Spurs Brazil
07-23-2007, 01:35 PM
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22843.shtml
Summer League Recap: San Antonio Spurs
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By Bill Ingram
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jul 23, 2007, 10:21
San Antonio Spurs
Summer League: NBA Summer League, Las Vegas (2-3); Rocky Mountain Revue (1-4)
Record: 3-7
Key Stats: To get too deep into analyzing statistics from the Spurs' summer league excursions would be a mistake. They weren't field too many guys who have a shot at making the roster, so this was basically the James White and CJ Watson show - especially after Jackie Butler was traded to Houston. Opponents shot 50% from the field (38% from three) against the Spurs in Utah; opponents shot 39% against the Spurs in Las Vegas. From that you could say that Butler was a dominant inside force, and after he left the Spurs had no interior defense. You could say that, but it wouldn't reflect reality. Teams in Utah were much more serious about seeing actual roster players in action.
Highlights: James White scored 20 points in a loss to Philly (RMR) and 17 in a loss to Dallas (RMR). The real highlight may have been the Butler trade, which got the Spurs out from under the final two seasons of his contract. Butler averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in Vegas, enough to show the Rockets he's capable of contributing in some way.
Standout Player: The recurring theme here is James White. He looked great at times and he struggled at times. Throughout summer league he was the Spurs' best player. He averaged 8.6 points per game in Vegas, but then stepped things up in Utah, where he averaged 15 points per game and shot 50% from the field.
Surprises: The San Antonio Spurs didn't get too much work done over the course of summer league, largely because their approach is going to be to keep everyone from last year's team and give them a chance to repeat. The only knock on the Spurs has been that they haven't been able to win consecutive titles, and they'd like to put that to rest in 2007-08. They won't get it done by letting a bunch of newcomers earn playing time.
Disappointments: Most Spurs fans were hoping to get a look at draft pick Tiago Splitter, but he wasn't available for summer league play. Splitter is not expected to join the Spurs until the 2008-09 NBA season.
Key Questions: Is James White ready? The Spurs didn't let him spend much time in the NBDL last season, which had as much to do with their attitude towards the Austin program as it did towards the need for White to get some playing time somewhere. Now that the Spurs have acquired the Toros it will be interesting to see how they utilize the farm system.
Conclusion: Summer league was primarily about showing that Jackie Butler could get up and down the court and getting James White some playing time in game situations. The trade with Houston proved they had accomplished the first goal. The improved play of White in Utah showed he was gaining more confidence and getting more comfortable. It seems the team did what they set out to do.
Summer League Recap: San Antonio Spurs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Bill Ingram
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jul 23, 2007, 10:21
San Antonio Spurs
Summer League: NBA Summer League, Las Vegas (2-3); Rocky Mountain Revue (1-4)
Record: 3-7
Key Stats: To get too deep into analyzing statistics from the Spurs' summer league excursions would be a mistake. They weren't field too many guys who have a shot at making the roster, so this was basically the James White and CJ Watson show - especially after Jackie Butler was traded to Houston. Opponents shot 50% from the field (38% from three) against the Spurs in Utah; opponents shot 39% against the Spurs in Las Vegas. From that you could say that Butler was a dominant inside force, and after he left the Spurs had no interior defense. You could say that, but it wouldn't reflect reality. Teams in Utah were much more serious about seeing actual roster players in action.
Highlights: James White scored 20 points in a loss to Philly (RMR) and 17 in a loss to Dallas (RMR). The real highlight may have been the Butler trade, which got the Spurs out from under the final two seasons of his contract. Butler averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in Vegas, enough to show the Rockets he's capable of contributing in some way.
Standout Player: The recurring theme here is James White. He looked great at times and he struggled at times. Throughout summer league he was the Spurs' best player. He averaged 8.6 points per game in Vegas, but then stepped things up in Utah, where he averaged 15 points per game and shot 50% from the field.
Surprises: The San Antonio Spurs didn't get too much work done over the course of summer league, largely because their approach is going to be to keep everyone from last year's team and give them a chance to repeat. The only knock on the Spurs has been that they haven't been able to win consecutive titles, and they'd like to put that to rest in 2007-08. They won't get it done by letting a bunch of newcomers earn playing time.
Disappointments: Most Spurs fans were hoping to get a look at draft pick Tiago Splitter, but he wasn't available for summer league play. Splitter is not expected to join the Spurs until the 2008-09 NBA season.
Key Questions: Is James White ready? The Spurs didn't let him spend much time in the NBDL last season, which had as much to do with their attitude towards the Austin program as it did towards the need for White to get some playing time somewhere. Now that the Spurs have acquired the Toros it will be interesting to see how they utilize the farm system.
Conclusion: Summer league was primarily about showing that Jackie Butler could get up and down the court and getting James White some playing time in game situations. The trade with Houston proved they had accomplished the first goal. The improved play of White in Utah showed he was gaining more confidence and getting more comfortable. It seems the team did what they set out to do.