Summer League Game Thread - MALAKI'S REVENGE - Spurs/Wizards 7/11/23 @ 9:30PM CDT (5:30AM Riga Time) on NBA TV

[onechance87]

branham making shots

[Mr. Body]

Branham shitting on ST

Literally going to say this.

[CorrectCrusader]

Wish Wesley could have a game he goes off

[onechance87]

Branham shitting on ST

but i thought u said summer league wasint for him

[redman112]

shutdown wesley for the upcoming season!

[SPURt]

I wish Branham was consistently this good

[td4mvp2k]

branham bouncing back like a pro

[Spursmania]

Am I the only who feels uncomfortable when Blake is dribbling the ball? :lol
He doesn't look natural.

[Ice009]

Is it absolutely insane to think Sidy maybe can play PG? I see a lot of Diaw comparisons but Diaw could do more in the post. But also didn't Diaw used to play PG?

I'm pretty sure Boris was drafted as a PG with Atlanta and then moved to SF/PF with the Suns, and then PF/Center with the Bobcats. lol.

[slick'81]

Killer b's branham&barlow

[Mr. Body]

Am I the only who feels uncomfortable when Blake is dribbling the ball? :lol
He doesn't look natural.

He's like a baby deer.

[TekXX]

but i thought u said summer league wasint for him

Spacing got a whole lot better i guess.

[Obstructed_View]

I'm pretty sure Boris was drafted as a PG and then moved to SF, PF and Center. lol.
I may be wrong but I remember him being drafted as a forward and then he played the entire season at point because someone was hurt.

[CorrectCrusader]

There we go Wesley!

[8FOR!3]

Why not see if he can do it? Spurs have about 15 people that can play SG/SF/PF at a high enough level. But only 2 (Tre = 1 Graham/Wesley = 1/2) that can play PG.

[Obstructed_View]

Blake does a lot of things right. I certainly don't want this experiment to mess with that.

[Obstructed_View]

Why not see if he can do it? Spurs have about 15 people that can play SG/SF/PF at a high enough level. But only 2 (Tre = 1 Graham/Wesley = 1/2) that can play PG.
Sochan is at worst the second best on the team at running the point.

[Ditty]

I wish the Spurs would have had a chabce at Bilal. Should have came out next season:cry

[Seventyniner]

Blake's shot is so unsightly. He gives zero fucks about pulling the trigger but he just isn't good at it.

[BatManu20]

There you go Champ

[CorrectCrusader]

Champ!

[Seventyniner]

Impressive take by Champagnie there when he broke the press. That's a level of coordination that will carry over into the NBA.

[Obstructed_View]

Cissoko has all the natural court vision that Wesley lacks.

[BatManu20]

Sidy’s been really active tonight defensively, on top of his great passing. Love it.

[CorrectCrusader]

Cissoko block!

[DPG21920]

That 2H from Branham whew buddy…Champagnie being a FT merchant is a really nice perk too.

[Obstructed_View]

I wish the Spurs would have had a chabce at Bilal. Should have came out next season:cry
I thought he was pretty underwhelms ng in the playoffs, but he has looked good today. He is at a position the Spurs are deepest at, is he not?

[8FOR!3]

Sochan is at worst the second best on the team at running the point.

Agreed but I think Sochan is so good at cutting and doing other things I wouldn't actually run him at the point most of the time. Although if we wanted to start him at PG I would've probably experimented with it a little more during SL (even though he's way too good for SL.)

Problem is everybody besides Wesley in our starting lineup looks like an NBA bench role player right now. We can get away with playing Sidy in Austin but Branham/Champagnie/Barlow are good enough to be backups today. Even don't mind Barlow splitting time in Austin depending on how he compares to Bassey/Mamu, but it's frustrating if Champagnie or even Branham (which I doubt would happen) don't get minutes bc someone 28-30's like Cedi/Bullock/McDermott are getting minutes over him.

[ace3g]

Final




1
2
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4
T


WSH
19
27
19
20
85


SA
20
26
20
30
96

[SPURt]

Wesley is one of those players I want to improve so bad but he just can’t make it happen

[John B]

For whoever asked, Ashley is 5'10".

She’s tall

[Mr. Body]

Something's up with Blake's shot tonight. It's like he's flinging rocks.

[John B]

What was Blake doing? That was close to tech

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0z0I_5XgAAkYD6?format=jpg&name=large

[Obstructed_View]

She’s tall
And stunning.

[BatManu20]

Something's up with Blake's shot tonight. It's like he's flinging rocks.

Definitely has a weird hitch. More-so than usual.

[SPURt]

Also… Washington’s cupboard looks bare from a talent perspective. Bilal had a few flashes but Cook was the best player they had on the floor. That Davis pick looks pretty bad by now. Yikes.

[CorrectCrusader]

Shoutout to OP. It was in fact, "Malaki's revenge"

[BatManu20]

Wanted Branham to hit the 30-mark but Wesley kept getting the ball instead.

[Mr. Body]

And stunning.

I think she's with the Charlotte broadcast team. She's gorgeous.

[Obstructed_View]

Agreed but I think Sochan is so good at cutting and doing other things I wouldn't actually run him at the point most of the time. Although if we wanted to start him at PG I would've probably experimented with it a little more during SL (even though he's way too good for SL.)

Problem is everybody besides Wesley in our starting lineup looks like an NBA bench role player right now. We can get away with playing Sidy in Austin but Branham/Champagnie/Barlow are good enough to be backups today. Even don't mind Barlow splitting time in Austin depending on how he compares to Bassey/Mamu, but it's frustrating if Champagnie or even Branham (which I doubt would happen) don't get minutes bc someone 28-30's like Cedi/Bullock/McDermott are getting minutes over him.
I think the Spurs could start Wesley at the 2 on opening day and be in better shape than entering the season thinking he will be the backup point guard. Everything he does well is what you want from an NBA shooting guard.

[td4mvp2k]

Definitely has a weird hitch. More-so than usual.
going back to college his shot never looked good

[redman112]

Shoutout to OP. It was in fact, "Malaki's revenge"
OP is on point with the thread title :toast

[John B]

Something's up with Blake's shot tonight. It's like he's flinging rocks.

Been lifting too much

[Dejounte]

Wesley is one of those players I want to improve so bad but he just can’t make it happen

Baby steps tbh

gotta stick with it when the going gets rough and no one believes in him. That way it’s more satisfying to say later that I believed in him through these horrific times. Taking it game by game. IMO, this is nothing like a Lonnie situation. Wesley wants it and will pull through eventually.

[lefty20]

Good stuff from everyone... except Blake. Dude def gonna need to iron out them kinks in G-League.

[BatManu20]

1678984816593698817

[Mugen]

Man, Barlowe playing himself into a nice payday. I'm not even sure if the Spurs can retain him :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Baby steps tbh

gotta stick with it when the going gets rough and no one believes in him. That way it’s more satisfying to say later that I believed in him through these horrific times. Taking it game by game. IMO, this is nothing like a Lonnie situation. Wesley wants it and will pull through eventually.
That's ridiculous, but I'll allow it because I was your age once. :lol

But you don't actually see any aptitude at seeing the floor from him, right? You just want to be loyal to him?

[Mr. Body]

Man, Barlowe playing himself into a nice payday. I'm not even sure if the Spurs can retain him :lol

The Spurs are callous enough to shut down a player to keep people from seeing him. There's probably something in place with Barlow already.

[Mugen]

Blake was always going to be a 2-3 year project tbh. It's 1 step forward, 2 steps back with him sometimes. Frustrating, but too early to give up on him yet IMO.

[Mugen]

Barlowe being able to stick with guys on the perimeter after switches has been really impressive. That and his middy being automatic has been pretty damn exciting. Wonder if it can translate to the regular season.

[DPG21920]

Barlow and Sidy both have made a case for main club but man, we are in a numbers crunch

[Mr. Body]

Blake was always going to be a 2-3 year project tbh. It's 1 step forward, 2 steps back with him sometimes. Frustrating, but too early to give up on him yet IMO.

I really like what I'm seeing from him. He has a lot of potential and he's getting there.

[Mr. Body]

Barlowe being able to stick with guys on the perimeter after switches has been really impressive. That and his middy being automatic has been pretty damn exciting. Wonder if it can translate to the regular season.

I think he and Bassey will fight to back up the C.

[Dejounte]

That's ridiculous, but I'll allow it because I was your age once. :lol

But you don't actually see any aptitude at seeing the floor from him, right? You just want to be loyal to him?

Eh, my patience has paid off in players I believed in before. I’ll forgive you because I don’t really remember you posting on here until only recently…

[John B]

Wesley is uber competitive. Again everybody knows that audition vs Malaki. Blake will work hard to get there. I don’t remember DJM better. The guy couldn’t shoot at all and he fumbles dribbling through traffic. Wouldn’t go hard to the basket, always that two pumps who couldn’t convert. At least Wesley is fearless, at a fault, but still he just needs to tweak. I think he shows the ball too early when he goes up for the dunk. Ahd he needs to throw his body to the defender. Whatever it is, the Spurs have the best development coach. I’m not worried. And once Blake gets over that, he’ll be a stud.

[Obstructed_View]

Eh, my patience has paid off in players I believed in before. I’ll forgive you because I don’t really remember you posting on here until only recently…
I lurked for several years. I read your posts.

Your patience may have paid off in imaginary internet kudos before, but I'm more interested in if you actually see any point guard aptitude when you watch Wesley play. I think he's a good shooting guard.

I guess two more years trying to force him to run point in Austin is what the Spurs want. I just wonder if you and the other guys who understand the game feel the same way.

[John B]

Watching the replay. Champagnie is another ballhandler out there who can pass

[John B]

Sidy with some of his nifty passes

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYSq6E3MzaA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz-xPwz189A

[spurraider21]

Barlow and Sidy both have made a case for main club but man, we are in a numbers crunch
Push comes to shove we can waive a bunch of expiring guys if we can’t find trades/consolidation moves. Birch, Stevens, Bullock, Osman

these are all expendable guys. But obviously would be ideal to be able to hold them and try to sell expiring as cap relief. But if Cissoko is really getting a real contract and Barlow refuses a 2-way, the math simply is the math

[Ice009]

I may be wrong but I remember him being drafted as a forward and then he played the entire season at point because someone was hurt.

You might be right. I remember him playing PG in Atlanta, but maybe that was due to injury like you said.

[ace3g]

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


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xET4bEyLT80

[JPB]

Blake was always going to be a 2-3 year project tbh. It's 1 step forward, 2 steps back with him sometimes. Frustrating, but too early to give up on him yet IMO.

Every rookie is at least a 2-3 year project. But except wishful thinking and being a spur, I don't see anything that lets suggest Blake has the tools to be more than a 3rd string PG at best... He can't really shoot, has mediocre court vision, can"t finish at the rim, can't really defend... So I'm not sure where the upside is... Simply getting better with time? Maybe a little but nothing that could make him a real rotation player IMO...It's not like he just has things to fix, things are just not really there, he lacks talent...You can see the upside with Malaki and Sochan who got drafted the same year, you can't see it with Blake.

And Blake competitiveness might be his problem. He's trying to play like a player he's not, to force himself into it. Confidence is one thing but you gotta be realistic about your game. And that's what most players in the NBA have to cope with at some point, that they're not the best kid in town anymore and then try to adapt their game to find a role in this league. Stars are the minority, not the norm, and Blake will probably never be a star, like the majority of people drafted there. For one Malaki, you have 3 Wesleys.

[Dejounte]

I lurked for several years. I read your posts.

Your patience may have paid off in imaginary internet kudos before, but I'm more interested in if you actually see any point guard aptitude when you watch Wesley play. I think he's a good shooting guard.

I guess two more years trying to force him to run point in Austin is what the Spurs want. I just wonder if you and the other guys who understand the game feel the same way.

I’ve stated my position on this before. I don’t look for “point guard aptitude” in my starting point guards. Most championship teams who get those types of players (before they become championship teams) are replaced by usually one of the following: stars, shooters, or combo guards.

These “set up” point guards aren’t as common as people think they are, and the idea of it is mostly rooted in the traditional mindset that “point guards have to pass because that’s what they do in basketball 101”. Those fundamentals are taught at an early basketball age but in a practical NBA sense, has rarely been the case on winning teams. All through Parker’s career people thought he should have distributed the ball way more. There’s Derek Fisher who had no point guard skills to speak of. Billups had basic passing skills. Stronger championship teams have had point guards who contributed in other ways and passing was the least important skill in many of those point guards. They’re more known for being clutch players who made critical shots at the end of games, or taking over a quarter with their scoring prowess. We’re all too fixated by this idea that a guy has to come in and quarterback (control offensive sets by handling the ball a ton) the team on offense.

I think it’s far from that and I think the Spurs think the same, too. That’s why they’ve been cycling through combo point guards, like Murray and White, with hopes of finding a permanent one. Murray and White weren’t drafted at all for their point guard skills, with the former being questioned for his PG skills for most of his time here. They were drafted because of their versatility and their X-Factor abilities in other aspects of the game.

Brian Wright was interviewed recently and stated that the way they’ve been playing these past several years is how they want to play going forward. Well, guess how they’ve been playing on offense? With a lot of ball movement and versatility on offense. And that type of offense doesn’t require a traditional point guard.

[JPB]

I’ve stated my position on this before. I don’t look for “point guard aptitude” in my starting point guards. Most championship teams who get those types of players (before they become championship teams) are replaced by usually one of the following: stars, shooters, or combo guards.

These “set up” point guards aren’t as common as people think they are, and the idea of it is mostly rooted in the traditional mindset that “point guards have to pass because that’s what they do in basketball 101”. Those fundamentals are taught at an early basketball age but in a practical NBA sense, has rarely been the case on winning teams. All through Parker’s career people thought he should have distributed the ball way more. There’s Derek Fisher who had no point guard skills to speak of. Billups had basic passing skills. Stronger championship teams have had point guards who contributed in other ways and passing was the least important skill in many of those point guards. They’re more known for being clutch players who made critical shots at the end of games, or taking over a quarter with their scoring prowess. We’re all too fixated by this idea that a guy has to come in and quarterback (control offensive sets by handling the ball a ton) the team on offense.

I think it’s far from that and I think the Spurs think the same, too. That’s why they’ve been cycling through combo point guards, like Murray and White, with hopes of finding a permanent one. Murray and White weren’t drafted at all for their point guard skills, with the former being questioned for his PG skills for most of his time here. They were drafted because of their versatility and their X-Factor abilities in other aspects of the game.

Brian Wright was interviewed recently and stated that the way they’ve been playing these past several years is how they want to play going forward. Well, guess how they’ve been playing on offense? With a lot of ball movement and versatility on offense. And that type of offense doesn’t require a traditional point guard.

Maybe, but is Wesley that type of player? The answer is no to me. Traditional PG or not, what you're talking about is playmakng skills and Wesley lacks some.

Dereck fisher and Chancey Billups actually had PG skills, court vision and BBIQ. Billups was the archetype of your traditional PG and Fisher had to play throught the triangle and stuff, and his main role was to set up Kobe.

But those guys would be much less usefull nowadays and it tells you had to go back 15 years. How many similar PGs in today's NBA?

Versatilty is one thing but if Wesley doesn't really have PG/playmaking skills as a PG, what is his role then on the court, understanding he can"t really shoot not defend, the later both Murray and White were very good at? Blake is precisely NOT a versatile player so if he can't be PG'ing ou there or finish at the rim, what would he be here for? If you're not an elite 3pt shooter for a player like him, you're useless.

Saying it's OK if Blake has no playmaking skills, other players can take care of that is the wrong way to set the paradigm... Spurs don't absolutely HAVE to find a way to put Blake on the floor. How about putting on the floor a playmaking PG wo can shoot. It's about adding talent, not hiding lackthereof. It's about putting Lukas at PG, not Wesleys.

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpXmcGgs3EU

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz-xPwz189A

[cutewizard]

With passers like Mamu and Cidy, we could bring back the BEAUTIFUL GAME!!!

And of course, Victor and Sochan, omg >>>> four super passers

[Dejounte]

Maybe, but is Wesley that type of player? The answer is no to me. Traditional PG or not, what you're talking about is playmakng skills and Wesley lacks some.

Dereck fisher and Chancey Billups actually had PG skills, court vision and BBIQ. Billups was the archetype of your traditional PG and Fisher had to play throught the triangle and stuff, and his main role was to set up Kobe.

But those guys would be much less usefull nowadays and it tells you had to go back 15 years. How many similar PGs in today's NBA?

Versatilty is one thing but if Wesley doesn't really have PG/playmaking skills as a PG, what is his role then on the court, understanding he can"t really shoot not defend, the later both Murray and White were very good at? Blake is precisely NOT a versatile player so if he can't be PG'ing ou there or finish at the rim, what would he be here for? If you're not an elite 3pt shooter for a player like him, you're useless.

Saying it's OK if Blake has no playmaking skills, other players can take care of that is the wrong way to set the paradigm... Spurs don't absolutely HAVE to find a way to put Blake on the floor. How about putting on the floor a playmaking PG wo can shoot. It's about adding talent, not hiding lackthereof. It's about putting Lukas at PG, not Wesleys.

All you’re saying is “Dejounte, you’re wrong because I watch him and he’s no good” when another person can come here and say “I watched him and he looks good”. These are takes that can be made by anybody, including myself tbh

Your counter argument is based off an opinion that’s completely subjective since there have been many successful players who showed way worse early on in their careers. Spurstalk, in general, has had a poor track record in their player evaluation. I could be wrong, and I’ll readily admit that when it’s concrete. You’re so confident in how you think he’ll fail that I don’t trust you’ll come back here to admit you’re wrong if he turns out the opposite. People who are that confident don’t easily bend their belief when presented with credible facts tbh

[Dejounte]

This isn’t a debate where one side believes he’ll for sure be good vs another side that believes he’s doomed

this is a debate where one side believes he’s doomed and can’t bring themselves to agree with the other side that says they see some nice things that are worth waiting for and being patient about

[Ice009]

I lurked for several years. I read your posts.

Your patience may have paid off in imaginary internet kudos before, but I'm more interested in if you actually see any point guard aptitude when you watch Wesley play. I think he's a good shooting guard.

I guess two more years trying to force him to run point in Austin is what the Spurs want. I just wonder if you and the other guys who understand the game feel the same way.

I absoultey agree 100%. From the first time I saw him, I felt he was a SG, and right up until now, I still think he's a SG and have no idea why they are running him at PG. I see no PG ability AT ALL. I am guessing it's because of his speed and being able to breakdown the defense with his penetration is what they're seeing, but what good is that if he has no PG skills?

[Dejounte]

I absoultey agree 100%. From the first time I saw him, I felt he was a SG, and right up until now, I still think he's a SG and have no idea why they are running him at PG. I see no PG ability AT ALL. I am guessing it's because of his speed and being able to breakdown the defense with his penetration is what they're seeing, but what good is that if he has no PG skills?

Did you copy and paste this from yours or someone’s older takes about Dejounte Murray? Before anyone rewrites history, there are so many posts similar to this one that were said about Murray. No— majority of people did NOT think Murray had any PG skills. Anyone who says otherwise is just outright lying. I can pull them up easily.

This is what I was saying about Spurstalk’s player evaluation.

[Obstructed_View]

Most championship teams who get those types of players (before they become championship teams) are replaced by usually one of the following: stars, shooters, or combo guards.
Most recent championship teams have had either Kobe, Durant, Wade or Lebron. Those guys are very ball dominant and aren't guys you can just go snatch from the end of the first round. That said, all those championship teams had a true point guard on the roster.

So you can take a Derek Fisher who started 82 games at the point and make him sixth in minutes when he has Kobe, Artest, Pau, Bynum and Odom next to him. Still a point guard, but surrounded by elite passers.

Dejounte is going to be the closest thing that exists to support your theory. He was a shooting guard with elite handles, rebounding and defense. He developed his game. Good for him. He is now a non-clutch stat padder for play-in teams. He has yet to move the needle as a basketball player.

I don't see anyone saying Wesley is doomed. I and others are suggesting that he's being misused. I am here saying I have watched him and he looks good, but not as a point guard. As I said, I think he could start at shooting guard. Give him less responsibility running the offense and rely on his energy and suddenly he's a very good player.

It's not lost on me that you didn't answer my question about whether you see an aptitude for court vision or decision making in Wesley after an entire year and an offseason to develop. But that's okay. None of us see it either.

[Obstructed_View]

Did you copy and paste this from yours or someone’s older takes about Dejounte Murray? Before anyone rewrites history, there are so many posts similar to this one that were said about Murray. No— majority of people did NOT think Murray had any PG skills. Anyone who says otherwise is just outright lying. I can pull them up easily.

This is what I was saying about Spurstalk’s player evaluation.
You can pull up ST posts about how terrible Manu and TP are as well.

[Obstructed_View]

On another topic, I might have mentioned this, but Bilal Coulibaly looks better than I expected on both ends of the floor. I thought he was a reach. Maybe he won't turn out to be.

[Obstructed_View]

I absoultey agree 100%. From the first time I saw him, I felt he was a SG, and right up until now, I still think he's a SG and have no idea why they are running him at PG. I see no PG ability AT ALL. I am guessing it's because of his speed and being able to breakdown the defense with his penetration is what they're seeing, but what good is that if he has no PG skills?

I'm all for continuing to let him work. He's a bright, confident kid who wants to be great. I don't love the idea of breaking his spirit. If the fanbase gets down on a good basketball player who is being used incorrectly the whole team suffers. See 2006 Spurs playoffs.

[Dejounte]

Most recent championship teams have had either Kobe, Durant, Wade or Lebron. Those guys are very ball dominant and aren't guys you can just go snatch from the end of the first round. That said, all those championship teams had a true point guard on the roster.

So you can take a Derek Fisher who started 82 games at the point and make him sixth in minutes when he has Kobe, Artest, Pau, Bynum and Odom next to him. Still a point guard, but surrounded by elite passers.

Dejounte is going to be the closest thing that exists to support your theory. He was a shooting guard with elite handles, rebounding and defense. He developed his game. Good for him. He is now a non-clutch stat padder for play-in teams. He has yet to move the needle as a basketball player.

I don't see anyone saying Wesley is doomed. I and others are suggesting that he's being misused. I am here saying I have watched him and he looks good, but not as a point guard. As I said, I think he could start at shooting guard. Give him less responsibility running the offense and rely on his energy and suddenly he's a very good player.

It's not lost on me that you didn't answer my question about whether you see an aptitude for court vision or decision making in Wesley after an entire year and an offseason to develop. But that's okay. None of us see it either.

Derek Fisher was anything but a true point guard and you’re rehashing my point for me— team construction-wise, the Spurs should fill the roster with passers at every position (they are already) rather than get a ball dominant point guard with passing skills that you guys covet. Derek Fisher was a point guard by name, just like how Wesley is assigned as a point guard for these summer league games. There isn’t an issue if our point guard doesn’t have the necessary point guard skills. Those superstars you listed in your first paragraph— who were these true point guards? Mario Chalmers? Really?

Wesley isn’t being misused. He’s the best thing this team needs at PG if he reaches his potential. He’s the one who can push the pace because the pace is about to slow the hell down with Wemby on the team.

I very much answered your question in previous posts: my take on if Wesley has court vision doesn’t matter because I’m just like any dude on here that can tell you one way or the other. If it makes you happy, even if it veers away from that idea that I presented, I do believe his court vision is further along than other potential candidates for the point guard position currently on the roster.

No need to get sassy, we’re just debating. Jesus Christ.

[Darkwaters]

29 points in 28 minutes on 12 of 20 shooting.

/revenge

[RC_Drunkford]

I'll never understand how people here panic cause a player hasn't taken a major leap in his FIRST year in the league tbh. If by the end of this season Wesley can finish well at the rim and hit his midrange shots that would already go a long way.

[slick'81]

Everyone knows malakai can put the ball in the hole

[CorrectCrusader]

Branham bounce-back game. He’s dropping 25+ tonight. If he doesn’t, we cut him tbh.
:bobo

[John B]

I'll never understand how people here panic cause a player hasn't taken a major leap in his FIRST year in the league tbh. If by the end of this season Wesley can finish well at the rim and hit his midrange shots that would already go a long way.

It’s easy to forget DJM was worst. Heck I almost gave up on him until his 4th year. The guy couldn’t dribble in traffic, couldn’t shoot, never try to attack the rim. We got Wesley who likes to attack the rim, albeit getting blocked but those just need adjustments, he can shoot wayyyyy better than DJM at that stage. Relax people. Wesley will be fine.

[slick'81]

It’s easy to forget DJM was worst. Heck I almost gave up on him until his 4th year. The guy couldn’t dribble in traffic, couldn’t shoot, never try to attack the rim. We got Wesley who likes to attack the rim, albeit getting blocked but those just need adjustments, he can shoot wayyyyy better than DJM at that stage. Relax people. Wesley will be fine.


people were freaking out on malakai after a summer league game :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Derek Fisher was anything but a true point guard
He was literally a point guard when he was in college. He was drafted as a point guard. He won championships as a point guard. The minutes he played for the Lakers were almost exclusively next to Kobe. He played some minutes as a shooting guard with the second team over his career due to his clutch shooting and his defense, but calling him anything but a true point guard is ludicrous. He wasn't a forward, he wasn't a center, he was barely a shooting guard. Not sure what you think that leaves.


and you’re rehashing my point for me— team construction-wise, the Spurs should fill the roster with passers at every position (they are already) rather than get a ball dominant point guard with passing skills that you guys covet. Derek Fisher was a point guard by name, just like how Wesley is assigned as a point guard for these summer league games. There isn’t an issue if our point guard doesn’t have the necessary point guard skills. Those superstars you listed in your first paragraph— who were these true point guards? Mario Chalmers? Really?
Again, not sure how you don't understand that a guy who started 400 games at point guard in his career is actually an NBA point guard. If the Spurs are filling the roster with passers, then anyone other than Wesley can bring the ball up and initiate the offense. Wesley would be far better off the ball in virtually any situation.


Wesley isn’t being misused. He’s the best thing this team needs at PG if he reaches his potential. He’s the one who can push the pace because the pace is about to slow the hell down with Wemby on the team.
Nobody ever said he can't grab a rebound and go. I'm all for that; it plays to his strengths.


I very much answered your question in previous posts: my take on if Wesley has court vision doesn’t matter because I’m just like any dude on here that can tell you one way or the other. If it makes you happy, even if it veers away from that idea that I presented, I do believe his court vision is further along than other potential candidates for the point guard position currently on the roster.
I don't think it veers from your opinions at all. It's reasonable that if you think he has good court vision that you would be in favor of making him initiate half-court offense. You stated earlier that your reason for supporting him is so that you can tell everyone later that you never doubted him. Your opinion now at least comes from a logical place. I disagree with it, and I really hope you're right and I'm wrong, but I call em like I see em.


No need to get sassy, we’re just debating. Jesus Christ.
Not sure what that means. You read in your own tone of voice, not mine. I've been doing this a while. I've already blocked 99 percent of the people who annoy me. You ain't one of those people at all. We're on the same team. You can see how much I love talking about the Spurs by the way I unabashedly pollute almost every thread.

[wildbill2u]

I think the Spurs could start Wesley at the 2 on opening day and be in better shape than entering the season thinking he will be the backup point guard. Everything he does well is what you want from an NBA shooting guard.

ExCuse me but a SG should do better than 5-15, 1-3 on 3s and 50% at the FT line. What he does is run fast, sometime he has the ball with him.

[BillMc]

Much appreciated OP with the Riga Time.

[Obstructed_View]

ExCuse me but a SG should do better than 5-15, 1-3 on 3s and 50% at the FT line. What he does is run fast, sometime he has the ball with him.
Lol you have an entire season of stats from last year and you ignore it. He shot 39 percent from three point range.

[JPB]

I'm not even saying Blake won't be fine (although I do'nt think he'll be a star) but some people here state he will out of nothing tangible other than indeed being fast... He"s clearly not a PG, as his stats both in the NBA and the Gleague attest (low ass/game). he can't also really disturb and create havoc in defenses (very low FT/game).

Now that leaves us with his pretty interesting 3PT% both in G league and NBA (around 38% in both cases) but his bad FT% (65% in the G League, 59% in the NBA) may indicate it's a fluke.... It may not and SG might indeed be his best position if he confirms last year good numbers behind the arc.

[Obstructed_View]

Tony parker wasn't a big assist guy. I was concerned with his low assist numbers his first year.

If you have a guy who can initiate the offense and knows when to attack, doesn't get six layups swatted back in his face, and doesn't turn the ball over, you're doing okay.

[JPB]

Tony parker wasn't a big assist guy. I was concerned with his low assist numbers his first year.

If you have a guy who can initiate the offense and knows when to attack, doesn't get six layups swatted back in his face, and doesn't turn the ball over, you're doing okay.

TP had 4.3 ass/game his rookie year. And that was with a high usage, posting SF, which doesn't help in that regard. You don't get much assists out of 4 down.

[exstatic]

I may be wrong but I remember him being drafted as a forward and then he played the entire season at point because someone was hurt.

I think he was drafted as a 'guard', but did better when he moved into the front court where his skill set caused more mismatches. He kind of flamed out in ATL, thrived for a while in PHO, then regressed, and his career went thud in CHA.

[Obstructed_View]

TP had 4.3 ass/game his rookie year. And that was with a high usage, posting SF, which doesn't help in that regard. You don't get much assists out of 4 down.
Yep He isn't a traditional point guard, but he is not anything but a point guard.