Summer League Game 3: Spurs vs. Celtics

This is the only Spurs game of the Vegas Summer League that will be shown live on NBATV. Game time is 3PM CST.

So far, James White has been most impressive. Sadly, that isn't saying much. With the poor point guard play on this team, everyone has looked pretty bad. Jackie Butler has played three poor halves out of four. Marcus Williams hit his first shot in the first play of the first game but hasn't done anything since. Sanikidze was notable last game ... then again, he only played around eight minutes.

Hopefully we see a better effort today.

I watched the play where Marcus Williams got credited for a basket last game ... and the ball was actually tipped in by Donnell Harvey. So Williams' real stats after two games are:

36 minutes
2 points (1-for- 5)
3 rebounds
1 assist
4 turnovers

:guin

Woo! It's on TV! :smokin

Possible matchups:

Andreas Glyniadakis/Jackie Butler

Glen Davis/Donnell Harvey

Allan Ray/Anthony Roberson

Rajon Rondo/Charles Lee

Gabe Pruitt/CJ Watson

Gerald Green/James White

Pat Carroll/Marcus Williams

Brandon Wallace/Viktor Sanikidze

Leon Powe/Frederic Adjiwanou

will we be able to watch online?

Game starts in nine minutes on NBAtv and live webcast. Let's hope someone on the team looks ready for the NBA, for a change.

So far, the Spurs have the two lowest offensive outputs of the whole league :shootme

Look for M. Williams to go off

25 pts 6 rebounds

I hope that jackie butler will make a big game !!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slinkyman

will we be able to watch online?

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It isn't working for me :bang

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

It isn't working for me :bang

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I'm at work and I can't view the video here. Fortunately...I have a DVR.

looks like an ugly start from the boxscore, but I doubt it's right....

anyone following the action?

Does any one have a link for the web cast. I keep getting asked to purchase a day pass to nba league pass.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darkwaters

I'm at work and I can't view the video here. Fortunately...I have a DVR.

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BTW, your cable company probably isn't able to change your viewing channel or record something for you on your DVR....believe me, I tried.

Have we scored yet?

Link for the box score

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/...eId=1520700013

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

looks like an ugly start from the boxscore, but I doubt it's right....

anyone following the action?

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Spurs are boring.

Too many fucking turnovers. Missed shots.

The only person that can and has hit shit is CJ Watson.

Pop needs to make some adjustments. One bucket with 4 mins left in the first.

:pctoss

I see by the boxscore that Butler scored...anyone know how?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

BTW, your cable company probably isn't able to change your viewing channel or record something for you on your DVR....believe me, I tried.

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Say that again...I'm not sure what you meant.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

I see by the boxscore that Butler scored...anyone know how?

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Nice post up move inside. Got the ball inside on the right block of the post, faked left and spun right to hit a nice back shot off the glass.

Can someone confirm that this game is NOT free to watch on NBA.com?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spurologist

Spurs are boring.

Too many fucking turnovers. Missed shots.

The only person that can and has hit shit is CJ Watson.

Pop needs to make some adjustments. One bucket with 4 mins left in the first.

:pctoss

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1) You realise that Pop's on holiday in France (TP's wedding). He's not likely flying to coach a summer league game... So he ain't gonna be making any adjustments.

2) The box score posted already shows Sanikidze as a DNP. Presumably he'll get some burn later, like he did in game 2.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pad300

1) You realise that Pop's on holiday in France (TP's wedding). He's not likely flying to coach a summer league game... So he ain't gonna be making any adjustments.

2) The box score posted already shows Sanikidze as a DNP. Presumably he'll get some burn later, like he did in game 2.

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I would like to see Viktor get about 8-10 minutes today and then start the next game. I want him logging big minutes a few times in the SL so we can see how he deals with extended minutes. He has already gone from "eh" to "Hmmm..." in my book. I'm intrigued, and I want to see if hes worth such intrigue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MarCowMar

Can someone confirm that this game is NOT free to watch on NBA.com?

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It's not.

This game blog is really dead. Come on people!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pad300

1) You realise that Pop's on holiday in France (TP's wedding). He's not likely flying to coach a summer league game... So he ain't gonna be making any adjustments.

2) The box score posted already shows Sanikidze as a DNP. Presumably he'll get some burn later, like he did in game 2.

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It's called hyperbole.

I thought M Williams would at least show me something. He's looking like a one trick pony out there. AND that one trick (shooting) is not working. 0-3 fg on all jump shots. Dude needs to start driving the lane some. All of the Celtics players are bitting on all the pump fakes.

Marcus Williams is still laying an egg. James White is sucking so far. Butler is ok I guess.

Butler with the shot.

Butler with another shot.

:lol

Commentator:

"Officials are trying to make a name for themselves"

James White with a jumper.

Halftime:
Spurs 20
Celtics 26

Gerald Green decides to lay the ball up after the clock expired. He missed.

Tony Allen would have known what to do.

Man!!! 2pts at half? C'mon James!!!! We have the same name, you have to represent!!! Bring it man....take it to the rack!!! Now is your chance to bring it!!!! :ihit

-Butler decent. Goes thru periods where he tries and then stops trying. Don't know if it's stamina or loss of concentration.

-White had a bad first half. Jumper off. Not finishing. D is nothing to write home about.

-Williams looks pretty good defensively. Offensively, he has looked horrible. He moves slow, has a slow and ugly release and doesn't seem to have the athleticism to beat anyone off the dribble. Not looking NBA caliber at the moment.

-Point guards still sucking.

-Sanikidze hasn't played.

-Don Newman's rotation are great at helping everyone look bad.

Butler with 10pts 7rebs so far. And they're getting back into it.
Spurs 26
Celtics 30

CJ Watson with a jumper.
Spurs 28
Celtics 32

White gets tripped but no call. He made a nice pass to Harvey but he missed the dunk.

timvp,

If the Spurs decide they don't want to bring Williams in for the season would you be opposed to trading him for Houston's John Lucas III? Lucas looks to be a decent (albeit, untested) PG that is going to get lost in Houston unless they dump a PG or two.

Charles Lee with a nice layup.

Williams to the linnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee e

A chance to get some pts.

Hallelujah

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElliottFan

Butler with 10pts 7rebs so far. And they're getting back into it.

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Thats not a bad stat line so far for Butler.

Thanks for the updates ElliottFan

Marcus Williams at the line.

Williams goes 1-2 at the line.

M WILL 1/2 @ the line.

Cheyne Gadson is looking good right now.

Williams with a really nice layup!!!

Nice move inside for M WILL off the glass

White checks in. Foul on Lee.
Spurs 33
Celtics 37

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darkwaters

timvp,

If the Spurs decide they don't want to bring Williams in for the season would you be opposed to trading him for Houston's John Lucas III? Lucas looks to be a decent (albeit, untested) PG that is going to get lost in Houston unless they dump a PG or two.

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As a Baylor alum I would love to see John Lucas III on this team. He got hosed by Baylor big time, but I'm glad to see he still had a good college career. If we dump Beno than we can have Lucas AND Williams.

Rondo is now owning Gadson.

White at the line. Goes 1-2.

Harvey with reverse layup.
Spurs 36
Celtics 42

End of 3rd quarter.
Spurs 36
Celtics 42

Quote:

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Originally Posted by coopdogg3

As a Baylor alum I would love to see John Lucas III on this team. He got hosed by Baylor big time, but I'm glad to see he still had a good college career. If we dump Beno than we can have Lucas AND Williams.

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How did Lucas get hosed by Baylor? One player dies by another's hand over a drug deal leading to an automatic investigation in which it was discovered that the dead player received illegal funds.

Had the unfortunate situation not occured with Dennehey, everyone would have gone on, unaware of the illegall funding....which takes place at every major program and every major university.

Baylor didn't do wrong by Lucas...

White goes 2-2 at the line.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by coopdogg3

As a Baylor alum I would love to see John Lucas III on this team. He got hosed by Baylor big time, but I'm glad to see he still had a good college career. If we dump Beno than we can have Lucas AND Williams.

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I don't imagine Houston would simply give him up for free. But I'd gladly send a 2nd rounder for him. Fact is that if we're going to give up on Williams then we can instead trade him to Houston for Lucas and dump Beno in the river somewhere and bring over a guy like Mahinmi.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

How did Lucas get hosed by Baylor? One player dies by another's hand over a drug deal leading to an automatic investigation in which it was discovered that the dead player received illegal funds.

Had the unfortunate situation not occured with Dennehey, everyone would have gone on, unaware of the illegall funding....which takes place at every major program and every major university.

Baylor didn't do wrong by Lucas...

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I saw this coming... :lol

Oh well, more power to you PHAT TONY. I got your back on whatever you decide to argue today! :spin

Watson goes 2-2 for the line.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darkwaters

I saw this coming... :lol

Oh well, more power to you PHAT TONY. I got your back on whatever you decide to argue today! :spin

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:lol

It just amazes me that a Baylor alum would misconstrue the events as purposeful and place blame on the university rather than seeing them for what they were....

An unfortunate set of circumstanses.

Has Butler added to the 10 and 7?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

:lol

It just amazes me that a Baylor alum would misconstrue the events as purposeful and place blame on the university rather than seeing them for what they were....

An unfortunate set of circumstanses.

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Preach it brotha!

Damn. Jackie Butler is dominating right now.

14 pt 10 rebounds

Nice upfake on that last move in the post

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spurologist

Damn. Jackie Butler is dominating right now.

14 pt 10 rebounds

Nice upfake on that last move in the post

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SWEET!

How much time is left?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

How did Lucas get hosed by Baylor? One player dies by another's hand over a drug deal leading to an automatic investigation in which it was discovered that the dead player received illegal funds.

Had the unfortunate situation not occured with Dennehey, everyone would have gone on, unaware of the illegall funding....which takes place at every major program and every major university.

Baylor didn't do wrong by Lucas...

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Baylor didn't do him wrong, I suppose, but Dave Bliss sure didn't do him any favors. It wasn't just illegal funding though, there were also drug issues at stake.

46-44. Boston Leads.

4:26 left in 4th

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

:lol

It just amazes me that a Baylor alum would misconstrue the events as purposeful and place blame on the university rather than seeing them for what they were....

An unfortunate set of circumstanses.

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Drugs, paying players, and recruiting violations are unfortunate cirumstances??? Sorry, not buying it. While the Dennehy-Dotson murder could be called unfortunate, it was not just a "set of circumstances".

What exactly are you calling "an unfortunate set of circumstances"??

RC Buford was just interviewed by Kamla ana Capstraw he basically said:

Jackie Butler is a very good player and he has gotten into shape. His problem is that he doesn't good when he doesn't get a consistent amount of minutes.

James White is a very athletic player, but will still have to work for his minutes come training camp.

Marcus Williams is a very classy player and has the mentality and personality of a Spurs player.

They felt very lucky to select Tiago Splitter. They think that if he never had a contract problem, he would've been taken a long time ago. And they will most likely add him next season.

And that all these players fit in more because they don't shoot free throws.

They had to cut it short for commercial.

If Williams doesn't pull his head out of his ass, he'll end up having a nice career over in Europe...

Annnnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddd 1111111111

CJ Watson. misses the ft though

Charles Lee for 33333333333333333333333333

49-48 spurs in the lead

CJ Watson with a layup. And Charles Lee with a 3pointer.

Spurs 49
Celtics 48

4th quarter 3:11 left.

Sommerville for 333333333333333333333333333333333333

Great D by WHITE. Offensive foul on G Green.

Spurs in the lead and with the ball. 2:22 left

Sommerville with a jumper.

Spurs 51
Celtics 50
2:22 left.

Butler with a jumpshot! 53-50

Lee with a fastbreak layup! 55-50
1:36 left

Butler for the jumper. Then Lee for the layup

http://www.gothamist.com/sports/imag...06_salbert.jpg

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Spurs up 5. 1:36 left

55-50

Allan Ray couldn't handle the pass from Rondo. Spurs ball. Foul on Rondo. 1:24 left.

CJ Watson with the steal and takes it to the rim for 2 free throws. Goes 1-2.
Spurs 56
Celtics 50

Allan Ray with a 3. James White to the line.
Spurs 58
Celtics 53

36 seconds left

White goes 1-2.
Butler with a key rebound.
Spurs win 61-53.

G
A
M
E

O
V
E
R

60-53 Spurs

Jackie Butler no doubt was the player of the game.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by coopdogg3

Drugs, paying players, and recruiting violations are unfortunate cirumstances??? Sorry, not buying it. While the Dennehy-Dotson murder could be called unfortunate, it was not just a "set of circumstances".

What exactly are you calling "an unfortunate set of circumstances"??

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Drugs, paying players, and recruiting violations happen at every major program and every major university. To suggest that Baylor University is exempt from such activity because it possesses an inherent moral center, having a religious affiliation, is naive.

Do I celebrate the fact that drugs, illegal funds, and recruiting violations were involved? Of course not.

Dave Bliss is an asshole, but I don't think the University was aware that he would go as far as to tell his coaching staff to infer that Dennehey received the illegal funds from drug deals. I don't think they have "what-if" scenarios like that in the hiring process.

I agree that Dave Bliss deserved to be fired and that the program is much better off having Scott Drew as the lead....but again, I just can't say that the University was at fault.

To answer your question....

The "unfortunate set of circumstances" I was referring to, were the circumstances leading to Dennehey's death. It was those unfortunate circumstances that kicked off the investigation and the ensuing domino effect left a program shattered for over 3 full years.

To the University's credit, they hired a smart individual that focused on building slowly for the future and having gradual improvement. I look forward to seeing how Baylor Basketball does going forward....

For those who saw the game 2 questions:

Any chance of Butler be the backup center?

Can Williams make the training camp?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

For those who saw the game 2 questions:

Any chance of Butler be the backup center?

Can Williams make the training camp?

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Not sure what kind of chance, but we're talking about replacing Francisco Elson...not the Admiral....so I'd say it's possible. Actually, I'm hoping for it.

If not Williams, then who? I think he makes it because the Spurs haven't seen another player to legitimately challenge, given Williams' upside and the fact that the Spurs invested a high second-rounder on him.

Let Williams work with Chip on his shot and develop him....he could be good down the line. I don't see anyone else that really should take his spot.

Butler definitely showed he can be a backup center in this game.
Williams didn't look like he can make it in Europe. Besides a pretty layup and a free throw, he did nothing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElliottFan

Jackie Butler no doubt was the player of the game.

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No doubt. 16 pts 12 rbds

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

Drugs, paying players, and recruiting violations happen at every major program and every major university. To suggest that Baylor University is exempt from such activity because it possesses an inherent moral center, having a religious affiliation, is naive.

Do I celebrate the fact that drugs, illegal funds, and recruiting violations were involved? Of course not.

Dave Bliss is an asshole, but I don't think the University was aware that he would go as far as to tell his coaching staff to infer that Dennehey received the illegal funds from drug deals. I don't think they have "what-if" scenarios like that in the hiring process.

I agree that Dave Bliss deserved to be fired and that the program is much better off having Scott Drew as the lead....but again, I just can't say that the University was at fault.

To answer your question....

The "unfortunate set of circumstances" I was referring to, were the circumstances leading to Dennehey's death. It was those unfortunate circumstances that kicked off the investigation and the ensuing domino effect left a program shattered for over 3 full years.

To the University's credit, they hired a smart individual that focused on building slowly for the future and having gradual improvement. I look forward to seeing how Baylor Basketball does going forward....

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Not really following you all that well. I never suggested that Baylor's religious affiliation made them exempt from some of the darker aspects of college basketball. I don't give a crap that other universities are guilty of the same thing. It's wrong, and Baylor deserved to be punished for that.

I misspoke earlier, as I didn't mean to lay all the blame on Baylor University's door. I merely meant that Lucas got completely screwed over by the events that took place at Baylor. With Bliss being the primary villain.

I wouldn't really call murder an unfortunate set of circumstances either. Granted Dotson was crazy, but murder is murder. A heinous act, a violent crime, call it what you will, but I personally don't consider murder to be an act of circumstance.

Good to finally see a good half out of this summer league team. The defense in the second half was very good. Newman stopped subbing players in and out like a mad man so the team actually got into a decent flow.

Player thoughts:

-Butler was very good in the second half. He finally brought consistent effort the entire half. Pulled down some impressive rebounds. He stopped forcing passes and played under control. In the second half, he was easily the best player on the floor for either team.

-White's offense was off all game. Buford said during an interview what we've all said about him ... that he needs to use his athleticism more to his advantage and learn to finish after contact. Offensively, he didn't do that today. But defensively, I thought he was really solid. He defended Gerald Green very well.

-Williams didn't start the second half. He came in and played a little bit and got a free throw and a leaning layup. However, I'm not too impressed from what I've seen so far. He's pretty slow, has a slow release on his jumper and just isn't a very aggressive player. He's having trouble with the athleticism difference from college to summer league ... which isn't a very good sign. Right now he's basically playing like a 2002 version of Steve Smith that can't shoot. The bright spot is he looks to be trying to play defense.

-Watson is still a ball hog. Luckily he actually hit some shots. Gadson is a more willing passer but he's not that good of a ballhandler.

-Sanikidze didn't play.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darkwaters

timvp,

If the Spurs decide they don't want to bring Williams in for the season would you be opposed to trading him for Houston's John Lucas III?

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Yeah, I thought the Spurs should have gotten into the Lucas bidding last year. I'll give Williams more time to show what he can do, but as it stands no one is going to be trading for him.

timvp,

I know it's early but can you see Butler taking Elson minutes?

I definitely can. :)

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

timvp,

I know it's early but can you see Butler taking Elson minutes?

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Tough to say. The NBA keeps getting smaller and smaller and Duncan keeps morphing into more of a traditional center. With Duncan and Butler both being 1990's style centers, it could probably only work against certain teams.

However, his second half today was the best I've seen Butler play in a long time. If he can keep it up, he may be able to battle the other bigs for some minutes. Or if the Spurs want to go in another direction, they may be able to get something decent for him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timvp

However, his second half today was the best I've seen Butler play in a long time. If he can keep it up, he may be able to battle the other bigs for some minutes. Or if the Spurs want to go in another direction, they may be able to get something decent for him.

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And here I quit watching at half because it was so awful.

I think the second is more likely...

Any chance for C.Lee?

I remember he had a good training camp last season

Too bad he's small for SG/SF

That's the best Butler has played since he was with the Knicks but the competition today was far worse. You could actually see his ability to score today. His defense was very encouraging. He still hasn't learned to consistently roll off the screen/rolls properly. Once or twice, I saw him back-pedal out of the screen instead of rolling facing the ball with hands ready.

CJ Watson is not a skilled playmaker or entry passer. He is more of a scoring guard with good defensive skills. That's what he did alongside Lofton in the backcourt under Bruce Pearl.

White looked gangly and out of rhythm. Too bad nobody could throw a decent alley oop pass or find him on the break or he would have had a couple of ESPN specials.

Marcus Williams could not get himself open by moving without the ball. If that's how he moves without the ball all the time, I am underwhelmed. He must show more than that or he'll never get a sniff.

Sanikidze must not speak English. He wasn't in the huddles. He was also the only player on either bench wearing a headband and that's including players who normally do such as Flight White and Marcus Williams. Maybe they told everybody not to wear a headband and Viktor didn't get proper translation.

Jackie butler made a solid game. I'm happy because jackie is really good during 2 of the 3 games that he played in the summerleague.

Besides , I hope that jackie will play the next season with the spurs.

We can see too that jackie is a great rebounder 12 rebounds this game . That's a good news!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Solid D

Sanikidze must not speak English. He wasn't in the huddles. He was also the only player on either bench wearing a headband and that's including players who normally do such as Flight White and Marcus Williams. Maybe they told everybody not to wear a headband and Viktor didn't get proper translation.

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:) He speaks English - I've talked to him before. Maybe he just missed the memo.