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Thank you!!!! I missed reading your game recaps while you were gone from the site.
-Although Kyle Anderson has had better statistical performances during this year's summer league, I thought this was easily his best overall game. It was the first time that he looked like a legitimate NBA rotation player. The main difference was mentally. Anderson is a smart player but we hadn't seen much brain-flexing during summer league thus far – until this afternoon. Instead of getting in trouble by trying to do too much in traffic, he took what the defense gave him. It was plain to see that he was the smartest player on the court and was oftentimes seeing things two or three steps ahead of everyone else – and that is vital for him since physically he's always going to be one or two steps behind everyone else. I loved his decision-making and how he was using his body. All in all, I thought this was a major step forward. It's great to see how Anderson was able to rise above all the sloppiness and disjointedness that is inherent in summer league to show that he is indeed capable of utilizing his talents in a supremely efficient manner.
-I just really like Jonathan Simmons so far. He looked tired coming out of the gates (which is understandable considering how yesterday was such a whirlwind day for him) but he got sharper as the game progressed and put together a successful performance. What surprises me about Simmons is the depth to his game. He's the best playmaker on this summer league team off the dribble. He appears to be the best passer. He doesn't hesitate to post-up on the low block. Although he doesn't get much arc on his jumper, his form is consistent whether he's spotting up or fading away. Simmons takes it hard to the bucket and appears to be a good finisher. Defensively, his athleticism allows him to play his man tight – even far above the three-point line. He's also an active help defender and has really good timing on going for blocked shots in transition. I don't know how much – if any – of this will translate to the NBA level, but I remain happy that the Spurs have him locked up for next season. At worst he appears to be a hongry, high-energy reserve who will defend on one end and help with creating shots on the other.
-Man, Jarell Eddie's three-point shooting ability must really be tempting the Spurs. No, he can't do much else – but that compact stroke appears to be tailor-made for San Antonio's offense. It's such an effortless, fast release that other teams would be forced to pay attention to him. Unfortunately, I'm not convinced anything else he does is close to NBA level. Eddie doesn't appear to be much of a defender and gets manhandled when things get physical. On offense, I haven't seen proof he can do anything other than shoot threes. That stroke, though...
-I thought Cady Lalanne had a few positive moments. He was more aggressive today than usual and he looked confident when shooting. However, it's obvious that he needs a lot of polishing. I'm hoping he goes to Europe this year and he gets a chance to work on transitioning to becoming a full-time perimeter big on offense.
-Dairis Bertans looked a bit better today. I liked his physical defense and his passing was improved. That said, he still doesn't look like an NBA player.
-Livio Jean-Charles limped around the court for five minutes and basically didn't do anything. Hopefully his surgically-repaired knee isn't bothering him.
-No one else really stood out. Shannon Scott was okay and Wayne Blackshear looked like a good option for the Spurs if they ever wanted a player who hates passing the ball.
-Congrats to Becky Hammon for her first win. She actually is really competent and I can't fault her decision-making (well, starting Simmons would have been nice...). But, yeah, give me that Becky ahead of most every summer league coach the Spurs have trotted out over the years outside of Mike Budenholzer.
Thank you!!!! I missed reading your game recaps while you were gone from the site.
Great write up, looks like Simmons is really trying to show something to the Spurs staff, his different abilities. He's taking advantage of his opportunity and isn't holding back. When he broke away and opted for a layup it just screamed Spurs basketball.
Eddie needs to have that kind of determination and he would be more interesting to watch. He can shoot but looks like he isn't interested in doing much else.
I hope kyle can stay dialed in like this the rest of the summer league and going into camp. His high release needs some work but it makes for some great slow ball offense.
I'll put this here:
I'm just thankful it didn't scream torn hamstring, tbh.
Kyle reminds me a little of my favorite non-Spur Paul Pierce.
Scott had a crazy-good line today, but I just didn't see anything that would make me consider him a good basketball player. Sucks that Graham got hurt, since he'd be the one out of the non-guarantees that I'd most like to see in camp. Atkins played better today, so that was nice. Blackshear has not really gotten any burn for a guy who has played well when he's gotten it. Would love to see Austin get his d-league rights. Wasn't all that impressed with Eddie. Spurs have pretty good shooters, and I'd take Simmons over him easily. Davies has been disappointing. I could have seen the Spurs carrying him into camp before yesterday. Now, I don't think he's any better than the no-name bigs RC gets every season. Shame. Dude seemed solid on paper.
Simmons and Anderson have made this LVSL awesome so far. Hoping that LJC is healthy enough to play again, but I kinda doubt he really wants to keep playing now that he knows he won't be a Spur this year. I didn't see him on the bench in the fourth. I guess I'll have to route for LaLanne to become consistent. I'd love to see this team do well in the tournament this time around.
Thanks for the writeup LJ
I'm really loving Simmons, both his game and his story. It just seems a bit odd to have a dude who goes so strong to the rack so consistently
LJC looking like a big bust! That's just sad since he was picked right after Gobert. Such a waste!!
The Spurs have to do something to turn his career around.... he had so much promise! He's only 21, so he still has hope!
LJC looking like a big bust! That's just sad since he was picked right after Gobert. Such a waste!!
The Spurs have to do something to turn his career around.... he had so much promise! He's only 21, so he still has hope!
Spurs have to get him into the Auston Toros (Spurs)... Simmons couldn't do anything 2 years ago, now look how good he has become!
Bones on KA "His next blow by will be his first"
Thanks
Worried about an LJC injury, tbh
For what it's worth, Becky has the largest collection of crucifixes I've ever seen.
You know what, thats actually a really great point. I think a lot of posters have been very uncertain as to the viability of having players spend time in Austin. Jonathon Simmons is now the poster boy for Austin's development program in my mind.
Can't watch these games but noticed KA's assists are pretty low for such a good passer. One thing at a time I guess. Good to see the progress he is making. Love that he knows how to get to the line. Such a valuable skill to have when momentum is not going your way.
His passing hasn't been especially good all summer league. In earlier games he lobbed a lot of bad passes that turned into turnovers. Today's game saw the turnovers largely go away, but the prolific playmaking is still yet to be found.
At this point, unless something else happens (signing another player), Simmons has to make the active roster, right? I mean, where is this coming from? He was solid in Austin, but damn, he's making an impact all over the place and showing a pretty versatile game.
Simmons' passing and playmaking have really surprised me. In all the analyses that I read on him I wouldn't have guessed he'd be so accomplished. And the first summer league game showed only a glimmer of what we saw today. Thats a very nice addition. The Spurs will need a new infusion of playmaking this year and I'm hopeful that Simmons can contribute during his time on the floor. Yesterday that wasn't really something I'd considered at all.
Well, otherwise he'll have gotten $250k per dunk.
The best part about Simmons' passing is that they aren't really flashy passes, he just makes crisp decisions.
Summer league is still just summer league. Training camp and pre-season will give us a much more telling account of what we can expect. Everything prior to that with these end-of-the-bench players is just foreplay really.
I am sure most would take that and smile.
Kyle Anderson might be struggling a tad since he's the focal point of the offense a lot of the time. He has to bail the team out and heave up a shot when the shot-clock is at 1. Well, at least that's my glass-is-half-full analysis. He did look more comfortable, in control today.
It's hard to not get excited by Simmons. I know it's summer league, but his shot looks good, his defense looks good, his passing looks good, his dunks are fun. What's not to love? Hope it translates to training camp and then to the regular season.
Jonathon Simmons reminds me a lot of Jimmy Butler.
Very similar background and roots. Similar type player.
Now, if only . . .
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