Lonnie Walker Appreciation Thread

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Originally Posted by KDKSpurs24

I liked what I saw. Especially in the scrimmages. Not afraid to stop and pull up for 3. Spurs could really utilize him like that(3&D) in his rookie year instead of having him handle the ball a lot. But I see a lot of Austin playing time for him.

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Since it's the number one need and he's probably best equipped to fill it, I wouldn't rule out him starting and playing a 3&D role at some point next season. A lot has to happen, but none of it is far fetched . . .

- Ginobili has to retire and they have to not lose their minds and sign Crawford as a replacement
- If he starts, Gay has to prove untenable with the starters
- Either a rotation player has to suffer a lengthy injury or 1 of Bertans, Poeltl, White, has to struggle enough to lose their spot
- He has to prove to be a reliable, spot up 3-point shooter

There's real question about Walker's D, especially in comparison to White. I am not sure that he's any more equipped to check good players than Derrick is, and he certainly doesn't seem stockier than Murray. I've nothing against having three perimeter players starting who can switch everything. I just don't know that Lonnie should be thought of in that light without seeing him do anything of the sort against NBA players. Even if the three is there, it's quite a leap to put him among the top 10 offensive guys on the team.

Walker is half an inch taller, nearly 3 inches longer, about 10 pounds heavier (probably about 25 heavier than Murray) and significantly more athletic than White. Physically, he's essentially a longer Simmons.

Of course he's not equipped to defend overpowering big wings/combo forwards, but there's plenty of "SG"'s they're likely going to have trouble defending. He's the most natural defender for the likes of Harden, Thompson (though they might prefer him on Durant), McCollum, Booker, Mitchell, Oladipo, Beal, etc.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Walker is half an inch taller, nearly 3 inches longer, about 10 pounds heavier (probably about 25 heavier than Murray) and significantly more athletic than White. Physically, he's essentially a longer Simmons.

Of course he's not equipped to defend overpowering big wings/combo forwards, but there's plenty of "SG"'s they're likely going to have trouble defending. He's the most natural defender for the likes of Harden, Thompson (though they might prefer him on Durant), McCollum, Booker, Mitchell, Oladipo, Beal, etc.

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Lonnie is six pounds heavier than White was before a year of NBA development. White was a comfortably better defender at the college level, which combined with his better shooting makes him a better candidate for defensive minutes. I loved the Walker pick and think he can develop. But he has to show that he's a good defender first. A half-stone doesn't make up for better instincts and experience. If it did, Beli's 210 pounds would make him the leading three-and-D candidate.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Since it's the number one need and he's probably best equipped to fill it, I wouldn't rule out him starting and playing a 3&D role at some point next season. A lot has to happen, but none of it is far fetched . . .

- Ginobili has to retire and they have to not lose their minds and sign Crawford as a replacement
- If he starts, Gay has to prove untenable with the starters
- Either a rotation player has to suffer a lengthy injury or 1 of Bertans, Poeltl, White, has to struggle enough to lose their spot
- He has to prove to be a reliable, spot up 3-point shooter

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If Ginobili retires I fully expect him to have opportunities to play a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays more than any of our recent rookies since Kawhi.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Walker is half an inch taller, nearly 3 inches longer, about 10 pounds heavier (probably about 25 heavier than Murray) and significantly more athletic than White. Physically, he's essentially a longer Simmons.

Of course he's not equipped to defend overpowering big wings/combo forwards, but there's plenty of "SG"'s they're likely going to have trouble defending. He's the most natural defender for the likes of Harden, Thompson (though they might prefer him on Durant), McCollum, Booker, Mitchell, Oladipo, Beal, etc.

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How is Walker 3 inches taller than White? White is 6'5" too.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

Lonnie is six pounds heavier than White was before a year of NBA development. White was a comfortably better defender at the college level, which combined with his better shooting makes him a better candidate for defensive minutes. I loved the Walker pick and think he can develop. But he has to show that he's a good defender first. A half-stone doesn't make up for better instincts and experience. If it did, Beli's 210 pounds would make him the leading three-and-D candidate.

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Walker was listed at 196 pre draft, but he was at 204 on the Summer League roster and White was up 5 to 195. Obviously, whether there's a 6 or 9 pound difference is irrelevant, the point was Walker's physically superior to White in every way.

It doesn't guarantee anything of course, but it does give him a higher ceiling. He can't show anything without an opportunity though.

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Originally Posted by KDKSpurs24

If Ginobili retires I fully expect him to have opportunities to play a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays more than any of our recent rookies since Kawhi.

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Maybe at some point, but if they stay relatively healthy, probably not early on.

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Originally Posted by Dejounte

How is Walker 3 inches taller than White? White is 6'5" too.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Walker is half an inch taller, nearly 3 inches longer

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Lonnie is already better than green. :lmao

I’m a fan of White and his game but his defense was not a strong point in SL. He had some trouble staying in front of his man and particularly getting around screens. imo Walker has a lot more defensive potential and will be showing that by end of this year or next year once he gets coaching and discipline.

watching that training clip, he needs to protect the ball when dribbling...all that fancy dribbling shit wont work in the nba...

he needs to shield the ball with his body when dribbling, or else clowns like kawhi who likes to reach in b4 you bounce will steal the ball...

White has the physical tools i just worry that he may not have the mental tools to be great offensively. I hope he learns to read the floor better on the offensive end.

Saw Lonnie at the Palladium yesterday. Probably watching the new Blackkklansman or something movie.

Isnt there a church thread where all these posts should be? Once he leaves then comes this thread...

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Originally Posted by ismael-robert

Isnt there a church thread where all these posts should be? Once he leaves then comes this thread...

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You can appreciate whenever.

Gf said he wasn't so tall. I said I'm tall too bish. :lol

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Originally Posted by ismael-robert

Isnt there a church thread where all these posts should be? Once he leaves then comes this thread...

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https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=274441 :depressed

There's nothing to appreciate yet

Is he one of the players that is in San Antonio right now working out with the team? Anyone know? It looked like on his Instagram page that he was still vacationing.

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Originally Posted by Ice009

Is he one of the players that is in San Antonio right now working out with the team? Anyone know? It looked like on his Instagram page that he was still vacationing.

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I think his vacation is over and he's been in the gym, grinding drills, and play pick up with veteran players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHV_qv2pJ5s

http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/94b...bankv9c2zg.jpg

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Originally Posted by hooperflash

http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/94b...bankv9c2zg.jpg

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Is this picture 2k19?

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Originally Posted by jermaine

Is this picture 2k19?

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Yes Jermaine

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Originally Posted by hooperflash

Yes Jermaine

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I've been playing nbalive19... He looks nuttin like himself besides the hair. Lol

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Originally Posted by hooperflash

http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/94b...bankv9c2zg.jpg

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Wow, that is surprisingly accurate.

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Originally Posted by jermaine

I've been playing nbalive19... He looks nuttin like himself besides the hair. Lol

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I didn't know NBA Live was still being made. I know they stopped making it for a while, didn't realize it had made a comeback. How does that stack up to the 2K series?

‘Just a kid from Reading’

https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-na...g-13250233.php

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Originally Posted by ace3g

‘Just a kid from Reading’

https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-na...g-13250233.php

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Any chance to read the whole article besides subscribing to SANE?

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Originally Posted by BWS-1994

Any chance to read the whole article besides subscribing to SANE?

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I read the whole article, and I’m not a subscriber.

who u think has a higher ceiling...walker vs murry?

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Originally Posted by TDMVPDPOY

who u think has a higher ceiling...walker vs murry?

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walker

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Originally Posted by TDMVPDPOY

who u think has a higher ceiling...walker vs murry?

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Walker.

I really expect Lonnie to get into the rotation after hearing what Pop had to say. When asked if Lonnie would get the G league treatment he answered with basically saying (I’m paraphrasing) “If Lonnie proves he’s better than everyone else then I’d be dumb not to play him. So we’re starting with a blank slate”. Another reason I feel like he will be apart of the rotation is that he likened him to Manu. Since Lonnie is an intellectual type of guy I really feel that Pop would like to have him around so he can have those types of conversations. So Lonnie is actually in a really good spot to get playing time for those special reasons. All he has to do is not screw up at training camp (make 3s and play solid defense and show maximum effort on both sides of the ball).

I watched what Pop said at media day and it doesn't leave me optimistic about Lonnie getting a chance at all.

Pop said something like he always tells players it's their job to make him look dumb for not playing them.

Well, Derrick White did make him look dumb but still almost never played. Besides winning a g-league title as the best player, he produced in the little time he was given with the real team.

Regular season PER of 15.9, TS% of 64.6%, a 3pt % of 61.5%, and offensive rating of 123 to a D-rating of 105.

Even in his tiny 18 playoff minutes he had

PER of 20, shot 50% from 3, and an O-rating of 119 and D-rating of 109.

Even dominating the g-league and doing well when he has the chance probably won't be enough for Lonnie either.

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Originally Posted by objective

I watched what Pop said at media day and it doesn't leave me optimistic about Lonnie getting a chance at all.

Pop said something like he always tells players it's their job to make him look dumb for not playing them.

Well, Derrick White did make him look dumb but still almost never played. Besides winning a g-league title as the best player, he produced in the little time he was given with the real team.

Regular season PER of 15.9, TS% of 64.6%, a 3pt % of 61.5%, and offensive rating of 123 to a D-rating of 105.

Even in his tiny 18 playoff minutes he had

PER of 20, shot 50% from 3, and an O-rating of 119 and D-rating of 109.

Even dominating the g-league and doing well when he has the chance probably won't be enough for Lonnie either.

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I hope we will get to see Lonnie with Manu and TP gone. I like White pace, demeanor in controlling the game, but Lonnie has the explosiveness and potential elite lockdown defense that could earn him the minutes, like Kawhitter on his Rookie year, but hopefully even better because Lonnie would not defer but would attack the basket. Spurs could use his lockdown defense come playoff time if he matures fast.

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Originally Posted by objective

I watched what Pop said at media day and it doesn't leave me optimistic about Lonnie getting a chance at all.

Pop said something like he always tells players it's their job to make him look dumb for not playing them.

Well, Derrick White did make him look dumb but still almost never played. Besides winning a g-league title as the best player, he produced in the little time he was given with the real team.

Regular season PER of 15.9, TS% of 64.6%, a 3pt % of 61.5%, and offensive rating of 123 to a D-rating of 105.

Even in his tiny 18 playoff minutes he had

PER of 20, shot 50% from 3, and an O-rating of 119 and D-rating of 109.

Even dominating the g-league and doing well when he has the chance probably won't be enough for Lonnie either.

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White getting that treatment last season was one of the most regrettable for me. Pop played Bryn Forbes a lot, a whole lot. Might have eclipsed the 1500 minutes last season and he played a lot more than 18 minutes in the playoffs. You are telling me half of that couldn't have gone to White? All that tells me is "last year wasn't for White"... Pretty much. I recall Hilliard getting called up from the Gleague too and playing over white. I don't know how a guy who was a college grad and had to work his way up from a lower division in college plus being a mature 23 yrs old isn't ove overr himself. There were t the Parker minutes but it's more than that bc Parker missed at least a 3rd of the season and Forbes overplayed at times.

I do expect GLeague for Lonnie so I don't get disappointed. His real only chance is to p!at defense and upstage Cunningham, And whoever else Pop got to be a defensive wing. For that he's need to get opportunities so we shall see if he gets them at some point. Other than injuries I am not counting on it.

Lonnie rocks in NBA 2K19.

One of my favorites! I'm a fan already! Great kid!

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Originally Posted by Dejounte

Lonnie rocks in NBA 2K19.

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He does. He's a great slasher and can play D. Excited to see what he can become

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Originally Posted by TDMVPDPOY

who u think has a higher ceiling...walker vs murry?

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Walker. Lonnie Walker has the same 6'10" wingspan as Murray. He already has an NBA body at 18. His vertical is 40".

I wouldn't be surprised if Walker is the 3rd option towards the end of the season.

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Originally Posted by SpurSpike

White has the physical tools i just worry that he may not have the mental tools to be great offensively. I hope he learns to read the floor better on the offensive end.

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Who knows how he will handle playoff pressure and crunchtime pressure in the NBA but BBiq seems pretty good which should help a lot.

Physically is where I worry about him. He is crafty and has good touch all over the court but he is not particularly big or quick footed causing him to take a lot of contact especially when going to the basket or beating his man off the dribble. If he can stay healthy he will definitely be a slightly above average rotation player. Jeremy Lin and him have similar styles.

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Originally Posted by SpurSpike

White has the physical tools i just worry that he may not have the mental tools to be great offensively. I hope he learns to read the floor better on the offensive end.

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I suspect he's the best PG in the team right now. This is not a good sign though!

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Originally Posted by ceperez

I suspect he's the best PG in the team right now. This is not a good sign though!

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Having watched him extensively... he can see the floor just fine. That old boy can pass and he can get himself and others in the right places.
I think he's going to surprise a few, if he's given the opportunity.

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Originally Posted by objective

I watched what Pop said at media day and it doesn't leave me optimistic about Lonnie getting a chance at all.

Pop said something like he always tells players it's their job to make him look dumb for not playing them.

Well, Derrick White did make him look dumb but still almost never played. Besides winning a g-league title as the best player, he produced in the little time he was given with the real team.

Regular season PER of 15.9, TS% of 64.6%, a 3pt % of 61.5%, and offensive rating of 123 to a D-rating of 105.

Even in his tiny 18 playoff minutes he had

PER of 20, shot 50% from 3, and an O-rating of 119 and D-rating of 109.

Even dominating the g-league and doing well when he has the chance probably won't be enough for Lonnie either.

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White was probably more ready to contribute last season than Walker is this season, but Walker has a higher ceiling, a clearer path to minutes (Bertans or White struggling mightily or one injury could pave the way) and could conceivably fill arguably a bigger need.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

White was probably more ready to contribute last season than Walker is this season, but Walker has a higher ceiling, a clearer path to minutes (Bertans or White struggling mightily or one injury could pave the way) and could conceivably fill arguably a bigger need.

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base on what you all so high on him, dude show no heart and no iq in his playing career so far, he is such a long shot project

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Originally Posted by TD 21

White was probably more ready to contribute last season than Walker is this season, but Walker has a higher ceiling, a clearer path to minutes (Bertans or White struggling mightily or one injury could pave the way) and could conceivably fill arguably a bigger need.

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Disagree on there being a clearer path to minutes.

You have Marco who they must like because they brought him back. He averaged over 25 minutes a game for Philly in Feb-March-April.

You have Fatty ready to get gift minutes at shooting guard next to Dejounte or White out of guilt for his awful contract and corporate knowledge.

You have DeMar who's played SG for years and there might be Gay, Cunningham, Pondexter, or someone else at the SF.

You have Forbes who was given an absurd amount of minutes, 19 minutes per game over 80 games and was brought back to play. It's hard off the top of my head to think of any guys who were signed to a second contract only to not play. Guys they didn't want to play they got rid of, like Neal, Ian, Mason, Blair, etc etc. While guys they re-signed Pop loved playing no matter how degraded or bad they played, like Bonner, Vaughn, Finley, etc.

And of course White who excelled all last year and in the summer league.

I think last year had more opportunities for White, though his short injury at the start of the year made things harder.

Besides Kawhi quitting all year ....

Dejounte wasn't a sure thing. Benched for Patty before Parker got back, he was then demoted in minutes when Parker did return. Only after being designated starter for good was he a lock in the rotation. Forbers averaged a lot more minutes in December and January than Dejounte.

The terrible play of Joffrey led to plenty of Gay and Anderson playing up a spot to PF instead of SF, compounding the trouble from Kawhi quitting.

Green and Manu missed a combined 29 games.

White was only out from November 4th to December 2nd, he still had avenues to play had Pop cared.

Of course, all that from my post aside,

I'd still rather see Walker start and get minutes to develop his game. I have a strong dislike for Mills, for Forbes, and historically for Marco.

I could see a Murray-Walker-DeRozan 1-3 group to start and White-Mills-Marco off the bench, and that being best for the long term outlook for the team. Walker has terrible shot selection and tunnel vision, and is probably a liability on team defense with his awareness issues and rookie inexperience. But he has a the foundations of a very good shot, can run the floor, and looks like he can play defense straight up no worse than Marco-Forbes-Mills and probably better already.

People compare Lonnie to Wade but he reminds me of a rookie JR Smith, so athletic and willing to shoot. Who Pop tried to trade Brent Barry for when Smith was a rookie. Too bad for Smith he never got his head on straight and underachieved his whole career.

So while I hope Lonnie gets more than a fair chance, I'm not going to hold my breath. I think there'd have to be injuries to both Mills and Forbes to get a shot, and unfortunately those two guys played 82 games for Mills and 80 for Forbes.

but isnt walker and dd both have the same game, not a threat from 3, but loves to play inside attacking the rim... so who will be spreading the floor when u have murry, walker, dd on the court same time

^ Walker won't play much this year so it doesn't matter.

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Originally Posted by TDMVPDPOY

but isnt walker and dd both have the same game, not a threat from 3, but loves to play inside attacking the rim... so who will be spreading the floor when u have murry, walker, dd on the court same time

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Actually Walker is a big time threat from 3, he shot 35.8% from the college 3 on 5 attempts a game. He averaged 6 attempts per game his last 10 college games.

His percentage was so modest because his shot selection was crap.

JR Smith shot 28.8% from 3 as a rookie, but there's no doubt that he can shoot.

Walker's shot looks awesome when he's not pulling up when covered and off balance

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Originally Posted by objective

Disagree on there being a clearer path to minutes.

You have Marco who they must like because they brought him back. He averaged over 25 minutes a game for Philly in Feb-March-April.

You have Fatty ready to get gift minutes at shooting guard next to Dejounte or White out of guilt for his awful contract and corporate knowledge.

You have DeMar who's played SG for years and there might be Gay, Cunningham, Pondexter, or someone else at the SF.

You have Forbes who was given an absurd amount of minutes, 19 minutes per game over 80 games and was brought back to play. It's hard off the top of my head to think of any guys who were signed to a second contract only to not play. Guys they didn't want to play they got rid of, like Neal, Ian, Mason, Blair, etc etc. While guys they re-signed Pop loved playing no matter how degraded or bad they played, like Bonner, Vaughn, Finley, etc.

And of course White who excelled all last year and in the summer league.

I think last year had more opportunities for White, though his short injury at the start of the year made things harder.

Besides Kawhi quitting all year ....

Dejounte wasn't a sure thing. Benched for Patty before Parker got back, he was then demoted in minutes when Parker did return. Only after being designated starter for good was he a lock in the rotation. Forbers averaged a lot more minutes in December and January than Dejounte.

The terrible play of Joffrey led to plenty of Gay and Anderson playing up a spot to PF instead of SF, compounding the trouble from Kawhi quitting.

Green and Manu missed a combined 29 games.

White was only out from November 4th to December 2nd, he still had avenues to play had Pop cared.

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Walker only really has DeRozan, Gay, Belinelli and White (defensively; offensively, he'll run point) clearly ahead of him on the wings. Forbes probably is too going in, but he could leapfrog him.

I'm not going to pretend to be overly confident here, but I suspect they know he's probably their best prospect in 7 years, the closest thing they have to a 2-way wing and they're not winning a championship either way.

Agree with you about his 3. His stroke and confidence in it look the part of a shooter. I don't care about his middling percentage. It was probably mostly a function of role and shot selection, neither of which will be the same here. Instead of having the green light to shoot pull-ups, he'll be shooting spot ups.

I also think his on ball defense will be better than advertised because like Murray, another tools laden type who lacked the reputation, it'll be his ticket to getting minutes here.

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Originally Posted by bklynspursfan

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WTF they were filming me? :lol

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Originally Posted by bklynspursfan

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Is this the same retard that had that Bonner haircut?

Rookie guard Lonnie Walker IV has been limited in practice with a sore groin so far. His stomach, however, remains in tip-top shape. Walker has enjoyed a few dinners with Popovich, a noted gourmand who enjoys testing new players’ palates.

https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-na...e-13267116.php

Fuck, the game tomorrow is actually going to be televised, and Walker might not even play? That's terrible.

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

Rookie guard Lonnie Walker IV has been limited in practice with a sore groin so far. His stomach, however, remains in tip-top shape. Walker has enjoyed a few dinners with Popovich, a noted gourmand who enjoys testing new players’ palates.

https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-na...e-13267116.php

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I hope this doesn’t ruin any chance of him getting playing time early in season. Which will inevitably cast him into the G League for most of the season. This sucks.

Rookies missing preseason or early games or limited in camp practice = Pop's Kiss of Death

Splitter, White, and it's coming for Walker

Walker is most likely G-league fodder this season. Hopefully if he is given a chance he takes it and runs with it. Lord knows the team needs the young guys to mature fast

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Originally Posted by ace3g

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Bad ass

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Originally Posted by CGD

Bad ass

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G.O.A.T.

I hope Lonnie was bowing down to Him before He gave him his proper schooling, tbh.

Best player on the Spurs by far in deluded minds, assuming that a mind is actually present.

Lonnie scored 48 points in his last two games in Austin

Here is his last game highlights; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4F9fvHO_mc

Good to see him dominate G-League. I know some of us expected him to have a better rookie season than DJ, but regardless he is a huge upgrade over Bryn!

I totally forgot about him :rollin

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Originally Posted by alpha_HaZE

Lonnie scored 48 points in his last two games in Austin

Here is his last game highlights; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4F9fvHO_mc

Good to see him dominate G-League. I know some of us expected him to have a better rookie season than DJ, but regardless he is a huge upgrade over Bryn!

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I think it’s probably just a matter of gaining confidence in the knee. He seems to be playing less gingerly.

Fuck I hope his knees hold up, his herky jerky play style is a team doctors worst nightmare. He looked good in those last highlights, like how he was attacking the rim more. Definitely has the upside.

he had a really bad luck when he got injured with white out...

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Originally Posted by Blackhaus

Fuck I hope his knees hold up, his herky jerky play style is a team doctors worst nightmare. He looked good in those last highlights, like how he was attacking the rim more. Definitely has the upside.

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:pop: "I'd prefer to play Bryn Forbes with a bad wheel than give Lonnie a true shot. Look for Lonnie to be a big part of the rotation in the 2021-2022 season!

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Originally Posted by alpha_HaZE

Lonnie scored 48 points in his last two games in Austin

Here is his last game highlights; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4F9fvHO_mc

Good to see him dominate G-League. I know some of us expected him to have a better rookie season than DJ, but regardless he is a huge upgrade over Bryn!

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Looks good and gaigning confidence. He was shooting a lot but now he goes inside, one on one..... I hope he will play a little bit till the end of the season.

Man i hope this guy is on the court for us next year. I understand the concept of letting them grow in the G league but next year he needs to be on the main team.
Him, healthy Murray and White will get me excited for next year.

Lets see him perform first on the NBA lvl and then get excited. Last time we saw him he was so fucking atrocious that people were calling a scrub and a bust. He's not a top 10 pick so we probably have to wait for a couple of years to make an assessment.

One important point is you can't have success in the NBA by playing 5 minutes here or here, if somehow he plays 10 games in a row we could really talk about him.

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Originally Posted by duncan2150

Looks good and gaigning confidence. He was shooting a lot but now he goes inside, one on one..... I hope he will play a little bit till the end of the season.

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There was an International competition about 2 weeks ago with the Austin Spurs,2 teams from South America and a team from Europe (not Euroleague level).

The Austin Spurs lost by 30 and 20 in the semi-final and the 3d place game (and not even to the team that won the whole thing)

The G league talent and competition level is abysmal,we can't really judge a player's progress in said competition.Walker needs time in the NBA and the actual team.Not time in the G League.

It seems he’s going to the rim rather than taking jays. Good for him.

Anyway, the big step in his progression is starting to play defense. He has looked awful every time he stepped on a NBA court. A young player can start having some minutes not being good in offense but he shouldn’t have a single second of playing time until he plays decent defense. Nobody expects him to lock his man, steal balls or block shots but play consistent 1on1 defense on and off the ball, position yourself, help and rotate following team schemes and execute as any other in screens and P&R.

The kid is smart and has good physical tools, it’s about coaching and time he plays better D and deserves playing time in San Antonio.

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Originally Posted by Blackhaus

Fuck I hope his knees hold up, his herky jerky play style is a team doctors worst nightmare. He looked good in those last highlights, like how he was attacking the rim more. Definitely has the upside.

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He's probably got 9-10 years before his knee goes Dwayne Wade on him. The advantage that he has is that he's a MUCH better outside shooter than Wade has ever been. He can probably adapt his game like Manu did, and play below the rim for a few more years after his knee meniscus disappears.

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Originally Posted by GusT15

There was an International competition about 2 weeks ago with the Austin Spurs,2 teams from South America and a team from Europe (not Euroleague level).

The Austin Spurs lost by 30 and 20 in the semi-final and the 3d place game (and not even to the team that won the whole thing)

The G league talent and competition level is abysmal,we can't really judge a player's progress in said competition.Walker needs time in the NBA and the actual team.Not time in the G League.

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He needs to PLAY. He won't play in SA, because he's not ready. He WILL play AND learn in Austin. Austin doesn't ever have back to backs, and frequently has 2 or 3 days off, and time for practices. They can work on his D, teach him about the line between the ball and his man, and don't stray above that.

Next year, everyone will be raving about Lonnie, and bitching because our new rook(s) will be in Austin, just like they're currently raving about White and bitching because Lonnie is in Austin. FIGURE IT OUT. This is what has worked for nearly a decade, since they drafted Cory Joseph. This is the process that arguable the best development staff in the NBA uses, and it works.

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Originally Posted by exstatic

He needs to PLAY. He won't play in SA, because he's not ready. He WILL play AND learn in Austin. Austin doesn't ever have back to backs, and frequently has 2 or 3 days off, and time for practices. They can work on his D, teach him about the line between the ball and his man, and don't stray above that.

Next year, everyone will be raving about Lonnie, and bitching because our new rook(s) will be in Austin, just like they're currently raving about White and bitching because Lonnie is in Austin. FIGURE IT OUT. This is what has worked for nearly a decade, since they drafted Cory Joseph. This is the process that arguable the best development staff in the NBA uses, and it works.

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It clearly works for the Spurs, although I believe DWhite should have gotten much more burn in SA last season. But LWIV this season is clearly not as NBA-ready as DWhite was and should benefit enormously from his time in Austin. Next summer we shall see...

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Originally Posted by sasaint

It clearly works for the Spurs, although I believe DWhite should have gotten much more burn in SA last season. But LWIV this season is clearly not as NBA-ready as DWhite was and should benefit enormously from his time in Austin. Next summer we shall see...

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Yup. LW IV is 4 years younger than White was as a rookie, and only had one year of NCAA ball.

People complain that Austin loses a lot of games. I don't care if they don't win any. I want them to be a teaching clinic. Walker's handle seems to have tightened up. If they can get him to play passable defense, he'll be ready for minutes in the fall. He won't come out of the gate well, but then neither did White this year, struggling mightily in the beginning.

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Originally Posted by exstatic

Yup. LW IV is 4 years younger than White was as a rookie, and only had one year of NCAA ball.

People complain that Austin loses a lot of games. I don't care if they don't win any. I want them to be a teaching clinic. Walker's handle seems to have tightened up. If they can get him to play passable defense, he'll be ready for minutes in the fall. He won't come out of the gate well, but then neither did White this year, struggling mightily in the beginning.

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yup. and i remember thinking how awful White was looking early this year. it was not pretty.
but once he fully healed up and felt comfortable, his confidence started showing and finally we started seeing why the Spurs picked him up.

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Originally Posted by exstatic

Yup. LW IV is 4 years younger than White was as a rookie, and only had one year of NCAA ball.

People complain that Austin loses a lot of games. I don't care if they don't win any. I want them to be a teaching clinic. Walker's handle seems to have tightened up. If they can get him to play passable defense, he'll be ready for minutes in the fall. He won't come out of the gate well, but then neither did White this year, struggling mightily in the beginning.

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That's about what I expect of LWIV next season. But I do not expect him to be as good at the end of next season as White will end up this season. For one thing, he won't get nearly as many minutes - barring another spate of injuries.

Agreed - Austin's record :lol

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Originally Posted by GusT15

There was an International competition about 2 weeks ago with the Austin Spurs,2 teams from South America and a team from Europe (not Euroleague level).

The Austin Spurs lost by 30 and 20 in the semi-final and the 3d place game (and not even to the team that won the whole thing)

The G league talent and competition level is abysmal,we can't really judge a player's progress in said competition.Walker needs time in the NBA and the actual team.Not time in the G League.

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If you are using this competition to judge the level of the G-league, you're being played for a sucker. The Austin Spurs threw this competition. Look at the minutes played - 0 minutes for Eubanks, Moore, Trice, Walker, Metu. Which is to say Austin's 5 best players... (I don't think that any of those guys went on the trip).

I don't know why Austin tanked that competition, but they surely did.

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Originally Posted by pad300

If you are using this competition to judge the level of the G-league, you're being played for a sucker. The Austin Spurs threw this competition. Look at the minutes played - 0 minutes for Eubanks, Moore, Trice, Walker, Metu. Which is to say Austin's 5 best players... (I don't think that any of those guys went on the trip).

I don't know why Austin tanked that competition, but they surely did.

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No,i know what team they sent,the best players were Huestis,Amida Brimah and Blair(?).

My point was that G League is a bad league,and training with bad teammates while facing bad opponents in G League games is not helping in a players actual development.Confidence wise and conditioning sure it does.

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Originally Posted by alpha_HaZE

Lonnie scored 48 points in his last two games in Austin

Here is his last game highlights; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4F9fvHO_mc

Good to see him dominate G-League. I know some of us expected him to have a better rookie season than DJ, but regardless he is a huge upgrade over Bryn!

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Forges is a scrub, but in now way is this moon landing denier scrub better than him. Disgusting.

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Originally Posted by GusT15

No,i know what team they sent,the best players were Huestis,Amida Brimah and Blair(?).

My point was that G League is a bad league,and training with bad teammates while facing bad opponents in G League games is not helping in a players actual development.Confidence wise and conditioning sure it does.

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Reality says otherwise.

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Originally Posted by exstatic

Reality says otherwise.

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You are talking about Derrick White? Bryn Forbes? Who exactly?

Cause White is a 4 year in college,ready player who just needed his confidence and Bryn is the same player he was from a basketball standpoint,with 20 pounds of muscle added.

White if in a Tony Parker in 2001 situation,without the injuries would be with the main team since day 1.Bryn was dominating the D League if i remember correctly and now thinks he can score 40 in the NBA as well.

Why am i trying to guess which player you are talking about though?

Bum written all over him tbh

Let the Lonnie Walker experience begin!

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Originally Posted by RD2191

Bum written all over him tbh

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Originally Posted by RD2191

Bum written all over him tbh

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He is very raw, but young. I can't predict how he will turn out, but I am obviously holding my breath. So fat, the signs aren't very encouraging.

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Originally Posted by sasaint

He is very raw, but young. I can't predict how he will turn out, but I am obviously holding my breath. So fat, the signs aren't very encouraging.

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He was 19, and played 2/3s of one college season. He’s going to struggle out of the gate against grown men. The Spurs had him in their top 10 on their draft board.

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Originally Posted by exstatic

The Spurs had him in their top 10 on their draft board.

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That's really interesting! Where'd you discover that?

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Originally Posted by exstatic

He was 19, and played 2/3s of one college season. He’s going to struggle out of the gate against grown men. The Spurs had him in their top 10 on their draft board.

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Yeah, that's why I think it is way to early for me to be predicting how he will turn out. So much depends on stuff that fans never get to see like his ability to take coaching.

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Originally Posted by exstatic

He was 19, and played 2/3s of one college season. He’s going to struggle out of the gate against grown men. The Spurs had him in their top 10 on their draft board.

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Finally someone speaking with some perspective!

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Originally Posted by exstatic

He was 19, and played 2/3s of one college season. He’s going to struggle out of the gate against grown men. The Spurs had him in their top 10 on their draft board.

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+1

The kid has had his licking. Has been practicing in the G-League. He’s playing with chips on his shoulder. Time to show what you got Lonnie. GSG!

Though I'd like to see him play, and as crazy as it sounds, but I always feel while watching him that he's deceptively unathletic.

Sounds bizarre, but that's the feeling I get. Whether it was college or the g-league, he just looks like he should be a lot more explosive. Maybe it's the knee injuries the whole time, but damn if he doesn't look like he should be jumping out of this world and dunking on people like Zhaire in a Clean Room.

He has that great first step but doesn't get it to the rim like I think he should be able to. Physically he might look like a young Dwyane Wade and should be attacking and getting fouled and getting and-1s but he plays more like a faster Bryn Forbes