back off in a situation like the one described? I don't understand your comment or the reason behind it. Thanks for clarifying.

He probably didn’t discuss the spurs…….

[RC_Drunkford]

IMO, if there are ways to be innovative and evaluate players without using level of competition as a standard to be met then there are diamonds out there to be found. I’m glad the Spurs aren’t fixated on having a criteria such as that to find players.

this was pretty obvious when they drafted Luka Samanic who played in the 2nd league of Slovenia :lol
It‘s more about physical attributes and skillset with Barlow I think. There‘s a lot to like about this kid

[RC_Drunkford]

If the agent was telling teams that the Spurs had offered a 2-way, why wouldn't that incentivise them to draft him, assuming they think the Spurs scouting is good. Is there some kind of gentleman's agreement (scoff) that they will back off in a situation like the one described? I don't understand your comment or the reason behind it. Thanks for clarifying.

As far as I know it was reported that his agent told teams not to draft him so he can get the Spurs 2-way

[JeffDuncan]

If the agent was telling teams that the Spurs had offered a 2-way, why wouldn't that incentivise them to draft him, …


A team can can draft a player who doesn’t want to be there, and sign him, but they can’t make him try hard for them. So he shows up late for practice, and loafs, and if a coach yells at him, he replies with a screw you. What to do? All they can do is cut him. Then he gets picked up by the team where he wanted to go.

That’s why. There’s too much danger of wasted time and waste of a draft pick, if a player doesn’t want to be drafted by you. And a 2nd rounder is not worth very much hassle at all unless he looks like the next Jokic. Not worth the possible headache.

[heyheymymy]

Feels real nice to have Barlow locked in on the 2 way deal going forward. Really interesting piece and can't wait to see more. Was saying how Barlow 2 way kinda substitutes that #38 Spurs got cash for so seems like a slick move from SA to maximize value and have your cake and eat it too. Or does the cash offset with the 2 way signing as a wash? If so why not just use #38 on Barlow outright especially if there's talk of a prior agreement that was told to warn off other potential suitors? What am I missing here lol

That rockets game highlight reel is impressive. The full court track down and blocked shot at the rim after his opponent fast broke off his own missed shot was crucial. Look at the body control on the contest at the rim and block, Barlow avoids the contact so smoothly. The highlight before that was a full court offensive attack, ball handling all the way up court into an attempted charge that maybe should've been an offensive foul but he gets 2 shots for it. Not so Tragic Johnson sighting as Sean would say lol. Heady stuff all around.

Barlow is a beast. Was reading about how he used to play on an outdoor court in mid winter North Jersey lol. Barlow is like some Space Jam character, I'm real high on the potential here.

[heyheymymy]

Both Barlow and Days seem to have a better FT skill than Poeltl. That was refreshing af.

[TD 21]

First part.



To answer, I suppose there have been very few rookies in any team that has taken the league by storm. Luka is the last one. Zion had buzz but was too injured. Then there was LeBron. In between you might say terrek Evans and Blake Griffin.

So the spurs haven't drafted anyone top 10 since 97. So the odds are stacked against this question.

I'm not talking to that level and there's a few every season. Take a guy like Jones last season. He's obviously not going to be a star, but he ended up being an impact role player right out of the chute (yes, I know he's an older prospect).

I realize that and already mentioned as much.

[Dejounte]

Kai Jones relegated to the bench in favor of Mark Williams and JT Thor

[Atl Spur]

Yepper……

[Atl Spur]

#30 has shown some promise; would like to see him in austin

Yepper