Summer League Game 5: Spurs vs. Wolves

[timvp]

The Spurs summer league team has won two games in a row. Jackie Butler is leading the team in points, rebounds, assists and blocks. James White and Marcus Williams have both struggled offensively, but there have been decent flashes of promise defensively.

However, the surprise of the summer league so far has been Viktor Sanikidze. Although his stats aren't overwhelming, he has shown some nice promise. He's a 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-9 small forward who can move well, rebound and has a decent perimeter shot. Hopefully we get to see more of him throughout the rest of summer league.

This is the Spurs last game in Vegas before they move on to the Rocky Mountain Revue in Utah. They play Corey Brewer and the Timberwolves at 3PM CST.

[Streakyshooter08]

I saw only 2 games but Sanikidze moved really well. I wonder why he doesn't play more.

I also hope Bulter will improve and get a shoot of being in the rotation next summer. At the moment he looks like a keeper.

[AFBlue]

The suprise of the Summer League may be Sanikidze, but since no one here had ANY expectations for him...I'd say that's not a big statement. He's still likely a couple years from contributing...

I'd say the bigger story is Jackie Butler proving to doubters that he CAN actually play. I understand why people doubted it, with Butler arriving overweight, being lambasted in the media (thanks Ludden!), and not getting a chance to showcase his skills on the court for a full year.

But, if these early games are any indication....Butler is setting alot of doubters straight. I really hope this kid gets a legitimate shot at displacing Elson in the rotation....

[Mr. Body]

Any chance of getting this online?

[MoSpur]

What time is it at?

[The Great Fantastic]

I'm ready for some more of that patented Sanikidze Hustle.

[timvp]

Found the link already. (http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/nba/11562/500_nba-liveevent_060611.asx)

:smokin

[timvp]

What time is it at?Starts in five minutes.

[PerforatedNeckline]

seriously...anyone know if this is watchable online?

[The Great Fantastic]

The Wolves are gonna get Vik-torn up!

[timvp]

seriously...anyone know if this is watchable online?

Here. (http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/nba/11562/500_nba-liveevent_060611.asx)

[PerforatedNeckline]

my bad, i see the link now...i'm ashamed of my slow "refresh" skills.

[PerforatedNeckline]

lots of people there today...why do you think that is?

[The Great Fantastic]

Thanks for the link TimVP!

[timvp]

This is the dark arena with the worse cameras but without the annoying announcer and replays. Not sure which one I like better.

[ace3g]

there are alot of people at this game

[timvp]

lots of people there today...why do you think that is?
Look like Warrior fans.

[PerforatedNeckline]

minnesota has a pretty good summer league team.

[timvp]

Starting Lineups:

PG CJ Watson
SG James White!
SF Marcus Williams
PF Donnell Harvey
C Jackie Butler


C Chris Richard
PF Craig Smith
SF Corey Brewer
SG Rashad McCants
PG Randy Foye

[yavozerb]

Heres out chance to see brewer as well, probably against White..should be fun

[timvp]

Butler with the missed J.

[ace3g]

offensive foul on james white

[yavozerb]

Nice shot by butler

[timvp]

Nice move by Butler.

[ace3g]

that was nice patience by butler, setting up the floor, and then a nice jumpshot in the paint

[yavozerb]

Nice passing by th spurs

[PerforatedNeckline]

sweet pass by butler

[timvp]

Nice passes by Butler to Williams to Harvey for the dunk.

[timvp]

Williams with a slow and ugly jumper that missed.

[yavozerb]

Butler really the only one doing anything at this point

[yavozerb]

victor on the floor!!

[timvp]

Sanikidze in :smokin

[yavozerb]

Damn, almost a nice recovery by sank. NIce hustle though

[timvp]

Sanikidze's jumper gets blocked and then he races down and blocks/fouls the breakaway layup.

[Obstructed_View]

Was he the one that got rejected?

EDIT: Thanks TimVP

[Obstructed_View]

Is it my imagination, or is Twinkle Toes Butler looking quicker since the first couple of games?

[timvp]

Butler with his first free throw miss of summer league.

[timvp]

Sanikidze is being guarded by Corey Brewer. This'll tell us how ready Sanikidze really is.

[ace3g]

Melzer For 3

[ace3g]

damn foye is killing us

[yavozerb]

Is the brewer the one who got the block on sank.?

[ace3g]

yes

[HeyIt'sMe]

Brewer with five boards, a block, and a steal so far. His defense is as good as advertised.

[timvp]

Man, everything Marcus Williams does is slooooooooooooooooow.

[yavozerb]

Brewer with five boards, a block, and a steal so far. His defense is as good as advertised.

Also 3 fouls

[timvp]

Williams looking worse than ever.

[HeyIt'sMe]

Also 3 fouls

It's Summer League, not worried about it.

[Obstructed_View]

Nice pass.

[yavozerb]

Brewer with five boards, a block, and a steal so far. His defense is as good as advertised.
Its summer league!!

[yavozerb]

White is a no show so far..

[Obstructed_View]

Not exactly scintillating defense so far...

[yavozerb]

Damn 30 oints in 1 quarter for summer league...I hope pop isnt watching

[ace3g]

put Sanikidze back in !!!, lol

[lebomb]

If White does not start being more aggressive and bringing it........I dont think he deserves to be here.

[timvp]

White and Williams MIA so far.

[lebomb]

White and Williams MIA so far.



:depressed

[timvp]

Nice pass by Butler.

[ace3g]

spurs making a run in the 2nd quarter

[yavozerb]

Butler is basically playing center and pg...

[timvp]

Williams playing better in the second. Still has the speed, explosiveness and athleticism of a snail.

[lebomb]

Williams.............already 1-6 from the field. I KNOW I could do that well.

[ace3g]

sommerville has a nice shot

[Obstructed_View]

That was nifty. Good hustle by everybody.

[ace3g]

Cj Watson is down injured, looks like a sprained ankle

[Obstructed_View]

I'm not gonna say it...

[timvp]

... neither am I ...

[yavozerb]

Is this going to be the same team to play in the mountain revue??

[timvp]

Is this going to be the same team to play in the mountain revue??Plus Anthony Roberson, minus Cheyne Gadson.

[ace3g]

nice baseline jumpshot by langford

[ace3g]

I'm interested in seeing how Roberson does running the point

[Obstructed_View]

I absolutely can't understand the PA announcer.

[timvp]

Charles Lee hurt too now.

[ace3g]

now charles lee is injured

[ace3g]

butler with a long range jumper

[yavozerb]

how many pts for butler?

[lebomb]

now charles lee is injured



Not to be rought but.........what is the difference with him or CJ being injured at this point?? :rolleyes

[timvp]

They should just rename this summer league team the San Antonio Butlers. No one else looks halfway decent out there.

[ace3g]

nothing just doing the play by play

[Spurs Brazil]

how many pts for butler?

7pts

[ace3g]

Butler with his duncan impersonation, off the glass !!!

[Obstructed_View]

JB is playing lazy because he's sucking wind.

[coopdogg3]

yeah that was a sweet shot.

[timvp]

Did Butler just shoot an effortless 20 foot bank shot?

:smokin

[yavozerb]

Damn, its almost like Butler rebounds who passes out to Butler on the break and then passes to butler who scores..One man team

[Obstructed_View]

Did Butler just shoot an effortless 20 foot bank shot?

:smokin
He did because he didn't have the energy to dribble.

[degenerate_gambler]

Did Butler just shoot an effortless 20 foot bank shot?

:smokin


looked like a 'fuck it, i'm too tired to work for it' shot.

but he nailed it...

[ace3g]

37-43, spurs down at the half

[Obstructed_View]

Now that was a good defensive quarter.

[yavozerb]

Did Butler just shoot an effortless 20 foot bank shot?

:smokin
Not even sure his feet left the floor.. :lol

[coopdogg3]

Musical chairs is far more entertaining than most half-time shows.

BTW, thanks for the link Timvp

[lebomb]

I wouldnt not keep ANYONE except Jackie Butler.

[PerforatedNeckline]

9 and 4 for jackie at half time with 2 assists and 4 fouls

[Obstructed_View]

Looks like a tie to me.

[The Great Fantastic]

Butler needs to stop those lazy outlet passes. He will get benched immediately if he tries that shit with pop. Other than that he looks like he has a lot of good post moves and can shoot the bankshot well.

[timvp]

Thoughts:

-Butler still the best player on the court for the Spurs by far. Missed a couple shots he can make but his moves have been nice. He got tired at the end of the half.

-Has James White played this game? You'd never know.

-Williams looks pretty bad. Hard to hate on a young guy this early, but if you can't do anything in summer league ... that doesn't bode well for the future.

-Sanikidze played like one minute. He didn't rotate to Foye on one play and Newman yanked him like it was the playoffs. Nice going Newman. Way to lay down the law in summer league :rolleyes

This is the Spurs third game in three days and you can tell. They're tired and don't seem to have their legs. Butler is trying to fight through the fatigue. Williams is still at least trying. White is playing like he's still back in the hotel.

[PerforatedNeckline]

white only played 6 minutes. viktor didn't even play 2.

[The Great Fantastic]

I completely agree with Timvp on the Sanikidze issue. He looks like a player that will make some mental mistakes but has the hustle and desire to right his wrongs. Let's see him get some minutes, damnit!

[timvp]

James White hurt now.

[yavozerb]

Eventually we may get to see sank. if enough players get hurt..

[lebomb]

James White hurt now.

[Obstructed_View]

-Sanikidze played like one minute. He didn't rotate to Foye on one play and Newman yanked him like it was the playoffs. Nice going Newman. Way to lay down the law in summer league :rolleyes

Viktor got pulled in an earlier game right after making a great play. I'm wondering if there's any logic to the subs all.

[timvp]

Watson back healthy :guin

[ace3g]

sanikidze is coming back into the game

[timvp]

Newman to yank Sanikidze in 3 ... 2 ...

[Obstructed_View]

Have they scored yet?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

score?

[ace3g]

Oh My God A Technical Foul In Summer League Play, Lol

[timvp]

Jackie Butler technical?

[AFBlue]

Jackie Butler technical?

TRADE HIM!

[Obstructed_View]

I think he just wanted a breather.

[Obstructed_View]

Nice pass, bad shot.

[AFBlue]

Who has the six for the Spurs this quarter?

[coopdogg3]

60-43 Minnesota

[timvp]

Is it me or does Sanikidze look substantially taller than Corey Brewer?

[Obstructed_View]

Melzer is scary slow.

[Obstructed_View]

Okay no he isn't, he just looked awkward on that layup.

[leemajors]

does sommerville do anything decently besides shoot?

[timvp]

does sommerville do anything decently besides shoot?Nope, that's it. He's shot pretty well, though. He probably has earned himself a decent contract somewhere in Europe.

[timvp]

BS call on Butler.

[kolko]

foul number 6 for Butler

[Southwest Texas Fan]

How is Sanikidze playing?

[lotr1trekkie]

Butler is the antithesis of Spurs basketball starting with David and now Tim--- Long and lean, can run the floor, can face up an hit the jumper. Can leap and block shots. Can move their feet to help out on defense. Big shot Rob can do it all even if he doesn't hit a big 3.

[timvp]

You know the point guard play is great when Butler has zero field goal attempts in the second half.

[ace3g]

Butler with another nice bank shot

[coopdogg3]

Butler with another nice bank.

[AFBlue]

You know the point guard play is great when Butler has zero field goal attempts in the second half.

I was just wondering that myself....thought it might be a scoreboard glitch.

[Solid D]

Minnesota should be ashamed of themselves to allow a rag-tag team of misfits like the Spurs' SL team keep within 10 points of them.

A team that starts:
Randy Foye, Rashad McCants, Corey Brewer, Chris Richard and Craig Smith should be blowing out the Spurs.

[timvp]

Nice hands by Butler.

[Obstructed_View]

Melzer has good vision.

[Obstructed_View]

I love when guys spot up behind the college three point line. That's a sign of a guy who's paying attention.

[Obstructed_View]

Or when the point guard does it on a fast break...

[Obstructed_View]

Testing...this thing on?

[Obstructed_View]

...and in this corner, ZOIDBERG! What is this, a funeral?

[timvp]

Williams is like Kevin Martin meets Chris Dudley.

[Obstructed_View]

Isn't it extraordinary that the officiating in the summer league is an order of magnitude better than the officiating in FIBA?

[timvp]

Marcus Dudley to the line ...

[Solid D]

How is Sanikidze playing?

He didn't look very good. He got a minute or so in the 1st half. In the 2nd half, he was scoreless with a couple of rebounds. He typically made one move or cut and then floated to the wing or corner on offense. He allowed Corey Brewer to dribble left to the top of the circle and drain an effortless jumper. He led his man too much in the post and threw the pass o/b one time. He basically was a spare.

[timvp]

Postgame Thoughts:

-Butler had a decent game. He obviously got tired in the third game in three nights. To compound things, the point guards weren't passing him the ball. He was 3-for-6 in the first half and only 1-for-1 in the second half. He didn't play as well as he did the previous two games, but he was still the best player on the court for the Spurs.

-White had no energy and then got hurt. Hopefully he can heal up because he needs to show something in Utah. Right now, he might have played himself off the Spurs if he can't bounce back.

-Williams got the ball plenty this game. He shot the most shots (2-for-10). I just don't see how this guy would make it in the NBDL ... much less the NBA. He's not athletic. Not fast. Not quick. Not aggressive. Not a great passer. Can't finish. Can't shoot. His arms are long and he concentrates on defense, but that's not enough to play in the NBA. Hopefully he's just in some massive slump and is just holding back. If not, hopefully he signs in Europe.

-Sanikidze got a reality check today being matched up with Corey Brewer. He didn't do much wrong or right. He didn't really get the ball enough to see what he could do. Defensively, he looked quick and could stay with Brewer.

-Sommerville is a nice shooter. Does nothing else, but he can shoot. Melzer is a heady player. Too bad he isn't more athletic or he could make the NBA. Watson got hurt but came back in to provide more suck. Lee got hurt and didn't come back.

Overall, the Spurs lost to a team that they should have lost too. That team had too much talent. Add in the three games in three nights factor and this game was going to get ugly.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

He didn't look very good. He got a minute or so in the 1st half. In the 2nd half, he was scoreless with a couple of rebounds. He typically made one move or cut and then floated to the wing or corner on offense. He allowed Corey Brewer to dribble left to the top of the circle and drain an effortless jumper. He led his man too much in the post and threw the pass o/b one time. He basically was a spare.



Thanks.

[barbacoataco]

After watching these games it is hard to understand what the Spurs saw in Williams.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Cut Williams and sign Sanikidze.

[Darkwaters]

After watching these games it is hard to understand what the Spurs saw in Williams.


I really hope that the Spurs send him to Europe for a few years while we retain his rights. Obviously they saw some promise in him...and at only 20 years old he obviously still has upside. But I'm not very hopeful for him to be honest.

[timvp]

The good news is the Spurs might not have a roster crunch after all. With the way Williams and White have played, they may still have two spots to fill.

:smokin







:(

[ducks]

ian might make the spurs roster now

[wildbill2u]

I really hope that the Spurs send him to Europe for a few years while we retain his rights. Obviously they saw some promise in him...and at only 20 years old he obviously still has upside. But I'm not very hopeful for him to be honest.
We expect too much out of these guys. At the lower ranks of the last round--say the 26-30th picks, the chances of the pick turning into a player is something between 15-20 % on the average. Second rounders percentages are off the charts.

Here's a guy with only 2 years of college and 20 years old. He may have some of that famous 'upside' but statistically he will probably bust out as a NBA player.

[Ocotillo]

They ain't all Manus at the level of the draft......

[barbacoataco]

I think the spurs are right to search for foreign talent at the low 1st or 2nd round level. There is more of a chance for someone good to go under the radar. The college players are really picked over pretty good.

[Darkwaters]

Portland has been looking for a quality SF and is said to have had interest in Luis Scola. Scola + James White for Rudy Fernandez's rights. Make it so!

[Darkwaters]

I think the spurs are right to search for foreign talent at the low 1st or 2nd round level. There is more of a chance for someone good to go under the radar. The college players are really picked over pretty good.

Derrick Byars was right fucking there and we passed on him for Marcus Williams. We will rue the day...

[Mr. Body]

Portland has been looking for a quality SF and is said to have had interest in Luis Scola. Scola + James White for Rudy Fernandez's rights. Make it so!

I will ask it again: why the hell would Portland want or need Luis Scola?

[kyleo]

Derrick Byars was right fucking there and we passed on him for Marcus Williams. We will rue the day...
To be fair, Byars has played two games and been similarly unimpressive. It's a little early to cast doubts on guys that haven't even been to an NBA training camp yet.

[Mr. Body]

To be fair, Byars has played two games and been similarly unimpressive. It's a little early to cast doubts on guys that haven't even been to an NBA training camp yet.

Williams could be better than Byars yet... or they could both be busts... But I'll also mention that Dominic McGuire hasn't been half bad so far.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Postgame Thoughts:


-Williams got the ball plenty this game. He shot the most shots (2-for-10). I just don't see how this guy would make it in the NBDL ... much less the NBA. He's not athletic. Not fast. Not quick. Not aggressive. Not a great passer. Can't finish. Can't shoot. His arms are long and he concentrates on defense, but that's not enough to play in the NBA. Hopefully he's just in some massive slump and is just holding back. If not, hopefully he signs in Europe.




I haven't seen the summer league games but it sounds like Williams is just overmatched. He played pretty well for Arizona, but we all know that doesn't mean anything at the NBA level. I didn't think he had an NBA body, or NBA athleticism, and if he's going to play a 2 at this level he'll need both.

Maybe he just has the "deer in the headlights" thing going on at this point.

[Mr. Body]

I haven't seen the summer league games but it sounds like Williams is just overmatched. He played pretty well for Arizona, but we all know that doesn't mean anything at the NBA level. I didn't think he had an NBA body, or NBA athleticism, and if he's going to play a 2 at this level he'll need both.

Maybe he just has the "deer in the headlights" thing going on at this point.

He's thin, but so are a lot of guys. The problem is he's not very quick and he's not very fast. His first step is mediocre and his top speed is mediocre. You see him trying to finish plays, or even get into the middle part of a play, and the guy is all over him. He doesn't have the ability to separate himself.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

He's thin, but so are a lot of guys. The problem is he's not very quick and he's not very fast. His first step is mediocre and his top speed is mediocre. You see him trying to finish plays, or even get into the middle part of a play, and the guy is all over him. He doesn't have the ability to separate himself.

He never was a skywalker at Arizona, but I didn't notice him being that slow. I was surprised as everyone else that he went to SA at 33 and was hoping that the Spurs had seen that special something that most folks didn't.

When was the last time the Spurs drafted a domestic product that was halfway decent?

[Slinkyman]

He never was a skywalker at Arizona, but I didn't notice him being that slow. I was surprised as everyone else that he went to SA at 33 and was hoping that the Spurs had seen that special something that most folks didn't.

When was the last time the Spurs drafted a domestic product that was halfway decent?

Probably the last time they drafted a SF from Arizona

[Mr. Body]

When was the last time the Spurs drafted a domestic product that was halfway decent?

Since never. This, by the way, is definitive proof that the Spurs DON'T read Spurstalk. They picked the one guy absolutely nobody was talking up. There were a lot of regulars on the draft thread for upwards of two months, and never, ever, did anybody say Marcus Williams' name, with good reason.

Not saying he's already a bust, but there were so many better players still on the board. I remember my befuddlement in the noisy bar (Democratic debate going on at the same time) trying to make out the name called. Marcus Williams? Marcus Williams? Seriously?

[Solid D]

When was the last time the Spurs drafted a domestic product that was halfway decent?

Tim Duncan from Wake Forest University (even though he was from the USVI, he was a 4-year collegiate player)

[timvp]

Tim Duncan from Wake Forest University (even though he was from the USVI, he was a 4-year collegiate player)Not counting number one overall picks that even the Hawks could have drafted, you'd have to go back to Sean Elliott.

And even then the Spurs were sad because they really, really wanted Danny Ferry.

:smokin

[UV Ray]

Not counting number one overall picks that even the Hawks could have drafted, you'd have to go back to Sean Elliott.

And even then the Spurs were sad because they really, really wanted Danny Ferry.

:smokin



:tu