The NBA Summer time League is usually a chaotic expertise. It may be extra akin to watching an growth G League staff’s very first preseason recreation with a completely new roster than an precise NBA recreation, however there may also be some wildly anticipated video games, like Victor Wembanyama’s debut in 2023 and Cooper Flagg’s tonight.
For probably the most half, the upper draft picks simply play in a recreation or two however in any other case don’t have anything to show and are often shut right down to keep away from pointless harm so groups can deal with the extra unknown gamers. And typically, they are often thrilling too! Simply have a look at some gems the Spurs have uncovered through the years, like Gary Neal, Jonathon Simmons, and probably a brand new one to return on this yr’s California Basic breakout participant David Jones-Garcia.
Whereas Spurs followers acquired a glimpse of 14th general choose Carter Bryant in San Francisco, the extra anticipated Las Vegas Summer time League begins tonight. Second general choose Dylan Harper shouldn’t be anticipated to play for the Spurs tonight, however he’s anticipated to make his debut on Saturday in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks. Assuming Flagg performs, that can be a type of video games that you simply simply “embrace the chaos” of Summer time League and have enjoyable whereas preserving in thoughts to not take the highs and lows too significantly.
With all that in thoughts, here’s what The Ringer has to say in regards to the Spurs in its Summer time League preview:
Do the Spurs have their last core items in place?
The Spurs have already got just a few summer season league video games below their belt on the California Basic, however they opted to save lots of Dylan Harper’s professional debut for Las Vegas, out of an abundance of warning following what the staff deemed a minor groin harm. How a lot that may influence Harper’s workload continues to be up within the air, however any alternative to soak up Harper’s immense expertise firsthand can be welcome. If Flagg was in a tier of his personal within the 2025 draft, so was Harper just under him. And if Victor Wembanyama is San Antonio’s evolutionary Tim Duncan, Harper would possibly simply be its subsequent Manu Ginóbili.
Harper’s run-jump explosiveness is unremarkable, however that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The biomechanics specialists at P3 graded Harper’s deceleration and lateral drive manufacturing at ranges similar to these of James Harden and Luka Doncic. A few of the most tantalizing presents at Harper’s disposal are his preternatural physique management, footwork, and stop-start suddenness. He’s an distinctive driver who can cut up a double out of the pick-and-roll in his sleep. What’ll be attention-grabbing to see in Vegas is how the Spurs prioritize his minutes on the ground. Do they need to give him as many on-ball reps as he can deal with? Or do they need to construct his consolation degree taking part in off the ball, understanding the juggling act that awaits them with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Citadel later this yr?
Carter Bryant, the Spurs’ different first-round choice, is maybe Harper’s stylistic and situational inverse. The Arizona standout—like previous Wildcats Richard Jefferson and Andre Iguodala—is without doubt one of the greatest run-jump athletes in his class. However the place Harper was given monumental utilization in school, Bryant performed solely off the ball as a play finisher and a role-agnostic defensive menace. If that’s all he initiatives to be, that’s nonetheless an integral a part of constructing a staff round Wembanyama. However the Spurs know a factor or two about constructing past the bottom of a 3-and-D archetype. If Bryant has any juice on the ball that was stored hidden at Arizona, we’ll know pretty shortly.
Talking of Harper being the subsequent Ginobili, he’s off to a superb begin by being positive to select the legend’s mind daily:
Whereas this gained’t be Harper’s debut, the Spurs play the 76ers (additionally with out third general choose VJ Edgecomb) tonight at 9:00 PM CT on ESPN. His anticipated debut in opposition to the Mavs can be on Saturday at 3:00 PM CT on ESPN (you’ll be able to see their whole schedule right here). What are you hoping to get out of Summer time League, Spurs followers?
