Castle ROTY watch

[R. DeMurre]

Mike Miller
11.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 40.7 3pt%, 45.7 2pt%, 108/105 ORtg/DRtg

Stephon Castle
14.7ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 28.5 3pt%, 50.1 2pt%, 106/119 ORtg/DRtg


Miller's the closest analogy I think of in terms of a relative down year for ROY participants, but if Castle has a similar trajectory in terms of growth in his first 3 years, he'll be in good shape. Miller was good enough in year 3 to catch the eye of Jerry West, who traded for him as the GM of Memphis that year. Both were 20 during their ROY seasons. Miller's career was permanently changed by back injuries, but he was on the path to being a solid player who then transitioned out of necessity to being a solid role player-- something a healthy Castle won't have to do.

[Ice009]

I know his defense dropped off after Victor went out, but I thought he had some decent defensive games before then. One game against Curry comes to mind. I'm just a little surprised by the numbers where Raven said he was only ahead of Maliki in defensive rating. There's no way he was that bad.

[Mr. Body]

Castle's defense fell off when they were no longer trying to win games? That's crazy.

[baseline bum]

Castle defense has been bad for a while after a promissing debut.. after Victor was ruled out it seems he focused more on his offense or Victor defense is that good


especially when you're drawing the toughest defensive assignment almost every game.

On his podcast a week or two ago Vecenie was talking about how Castle is drawing statistically extremely difficult defensive matchups every night. Kid has the physical tools to be an elite defender and seems to have the awareness to be one too so I'm expecting he will get there with experience. Wasn't expecting DPOY level performance as a rook since he's not Victor but I'll be surprised if he isn't a high end defender by Year 3.

[Ice009]

On his podcast a week or two ago Vecenie was talking about how Castle is drawing statistically extremely difficult defensive matchups every night. Kid has the physical tools to be an elite defender and seems to have the awareness to be one too so I'm expecting he will get there with experience. Wasn't expecting DPOY level performance as a rook since he's not Victor but I'll be surprised if he isn't a high end defender by Year 3.

That's more of what I was thinking. He's played some good defense at times this season. He hasn't been super consistent, but after Victor went out, it probably wasn't a huge priority. Also was thinking about him matching up on a lot of great scorers/players, so of course his numbers wouldn't be great with those assignments.
I'm really not worried about it at all as I think he will definitely be a good defender. Like you said, he's not Victor, and I also wasn't expecting DPOY level defense either in his first season.

[CGD]

Castle's defense fell off when they were no longer trying to win games? That's crazy.

That and the fact he was being asked to carry the offensive load

[R. DeMurre]

Castle's defense fell off when they were no longer trying to win games? That's crazy.


I think the relevant point being made was that Castle's various defensive ratings were poor relative to his own teammates, who were in the exact same position.

[John B]

Castle defense has been bad for a while after a promissing debut.. after Victor was ruled out it seems he focused more on his offense or Victor defense is that good

Everybody’s defense took a nose dive once Wemby was ruled out. The season was practically over and the team started playing for draft position. So I wouldn’t read too much on Castle’s bad defense of late.

[Russ]

How far we've come since the preseason when Zach Edey was the consensus favorite.

[Dex]

Everybody’s defense took a nose dive once Wemby was ruled out. The season was practically over and the team started playing for draft position. So I wouldn’t read too much on Castle’s bad defense of late.

Bingo. As a perimeter defender, it sure helps knowing you've got a shot-blocking machine standing behind you which makes everyone look better.

[RC_Drunkford]

I think having players come in who were good defenders in college and then fall off a cliff once they join our team is a red flag regarding to our coaching staff more than anything. They clearly teach them bad habits and schemes.

[John B]

How far we've come since the preseason when Zach Edey was the consensus favorite.

It was a blessing in disguise when Vassell/Sochan were injured and Stephon showed he could be the team’s best POA defender. And he continued to show his skills despite the Herculean effort of Mitch to sideline him. We have to give it to Stephon who really took advantage of every opportunities given to him. He really showed his confidence early that he’s one of the best in the court and that at a very young age. I created this thread 11/11 seeing that alpha attitude from our young rookie and I wasn’t mistaken. It helped that Wells went down. But I’m convinced that Castle will have the better career especially playing alongside Wemby who will just elevate his career. There is this serious disposition in him like every great player has that he’s the best out there and will not be denied.

[Raven]

It was a blessing in disguise when Vassell/Sochan were injured and Stephon showed he could be the team’s best POA defender. And he continued to show his skills despite the Herculean effort of Mitch to sideline him. We have to give it to Stephon who really took advantage of every opportunities given to him. He really showed his confidence early that he’s one of the best in the court and that at a very young age. I created this thread 11/11 seeing that alpha attitude from our young rookie and I wasn’t mistaken. It helped that Wells went down. But I’m convinced that Castle will have the better career especially playing alongside Wemby who will just elevate his career. There is this serious disposition in him like every great player has that he’s the best out there and will not be denied.

it's funny, because he showed exactly the opposite, don't know what games were you guys watching. To be put strictly on point guards and work hard on his basics, because we have clearly seen, he has no business guarding taller guys, which is fine.

[Obstructed_View]

When is the announcement? It isn't even on the schedule. Hustle award? Give me a break.

[Mr. Body]

Last year ROY was announced May 6.

[Obstructed_View]

Thank you.

[Knoxxx]

It was a blessing in disguise when Vassell/Sochan were injured and Stephon showed he could be the team’s best POA defender. And he continued to show his skills despite the Herculean effort of Mitch to sideline him. We have to give it to Stephon who really took advantage of every opportunities given to him. He really showed his confidence early that he’s one of the best in the court and that at a very young age. I created this thread 11/11 seeing that alpha attitude from our young rookie and I wasn’t mistaken. It helped that Wells went down. But I’m convinced that Castle will have the better career especially playing alongside Wemby who will just elevate his career. There is this serious disposition in him like every great player has that he’s the best out there and will not be denied.

Sochan guards SGA better than anyone I've seen.

[rjv]

When is the announcement? It isn't even on the schedule. Hustle award? Give me a break.

tomorrow 6:00 cst.

https://www.nba.com/news/2024-2025-regular-season-awards

[buttsR4rebounding]

Everybody’s defense took a nose dive once Wemby was ruled out. The season was practically over and the team started playing for draft position. So I wouldn’t read too much on Castle’s bad defense of late.

Besides, it takes a ton of energy to be that inefficient on offense. Nothing left for D.

[dn0774]

Castle had some bright spots on D (Curry game) but was rough in totality, advanced stats show that. Hell, can easily say the same thing about him on the offensive side of the ball as well. The good news is that he passes the test athletically (great bully ball potential, wish his first step was a little better) and signs indicate that he is a hard worker. 20 year old guards typically have a very rough/inefficient rookie year but that doesn't necessarily hinder his ceiling as much as one would think. Fox, Jaylen Brown and Booker had similar rookie seasons for example, they turned out alright.

All that to say, kids gotta get better at putting the ball in the hoop from basically everywhere, he knows that. His first step would look a lot better when guys have to play him closer to contest a shot. A 3rd option (behind Wemby/Fox) who cant shoot doesn't sound enticing.

[ginobilized]

Castle will have a great summer and will show some improvement on both sides of the ball. Book it!

He had a helluva season. He'll win ROY and faced some adversity. He had consistently tough defensive assignments. His mental toughness is crazy high for a rook. Can't expect more from a 4th pick on a shitty team with 2 questionable coaches.

[baseline bum]

Here is this year's awards tracker for anyone interested:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KMzwRcilLDej0BWl7eYE_OYC9Tx9olI_Ptn-nHjKfpQ/htmlview#

Based on the 38 public ballots Castle should landslide this

Castle: 34
Wells: 3
Risacher: 1

[Mr. Body]

Based on the 38 public ballots Castle should landslide this

Castle: 34
Wells: 3
Risacher: 1

I doubt it's really close. IMO he cemented it over All-Star weekend.

[Mr. Body]

And for the record I'm super high on Castle. I get the efficiency issues. I do think those will work their ways out. But to me he's a guy who clearly knows how to play basketball. Day one.

[ginobilized]

Castle has had a slightly better rookie campaign than Jimmy Butler did, especially as a scorer.

It took Butler until year 3 to become a full-time starter. Granted, Thibs was the coach and the Bulls were good. Like 62-20 good.
If Castle continues to improve, becoming a player of Butler's caliber is his ceiling. Who would ask for more than that?

[exstatic]

Castle has had a slightly better rookie campaign than Jimmy Butler did, especially as a scorer.

It took Butler until year 3 to become a full-time starter. Granted, Thibs was the coach and the Bulls were good. Like 62-20 good.
If Castle continues to improve, becoming a player of Butler's caliber is his ceiling. Who would ask for more than that?
I think Butler is his 85% outcome. His absolute 99% outcome ceiling is SGA.

[Ice009]

Castle has had a slightly better rookie campaign than Jimmy Butler did, especially as a scorer.

It took Butler until year 3 to become a full-time starter. Granted, Thibs was the coach and the Bulls were good. Like 62-20 good.
If Castle continues to improve, becoming a player of Butler's caliber is his ceiling. Who would ask for more than that?

You do know Jimmy averaged 2.6ppg his rookie year, right? Steph had a way better rookie year. Jimmy was also 22 his rookie year, so Steph still has 2-3 seasons (age wise) before even getting to Jimmy's first good season at the age of 23.
The 62-20 season was the year before Jimmy arrived and Jimmy's rookie year is the year that Derrick had that horrific injury in the playoffs, so really the Bulls teams Jimmy was on were good (his rookie year Bulls team was really good, but he didn't play much), but not great (They won 50 [this was the lockout season], 45, 48 games his first three seasons).

Like Exstatic said in his reply, his absolute ceiling is higher, but has about 85% outcome as a Jimmy Butler type of ceiling (I agree with this).

[ace3g]

ROY announcement tonight.

[John B]

Stephon got this in the bag.

[John B]

B2B ROY for the Spurs baby!

[ginobilized]

You do know Jimmy averaged 2.6ppg his rookie year, right? Steph had a way better rookie year. Jimmy was also 22 his rookie year, so Steph still has 2-3 seasons (age wise) before even getting to Jimmy's first good season at the age of 23.
The 62-20 season was the year before Jimmy arrived and Jimmy's rookie year is the year that Derrick had that horrific injury in the playoffs, so really the Bulls teams Jimmy was on were good (his rookie year Bulls team was really good, but he didn't play much), but not great (They won 50 [this was the lockout season], 45, 48 games his first three seasons).

Like Exstatic said in his reply, his absolute ceiling is higher, but has about 85% outcome as a Jimmy Butler type of ceiling (I agree with this).

Thanks for the details exstatic and Ice009 I'm in now way trying to sell our boy short. It just feels like he's getting a lot of niggling criticism here and trying to put his ceiling in some perspective. Jimmy Butler without the prima donna-ness to SGA is a dream outcome. So happy for him and his family tonight!

[SpursBills]

25th percentile - Michael Carter Williams
50th percentile - Holiday
85th percentile - Butler
99th percentile - SGA

Seems about right

[ace3g]

Almost time.

[ace3g]

CASTLE!!!

[ace3g]

https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1917354245117956188

[ace3g]

https://x.com/spurs/status/1917354385069273340

[ace3g]

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1917354423543644366

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpvQdeqWMAAHO39?format=jpg&name=medium

[ace3g]

https://x.com/spurs/status/1917355442952433932

[r0drig0lac]

bang!

[ace3g]

https://x.com/spurs/status/1917358125109174370

[ace3g]

https://x.com/AirlessJordan/status/1917359428942115261

[Dverde]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpvQdeqWMAAHO39?format=jpg&name=medium
I hope we find out the clown that rated Castle third.

[BatManu20]

Congrats to the Rook. Weak year for the race but they still got it right. Well-deserved.

First b2b winner since Wiggins & KAT won it in 2015-16 with the T-Wolves. Only the 3rd ever pair to win the award b2b and only the 2nd time in over 50 years.

Spurs also become the only NBA franchise to have 4 ROY winners.

[Raven]

:bobo

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

Proud of our young guy!!! He quickly became my favorite player on the roster. I look forward to next season and seeing him continue to hopefully get better.

[skin27]

Congrats castle for winning ROTY. Well deserved.

[ace3g]

DJDGHwnxa5h

[Dod01]

We. Are. Stacked.

[Biggems]

If we somehow win the lottery we will have 3 straight ROTY winners.

[BatManu20]

1917358455532269993

[cutewizard]

Congratulations Castle!

Congratulations Spurs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTX2uYVs2Y

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF1kOk66lus

[Dejounte]

All this leaning in by his teammates and Sours media on using the chest piece Castle to refer to Castle makes me think drafting Queen would be perfect tbh

[Seventyniner]

92 out of 100 first place votes is a bit more than I expected.

[BatManu20]

1917363089034334357

[heyheymymy]

Congrats Castle!

Bright future ahead in SA

[ambchang]

25th percentile - Michael Carter Williams
50th percentile - Holiday
85th percentile - Butler
99th percentile - SGA

Seems about right

I’d be over the moon if he can turn into holiday. In fact, I like holiday more than butler.

[scott]

Good stuff!

LOL @ whatever old fuck voted him 3rd

[Dejounte]

Threepeat next year

[TekXX]

Is it top 5 weakest ROTY ever? Yes, but he definitely deserved it over his competition.

[pgardn]

“Now that it’s offseason I get a chance to work on my game.”


?????


This sounds like old Spur’s demeanor. wtf….

[Dex]

Is it top 5 weakest ROTY ever? Yes, but he definitely deserved it over his competition.

Are you complaining about the Spurs getting the best rookie out of the draft?

Seriously, some of y'all are never fucking satisfied.

[slick'81]

Thats our roty

[Uriel]

I’m guessing the Memphis reporter voted Castle third because he voted Wells and Edey 1 and 2.

[sfernald]

If we somehow win the lottery we will have 3 straight ROTY winners.

I was just gonna say the only way we get roty again is if we jump up to number one this time lol.

[John B]

Castle collecting hardwares early on including NCAA Champion, Rising Star MVP and now ROTY. He belongs to some of the great ones, Kareem, MJ who won NCAA and ROTY the following year. I like it on his interview that he was not shocked to be named ROTY as he was gunning for it since day one. It’s not the answer that we normally expect from a Spur, but I like that sheer confidence. He likes to think he’s the best in the court! That burning desire to be the best is what’s going to propel him to greatness, that “Mamba Attitude” for lack of a better term, on top of that cold demeanor. Fuck! We have ourselves a future superstar. I’m excited to see what he’s going to work on this Summer. 100% SGA is very possible, except he wants to dunk on people like Kobe, and bully people. I can’t think of a comp for a guard who likes to bully people in the paint with sheer force, maybe Derrick Rose or Wade?

[Fireball]

Congrats to Steph. Lets just hope everybody stays healthy next season so we can have some progress towards the playoffs!

[spursistan]

Congrats to Stephon. Well deserved. I know there are varying views on this board about his ceiling, but it is safe to say that he's beaten everyone's expectations in Year 1.

What won Castle the award was (1) his great consistency all season long. I can't remember him having a truly rough 3-5 games stretch. And when Risacher/Sarr made a late season push he responded by upping his production across the board. (2) style, name-recognition, and visibility thanks to Spurs few national TV games (the viral Lebron props comment) and the All-Star weekend appearance helped push his case.

The ROTY award gives Castle pedigree and elevates him in team hierarchy. It is evident that PATFO now operates from the view that he is a 'core piece'. I am pretty certain he won't go out in a potential Durant deal .The only chance he gets moved between now and next year deadline is if Giannis in play (unlikely in as far as mutual interest between the sides is concerned)..

[Mal]

I am very happy for him, seems like good, hardworking kid. Well deserved award

[Ice009]

Thanks for the details exstatic and Ice009 I'm in now way trying to sell our boy short. It just feels like he's getting a lot of niggling criticism here and trying to put his ceiling in some perspective. Jimmy Butler without the prima donna-ness to SGA is a dream outcome. So happy for him and his family tonight!

By the way, I mainly posted that because I was just trying to show that I think he's well ahead of where Jimmy Butler was after his rookie season. Hopefully you didn't take it fully as me trying to correct you. It's still early, though, and I do hope he will become as good, if not better than Jimmy. SpursBills' post just below yours showing a few levels he has a chance to reach, I'd be happy with a Holiday or Butler, but I truly do think he can be better than both those guys. SGA is going to be hard to get to, but if he can get a consistent shot down, I won't discount that either. He's going to have to work really, really hard to have a chance to get to that level of a player. I know he'll put in the work, but even so, the outcome is not guaranteed.


Congrats to Steph. Lets just hope everybody stays healthy next season so we can have some progress towards the playoffs!

It's crazy how back in the TD era I wouldn't have been happy with anything other than a good finals run to at least the WCF, but that's all different now and I'd just be happy to make the playoffs. I really wanted the Spurs to make it this season even just as the 8th seed this year so that Victor and the rest of the young guys could get a feel for what playoff basketball is like. I think some of the guys on the team might have surprised and played well if we'd have made it. If Victor didn't go out and was healthy (still don't know what the breathing issues were as he was really struggling at that point), if De'Aaron didn't have the finger issue, and if Devin was healthy from the get-go, I really do think they would have made at the end of the season to get in. A lot of ifs, but I think the Spurs were a lot closer than some people might have thought they were.

[ambchang]

Is it top 5 weakest ROTY ever? Yes, but he definitely deserved it over his competition.

Maybe the last 30 years, but ever is a long time.
Brogdon, Carter-Williams, Okafor, Mike Miller, were not the best there is offer, even through Dwight was in that Okafor year.

Then going further back, Phil Ford, Ernie DiGregorio (who the hell is that guy?), Woody Sauldsberry, Monk Meineke, Mel Hutchins/Bill Tosheff were pretty bad but that is going waaaaaaay back.

I can also argue Mark Jackson was pretty weak. Andrew Wiggins was a bit of a disappointment, put up points and nothing else in his rookie year and even then didn't put that many points.

I just want the Spurs to develop Castle properly. As we move into the current day and age, the NBA has to take on a lot of time to develop players properly, which is why we are seeing some relatively weak rookies in the last 10 years (not ROY, but rookies). We are also seeing a lot of players not starting too hot, but really develop well over the years.

Mobley, Wagner and Cunningham are clearly better players than Barnes now, while Green didn't develop much since.
Edwards and Haliburton are better than Ball now, and actually Ball is the same player.

[spursistan]

I think it's going to come down to Castle or Risacher for the title of 'Best Player' of this draft class. Found this on X, the ultimate comp graph of their rookie seasons minus the final game. Castle has him basically beat in virtually every category bar 3pt shooting.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpvHEs0WoAAnNH6?format=jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpvHEuDWoAApq0I?format=jpg

[pgardn]

Are you complaining about the Spurs getting the best rookie out of the draft?

Seriously, some of y'all are never fucking satisfied.

It was a fantastic pick. No one said that. But he did not get overrun by a guy like Victor.
Talent with his work ethic. We made a great pick.

[ambchang]

I think it's going to come down to Castle or Risacher for the title of 'Best Player' of this draft class. Found this on X, the ultimate comp graph of their rookie seasons minus the final game. Castle has him basically beat in virtually every category bar 3pt shooting.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpvHEs0WoAAnNH6?format=jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpvHEuDWoAApq0I?format=jpg

The thing that stands out is that as a rookie Castle is already in the upper echelon for shot creation and play making talent, which is amazing for a young PG.

Fouls drawn wasn't a big surprise there but screen talent is something I haven't considered.

His overall finishing appears to be much better than I thought too, and his shot selection and shooting will come as he matures. Looks good, hope he keeps developing.

[lefty]

Well deserved

Better than Rookie Tony Parker tbh

[John B]

Well deserved

Better than Rookie Tony Parker tbh

Different style. Rookie TP was a blur and likewise fearless in attacking trees. But in all 72 games that TP started, he was passing to Timmy, DRob, Elliot, and didn’t have the same pressure to score, unlike Castle who, after Wemby went down, had to pick-up some of the scoring slacks.

[couchman]

I'm so glad we have Castle. I'm bullish on his ability to be a good player for us for a long time, but more importantly I like the Spurs swinging for high ceiling prospects.
Before getting Fox we desperately needed playmakers on this roster.

What's wild to me is that the prospect profile hasn't really changed very much for Castle vs Risacher.
It's possible that in a re-draft that the Hawks still take Risacher while the Spurs would prefer Castle.
Castle shows a much higher potential ceiling but also a lower floor.
Risacher is a safer bet to be a usable contributor on a playoff team but he doesn't show the upside Castle shows.


It's not difficult to see an ideal outcome where Castle is an All star playmaker who runs an offense for a playoff level team.
His worst outcome, however, is a role player who severely limits roster construction and starting lineup because of poor shooting.
Shooting is the only reason he wasn't a higher pick, and while we saw signs of hope this season, the stats were still very bad there.
I hope he puts up a thousand shots a day this offseason.

Risacher is a safer bet but without obvious the upside.
He doesn't look like a future All star to me, even with his best outcomes, but he is already a starter level 3&D wing for a borderline playoff team.
His best outcome is probably as an elite 3&D.
His worst outcome is still a usable 3&D because, duh, he's already that guy.

[rjv]

congrats to the young man. hope he continues to prove his doubters wrong.

[ChumpDumper]

that “Mamba Attitude” for lack of a better term
Please find a better term.

Thank you.

[Seventyniner]

“Now that it’s offseason I get a chance to work on my game.”


?????


This sounds like old Spur’s demeanor. wtf….

The context is that he said it's his first full offseason as a pro. He will be able to get a lot more work in than he did last summer because he has an extra 2 months to work with.

I hope his biggest focus is his three-point shot. I don't think he will ever be a high 30s shooter, but 34-35% would be good enough to open up everything else.

[Seventyniner]

Please find a better term.

Thank you.

Red Mamba Mentality.

[ChumpDumper]

Red Mamba Mentality.The Mamba part is the one that needs to go.

[baseline bum]

What's wild to me is that the prospect profile hasn't really changed very much for Castle vs Risacher.
It's possible that in a re-draft that the Hawks still take Risacher while the Spurs would prefer Castle.
Castle shows a much higher potential ceiling but also a lower floor.
Risacher is a safer bet to be a usable contributor on a playoff team but he doesn't show the upside Castle shows.


We got really lucky the way the draft order panned out and that Sarr forced Atlanta to pass on him. If Atlanta takes Sarr I bet Washington would have taken Steph #2. But instead we got a perfect storm with Sarr forcing his way to Washington, ATL passing on Steph because they already have Trae, and then Houston figuring they can't play Steph and Amen Thompson together so taking Sheppard instead. Glad the Spurs were able to get him. Wonder if they had him #1 on their board like I did (though gotta admit I had Sheppard as a close second and I think he'll still be a good player too).

[BatManu20]

D-Rob, Timmy, and Wemby surprised Steph Castle today for his NBA ROY Award presentation. Cool moment tbh.

1917674154977026349

[BatManu20]

Truly insane how tall Wemby is tbh :lol

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gpzz99MWoAAhStS?format=jpg&name=medium

[exstatic]

Truly insane how tall Wemby is tbh :lol



His head breaks above the backing panels designed for NBA player awards.

[spursistan]

Duncan has definitely shrunk a bit since retirement, tbh..Normal process, but it seems more accelerated than with D-Rob who is 11 years older

https://x.com/MuseCastle/status/1917680216404812011

[spursistan]

Congrats to Stephon. Well deserved. I know there are varying views on this board about his ceiling, but it is safe to say that he's beaten everyone's expectations in Year 1.

What won Castle the award was (1) his great consistency all season long. I can't remember him having a truly rough 3-5 games stretch. And when Risacher/Sarr made a late season push he responded by upping his production across the board. (2) style, name-recognition, and visibility thanks to Spurs few national TV games (the viral Lebron props comment) and the All-Star weekend appearance helped push his case.

The ROTY award gives Castle pedigree and elevates him in team hierarchy. It is evident that PATFO now operates from the view that he is a 'core piece'. I am pretty certain he won't go out in a potential Durant deal .The only chance he gets moved between now and next year deadline is if Giannis in play (unlikely in as far as mutual interest between the sides is concerned)..
The ceremony featuring the two legends and Wemby is a window into their thinking. Spurs hang onto their drafted players (often mid-late picks) longer than most franchises. Imagine if he is the 4th pick and ROTY winner. It is going to take some special player of Giannis/Doncic caliber for them to throw Castle him in a potential trade.

[Dejounte]

Castle was not thought of as a “high ceiling” prospect… that’s revisionist history tbh

[vy65]

The ceremony featuring the two legends and Wemby is a window into their thinking. Spurs hang onto their drafted players (often mid-late picks) longer than most franchises. Imagine if he is the 4th pick and ROTY winner. It is going to take some special player of Giannis/Doncic caliber for them to throw Castle him in a potential trade.

George "Pop's favorite player" Hill says hi. I mostly agree that they don't like trading their drafted players, but it's not been reserved for then-top 2/3 players in the league moves.

[Splits]

D-Rob, Timmy, and Wemby surprised Steph Castle today for his NBA ROY Award presentation. Cool moment tbh.

1917674154977026349

seriously doubt it was a "surprise". Spurs don't do surprises.

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gp0H8J9XIAANppJ?format=jpg&name=large

[ace3g]

“Now that it’s offseason I get a chance to work on my game.”


?????


This sounds like old Spur’s demeanor. wtf….

This is when all NBA players work on their game.

[vy65]

Timmy rocking the $19.95 TeePublic Big Foot tee

[Mugen]

Dope moment tbh.

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MZ_Oodhu5E&pp=0gcJCYQJAYcqIYzv

[CGD]

D-Rob, Timmy, and Wemby surprised Steph Castle today for his NBA ROY Award presentation. Cool moment tbh.

1917674154977026349

Talk about a FLEX 💪🏽!!

[CGD]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gp0H8J9XIAANppJ?format=jpg&name=large

Timmy looks like a SF out there!

[heyheymymy]

If I'm castle I am right where I want to be surrounded by greatness in Admiral, TD and Wemby. Past legacy and future promise.

Spurs veteran pedigree at free consultation for a guy who is smart enough to know the value of that and who is determined enough to make great use of it.

[CGD]

Timmy rocking the $19.95 TeePublic Big Foot tee

Meanwhile DRob rocking the Mexican guayabera!

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDoy264pZeE

[couchman]

Castle was not thought of as a “high ceiling” prospect… that’s revisionist history tbh

Totally agree.
I said he had/has a higher ceiling than Risacher, not that either was seen as having a particularly high one.
I think many believed that before the draft as well with shooting being the obvious swing skill.
Shooting remains the question mark but I think most of us have raised our perception of his ceiling considerable.

I wonder what the Spurs thought.

[TD 21]

In the zoomed in shot in the press conference, Duncan looks his 6'11'' in shoes and not like he shrunk 2-4 inches, as people are joking on social media. I always thought Robinson looked more than two inches taller than him though, but either way there's no chance Wembanyama is "only" 7'4.5''ish in shoes.

[CGD]

Man Big Dave won the genetic lottery. Dude hasn’t aged. Meanwhile poor Timmy…

[Leetonidas]

Wemby is easily 7'6. He is towering over the Admiral :lol

[Sugus]

Congrats to Castle, a well-deserved recognition on an amazing rookie season. That All-Star weekend was special, I still wish he would've won the Dunk Contest.

On a separate note - remember when the usual Spurstalk suspects were B&M' about how the Spurs couldn't draft well anymore, and what was the use of getting high draft picks if they were gonna be wasted? Good times... :drunk

[Joseph Kony]

Congrats to Castle, a well-deserved recognition on an amazing rookie season. That All-Star weekend was special, I still wish he would've won the Dunk Contest.

On a separate note - remember when the usual Spurstalk suspects were B&M' about how the Spurs couldn't draft well anymore, and what was the use of getting high draft picks if they were gonna be wasted? Good times... :drunk
I mean, Wemby was a no brainer obviously. Caste was a good pick, sure. But Wesley/Branham arent looking like much of anything (Wesley I still have hope for), Sochan hasnt really improved much since being drafed, Vassell has regressed and let's not forget the fucking Josh Primo pick :lol i'm not letting them off the hook for drafting the obvious generational prospect and Castle when most of their picks in the Wright era have been meh to downright terrible

[Sugus]

I mean, Wemby was a no brainer obviously. Caste was a good pick, sure. But Wesley/Branham arent looking like much of anything (Wesley I still have hope for), Sochan hasnt really improved much since being drafed, Vassell has regressed and let's not forget the fucking Josh Primo pick :lol i'm not letting them off the hook for drafting the obvious generational prospect and Castle when most of their picks in the Wright era have been meh to downright terrible

I'll never understand the Primo pick bashing. How the fuck is the organization expected to rote out or predict sexually deviant and silent-predatory players before they choose from the stack of 18-year-old prospects? There were no previous incidents, nor signs, that anyone heard or saw.

How is this not a victim-blaming rhethoric to the Spurs? It'd be like holding the Hayward trade against the Celtics for not foreseeing his leg blowing into pieces his first game on the team. Just completely hypocritical and trying to ascribe your own prerrogatives and narratives (that he Sucks And Would Have Always Sucked) to a situation that had nothing to do with talent.

Like sure, he didn't look like a worldbeater in his games with us, but NBA history is littered with players who had underwhelming rookie seasons then grew into their talent or elevated their game. There is absolutely no proof that Primo wouldn't have become another of those, and if nothing else, a serviceable role-player, which is not a bad outcome for a 12th pick.

Seriously, break it down for me, and in the meantime tell me about this Sexual Predator Detector device of yours. You'd do well to sell that shit and make some $$$ tbh....

[Mr. Body]

Congrats to Castle, a well-deserved recognition on an amazing rookie season. That All-Star weekend was special, I still wish he would've won the Dunk Contest.

On a separate note - remember when the usual Spurstalk suspects were B&M' about how the Spurs couldn't draft well anymore, and what was the use of getting high draft picks if they were gonna be wasted? Good times... :drunk

I mean, they're still this way.

[Sugus]

I mean, they're still this way.

The old adage remains forever true; there is no worse blind man...

I still like to bring it up, though, because the Spurstalk Overton window is such that these very important and positive moves/decisions get completely overlooked or taken for granted most of the time.

It's not about hitting all the shots you take - but you do need to hit on the big ones. I'm excited to see what they do this upcoming draft.

[Mr. Body]

The old adage remains forever true; there is no worse blind man...

I still like to bring it up, though, because the Spurstalk Overton window is such that these very important and positive moves/decisions get completely overlooked or taken for granted most of the time.

It's not about hitting all the shots you take - but you do need to hit on the big ones. I'm excited to see what they do this upcoming draft.

Just recently people were bitching and moaning about how awful things were until it was pointed out that the Spurs were a play-in team until Wemby went down, that they drafted the ROY, and that they did what everyone was begging them to do in acquire a good veteran talent. And they got that good veteran talent in Fox for nearly nothing.

People here just like to whine. But they're whining for each other. It's a club.

[baseline bum]

I'll never understand the Primo pick bashing. How the fuck is the organization expected to rote out or predict sexually deviant and silent-predatory players before they choose from the stack of 18-year-old prospects? There were no previous incidents, nor signs, that anyone heard or saw.

How is this not a victim-blaming rhethoric to the Spurs? It'd be like holding the Hayward trade against the Celtics for not foreseeing his leg blowing into pieces his first game on the team. Just completely hypocritical and trying to ascribe your own prerrogatives and narratives (that he Sucks And Would Have Always Sucked) to a situation that had nothing to do with talent.

Like sure, he didn't look like a worldbeater in his games with us, but NBA history is littered with players who had underwhelming rookie seasons then grew into their talent or elevated their game. There is absolutely no proof that Primo wouldn't have become another of those, and if nothing else, a serviceable role-player, which is not a bad outcome for a 12th pick.

Seriously, break it down for me, and in the meantime tell me about this Sexual Predator Detector device of yours. You'd do well to sell that shit and make some $$$ tbh....

There is proof, namely that he never made it. The Clippers jumped on signing him after his suspension was up and he never could hack it. The Primo pick wasn't a fuck up because he became a sex criminal, it was a fuck up because he was a complete scrub drafted in the lottery.

[CGD]

There is proof, namely that he never made it. The Clippers jumped on signing him after his suspension was up and he never could hack it. The Primo pick wasn't a fuck up because he became a sex criminal, it was a fuck up because he was a complete scrub drafted in the lottery.

I think that’s some revisionist history to fit a narrative. Wouldn’t call him a scrub. He actually started that last season pretty well, and it wasn’t like the Clips (or any other team) pounced to get him. It took time. The Spurs were also marketing him aggressively.

https://www.nba.com/watch/video/joshua-primo-23-points-highlights-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder

The big blunder though was how the hell a team that prides itself on picking winners and losers on character could miss so badly in that area. Honestly, I also kinda think if it was another team they would have looked the other way.

[CGD]

Just recently people were bitching and moaning about how awful things were until it was pointed out that the Spurs were a play-in team until Wemby went down, that they drafted the ROY, and that they did what everyone was begging them to do in acquire a good veteran talent. And they got that good veteran talent in Fox for nearly nothing.

People here just like to whine. But they're whining for each other. It's a club.

Yup, I think there is a lot to be excited about.

[ambchang]

The primo pick was a shock then as he was mocked as a high second rounder, low 20s for the optimistic ones. He simply isn’t that good, and everything since has proved that. The spurs somehow also extended him despite all the red flags and then somehow cut him a few days later. I’m sure that wasn’t brought to managements attention in those few days so the FO was definitely thinking the issue will just go away.

I have no issues with the Branham and Wesley picks, not sure what people are expecting out of high mid 20s picks.

Sochan and Vassell showed good promise early and just didn’t improve at all. That has all the signs of bad development. I still think they could be decently good players in the right roles, but they have no roles, or have roles that they can’t fill. It sure what the organization is thinking about those. Sochan is a case of PATFO outsmarting himself, and Vassell is just the wrong player in the wrong environment. You out him in a situation where he plays proper ball or sit his ass down then he can become a decent player, instead you got him in there thinking he’s the reincarnation of Kobe Bryant, jacking up these terrible low efficiency shots and expecting them to go in, play no defence and just put blinders on when he drives and that’s what you get. A player with promise having poor habits and doesn’t know how to play proper ball. He’s like one of those smart kids who grew up in bad environments with no guidance, and grew up to be a mastermind criminal.

[mystargtr34]

Wemby looks about 7 foot fucking 10 standing next to TD and Dave lol.

I’ve always thought he was at least 7’5 barefoot but he might be closer to 7’6 lol.

[spurraider21]

I think that’s some revisionist history to fit a narrative. Wouldn’t call him a scrub. He actually started that last season pretty well, and it wasn’t like the Clips (or any other team) pounced to get him. It took time.
in 4 games he was averaging 7/3/4.5 on 34.6% shooting. he was awful.


The Spurs were also marketing him aggressively.
thats because they were retarded and thought he was the face of the franchise for some reason that never made sense


https://www.nba.com/watch/video/joshua-primo-23-points-highlights-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder
this was a preseason game


The big blunder though was how the hell a team that prides itself on picking winners and losers on character could miss so badly in that area. Honestly, I also kinda think if it was another team they would have looked the other way.
thats a blunder too, but he was also a subpar prospect who had no business being picked that guy... good character or not

[Obstructed_View]

Primo was not just the worst pick the Spurs ever made, he could be the worst pick anyone has ever made. He wasn't projected to go high. The Spurs only picked him because they worked him out. The Spurs could have traded down twice and still gotten him. That is all before addressing his character issues and lack of NBA talent.

[RC_Drunkford]

I'll never understand the Primo pick bashing. How the fuck is the organization expected to rote out or predict sexually deviant and silent-predatory players before they choose from the stack of 18-year-old prospects? There were no previous incidents, nor signs, that anyone heard or saw.

How is this not a victim-blaming rhethoric to the Spurs? It'd be like holding the Hayward trade against the Celtics for not foreseeing his leg blowing into pieces his first game on the team. Just completely hypocritical and trying to ascribe your own prerrogatives and narratives (that he Sucks And Would Have Always Sucked) to a situation that had nothing to do with talent.

Like sure, he didn't look like a worldbeater in his games with us, but NBA history is littered with players who had underwhelming rookie seasons then grew into their talent or elevated their game. There is absolutely no proof that Primo wouldn't have become another of those, and if nothing else, a serviceable role-player, which is not a bad outcome for a 12th pick.

Seriously, break it down for me, and in the meantime tell me about this Sexual Predator Detector device of yours. You'd do well to sell that shit and make some $$$ tbh....

except that he's out of the league and his game never went nowhere, while players drafted after him became All-Stars


Just recently people were bitching and moaning about how awful things were until it was pointed out that the Spurs were a play-in team until Wemby went down, that they drafted the ROY, and that they did what everyone was begging them to do in acquire a good veteran talent. And they got that good veteran talent in Fox for nearly nothing.

People here just like to whine. But they're whining for each other. It's a club.

and yet you're still here bitching and moaning like the bitch you are

[Thomas82]

https://x.com/AirlessJordan/status/1917359428942115261

It's 5 if you count Swen Nater in 1974.

[John B]

Duncan has definitely shrunk a bit since retirement, tbh..Normal process, but it seems more accelerated than with D-Rob who is 11 years older

https://x.com/MuseCastle/status/1917680216404812011

DRob is 7’1 and 2 inches taller than Timmy. It looks about right. Plus Timmy tends to hunch a bit, unlike DRob who stands like a true military guy.

[pookenstein]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gp0H8J9XIAANppJ?format=jpg&name=large

Duncans hands look massive compared to Davids.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

If Timmy had that haircut in his playing days he'd be talked about so much more by the media. To his dislike, surely.

Still, I hate it that his legacy takes a hit because of his lowkey personality. Jokic will be the same after he retires and disappears.

[rankingtear]

Primo was not just the worst pick the Spurs ever made, he could be the worst pick anyone has ever made. He wasn't projected to go high. The Spurs only picked him because they worked him out. The Spurs could have traded down twice and still gotten him. That is all before addressing his character issues and lack of NBA talent.

Nah the pick is inconsequential. James Wiseman and Darko Milic have championship and financial implications. They waived Primo and moved on.

[Sugus]

There is proof, namely that he never made it.

After a career-derailing public sexual incident? You don't think this has had an impact on his development whatsoever, as both a person as a player, in his most crucial years? Jesus.


The Clippers jumped on signing him after his suspension was up and he never could hack it. The Primo pick wasn't a fuck up because he became a sex criminal, it was a fuck up because he was a complete scrub drafted in the lottery.

He wasn't a scrub when drafted, just a low-usage player who wasn't the focus offensive player in his lone college season. Much like - pitchforks down - Castle was. Sure, a gulf of difference in counting stats between the two (and they were draft-slotted accordingly in the draft) but the point remains that a lot of "scrub" players on draft day/rookie season end up developing plenty impactful careers.

You just gotta avoid being a sexual deviant for that, which again, is part of who he is.

[Sugus]

I think that’s some revisionist history to fit a narrative. Wouldn’t call him a scrub. He actually started that last season pretty well, and it wasn’t like the Clips (or any other team) pounced to get him. It took time. The Spurs were also marketing him aggressively.

https://www.nba.com/watch/video/joshua-primo-23-points-highlights-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder

The big blunder though was how the hell a team that prides itself on picking winners and losers on character could miss so badly in that area. Honestly, I also kinda think if it was another team they would have looked the other way.

Thank you - correct on all accounts, including your very important last point. There are several wife-beaters currently employed by the NBA. None on the Spurs though.

People cannot seem to separate between their narratives or preconceptions and what's actually in front of their eyes. Primo (by his own damn fault, of course) was robbed of a normal player's development path and curve.

Lastly, I'd like to again point out that it is not currently possible to predict or "out" sexual deviant players. Like, how many dozen public figures once beloved, from Diddy to Bill Cosby, were well-regarded for years by everyone before their misconduct came into light? It's not something that's "below the Spurs", it's a pretty fucking hard thing for anyone at all to see through, and they mask it on purpose.

[Sugus]

Nah the pick is inconsequential. James Wiseman and Darko Milic have championship and financial implications. They waived Primo and moved on.

People go absolutely retarded whenever there's an opportunity to shit on PATFO. Objectivity be damned.

:lol that Wiseman pick, what a fuck-up by the Dubs. Trading that pick for immediate help instead of drafting the historically raw, underdeveloped center was the most obvious move they had to make.

[Sugus]

A final thought on the topic, as I really don't wish to keep derailing this Castle thread with Primo bullshit;

The reason why the judgment on the Primo pick irks me is that people have seen, time and time again, the Spurs succeed with the same exact process and philosophy, yet can only criticize the failed attempts without considering they're the necessary counterpart to their success stories.

Like, put draft slot aside for a second - wasn't Dejounte Murray a "scrub" when drafted as well? How many years did this forum run the Instagram Baller horse into the ground before he actually developed into a positive, All-Star level player, and shut everyone up? He's a serviceable player by all accounts and he's far from the Spurs' only successful "draft the hidden gem" example.

Point is, the Spurs follow a tried-and-true drafting philosophy and methods, that begets the Primo's and Samanic's and Lonnie's of the world, because the same philosophy also gets you the Dejounte's, the White's, the Castle's. You can argue the methods, but I honestly think the results speak for themselves in the end.

And again I say, to anyone faulting the Spurs for "not realizing" he was a sexual assaulter, please post forward your method, because society as a whole could reeeeally fucking use that.

[baseline bum]

After a career-derailing public sexual incident? You don't think this has had an impact on his development whatsoever, as both a person as a player, in his most crucial years? Jesus.



He wasn't a scrub when drafted, just a low-usage player who wasn't the focus offensive player in his lone college season. Much like - pitchforks down - Castle was. Sure, a gulf of difference in counting stats between the two (and they were draft-slotted accordingly in the draft) but the point remains that a lot of "scrub" players on draft day/rookie season end up developing plenty impactful careers.

You just gotta avoid being a sexual deviant for that, which again, is part of who he is.

Meh players get all kinds of second chances if they have talent, and Primo got a second chance. He was just a scrub, same as he was here save that one preseason game he went off in.

[baseline bum]

A final thought on the topic, as I really don't wish to keep derailing this Castle thread with Primo bullshit;

The reason why the judgment on the Primo pick irks me is that people have seen, time and time again, the Spurs succeed with the same exact process and philosophy, yet can only criticize the failed attempts without considering they're the necessary counterpart to their success stories.

Like, put draft slot aside for a second - wasn't Dejounte Murray a "scrub" when drafted as well? How many years did this forum run the Instagram Baller horse into the ground before he actually developed into a positive, All-Star level player, and shut everyone up? He's a serviceable player by all accounts and he's far from the Spurs' only successful "draft the hidden gem" example.

Point is, the Spurs follow a tried-and-true drafting philosophy and methods, that begets the Primo's and Samanic's and Lonnie's of the world, because the same philosophy also gets you the Dejounte's, the White's, the Castle's. You can argue the methods, but I honestly think the results speak for themselves in the end.

And again I say, to anyone faulting the Spurs for "not realizing" he was a sexual assaulter, please post forward your method, because society as a whole could reeeeally fucking use that.

I don't know why you want to die on this Primo hill. Dejounte was the second to last pick of the first round who only slipped because GMs didn't like his gang ties but with his talent it was a worthy gamble at pick #29, and it turns out all those worries were wrong. If the Spurs had drafted Primo at the end of the first and he busted well shit happens. I don't hold Samanic, Branham, or Wesley against them because late firsts usually aren't all that good and sometimes you gotta take a big chance like Samanic. But Primo at 12 was lunacy, they could have traded for a pick in the mid to late 20s and probably gotten him there.

[Ice009]

There is proof, namely that he never made it. The Clippers jumped on signing him after his suspension was up and he never could hack it. The Primo pick wasn't a fuck up because he became a sex criminal, it was a fuck up because he was a complete scrub drafted in the lottery.

Yep. I wasn't watching the Spurs much when Primo was drafted, but the whole time, I was trying to figure out what the hell they saw in that guy.


in 4 games he was averaging 7/3/4.5 on 34.6% shooting. he was awful.


thats because they were retarded and thought he was the face of the franchise for some reason that never made sense


this was a preseason game


thats a blunder too, but he was also a subpar prospect who had no business being picked that guy... good character or not

This was another thing that put me off. I kept hearing people (even Sean) mention the Spurs are saying he's going to be the face of the franchise (I don't even know if Sean believed it or was just going along with/pushing what they were saying) and I kept think WTF every-time I heard that. I kept thinking, what is giving them that impression.


except that he's out of the league and his game never went nowhere, while players drafted after him became All-Stars



and yet you're still here bitching and moaning like the bitch you are

Exactly, he never was good or showed any potential as far as I saw.


Primo was not just the worst pick the Spurs ever made, he could be the worst pick anyone has ever made. He wasn't projected to go high. The Spurs only picked him because they worked him out. The Spurs could have traded down twice and still gotten him. That is all before addressing his character issues and lack of NBA talent.

Exactly. I don't get why more people don't think this way about Primo. The guy was a joke of a pick. The reach of reaches. He must have been great in the interview, or maybe there is just someone weird in the organization that wanted another weird guy on the team.


Meh players get all kinds of second chances if they have talent, and Primo got a second chance. He was just a scrub, same as he was here save that one preseason game he went off in.

Again, couldn't say it better than that. If a player has any of decent to good level of talent, those players usually get lots of second chances quite a bit. He got one and did nothing in that either.

I'm sorry to even bring this up in a thread about Steph, as I don't ever really want to talk about of think about this pick again.

[Leetonidas]

Primo was a terrible pick regardless of him flashing his cock or not. at the time it was a head scratcher and over time it looks even worse. The fact that he has been unable to stick on an NBA roster tells you he simply isn't good enough. To take a dude that wasn't even projected to be taken in the first with the 12th pick is inexcusable. Can't believe people still defend that pick :lol

[The Truth #6]

His scandal was a blessing in disguise only in that they were able to cut him and not continue to waste time on him as a centerpiece. Brian Wright was learning the ropes around this time and is lucky he didn't get fired. He's generally been a solid GM since then, though our underfunded development staff makes his picks look worse.

[Mr. Body]

Primo wasn't a great pick, it was a swing at a possible emerging young guy. He was starting to take on multiple duties on a veteran Alabama team. Again, the draft wasn't really great at that point. It should have been Sengun. Trey Murphy and a couple other players were still there, but even Murphy didn't look that great for Virginia.

HOWEVER, it's false to say he would have always sucked because he sucks now. He lost like three years of vital development. You can't say he sucked in the G-League and that was always the outcome. That's not how things work. The same player has different outcomes if he goes to different teams or different locations. If he kept it in his pants he would have stuck on and gotten plenty of reps and focused attention.

[cutewizard]

https://youtu.be/3MZ_Oodhu5E?si=tvyXtwR44kNoCEQr

[baseline bum]

Primo wasn't a great pick, it was a swing at a possible emerging young guy. He was starting to take on multiple duties on a veteran Alabama team. Again, the draft wasn't really great at that point. It should have been Sengun. Trey Murphy and a couple other players were still there, but even Murphy didn't look that great for Virginia.

HOWEVER, it's false to say he would have always sucked because he sucks now. He lost like three years of vital development. You can't say he sucked in the G-League and that was always the outcome. That's not how things work. The same player has different outcomes if he goes to different teams or different locations. If he kept it in his pants he would have stuck on and gotten plenty of reps and focused attention.

He lost about 10 months from the time he was cut to the time the Clippers picked him up and that's a team with an S Tier coaching staff who saw nothing interesting enough to keep Primo around for.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Primo wasn't a great pick, it was a swing at a possible emerging young guy. He was starting to take on multiple duties on a veteran Alabama team. Again, the draft wasn't really great at that point. It should have been Sengun. Trey Murphy and a couple other players were still there, but even Murphy didn't look that great for Virginia.

HOWEVER, it's false to say he would have always sucked because he sucks now. He lost like three years of vital development. You can't say he sucked in the G-League and that was always the outcome. That's not how things work. The same player has different outcomes if he goes to different teams or different locations. If he kept it in his pants he would have stuck on and gotten plenty of reps and focused attention.

Lol, he wasn't emerging on Bama. He was a mid bench guy.

It was a shitty, stupid pick.

[Sugus]

I don't know why you want to die on this Primo hill.

I don't, actually; I hardly care, despite writing a bit on the topic. It wasn't my original point.

Let's move on.

[Sugus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDoy264pZeE

Castle on consecutive ROTY + future: (https://old.reddit.com/r/NBASpurs/comments/1kc1a6k/castle_on_consecutive_roty_future_i_think_that/)


"I think that just speaks super highly of our front office, the guys that make the decisions. Obviously, speaks highly of me and Vic, but I definitely think it speaks highly of our future as well, what we have going on and what we plan on doing here pretty soon."

:wakeup

[Tyronn Lue]

Well deserved

Better than Rookie Tony Parker tbh
Rookie TP had to conserve energy to carry those 4 rings and the Finals MVP trophy.

[Tyronn Lue]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDoy264pZeE

Castle on consecutive ROTY + future: (https://old.reddit.com/r/NBASpurs/comments/1kc1a6k/castle_on_consecutive_roty_future_i_think_that/)



:wakeup
Victor is unreal, next to those giants he dwarfs them.

Next to Tim, Alien vs Predator

[ace3g]

https://x.com/spurs/status/1918023738143990090

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs6c2TOR5EM

[SupremeGuy]

Castle is that guy tbh.

Wemby has the physical gifts to be the GOAT...

But goddamn Castle has the mentality.

Spurs are looking so fucking scary going forward.

Ironically, we need a forward/center.

[bigfan]

Primo was not just the worst pick the Spurs ever made, he could be the worst pick anyone has ever made. He wasn't projected to go high. The Spurs only picked him because they worked him out. The Spurs could have traded down twice and still gotten him. That is all before addressing his character issues and lack of NBA talent.

Uh, I remember the greatness that was Alfredrick Hughes.

[Fireball]

It's crazy how back in the TD era I wouldn't have been happy with anything other than a good finals run to at least the WCF, but that's all different now and I'd just be happy to make the playoffs. I really wanted the Spurs to make it this season even just as the 8th seed this year so that Victor and the rest of the young guys could get a feel for what playoff basketball is like. I think some of the guys on the team might have surprised and played well if we'd have made it. If Victor didn't go out and was healthy (still don't know what the breathing issues were as he was really struggling at that point), if De'Aaron didn't have the finger issue, and if Devin was healthy from the get-go, I really do think they would have made at the end of the season to get in. A lot of ifs, but I think the Spurs were a lot closer than some people might have thought they were.

Even more I want to have joy watching a full regular season. After Victor was out I lost interest pretty quickly and when Fox was out I stopped (re)watching full games. I don't know if I can stand this for another season if it happens. But lets be positive and hope for the better in 25/26

[cutewizard]

https://youtu.be/_Y_X39expA4?si=Bbt1k-tmrIiQ0pck

[cutewizard]

Castle is that guy tbh.

Wemby has the physical gifts to be the GOAT...

But goddamn Castle has the mentality.

Spurs are looking so fucking scary going forward.

Ironically, we need a forward/center.

..............................

Naz Reid
Yabusele
Khaman
Sorber

[cutewizard]

https://youtu.be/Gs6c2TOR5EM?si=wWgmrDHBklvv7QFB

[John B]

https://youtu.be/Gs6c2TOR5EM?si=wWgmrDHBklvv7QFB

First off, that part when Stephon said the game slowed down to him all the way back in October 2024, even Wemby had a chuckle. The kid has confidence tbh. I can’t keep of comparing him to young Kobe who just saw himself destined to be bigger, which is the biggest factor in becoming one. Stephon is going to be a multiple AS and such a great pick.

Now about Wemby being excited about having Castle with him for “many many years” just shows a glimpse of the bright future ahead, and such excitement for “many many years” to Spurs fans. These guys are barely 20’s! Damn! I mean from Kawhi single-handedly torpedoed us to our “swing-over-the-fence Primo” took a massive hit, and posters here all but counted us as the worst team in our division, to now b2b ROTY? The basketball gods are sure smiling again at Spurs. And it’s just beginning. Spurs have two lottery picks coming, and hopefully will do big name(s) signing to help Wemby on his 3rd year. Let’s gooooo!!

[Ice009]

After Steph said in his 3rd or 4th game or something (can't remember how many games in he said it, but I had a similar reaction to Victor [WTF already?!] when I heard Steph say it at the start of the season) that it's slowed down for him, Victor commented and said it took him half a season, or just over half a season for the game to slow down for him.

[Knoxxx]

We can enjoy our summers and think about what Castle is going to be able to do next with Wemby and Fox drawing primary defensive attention. His biggest superpower to me is his ability to drive 1 v 1 and draw constant nuisance fouls on the other team. Reminds me of Manu being able to ugly games up when needed, in particular to stop other team’s runs on demand.

[John B]

We can enjoy our summers and think about what Castle is going to be able to do next with Wemby and Fox drawing primary defensive attention. His biggest superpower to me is his ability to drive 1 v 1 and draw constant nuisance fouls on the other team. Reminds me of Manu being able to ugly games up when needed, in particular to stop other team’s runs on demand.

This kid has so much dawg in him, I see him working in the gym at this moment practicing his shots. What I like about him is his ability to get a foul. That’s crucial in closing games, and yes also very much like Manu.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

This kid has so much dawg in him, I see him working in the gym at this moment practicing his shots. What I like about him is his ability to get a foul. That’s crucial in closing games, and yes also very much like Manu.

Yes he is our new Manu!

That's why laugh when people suggesting trading him.

[Raven]

This kid has so much dawg in him, I see him working in the gym at this moment practicing his shots. What I like about him is his ability to get a foul. That’s crucial in closing games, and yes also very much like Manu.

geez...

[3&D_TBH]

Love me some Castle but Manu shot 37% from 3 for his career. If Castle achieves that percentage his ceiling is likely higher than Manu’s, yes? Or am I crazy. Tbh

[HankChinaski]

Love me some Castle but Manu shot 37% from 3 for his career. If Castle achieves that percentage his ceiling is likely higher than Manu’s, yes? Or am I crazy. Tbh

Long hair Manu was a beast of a player. Practically unstoppable and everyone knew he was going left. Tore that shit up.

That's just him going to the rack.

His handles and passing were elite and you couldn't leak off him otherwise he hit the mid range or 3pter.

Just listen to podcasts and convos of all the vets that played in early and prime Manu.

Castle has two to three seasons to hopefully get close to reaching that level.

They are different players but I like Castle

[Ice009]

Long hair Manu was a beast of a player. Practically unstoppable and everyone knew he was going left. Tore that shit up.

That's just him going to the rack.

His handles and passing were elite and you couldn't leak off him otherwise he hit the mid range or 3pter.

Just listen to podcasts and convos of all the vets that played in early and prime Manu.

Castle has two to three seasons to hopefully get close to reaching that level.

They are different players but I like Castle

Do you have any particular links to any podcasts where any of those players that played Manu in his prime talked about him (is it guys that were on his team that commented or opposing players?)? I haven't really ever heard anyone talk about him from that time. I wouldn't mind hearing what they say. All good if you don't have any.

[ambchang]

Manu was just a different animal. Never put up eye popping raw stats, and he really had two years where he was with the league leaders in advanced stats, but the guys just knows how to win. He’s really the rarest of the rarest, where he had an outsized impact on winning but doesn’t really out up the stats for it. The opposite of the most common type, the empty calories guys

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Sure we will likely never see another Manu.

But Castle can be close to 90% of him on passing and shooting.

On defense, castle will be better.

Plus, Castle can be more durable.

They're both solid #2 option.

[Mr. Body]

Geez, just let Castle become Castle. Why this insane desire to pit Spurs players against each other? Like how you chowderheads were in camp Parker vs. camp Manu. Christ.

[HankChinaski]

Do you have any particular links to any podcasts where any of those players that played Manu in his prime talked about him (is it guys that were on his team that commented or opposing players?)? I haven't really ever heard anyone talk about him from that time. I wouldn't mind hearing what they say. All good if you don't have any.

Unfortunately no. Just over the last couple years random I can't recall

[HankChinaski]

Do you have any particular links to any podcasts where any of those players that played Manu in his prime talked about him (is it guys that were on his team that commented or opposing players?)? I haven't really ever heard anyone talk about him from that time. I wouldn't mind hearing what they say. All good if you don't have any.

Unfortunately no. Just over the last couple years random I can't recall

[Ice009]

Yeah, that's OK. I just hadn't seen him talked about much. Was interested to see/hear some. Thanks anyway. I'll do a bit of a search late tonight/tomorrow.

[lefty20]

Do you have any particular links to any podcasts where any of those players that played Manu in his prime talked about him (is it guys that were on his team that commented or opposing players?)? I haven't really ever heard anyone talk about him from that time. I wouldn't mind hearing what they say. All good if you don't have any.

Here is Raja Bell


"People always ask me who was hardest to guard," Raja Bell said. "I say Kobe. That is what people want to hear. But the truth is, it might have been Manu. He'd rev it to fourth gear, get by you, take it back to second gear so you'd run into him, and then he'd make a crazy floater. I made a living studying offensive players. I couldn't figure him out."

and Shane Battier said this about Manu:


The San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginóbili is a statistical freak: he has no imbalance whatsoever in his game — there is no one way to play him that is better than another. He is equally efficient both off the dribble and off the pass, going left and right and from any spot on the floor.

[Ice009]

Nice comments from two guys I really respected defensively when they were playing.

[pookenstein]

Do you have any particular links to any podcasts where any of those players that played Manu in his prime talked about him (is it guys that were on his team that commented or opposing players?)? I haven't really ever heard anyone talk about him from that time. I wouldn't mind hearing what they say. All good if you don't have any.

9zFP3rrNnJw

[John B]

9zFP3rrNnJw

Long hair Ginobili was really a big problem to guard going downhill with his Euro and dunking on everybody. My all-time favorite player ever period.

[scott]

We've graduated from Castle All Star talk to Castle Ceiling Greater than a HOFer talk... by the end of the summer, Castle will be in the GOAT conversation with MJ and Bron.