Grades: Spurs vs. Blazers – Summer League Game #4
Stephon Castle and the Spurs beat the Blazers (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs began the Las Vegas leg of their summer league schedule with a win. The Spurs dominated throughout the contest and held on when the Portland Trail Blazers made a late run. The 83-77 final score doesn’t tell the full story of how much San Antonio controlled this game.
Stats: Spurs vs. Blazers
Spurs vs. Blazers – Final Grades
Stephon Castle
The good: Castle was the team’s primary ball-handler and looked really good in that department — pressure rarely flustered him. His patience in the pick-and-roll was excellent. He had a number of good passes and his decision-making was mostly positive. Castle knocked down two more three balls and I really liked his aggressiveness from deep. He played with toughness and strength on both ends of the court. Castle is clearly smart and physical beyond his years.
The bad: A few of his missed jumpers were of the ugly variety. He was having issues finishing off plays once he got near the free throw line. Castle hesitated to apply pressure at times on offense. He finished with five turnovers — that’s too much, even if a couple weren’t really his fault.
Overall: I’m still super pleased with how Castle is performing. He looks like a playmaker with a high basketball IQ. If his jumper improves, it looks like he’s going to be really good. It’s already a good sign that he’s willing to shoot more jumpers than he did at UConn.
Grade: B+
Harrison Ingram
The good: Ingram hit half of his four three-point attempts and his shots were smooth. He was active on defense and remained attentive on both ends. The bad: Ingram was 1-for-5 on two-pointers. His ball-handling looked shaky and he doesn’t have the quickness to get all the way to the rim, it seems. Four turnovers and no assists isn’t a good look.
Grade: B-
Sidy Cissoko
The good: Cissoko was a beast in transitions. His three finishes on the fast break were very impressive. Defensively, he brought the intensity early and often. He had a couple quick, wise passes. The bad: Cissoko’s offensive play in the halfcourt was unsightly. He rarely did anything right when he went against a set defense — and this can’t be emphasized enough.
Grade: C-
Jamaree Bouyea
Bouyea is more athletic than I thought. He’s short and skinny but he can move. He’s also tough and anticipates well, as evidenced by his four steals and four blocks. Offensively, he finished at the basket well and could be relied upon to make the right pass. Bouyea looks like a valuable two-way player because you can imagine him filling in on the big boy team if needed.
Grade: B+
Nathan Mensah
Mensah actually looked like a solid offensive player in the first half. He exhibited surprisingly good touch on a floater and on a fadeaway. Mensah also rebounded well and moved his feet swiftly on defense. Good stuff all around for the summer league center.
Grade: B+
Yauhen Massalski
Massalski pulled down 14 rebounds in 16 minutes. He authored a couple slick passes. His finishing could have been better but, like Mensah, the summer league center more than did his part.
Grade: B+
Tyson Ward
Ward had three ball-handling turnovers that sort of ruined his outing. It’d be tough to be a perimeter player in the NBA without being able to dribble. Ward’s shot continues to look good and his mobility on defense continues to be intriguing.
Grade: C
Donovan Williams
A new addition to the summer league squad, Williams was uber aggressive — and it paid off. He shot a team-high six free throws and his energy was palpable.
Grade: B
Ibrahima Diallo
Another newcomer, Diallo was the third string center. He did fine. His outing was highlighted by a big block and a dunk.
Grade: B
Jameer Nelson Jr.
Nelson is playing off the ball and he’s doing okay. His decision-making can be slow but it’s a lot easier to deal with when he’s not playing point guard.
Grade: B-
Kenny Trevino
I like how Trevino is operating things. First he’s now staggering Castle and Bouyea in order to keep a quality ball-handler on the court. Trevino is also allowing Castle to touch the ball a ton. He has obviously given Castle the green light to shoot as much as he wants and to run as many pick-and-rolls as he wants.
Grade: B+