The Irregular Trebuchet of Stephon Castle

[Pauleta14]

I'm surprised people would still take Sheppard over Castle. It seems pretty clear that Reed can't get the separation he needs to get his shot and struggles with players bigger and faster than him, which is pretty much everyone. If there's a defender nearby, no shot. Blake drove on him once and Blake was too big for him. That's saying something.

He'll be okay as a role-player as the Rockets build things to make him work, but he's not a guy who is going to do anything Castle does -- defend at a high level or activate an offense. I don't even know if he'll ever be able to do those things.

On ST?

Other than copping rockettes fans, I haven't heard that

[baseline bum]

I'm surprised people would still take Sheppard over Castle. It seems pretty clear that Reed can't get the separation he needs to get his shot and struggles with players bigger and faster than him, which is pretty much everyone. If there's a defender nearby, no shot. Blake drove on him once and Blake was too big for him. That's saying something.

He'll be okay as a role-player as the Rockets build things to make him work, but he's not a guy who is going to do anything Castle does -- defend at a high level or activate an offense. I don't even know if he'll ever be able to do those things.

Didn't say I'd take Sheppard, I said it would be tough to pass on him. Would be incredibly tough to pass on Castle too at 3. Though it was an easy call for Houston since they already have a higher upside version of Castle in Thompson.

[LeBowen]

Didn't say I'd take Sheppard, I said it would be tough to pass on him. Would be incredibly tough to pass on Castle too at 3. Though it was an easy call for Houston since they already have a higher upside version of Castle in Thompson.

Considering the way PATFO is roster building over the past years, I don't think they would've taken Sheppard at #4 even if Rockets took Castle.
They're all in on guards with size and defensive upside. Unless a guard shows offensive engine potential, PATFO isn't drafting him.

As I said the other day, I'm hoping to see Castle/Devin/Champagnie/Barnes/Wemby lineup while Jeremy is injured.
But knowing our coaching staff, the ball will be taken away from Castle and he'll always share the floor with CP3 or Tre.

[RC_Drunkford]

Imo, primary ballhandlers who attack the basket need to have reliable mid-range shot and noone can convince me otherwise.
Castle looks like he's going to be an elite paint penetrator and scorer at the rim in a few years. He's already bullying guards as a rookie, when he develops his body opponents will have to put wings on him.
Rim protectors will be hesitant to step up and everyone will focus on not letting him get to the rim, especially if he keeps drawing fouls at this rate.

That's where pull up from FT line comes into play. Add that to his game and he'll be unstoppable, even as a low-30s 3pt shooter.
That's how most point guards who were poor shooters early on developed their game, no need to look further than DJ and Derrick.

If you ask me he's already pretty solid from midrange. Plenty of times he drove to the rim, stopped and shot a midrange jumper this season. He'll only gonna get better at it with more game reps.

[exstatic]

Like, what's Castles semi realistic ceiling? If everything went well, his broken shot becomes good for example, without going into extremes. His defense is Smart level. What player do you think Castle becomes?

Bigger Jrue.

[RC_Drunkford]

Here's a do entary on his UConn year

[Vince Carter's ankle]

Like, what's Castles semi realistic ceiling? If everything went well, his broken shot becomes good for example, without going into extremes. His defense is Smart level. What player do you think Castle becomes?

Kawhi with playmaking and without uncle

[KobesAchilles]

Question, do y'all just expect young players to miraculously get better without game reps?

For Wemby or Castle? I’m confused. For Wemby I don’t think he needs to be shooting that many threes. For Castle, I’d rather he take open threes of a guard goes under the screen. Not a lot but enough to keep them honest. Tbh I feel like having a midrange is crazy important for the playoffs.

[baseline bum]

Bigger Jrue.

I don't think Bigger Jrue is his ceiling; it's a good case for him, but I think his best case is a second star on a le contender.

[Dejounte]

IMO, he looks a little bit like Doncic and a little bit like Harden. It should come to no surprise— he has said he’s trying to emulate Doncic and was excited for their matchup in game 1.

[CGD]

Yeah, Jimmer v Castle was never a debate tbh.

[Mr. Body]

Those who have said Jrue Holiday and Jimmy Butler I think have it right, in terms of playstyle. Gets into people's physical space like Jrue as a defender (this is getting him fouls, so he'll adjust), and physical and deliberate on offense like Butler. I think his midrange will come on pretty soon.

[playbonner15]

Yeah, Jimmer v Castle was never a debate tbh.

LMAO Didn't ST have a Jimmer dude posting updates on all things Jimmer? I think it was his wife or something

[NASpurs]

Hopefully Pop doesn't get in the way and stunt his growth with some bull like playing him at center or something.

[gilmor2002]

Hopefully Pop doesn't get in the way and stunt his growth with some bull like playing him at center or something.

Dont think Pop will make it back to coaching..

[TheBallsbreakers]

Dont think Pop will make it back to coaching..

Sauce? I mean, source?

[spurraider21]

LMAO Didn't ST have a Jimmer dude posting updates on all things Jimmer? I think it was his wife or something

spurtacular

he also posted here with 40+ alts, was banned, and started his own bootleg spurstalk where he just talks to himself

[cutewizard]

Two straight years

Two very good picks in Wemby and Castle

Excited for year Three, hehehe

[onechance87]

Two straight years

Two very good picks in Wemby and Castle

Excited for year Three, hehehe

i mean wemby was the obvious pick for that draft.

[mudyez]

I have to admid, that I was a Sheppard guy...just coz of pure fear he could be something like a white Mass Effect Spash Brother.

Right now I feel great about Castle and would not trade him for any other player in this draft (or only Risacher to please Wemby)...and I like the idea of having 5 good defenders on the court at all time or at least fantastic defenders within the starters.

[spursparker9]

If Spurs had the 3rd pick, you guys think they would still select Castle? Or maybe roll the dice with Curry-lite/Nash-lite Sheppard?

[Mr. Body]

If Spurs had the 3rd pick, you guys think they would still select Castle? Or maybe roll the dice with Curry-lite/Nash-lite Sheppard?

I personally think they were in in Castle all season. I'm not sure they scouted Kentucky the way they did UConn.

[Pauleta14]

I have to admid, that I was a Sheppard guy...just coz of pure fear he could be something like a white Mass Effect Spash Brother.

Right now I feel great about Castle and would not trade him for any other player in this draft (or only Risacher to please Wemby)...and I like the idea of having 5 good defenders on the court at all time or at least fantastic defenders within the starters.

Love and happy with Castle too but Risacher I would hesitate tbh and not just for Wemby.

It's just a matter of patience with him, he has it all, still a child and needs to build his physique but I'm really impressed by his all around game even if he shoots like crap for now.

[John B]

If Spurs had the 3rd pick, you guys think they would still select Castle? Or maybe roll the dice with Curry-lite/Nash-lite Sheppard?

Castle is who they wanted Primo to be (even taking a big gamble for that promise), a big defensive PG who can facilitate and score. It’s been in their plan to get such a player, and Castle fits that player perfectly, especially once he improved his outside shot. Likewise, they always want a Boris Diaw big man who can push the ball and facilitate. Samanic was going to be it if he had a heart, that’s why the Sochan PG experiment to turn him into a Diaw/Kawhi type. Bassey has the potential of a passing Center, i.e. Center, but let’s see.

So I believe the Spurs have those types of players they are looking for to fit that “beautiful game”. Sheppard as a as a knockdown shooter like Green, Neal, Mills fit the role. If there was a way to trade up to get both, I think they would’ve done so but not too high of an expense.

[Pauleta14]

If even Spurs fans underrate Boris Diaw...

In what world can Sochan come even close to the type of player Boris was...??

Boris stengths come from everything Sochan isn't and doesn't have, High BBIQ (IQ period), elite fundamentals, court vision and passing abilities etc

And vice versa, Boris didn't have Sochan's grit and love for defending man to man.