NBA Summer League - Las Vegas // Game 2 - Spurs Vs Mavs 3:00 PM ESPN ESPN+

[Dejounte]

The players people should worry about being paired are Bryant and Sochan, not Castle and Sochan. It’s only a matter of time before people’s faith in his offense ever existing goes away. Soon he’ll enter the same discussions we have around Sochan about a lack of efficient 3 pt shot.

[scott]

The players people should worry about being paired are Bryant and Sochan, not Castle and Sochan. It’s only a matter of time before people’s faith in his offense ever existing goes away. Soon he’ll enter the same discussions we have around Sochan about a lack of efficient 3 pt shooting skills.

Yep... if Bryant's offense looks like Sochan's after 3 years, it will certainly be concerning.

Seeing what we've seen of Bryant so far, he's honestly kind of a Sochan-like prospect. Defensive intensity and potential, offensive question marks. Sochan realized his defensive upside early. Bryant is starting off from a better place as far as shooting is concerned (though only 69.5% FT in college, not the best signal).

Wouldn't surprise me if Bryant is exactly where Sochan is after 3 years... and that would mean we're still not able to develop rookies outside of Top 4 picks.

[scott]

I like this Osipo (sp?) guy's rum running mobility... don't know if he has shown enough for a 2-way slot, but seems like he'd be in contention for one of them (especially since I don't see Ingram as worthy of one at this point)

[Ice009]

Devin Vassell dresses like he smokes a LOT of weed

For whatever reason, Devin's dress sense gives me a similar reaction to what some of you guys say about Cooper's facial hair.
Tim Duncan could give him some tips on fashion IMO.

[Dejounte]

Yep... if Bryant's offense looks like Sochan's after 3 years, it will certainly be concerning.

Seeing what we've seen of Bryant so far, he's honestly kind of a Sochan-like prospect. Defensive intensity and potential, offensive question marks. Sochan realized his defensive upside early. Bryant is starting off from a better place as far as shooting is concerned (though only 69.5% FT in college, not the best signal).

Wouldn't surprise me if Bryant is exactly where Sochan is after 3 years... and that would mean we're still not able to develop rookies outside of Top 4 picks.

On a positive note, I will say that his intensity on defense has been a pleasant surprise and his play on that end is everything I was hoping to get from Drake Powell or any player from the 14th pick that had the ability to be aggressive on that end (if they didn’t go big). Sure he might not have the best foot speed, but he compensates for it with better size than the other options. I’m just glad he understood the assignment and it didn’t take long for him to realize that he wasn’t drafted to be Paul George or Kawhi Leonard. Don’t be conservative with your energy on defense to save it for your nonexistent offense. I hope he continues to give it his all like that - he may land on the All Defense First Team someday.

[sfernald]

It's really not the amount of minutes Flagg plays.

It's the eyeball test.

Agreed but I think Harper looked better in his much fewer minutes where it’s much harder to get a flow in the game.

[scott]

For whatever reason, Devin's dress sense gives me a similar reaction to what some of you guys say about Cooper's facial hair.
Tim Duncan could give him some tips on fashion IMO.

tbh, Tim also dresses like he smokes A LOT of weed

[John B]

I’m not worried about Bryant. His form is fine. Better teammates will find him open shots.

I love Dylan’s swagger and compe iveness. I can see he wasn’t happy about Cooper getting 31 pts. There was a shot of him shaking his head as Cooper shot a 3 and made it. But he played the “right way,” he said. “I played great.. I played the right way… ultimately win and that’s what we did.” I could be reading it too much, or he could be dismissing Cooper’s game high and a losing effort. I know Dylan believes he’s the better player.

I don’t know how long the Spurs would have Dylan coming off the bench, supposing that’s the Coaches’ decision. Because the kid is an alpha. He’s going to be the main PG of this team eventually and it’s just going to be a matter of time. And where Fox fits, I don’t know. Damn, Spurs have another superstar in the making. And nope, it’s not an “overreaction” after the 1st SL game

[timtonymanu]

tbh, Tim also dresses like he smokes A LOT of weed

Ngl. Part of me wishes Timmy rocked his current look when he was in the NBA.

[CGD]

I’m not worried about Bryant. His form is fine. Better teammates will find him open shots.

I love Dylan’s swagger and compe iveness. I can see he wasn’t happy about Cooper getting 31 pts. There was a shot of him shaking his head as Cooper shot a 3 and made it. But he played the “right way,” he said. “I played great.. I played the right way… ultimately win and that’s what we did.” I could be reading it too much, or he could be dismissing Cooper’s game high and a losing effort. I know Dylan believes he’s the better player.

I don’t know how long the Spurs would have Dylan coming off the bench, supposing that’s the Coaches’ decision. Because the kid is an alpha. He’s going to be the main PG of this team eventually and it’s just going to be a matter of time. And where Fox fits, I don’t know. Damn, Spurs have another superstar in the making. And nope, it’s not a “overreaction” after the 1st SL game

We’ll never know, but I also wonder if he’s a little salty about Cooper reclassing to be in this draft. Maybe he felt he would have been the #1 over all pick but for that.

[John B]

We’ll never know, but I also wonder if he’s a little salty about Cooper reclassing to be in this draft. Maybe he felt he would have been the #1 over all pick but for that.

And that’s fine. Hopefully that will be the fire to his greatness.

[ace3g]

[Russ]

Agreed but I think Harper looked better in his much fewer minutes where it’s much harder to get a flow in the game.

I want Harper to succeed way more than Flagg.

But minute -for -minute Flagg looked a bit more transformational.

[4lifecowboy]

Im pretty sure it's because of the hype Cooper gets. He feels he is the better player, i believe it was the McDonald's all American high school game, where Harper found a camera to scream "im the best one here!"

[mystargtr34]

One thing about Bryant is in 3 games he hasn’t even been able to get one easy dunk or layup. That’s criminal for a guy with his size and athleticism.

I’m not sure if it’s a lack of feel and being able to get in to those scoring positions on fast breaks or half court, or if it’s a lack of playmaking from teammates, or instructions from coaches to stay out on the perimeter and space the floor then get back in transition.

[4lifecowboy]

I want Harper to succeed way more than Flagg.

But minute -for -minute Flagg looked a bit more transformational.

The Mavericks featured Flagg.

[Dejounte]

Im pretty sure it's because of the hype Cooper gets. He feels he is the better player, i believe it was the McDonald's all American high school game, where Harper found a camera to scream "im the best one here!"

Kinda funny how fans respond to that when it’s a player they like or don’t like. Buzelis did the same and there was mixed reaction here. Scoot was trashed for it. Harper does it and it’s called confidence.

[sfernald]

I’m not worried about Bryant. His form is fine. Better teammates will find him open shots.

I love Dylan’s swagger and compe iveness. I can see he wasn’t happy about Cooper getting 31 pts. There was a shot of him shaking his head as Cooper shot a 3 and made it. But he played the “right way,” he said. “I played great.. I played the right way… ultimately win and that’s what we did.” I could be reading it too much, or he could be dismissing Cooper’s game high and a losing effort. I know Dylan believes he’s the better player.

I don’t know how long the Spurs would have Dylan coming off the bench, supposing that’s the Coaches’ decision. Because the kid is an alpha. He’s going to be the main PG of this team eventually and it’s just going to be a matter of time. And where Fox fits, I don’t know. Damn, Spurs have another superstar in the making. And nope, it’s not an “overreaction” after the 1st SL game

it’s like it’s preordained: Wemby and Harper two future hall of famers, the perfect partners together, who are going to own the league for the next decade or so.

[John B]

Flagg and Dylan will always be tied together, ever since that 2024 Jordan Brand Classic, drafted 1
and 2, 1st SL against each other. Every matchup will be built up, like Magic vs Larry. I’m sure both would be great trying to top each other. I know Flagg is a better fit for the Spurs, but only because the Spurs already have Fox. But having Wemby/Castle/Harper is sure damn better than what Mavs Flagg/?? in the future.

[sfernald]

The Mavericks featured Flagg.

Exactly he got the LeBron special. Every bit of their gameplan was designed around him.

[Darkwaters]

I want Harper to succeed way more than Flagg.

But minute -for -minute Flagg looked a bit more transformational.

That's why never much of an argument over who the true #1 draft pick should be. It was always Flagg.

That said, there was never (much) argument over whether anybody other than Flagg should be above Harper. While he's below Flagg, he was always in a tier above the rest.

[Mr. Body]

One thing about Bryant is in 3 games he hasn’t even been able to get one easy dunk or layup. That’s criminal for a guy with his size and athleticism.

I’m not sure if it’s a lack of feel and being able to get in to those scoring positions on fast breaks or half court, or if it’s a lack of playmaking from teammates, or instructions from coaches to stay out on the perimeter and space the floor then get back in transition.

Probably a mix. He is getting stuck on the wings. But honestly his self-creation and ball-handling are kind of dog at this point. He couldn't get to the rim to save his life right now.

[cutewizard]

[Mr. Body]

Kinda funny how fans respond to that when it’s a player they like or don’t like. Buzelis did the same and there was mixed reaction here. Scoot was trashed for it. Harper does it and it’s called confidence.

I don't like Harper being compe ive with individual players, as that can get away from team goals, but don't think it's a big deal so far. Scoot was trying to prove things against Wemby as far as I remember, and that seems okay. The ish with Buzelis was calling out a different player in his draft, someone he'd never even met, and calling him a coward or whatever for not responding. That was weird.

[John B]

I don't like Harper being compe ive with individual players, as that can get away from team goals, but don't think it's a big deal so far. Scoot was trying to prove things against Wemby as far as I remember, and that seems okay. The ish with Buzelis was calling out a different player in his draft, someone he'd never even met, and calling him a coward or whatever for not responding. That was weird.

I think Dylan is smart to know winning is better than individual stats. I feel he was dismissing Copper’s game high with himself playing the “right way” and winning the game. He’s a compe ive alpha. What concerns me is how long can they hide him behind Fox, assuming that’s the decision. On paper, Dylan is great as the 6th man Manu. But even Manu had to reconcile with himself before truly embracing coming off the bench. I really hope Spurs win and go deep, which generally would be worth sacrificing individual accolades.