The Irregular Trebuchet of Stephon Castle

[ace3g]

[Knoxxx]

if you only knew how many stupid threads were made on this board

We have so many stupid threads we usually don’t even bother pointing them out anymore.

[Knoxxx]

We have so many stupid threads we usually don’t even bother pointing them out anymore.

Oops sorry hit quote not edit: it’s as useful as pointing out the sky is blue.

On the flip side, I recall in the old days most every thread was met with an initial critique that it was stupid or a duplicate so at least we have mellowed out some.

[Seventyniner]

Blurb about Castle's summer league stint from The Ringer.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/7...pard-alex-sarr

Gregg Popovich will have a hard time keeping Stephon Castle off the floor.

One of the pleasures of being an NBA elitist is getting the chance to introduce fresh new faces to the broader basketball world, so let me be the first to report that Stephon Castle is pretty awesome. There was simply no way to know this about one of the best players on the best team in college basketball last season because the only true crucible is summer league—the purest version of the game, spared from distractions like order and game plan and on-court chemistry. We can see the truth of Castle’s game in a glorified AAU tournament and, better yet, the single game of a glorified AAU tournament, before Castle withdrew from compe ion in Vegas with a wrist injury.

But what a game it was. Even in the summer league slop, Castle is an engine for intuitive, winning plays, connecting dots that lesser prospects wouldn’t see and manifesting plays that lesser athletes couldn’t create. The questions about Castle’s shot and position are inevitable, but those are almost beside the point; what’s most striking about watching him play against quasi-pros is realizing how difficult it will be to take him off the floor in the earliest days of his career. Why would the Spurs deprive themselves of a guard who comes by impact plays so naturally? Throw Castle into the mix and see what he can turn up, whether by jamming opponents up at the point of attack or slicing his way through the defense. Toolsy, theoretical players are fun and all, but so are the dudes who make happen almost incidentally, as if it were an entire way of life. —Rob Mahoney

[cutewizard]

Rapidly becoming one of my fav Spurs

[DR_Admiral]

I'm anxious to see how he defends the high end point guards. He's quick enough to stay tight on the ball to make it uncomfortable, and long enough to apply back pressure while funneling the ball into Wemby.

[Knoxxx]

I'm anxious to see how he defends the high end point guards. He's quick enough to stay tight on the ball to make it uncomfortable, and long enough to apply back pressure while funneling the ball into Wemby.

I see Sochan as our primary on large PGs aka SGA and Doncic. Castle primary stopper on regular sized PGs.

[ace3g]

[The Truth #6]

Blurb about Castle's summer league stint from The Ringer.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/7...pard-alex-sarr

I like Mahoney. He knows his stuff.

[Knoxxx]

I like the way Castle calmly euro steps through the lane to attack the basket and draw contact. Great poise and BBIQ for a 19 year old! Plus the smart passes and defense. The jumper will decide whether he becomes an all star, but he’s also showing a knack for middies and floaters he’s clearly way along the curve for his age, smart player!

[ace3g]

[Manu-of-steel]

Nice read! Thanks for sharing!

[Ocotillo]

Some folks were comparing Castle to Nephew because of the way he talks when he interviewed but I don't recall Leonard talking as much to the press as Castle is. He isn't going to be on post games as much as Manu and Bowen used to be, but he is not an autistic mute either.

[Knoxxx]

Some folks were comparing Castle to Nephew because of the way he talks when he interviewed but I don't recall Leonard talking as much to the press as Castle is. He isn't going to be on post games as much as Manu and Bowen used to be, but he is not an autistic mute either.

A couple things, though this isn’t a Kawhi thread.

1) Tim Duncan was not much for interviews either, but not a reason to hate on him of course. His stoicism was part of his greatness and legend and viewed as an asset.

2) Kahwhi has a rare degenerative condition. Tendonipathy is bad news. There is no surgical cure, no real cure at all. You just have to use conservative treatment, exercise and rest basically, and hope for the best. Imagine how frustrating it would be to go to the best doctors and there is no actual cure.

Here is an article that discusses it:

https://medium.com/@rsbrar/dont-be-f...l-b1aa4161cc87

I can also relate to this as I believe I have upper hamstring tendinopathy, but have been getting the run around for years with X-rays, physical therapy, recently a cortisone shot. I’ll probably finally get an MRI on it, but expect they will come back with it’s nothing they can fix. It’s not horrible, but it’s a nagging annoying thing to be sure. Of course I’m not trying to play professional sports on it, just griping that my butt gets sore when I spend all day on the computer for work.

While I understand why Kawhi is viewed as a traitor, I can think of it from his view point and understand why his condition caused confusion and things went sideways. In light of the cir stances, he did us a big favor by moving on to when he did. These are also the reasons why being a Kawhi hater doesn’t make any sense. Even if you have zero class, realize what happened worked out for the best for him and the Spurs and move on. We got to enjoy prime Kawhi for most of its duration and it was a nice ride.

[Rosewood]

While I understand why Kawhi is viewed as a traitor, I can think of it from his view point and understand why his condition caused confusion and things went sideways. In light of the cir stances, he did us a big favor by moving on to when he did. These are also the reasons why being a Kawhi hater doesn’t make any sense. Even if you have zero class, realize what happened worked out for the best for him and the Spurs and move on. We got to enjoy prime Kawhi for most of its duration and it was a nice ride.

nah, Kawhi Leonard. Forever.

[Ice009]

One thing about Kawhi, he's not lazy. He could have had a part in the injury as he overworks himself. Not sure if he would have become the player he became if he didn't work that hard, but that may have had a hand in the injury.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Blucas even mentions Duncan in one of his movies.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xeghtm

"is there something going on with you and tim duncan?"

ST:

[JPB]

Blurb about Castle's summer league stint from The Ringer.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/7...pard-alex-sarr

"The questions about Castle’s shot and position are inevitable, but those are almost beside the point"

That's the whole point.

Also at "quasi NBA players"

Aaah, summer league takes.

[LeBowen]

That's the whole point.

Also at "quasi NBA players"

Aaah, summer league takes.

No, it's not the whole point. Him being a bad shooter was a well-known fact.
What we needed to figure out early on was if he's good enough to be a primary ballhandler and how good are his passing skills.
Noone can argue that he exceeded all the expectations in that department.
(No, I'm not going in depth with you again, since you're just spewing nonsense about Castle for the sake of it, I already explained it to you and posted actual videos.)

[exstatic]

One thing about Kawhi, he's not lazy. He could have had a part in the injury as he overworks himself. Not sure if he would have become the player he became if he didn't work that hard, but that may have had a hand in the injury.

One thing about Kawhi is that the last four seasons he played were 60,57,52, and 50 games, he played 68 last year. I’m sure it was just a coincidence that the league implemented a 65 minimum for awards and post season teams.

[Ice009]

One thing about Kawhi is that the last four seasons he played were 60,57,52, and 50 games, he played 68 last year. I’m sure it was just a coincidence that the league implemented a 65 minimum for awards and post season teams.

Yeah, I had an idea he only played low amounts and those rules may have been place due to his load management stuff that he seemed to take to another level. Pop may have been one of the coaches that sort of started it, but I think Kawhi took it to another level after forced his way off the Spurs and I agree with those rule changes for the awards.

Having said that, I still want to know what happened between the Spurs and him, as I think he's wrong if he blamed the Spurs for the injury. I feel he may have had a bigger hand in it due to the amount of work training he was always doing.

[Tyronn Lue]

A couple things, though this isn’t a Kawhi thread.

1) Tim Duncan was not much for interviews either, but not a reason to hate on him of course. His stoicism was part of his greatness and legend and viewed as an asset.

2) Kahwhi has a rare degenerative condition. Tendonipathy is bad news. There is no surgical cure, no real cure at all. You just have to use conservative treatment, exercise and rest basically, and hope for the best. Imagine how frustrating it would be to go to the best doctors and there is no actual cure.

Here is an article that discusses it:

https://medium.com/@rsbrar/dont-be-f...l-b1aa4161cc87

I can also relate to this as I believe I have upper hamstring tendinopathy, but have been getting the run around for years with X-rays, physical therapy, recently a cortisone shot. I’ll probably finally get an MRI on it, but expect they will come back with it’s nothing they can fix. It’s not horrible, but it’s a nagging annoying thing to be sure. Of course I’m not trying to play professional sports on it, just griping that my butt gets sore when I spend all day on the computer for work.

While I understand why Kawhi is viewed as a traitor, I can think of it from his view point and understand why his condition caused confusion and things went sideways. In light of the cir stances, he did us a big favor by moving on to when he did. These are also the reasons why being a Kawhi hater doesn’t make any sense. Even if you have zero class, realize what happened worked out for the best for him and the Spurs and move on. We got to enjoy prime Kawhi for most of its duration and it was a nice ride.

This is a good post.

It's quite likely that the team fortunes go like this

1. Toronto
2. San Antonio
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LA Clippers

[DAF86]

[Atl Spur]

He’s a pg��

[JPB]

No, it's not the whole point. Him being a bad shooter was a well-known fact.
What we needed to figure out early on was if he's good enough to be a primary ballhandler and how good are his passing skills.
Noone can argue that he exceeded all the expectations in that department.
(No, I'm not going in depth with you again, since you're just spewing nonsense about Castle for the sake of it, I already explained it to you and posted actual videos.)

Ofc that's the whole point. Spurs don't need a primary ball handler with Wemby in (that's one of the reasons some fans didn't want Tre) or another "postionless" guy like Sochan. And not like Castle is Kyrie, Stockton or prime CP3 either. He's not elite enough at playmaking if he doesn't fix his shooting issues. Again, it's not about being OK or good, but great. This is the freaking NBA.

Everybody said we needed shooting on this team before the draft and everyone said players in this draft were all coming issues. Then spurs draft Castle and some fans are like "Who cares if he can't shoot in today's NBA! Look, our baby can handle the ball and cut in summer league vs. scrubs! Future HOFer! Gonna be great to see him do his show and make a brick contest with Sochan while opponents will triple team Wemby!"

The NBA is filled with guys who can handle the ball. Shooting is what will make the difference for Castle. It's OK to do your thing in summer league where defenses are garbage and there's no scouting report, but Castle won't have all these lines and space if he can't shoot in the NBA. People will just clog the paint and dare him to shoot.