Summer League Game #2: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers - July 5, 2023 @ 7pm CT

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkWARmWuY3M

[Dejounte]

Concur that Wesley played much better. Still not setting up the offense like a normal PG, but he looks just about the same as Murray looked in his younger days. The Spurs really look for these unorthodox players with tools out of the norm from what one would expect from a point guard. Wesley has intriguing potential that once its tapped could be very lethal. I particularly like how handsy / active he was on defense tonight.

[Dejounte]

Just rewatched Branham score his points in that video and man oh man is his offense a thing of beauty. I said this in the past: if Malaki reaches stardom that kids will want to emulate his game.

[lefty20]

Does the Spurs motion offense even need a traditional table setter PG? We were one of the top assisting teams last year, and the offense did just fine considering the overall talent we put out on the floor.

[BatManu20]

Idk if this was asked or discussed but whose game is Bran’s most similar to? Best I could come up with is DDR, but only because they both like to get their points from midrange. But that’s about it.

Shorter Khris Middleton is the comparison he was getting the most coming into the draft last year. Not the defender or 3-point shooter KM is (yet), but there’s definitely some similarities to their offensive game.

[scott]

In that clip, loved the Champ seemed completely unfazed by any kind of contest on his 3s. Almost like the defender wasn't there

[lefty20]

Does the Spurs motion offense even need a traditional table setter PG? We were one of the top assisting teams last year, and the offense did just fine considering the overall talent we put out on the floor.

Nvm. Our offensive rating went down from middle of the pack to almost dead last after losing DJ. That being said, DJ wasn't exactly a typical table setter either.

[Dejounte]

Does the Spurs motion offense even need a traditional table setter PG? We were one of the top assisting teams last year, and the offense did just fine considering the overall talent we put out on the floor.

I don’t think so. Folks here wanted one during the draft (Anthony Black) and some are content with the table setter one we have already on the roster (Tre Jones). I’m of the opinion that the best fit with Wemby would be one who could score dynamically: a two way combo guard, similar to Dejounte, is what I believe the prototype for today’s NBA. So if Wesley can be molded into that, and perhaps a bit different in that he focuses more on the defensive side rather than triple doubles… i would be ecstatic.

[Dex]

Nvm. Our offensive rating went down from middle of the pack to almost dead last after losing DJ. That being said, DJ wasn't exactly a typical table setter either.

People on here love to shit on Parker, but he wasn't a typical table setter either and helped us win 4 rings.

Instead, he was constantly attacking, pushing the pace, getting into the paint and breaking down the defense. Most importantly, he also knew how to finish which is something our young guns need to figure out.

Getting into the paint is great to collapse the defense, but if you aren't a threat to score and just kick it back out it only goes so far. Look at guys like Lonnie who could easily drive...then had no idea what to do.

[Mr. Body]

Spurs haven't had a traditional table setter PG since Avery.

[Obstructed_View]

Shorter Khris Middleton is the comparison he was getting the most coming into the draft last year. Not the defender or 3-point shooter KM is (yet), but there’s definitely some similarities to their offensive game.
Redd and Big Dog.

[Extra Stout]

Concur that Wesley played much better. Still not setting up the offense like a normal PG, but he looks just about the same as Murray looked in his younger days. The Spurs really look for these unorthodox players with tools out of the norm from what one would expect from a point guard. Wesley has intriguing potential that once its tapped could be very lethal. I particularly like how handsy / active he was on defense tonight.
I concur as well. I like that he pulled up on a couple of occasions for an easy jumper rather than barreling towards the rim.
Defensively he was active.

[dbestpro]

Bediako led the team in rebounding.

[Obstructed_View]

Concur that Wesley played much better. Still not setting up the offense like a normal PG, but he looks just about the same as Murray looked in his younger days. The Spurs really look for these unorthodox players with tools out of the norm from what one would expect from a point guard. Wesley has intriguing potential that once its tapped could be very lethal. I particularly like how handsy / active he was on defense tonight.
I'm pretty sure that Wesley would have put up similar numbers against almost any level of competition. His mistakes limit his output.

[rascal]

Idk if this was asked or discussed but whose game is Bran’s most similar to? Best I could come up with is DDR, but only because they both like to get their points from midrange. But that’s about it.

Steve Smith

He can be better than Steve Smith.

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLk1gPJ9QbY


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

[emanueldavidginobili]

Blake looked much better, he has the tools and I think he will be tough in 2 years which is perfect. That is why I love Tre new contract because when it is time for Tres new contract we will have a much better view on Blakes trajectory.

Branham is a scoring general at only 20 years old. He still has work to do but he reminds me of a shorter Middleton/Durant type of player. He just knows how to get a player on his hip and execute. He was pissing me
off earlier in the game playing too cool for school but he turned it on and stepped on their throats. Wemby is going to be such a focal point for other teams that it should make it that much easier for everyone else.

Dom was great on defense his anticipation was amazing hes still raw and wont be able to have complete games on display consistently yet but I think he will get there. He went away from his
catch and shoot like last game. Not sure if he was trying to force the issue but he was catching the ball and rarely squaring up and looking at the basket. Seemed like he was making an effort to make the pass to the cutter or what not. Which is part of the summer league, working on your weaknesses.

Julian was great again and remains hungry and refuses to be second fiddle to anyone. He showed flashed late last year and obviously the reason he got a 4 year contract as soon as FA started.

[cutewizard]

I think this is probably our most competitive summer league team that I can remember seeing, so nice to see them playing hard.

I second the motion

[cutewizard]

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

[wildbill2u]

What a horrendous call by these dog-shit officials. Even after review.

Is that the one where they robbed Chanpagnie of another 3.

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xIbnG71drQ

[cutewizard]

We have two young super shooters in Champagne and Branham

what a treat

[wildbill2u]

Bediako led the team in rebounding.

I thought he played really good defense and his offensive rebounding was great. I thought he was simply a filler pick for the Summer League, but he has some game.

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVRosyOXbE8

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Amuseddaysleeper can u plz start the next game thread........spurstalk posters need to test if ur curse is still active or no so u can start regular season game threads again.......

:lmao

Only one way to find out

[cutewizard]

told yah Bediako has potential

uhmmmm

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aouFJRBMJ5s

[timvp]

Javante McCoy is definitely Bryn Forbes in disguise aka Eli Manning/Chad Powers.

:lol

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXf6l--4r28

[spurs1990]

Didn't see Branham play much last year, or any Spurs game for that matter, but can he get to a Michael Redd or Jim Jackson tier with what he's showing?

Redd didn't get to his buckets stage until he was 24 after starting out very slow for a couple years. Drafted around the same slot as Branham.
Jackson was another upperclassman out of tOSU and a blue chip scorer from day 1.

Branham is almost as tall but a lot lighter than either guy. Can he be the backcourt anchor to #1?

[Degoat]

I’m having to high of expectations probably but with the hype surrounded by the game Friday I really hope Wemby plays well, hope the guys can spoon feed him early and he doesn’t have to force the issue. I was reading a hornets forum and those poor guys think Brandon Millers a bust after two games.

[timtonymanu]

:lmao

Only one way to find out

I hope so. It never got old seeing people lose their shit when you started game threads. :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Is that the one where they robbed Chanpagnie of another 3.
They're just embarrassingly bad.

[lefty20]

I hope so. It never got old seeing people lose their shit when you started game threads. :lol

And the outrage posts/threads demanding he get pinked after the inevitable injury once in a while.

[EricB]

Steve Smith

He can be better than Steve Smith.


I think of Smith in his prime with Atlanta and Miami as lord of a pure shooter than Branham, also more athletic a tad.


I still think he reminds me of Ricky Pierce. Jmo

[Fireball]

I’m having to high of expectations probably but with the hype surrounded by the game Friday I really hope Wemby plays well, hope the guys can spoon feed him early and he doesn’t have to force the issue. I was reading a hornets forum and those poor guys think Brandon Millers a bust after two games. yeah I also hope Wemby does not fuck up this debut ... the hype is insane

[exstatic]

I think of Smith in his prime with Atlanta and Miami as lord of a pure shooter than Branham, also more athletic a tad.


I still think he reminds me of Ricky Pierce. Jmo

The game has changed a lot. Smith, thought of as an elite shooter in his day, had a career 3G% of .358. He also operated frequently in the post. 69% of his FGA were two pointers.

[exstatic]

yeah I also hope Wemby does not fuck up this debut ... the hype is insane

Tim Duncan got his shit pushed by Greg Ostertag in his SL debut. It doesn’t matter.

[Obstructed_View]

yeah I also hope Wemby does not fuck up this debut ... the hype is insane
Timmy got fucked up in his debut. It's good company to be in.

[Mr. Body]

Hornets: "Greg Ostertag is not walking through that door."

[Spursmania]

Like the good old days. We back baby!

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I hope so. It never got old seeing people lose their shit when you started game threads. :lol

It was incredible. I had PM's of people threatening to bring a shotgun to my doorstep and got even more mad when I asked for the tracking number :lol

[heyheymymy]

Amused literally killed one player, right? Maybe TJ Ford?

It was a game they started the thread for and the player who was injured never really was the same again? Or maybe a really long injury to a crucial player? What is Amused's body count list lol

[Dex]

Amused literally killed one player, right? Maybe TJ Ford?

It was a game they started the thread for and the player who was injured never really was the same again? Or maybe a really long injury to a crucial player? What is Amused's body count list lol

Amused is actually Uncle Dennis

[couchman]

Idk if this was asked or discussed but whose game is Bran’s most similar to? Best I could come up with is DDR, but only because they both like to get their points from midrange. But that’s about it.

Rip Hamilton maybe? Although Branham does it off the dribble a little more and less catch and shoot on the curl.

That being said, his defense is atrocious. His +/- was barely positive last night despite his scoring prowess.
He regularly looks lost on D or even lazy.
There was one LA fast break where Branham was running down court with his back to the ball handler who was immediately behind him. It looked pathetic.
Bran’s offense is stellar but I hope Pop rios him a new one over and over again on D until he becomes passable there.

[RC_Drunkford]

as soon as we drafted Wembanyama I thought to myself Amused should be banned from starting game threads. He'll end this kids career

[Obstructed_View]

It was incredible. I had PM's of people threatening to bring a shotgun to my doorstep and got even more mad when I asked for the tracking number :lol
I will keel you.

[rjv]

It was incredible. I had PM's of people threatening to bring a shotgun to my doorstep and got even more mad when I asked for the tracking number :lol

https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExd3NhOG13YTQxZW44Mm83dW8wODA0c3M 2bDNvNmd6eDZvbHg1NDc2dyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjd D1n/9RWeDFAf07oxT1hgLB/giphy.gif

[Splits]

I’m having to high of expectations probably but with the hype surrounded by the game Friday I really hope Wemby plays well, hope the guys can spoon feed him early and he doesn’t have to force the issue. I was reading a hornets forum and those poor guys think Brandon Millers a bust after two games.

Why? After that garbage time performance against us, look at his 2nd game!

https://i.ibb.co/n8KC0RP/image.png

[Obstructed_View]

Why? After that garbage time performance against us, look at his 2nd game!

https://i.ibb.co/n8KC0RP/image.png
They were telling each other that they got the best player in the draft. No shower curtain is safe in Charlotte.

[Extra Stout]

So much for that Charlotte FRP.

[CGD]

So much for that Charlotte FRP.

We need to use that pick to upgrade

[spurraider21]

We need to use that pick to upgrade
i think his point is that because brandon miller has had a slow summer league start, then it means charlotte's pick wont convey

[ginobilized]

Branham is so smooth and has a great inner-rhythm.

He had some shots that seemed like he saw the play 2-3 steps ahead. I love his game and his attitude is pure winner.

As for comparisons, I can see some Steve Smith, Michael Redd and a mini Carmelo at times.

[Splits]

1676037466254462978

[rascal]

i think his point is that because brandon miller has had a slow summer league start, then it means charlotte's pick wont convey

What teams will Charlotte be ahead to make the playoffs next year.

There are seven teams clearly better, Milwaukee, Boston, Phil, Cleveland, Knicks, Miami, Atlanta so leaves them battling with the rest for the 8th spot. I can see Orlando getting into the playoffs next year.

It's not going to be easy for them to make the playoffs.

[Extra Stout]

Branham needs to raise his release point

[rascal]

So much for that Charlotte FRP.

Jordan had the final say on Miller.

[spurraider21]

What teams will Charlotte be ahead to make the playoffs next year.

There are seven teams clearly better, Milwaukee, Boston, Phil, Cleveland, Knicks, Miami, Atlanta so leaves them battling with the rest for the 8th spot. I can see Orlando getting into the playoffs next year.

It's not going to be easy for them to make the playoffs.
atlanta's not that good and they just dumped john collins for rudy gay. their top draft pick is yet another combo guard behind trae/dejounte. miami just made the finals, but they were also mediocre in the regular season (had to sneak in thru the play-in) and have lost Struss and Vincent, while adding Josh Richardson.

also with the play-in system, they can be the 10th best team and still get into the postseason

its not an automatic conveyance or anything, but the chances arent bad at all. lamelo missed over half the season last year. miles bridges missed the whole year. mark williams had a solid rookie year and missed half the season. more potential than people think, even if miller doesnt hit the ground running (i think he'll be fine when the offense starts feeding him easy looks)

[rascal]

atlanta's not that good and they just dumped john collins for rudy gay. their top draft pick is yet another combo guard behind trae/dejounte. miami just made the finals, but they were also mediocre in the regular season (had to sneak in thru the play-in) and have lost Struss and Vincent, while adding Josh Richardson.

also with the play-in system, they can be the 10th best team and still get into the postseason

its not an automatic conveyance or anything, but the chances arent bad at all. lamelo missed over half the season last year. miles bridges missed the whole year. mark williams had a solid rookie year and missed half the season. more potential than people think, even if miller doesnt hit the ground running (i think he'll be fine when the offense starts feeding him easy looks)

Miami is clearly better. Atlanta too unless there are injuries.

[JPB]

Branham needs to raise his release point

That's what strikes me too watching him shoot.

[spurraider21]

Miami is clearly better. Atlanta too unless there are injuries.
miami is a 44 team that lost 2 rotation players who were 3rd and 5th on the team in playoff minutes per game

jimmy butler is turning 34 before the season starts. kyle lowry is 37

atlanta is a 41 win team that has only gotten worse

the path is there. its not automatic

[wildbill2u]

Branham keeps laughing and grimacing when he fucks up by missing a bunny at the basket or making a bad pass. It's annoying.

[Obstructed_View]

Branham needs to completely change his shooting mechanics in every way.

[wildbill2u]

Branham needs to raise his release point

I thought they had been working on that part of his shot, but it looks like he is still starting his shot at his crotch level. I don't think he can maintain that form in this league without getting a lot of shots blocked or deflected.

[Dex]

Branham keeps laughing and grimacing when he fucks up by missing a bunny at the basket or making a bad pass. It's annoying.

Sometimes you just gotta laugh it off. I'd rather that then he sulks like Lonnie did, or starts barking at the refs like Doncic does every time something doesn't go his way.

[cutewizard]

Branham rulessssssssssssssssssssssss

[cutewizard]

Nibiru is coming

we must win the last NBA championship soon

hahahahahahahahaha

[offset formation]

1676037466254462978

The beat tho.

[redman112]

cutewizard are you pinay?

[cutewizard]

cutewizard are you pinay?

im a guy good Sir, but yes proud Filipino

tho im not the usual Filipino

[cutewizard]

fuck the lakers

second the motion

im sad that sports org selected the right colors, GOLD, but they do not understand what GOLD is all about

pathetic materialistic culture

[Obstructed_View]

im a guy good Sir, but yes proud Filipino

tho im not the usual Filipino
So you're tall?

[ducks]

Jordan had the final say on Miller.

did not jordan sell ? yes he did rascal before the draft
he made a boatload of profit
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/37863644/sources-michael-jordan-finalizing-charlotte-hornets-sale

[XenoThirteen]

im a guy good Sir, but yes proud Filipino

tho im not the usual Filipino

That would explain why you seem to be so keen on Kai Sotto.

[Spursmania]

where's the thread for tonight's game?

[Spursmania]

Where's the thread for tonight's game?

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/Ben_ESPN/status/1677331217081827333

[LittleCriminal]

Where are all the livestream links at?? I forgot them all!!

[Knoxxx]

Lolz people with no DVR or ESPN!?!