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The question remains: Were their games over or under?
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22843.shtml
Summer League Recap: San Antonio Spurs
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By Bill Ingram
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jul 23, 2007, 10:21
San Antonio Spurs
Summer League: NBA Summer League, Las Vegas (2-3); Rocky Mountain Revue (1-4)
Record: 3-7
Key Stats: To get too deep into analyzing statistics from the Spurs' summer league excursions would be a mistake. They weren't field too many guys who have a shot at making the roster, so this was basically the James White and CJ Watson show - especially after Jackie Butler was traded to Houston. Opponents shot 50% from the field (38% from three) against the Spurs in Utah; opponents shot 39% against the Spurs in Las Vegas. From that you could say that Butler was a dominant inside force, and after he left the Spurs had no interior defense. You could say that, but it wouldn't reflect reality. Teams in Utah were much more serious about seeing actual roster players in action.
Highlights: James White scored 20 points in a loss to Philly (RMR) and 17 in a loss to Dallas (RMR). The real highlight may have been the Butler trade, which got the Spurs out from under the final two seasons of his contract. Butler averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in Vegas, enough to show the Rockets he's capable of contributing in some way.
Standout Player: The recurring theme here is James White. He looked great at times and he struggled at times. Throughout summer league he was the Spurs' best player. He averaged 8.6 points per game in Vegas, but then stepped things up in Utah, where he averaged 15 points per game and shot 50% from the field.
Surprises: The San Antonio Spurs didn't get too much work done over the course of summer league, largely because their approach is going to be to keep everyone from last year's team and give them a chance to repeat. The only knock on the Spurs has been that they haven't been able to win consecutive les, and they'd like to put that to rest in 2007-08. They won't get it done by letting a bunch of newcomers earn playing time.
Disappointments: Most Spurs fans were hoping to get a look at draft pick Tiago Splitter, but he wasn't available for summer league play. Splitter is not expected to join the Spurs until the 2008-09 NBA season.
Key Questions: Is James White ready? The Spurs didn't let him spend much time in the NBDL last season, which had as much to do with their at ude towards the Austin program as it did towards the need for White to get some playing time somewhere. Now that the Spurs have acquired the Toros it will be interesting to see how they utilize the farm system.
Conclusion: Summer league was primarily about showing that Jackie Butler could get up and down the court and getting James White some playing time in game situations. The trade with Houston proved they had accomplished the first goal. The improved play of White in Utah showed he was gaining more confidence and getting more comfortable. It seems the team did what they set out to do.
The question remains: Were their games over or under?
Man, I Hope We Keep White! I Like The Guys At ude About His Situation. He Was Just Barely Drafted In The First Round, Went To Indiana (where He Wanted To Go) Then Was Traded To The Spurs And Won A Championship His First Season! Plus Went From Nbdl To The Nba To The Nbdl And Back Again. He's Been On An Up And Down Roller Coaster So Far. I Think With The Coaches The Spurs Have They Could Really Mold Him Into A Great Player, On both Sides Of The Floor.
Well, technically White was the first pick of the second round and wasn't traded to the Spurs but simply waived by the Pacers and then signed with the Spurs...but it's all the same really.
I hope we keep him too though. While his time in Summer League didn't overly impress, he looked dang good during his time on the floor at the end of last season. I think he could be a nice piece down the line and worth an extended look. But I'm not sure the FO feels the same way.
I don't think I've ever seen any mention of Viktor Sanikidze by any website or publication since the SL start. Nobody has mentioned how good he looked or really anything other than he played the SL. Is all that potential just wishful thinking on our behalf or is he seriously flying under the radar?
I followed a couple of games on the comments blog and it seemed he was playing pretty good. I'd like to see any comments fronm those who watched as to whether he is coming for rookie camp or if they think he has a chance to be a
player at any USA level.
I'll say it again...
Sanikidze was a suprise because no one expected ANYTHING of him. I bet most didn't even expect him to get double-digit minutes.
It took a few decent games for us, the Spurs fanatics, to notice....so it might take a bit more for the non-Spurs media to take note.
I liked what I saw from him, but I still say he's a longshot to be a contributor on this team...
There must be a flaw to his game that I didn't see, because the two or three games I saw he looked pretty good.
H e left in the middle of the SL or at the start of the RMR. Does anyone know why?
To be with the Georgia National Team.
I just finished watching the Jazz v. Spurs final televised summer league game (DVR is great) in which White didn't play and I have to say it was less than inspiring.
Marcus Williams played decent defense and continues to show his ability to disrupt (via block or steal) using his freakishly long arms.
Other than that...he left alot to be desired. His drive-and-kick passes were easily scripted and his shot is just plain nasty. I sincerely hope he's working with Chip Engelland DAILY when training camp comes around....because it's too ugly to look at.
I would do a report on the others, but none of them have a shot at making the roster so it'd be worth nothing.
He stepped on Shelden Williams' foot vying for a rebound under the basket and he rolled his ankle. I don't think he played after that.
There was a report in espn.com on the Rocky Mt. Revue that said Sanikidze sprained his ankle but that he had planned to return to Georgia to his team anyway (as Phat Tony had said).
Last edited by Solid D; 07-27-2007 at 08:19 PM.
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