Game Thread: Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs Utah Summer League (8 pm CST)

[benfti]

I never claimed to have good basketball takes.

there is absolutely no need to point that out.

[ace3g]

[wildbill2u]

Bertans works hard on both ends of the court and he was picking up his man on defense near the back court end line and running hard to keep in front of him. I suspect he isn't in shape to play two games in two days and his legs were dead on his jumpers.

I suspect the reason KA seems to dribble into traffic and take those awkward shots that are well-defended is because he can't get separation. He's been doing it all his playing days so sometimes he can hang in the air or muscle the ball up amidst all the bodies and arms. High risk for TOs, but It sometimes works just because it is so awkward that the defenders can't figure it out. But that's against SL players and D league players.

By the way, Ice was slow with a long stride also, but he was much smoother and a better shooter from his first day in the pros. Bob Bass invented a set which put all the other players spread out on the end line with Gervin out front iso on his defender and the whole lane to drive into. Worked pretty well. But this kid is no Gervin and it's against Pop's principles to run an offense that features one player of his caliber.

[raybies]

Bertans works hard on both ends of the court and he was picking up his man on defense near the back court end line and running hard to keep in front of him. I suspect he isn't in shape to play two games in two days and his legs were dead on his jumpers.

I suspect the reason KA seems to dribble into traffic and take those awkward shots that are well-defended is because he can't get separation. He's been doing it all his playing days so sometimes he can hang in the air or muscle the ball up amidst all the bodies and arms. High risk for TOs, but It sometimes works just because it is so awkward that the defenders can't figure it out. But that's against SL players and D league players.

By the way, Ice was slow with a long stride also, but he was much smoother and a better shooter from his first day in the pros. Bob Bass invented a set which put all the other players spread out on the end line with Gervin out front iso on his defender and the whole lane to drive into. Worked pretty well. But this kid is no Gervin and it's against Pop's principles to run an offense that features one player of his caliber.

Solid points and post

[kobyz]

Just when you think you seen it all with KA lack of quickness, he comes with new degree of slow - can't stay in front of Motum...

[NASpurs]

Kyle's beard is so goddamn gross.

I think the same thing

[TheDoctor]

Kyle looking like ing Sabretooth with that beard.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Just when you think you seen it all with KA lack of quickness, he comes with new degree of slow - can't stay in front of Motum...

Kyle looked okay in a few games last year - slow, but smart enough to compensate. It's disturbing to hear he's struggling at summer league.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

KA plays very similar to Harden on offense. Harden plays slow as well and he tries to memorize his man in to committing a foul. KA does the same exact thing.

And for KA speed on defense, he has a 7'4" wingspan. That wingspan should make up for his lack of lateral quickness. Plus it helps him shoot over defenders despite not having a great vertical.

[TheGoldStandard]

Nobody on this team outside of Kyle should be expecting any camp invites. Spurs don't have time to harvest Toros on there roster this season.

[ChumpDumper]

Nobody on this team outside of Kyle should be expecting any camp invites. Spurs don't have time to harvest Toros on there roster this season.

Of course they do. They get about a quarter of the Austin roster from the SA training camp.

[TheDoctor]

Of course they do. They get about a quarter of the Austin roster from the SA training camp.

This. Plus, I like Bertans defense tenacity. Lets see. Bertans had a rough game last night but could have been fatigue. Some of his shots were hitting the front part of the rim.

[ChumpDumper]

This. Plus, I like Bertans defense tenacity. Lets see. Bertans had a rough game last night but could have been fatigue. Some of his shots were hitting the front part of the rim.

I believe Bertans would need at least a partial guarantee to keep him from going back to Europe.

[SnakeBoy]

Kyle looked okay in a few games last year - slow, but smart enough to compensate. It's disturbing to hear he's struggling at summer league.

He's not.

[RD2191]

He's not.

He had a good game last night, imo.

[TheDoctor]

He had a "good" game last night, imo.

I even think he had a good first game. He didn't score that well but he rebounded and managed to distribute the ball and run the system. The difference was that he wasn't aggressive.

[latvianantonio]

So. from box score.. poor shooting from Dairis.. But how he looked on the floor?

[TheGoldStandard]

So. from box score.. poor shooting from Dairis.. But how he looked on the floor?

He wasn't a speed bump. He took shots but missed them, played the passing lanes well and was scrappy.

[latvianantonio]

Bertans played the Summer League for us last year too. I just don't seem to remember him at all. Even when he was missing shots, he still was getting into good spots and getting good looks. He didn't follow up yesterday's great performance with a similar showing, but I still think hes a great option for Training Camp.

Las year he played for Boston....

[latvianantonio]

so it's B- from you guys?

[Russ]

He wasn't a speed bump. He took shots but missed them, played the passing lanes well and was scrappy.

The thing about Bertans is he's fearless -- that's an essential trait you can't teach for an off-the-bench shooter.

He also competes in all phases of the game, even when his shot's not falling -- another good sign.

I think he's got a shot with Marco gone.

[TheGoldStandard]

The thing about Bertans is he's fearless -- that's a trait you can't teach for an off-the-bench shooter.

He also competes in all phases of the game, even when his shot's not falling -- another good sign.

I think he's got a shot with Marco gone.

That comes from being a pro at 15 and playing against men. Guy knows he needs to get his or else he'll get eaten alive

[RD2191]

I even think he had a good first game. He didn't score that well but he rebounded and managed to distribute the ball and run the system. The difference was that he wasn't aggressive.

I didn't catch much of game 1 tbh. Good to hear he wasn't that bad though.

[Russ]

That comes from being a pro at 15 and playing against men.

That's also why guys like LJC reach their ceiling early and usually don't develop more -- even though he's only 21.

People keep saying he will develop in Europe because he's still young.

But waiting for LJC to develop a jump shot may be an endless process.

[Johnny RIngo]

KA plays very similar to Harden on offense. Harden plays slow as well and he tries to memorize his man in to committing a foul. KA does the same exact thing

Not liking this comparison at all. Harden's athleticism is really underrated actually. His max vert was much higher than Kawhi's at the draft combine for instance. Kyle, on the other hand, is one of the least athletic players I've ever seen. He has skills but I don't think he's ever going to be a viable wing player in this league.