2024 Training Camp/Preseason News Thread

[Sugus]

The problem is that we have way too many players to develop and not all of them will be able to reach their maximum potential..

Considering the amount of future picks in the Spurs' power, I don't see this as a necessarily bad thing. It's the famous "churn" that rebuilding teams go through; the Thunder also dropped a promising player or two last season due to roster crunch, and will likely do the same in the coming years.

Whoever's worth the minutes should rise above their peers in practices and in making use of their playing time. As they say, "the cream rises to the top". The increased compe ion over minutes/roster spots could end up being a good thing, even - I remember many posters complaining about Sochan being "handed" the starting spot due to lack of compe ion, for example, and this would be the opposite.

If Branham or Wesley end up reaching their ceiling on the Pacers or Pistons, I doubt the Spurs will lose much sleep over it... The true keepers tend to show their worth early on in the NBA.

[LeBowen]

Considering the amount of future picks in the Spurs' power, I don't see this as a necessarily bad thing. It's the famous "churn" that rebuilding teams go through; the Thunder also dropped a promising player or two last season due to roster crunch, and will likely do the same in the coming years.

Whoever's worth the minutes should rise above their peers in practices and in making use of their playing time. As they say, "the cream rises to the top". The increased compe ion over minutes/roster spots could end up being a good thing, even - I remember many posters complaining about Sochan being "handed" the starting spot due to lack of compe ion, for example, and this would be the opposite.

If Branham or Wesley end up reaching their ceiling on the Pacers or Pistons, I doubt the Spurs will lose much sleep over it... The true keepers tend to show their worth early on in the NBA.

I definitely agree. It's good for the Spurs because odds of someone developing into a quality player obviously rise with quan y.
But it's bad for the players themselves.

Wesley and Branham had two season on a roster that played without any pressure. They showed very little.
If we were still in that phase of rebuild, I'd be fine with them getting a lot of minutes for another season. But at the end of last one, they were nowhere near good enough even for that awful roster.
Castle is the #4 pick, he'll be the priority and imo his development is the most important thing this season after Wemby.

If Castle can get on that Jrue 2.0 trajectory optimistic reports are hoping for, we struck gold.

[Pauleta14]

^ Im very eager to see what Jeremy does this season. I think he and Keldon are on a path to be duplicative on the roster long term, so it will be interesting to see how they handle. That and Keldon's deal looks like great trade bait.

I found it interesting that Pop has been trying to get HB to the spurs since the last Olympics. He'll be here a while, meanwhile I think CP3 is here for a cup of coffee.

Im irrationally pumped for Castle.

Jeremy and Castle's developements are the 2 most important for the future by far (after Vic obviously)

I'm quite pescimistic about Sochan but pray I'm wrong

I'm like you on Castle, almost too much to the point that I feel I'm jinxing him ^^ The position is so important and tough to fill

Edit / Vassel as well but he's already at a decent level, it's more about dev his playmaking skills

[ace3g]

[ace3g]

[Mr. Body]

Defensive iden y is the right way to go, but in 2024 we can't really afford to have complete non-factors on offense.

It looks like we're going to have to afford it. The team looks to much rather have defense-first players and build from there.

It's the right way to go. With Wembyanama, the team could become a fearsome defensive team even in an era such as this. If rules keep sliding toward more defense - and it becomes more defensive in the playoffs - then it's even more incredible an advantage.

At the same time, Wembanyama is going to be a major offensive threat, and the system we run generates points through movement. I feel like this forum obsesses too much on outside shooting when those other fundamentals are more important. Once they get the defensive foundation and are able to run more sophisticated plays, maybe some of the players have become better shooters. If not, we have a lot of assets to build them in.

[The Truth #6]

Why does it seem like you've said this before and they ended up tanking.

But then, like, new evidence had come to light, man. Ha.

[PhantomDashCam]

Interesting... Probably just training attire (and obviously nothing set in stone) but Wemby flanked with Sochan, Tre J, Castle and Branham in part of that clip

[The Truth #6]

But I think the defensive iden y makes sense, especially with Wemby, but also in general. A small market team that doesn't attract free agents has to find a budget path in my opinion. We have to grow talent or get players on the downside, historically.

[dn0774]

Jeremy and Castle's developements are the 2 most important for the future by far (after Vic obviously)

I'm quite pescimistic about Sochan but pray I'm wrong

I'm like you on Castle, almost too much to the point that I feel I'm jinxing him ^^ The position is so important and tough to fill

Edit / Vassel as well but he's already at a decent level, it's more about dev his playmaking skills

Pretty much all of this...going forward the core 4 we need to see big things developmentally speaking are Vic/DV/Sochan and Castle. Everyone else is either a vet who is highly unlikely to improve significantly/on their downward trajectory or is a younger guy with a low ceiling who will be replaced with our vast trove of draft picks. Seeing Branham or Wesley etc have a nice stretch is cool but also fools gold in some ways because of this.

Sochan is a tough case, he'll go stretches looking completely forgettable and not a great athlete, then all of a sudden he will do 2 things that make him look like the most athletic player on the floor...not sure what he can become in the modern NBA.

Vassell is great, needs to get and stay healthy is all.

Castle, I just hope everyone remembers he is a rookie and tempers expectations accordingly. Having a slow first couple months in the NBA doesn't mean bust long term.

[Mr. Body]

Good to see Chris Paul explaining to Blake Wesley that driving into multiple shotblockers isn't a good idea.

[Mr. Body]

Pretty much all of this...going forward the core 4 we need to see big things developmentally speaking are Vic/DV/Sochan and Castle. Everyone else is either a vet who is highly unlikely to improve significantly/on their downward trajectory or is a younger guy with a low ceiling who will be replaced with our vast trove of draft picks. Seeing Branham or Wesley etc have a nice stretch is cool but also fools gold in some ways because of this.

Sochan is a tough case, he'll go stretches looking completely forgettable and not a great athlete, then all of a sudden he will do 2 things that make him look like the most athletic player on the floor...not sure what he can become in the modern NBA.

Vassell is great, needs to get and stay healthy is all.

Castle, I just hope everyone remembers he is a rookie and tempers expectations accordingly. Having a slow first couple months in the NBA doesn't mean bust long term.

It took Castle a bit to catch on with UConn, although it should be mentioned that he was hurt. It wasn't until conference play that he was really getting into the groove of his duties.

[poopbox]

Cedi Osman such a bum he had to go play in the Greek league

Hopefully he saving spots for Branhim and Wesley for next season

[rjv]

Cedi Osman such a bum he had to go play in the Greek league

Hopefully he saving spots for Branhim and Wesley for next season

i'm actually more skeptical of branham than wesley, although not too optimistic about either of them.

[LeBowen]

i'm actually more skeptical of branham than wesley, although not too optimistic about either of them.

Branham's ceiling is low, but he can somewhat shoot, meaning this floor is higher.
Wesley has a long way to go before looking like a useful NBA player.
But if he develops, point of attack defenders are always in demand if they have something that resembles a functional jumpshot.

[rjv]

Branham's ceiling is low, but he can somewhat shoot, meaning this floor is higher.
Wesley has a long way to go before looking like a useful NBA player.
But if he develops, point of attack defenders are always in demand if they have something that resembles a functional jumpshot.

they have opposite weaknesses and strengths; one can't shoot but defends well, the other can't defend but shoots well.

[scott]

On what planet does Malaki Branham shoot well?

[scott]

Dude is an empirically below average shooter for his position in every shooting category, except for FT%

[tim_duncan_fan]

Speaking of Malaki, is he alright? His media interview from today seemed...strained.

[poopbox]

they have opposite weaknesses and strengths; one can't shoot but defends well, the other can't defend but shoots well.

Wesley isn't a good defender, he just looks like it when he is on the court with the other trash ass defenders we had last year. If he is ever in the game with CP3 or Castle, it will stick out how poor he is defensively.

Branhim has exactly 0 nba skill at doing anything other than making wide open shots. Watching this dude play basketball is like watching a person who never used an axe try and chop wood and repeatedly almost cut their leg off.

We will get a 10 to 15 win boost either when they are both gone or if they both just don't play.

[CGD]

They both gone after this season

[spurs50_]

Hope Sidy is gone after this one too.

[Dex]

Speaking of Malaki, is he alright? His media interview from today seemed...strained.

Dude is on the hot seat after only 2 seasons...I'd be strained too.

[spurraider21]

Dude is on the hot seat after only 2 seasons...I'd be strained too.

He was gifted heavy rotation minutes off rip without earning it. And seemed to regress if anything in year 2

[Mr. Body]

Wesley isn't a good defender, he just looks like it when he is on the court with the other trash ass defenders we had last year. If he is ever in the game with CP3 or Castle, it will stick out how poor he is defensively.

Branhim has exactly 0 nba skill at doing anything other than making wide open shots. Watching this dude play basketball is like watching a person who never used an axe try and chop wood and repeatedly almost cut their leg off.

We will get a 10 to 15 win boost either when they are both gone or if they both just don't play.

Wesley is a good defender. Just stop.