There’s a special aura to the Las Vegas Summer season League in comparison with the smaller, “warm-up” leagues just like the California Traditional and Salt Lake Metropolis. That is very true within the earlier Vegas video games, when larger draft picks usually tend to play and provides followers a primary glimpse at gamers anticipated to be of their groups’ rotation the subsequent season.
This variation in aura was particularly noticeable because the Spurs blew out Philadelphia 76ers in spectacular vogue, 111-70, in Recreation 1. Despite the fact that the 2nd and third picks — Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecomb — didn’t play, there was extra vitality, and you may inform the Summer season Spurs gamers had gotten extra snug with one another after their three video games collectively in California. (Oh, and the ESPN announcers have been miles forward of the announcers we obtained on NBA TV. That actually helped with the viewing vibe.) With that in thoughts, listed below are some observations from Recreation 1 in Las Vegas.
David Jones-Garcia continues making a case for a roster spot
Despite the fact that the debuts of the massive names are what carry that crowds to Summer season League, the true goal of it’s getting higher take a look at fringe and potential depth items that in any other case could not get a shot. It at all times brings out a diamond-in-the-rough or two, with former Spurs like Gary Neal and Jonathon Simmons being prime examples.
This 12 months’s breakout star is David Jones-Garcia, a Dominican swingman out of the G League’s Mexico Metropolis Capitanes. After making the All-California Traditional workforce, he stayed scorching in Vegas, posting 24 factors on 9-12 capturing (4-5 from three), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in simply 18 minutes. At this level, it’s arduous to know what else he must do show himself, whether or not it’s to the Spurs or one other NBA workforce. The Spurs themselves nonetheless have three roster spots and a two-way out there, so certainly there’s room for him if he’s .
Carter Bryant is a reminder there’s worth past offense
14th general choose Carter Bryant has but to search out his NBA three-point stroke with simply 5 factors on 1-6 capturing (1-4 from three) final night time, however capturing comes with time. What’s actually necessary is all the opposite intangibles are there. Defensive intuition, basketball IQ, management — all have been in show final night time whereas he additionally posted 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and steal, with all three of these blocks being highlight-worthy:
He is also seen directing his teammates on the place to be on protection, really enjoying assist protection (one thing the Spurs have lacked in recent times), and even shouting directions from the bench like veterans usually do. Every part about this child is particular, each on and off the courtroom. His capturing contact will come round, however even with out it, he has intangibles that simply can’t be taught. Regardless of realizing nothing something about him earlier than he was drafted, I’m personally stoked he’s a Spur, and it’s solely been two weeks.
Staff help
Simply leaving this right here. The Summer season Spurs had fairly the contingency of help from the principle core of the roster. A workforce is simply so good with out chemistry, and this one has it in spades.
Different observations
I needed to snicker a bit at how a lot the NBA and ESPN have been attempting to hype up their primetime matchup of Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James. I actually get the hype round Flagg making his unofficial NBA debut (we noticed the identical factor with Victor Wembanyama in 2023), however attempting to additionally make it about Bronny felt like a attain. He simply isn’t on the stage of a typical NBA participant but, and except he can turn into extra of some extent guard, he in all probability received’t get very far as a 6’2” capturing guard within the NBA.
As for Flagg, like Wemby, he had a shaky begin in his NBA debut with 10 factors of 5-21 capturing, 0-5 from three, albeit with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and three steals. We at all times say to not overreact to Summer season League, however I nonetheless keep in mind Wemby getting much more flack for his poor debut than Flagg is. The headlines are even saying he “impressed” when he himself mentioned he clearly didn’t. I do know I’m overreacting, however I assume I’m questioning why the reactions so are completely different. Wemby needed to endure a summer time of “bust” trolling a few years in the past, however it looks as if Flagg is getting a cross. We will at all times hope it’s only a case of “lesson discovered”.
With that in thoughts, the Spurs get Flagg and the Mavericks subsequent, and just like how Wemby bounced again in his second (and remaining) SL sport, the San Antonio ought to be ready for one thing comparable from Flagg. However that received’t be the one motive to tune in! We must also lastly get the debut of Harper after he’s been nursing a minor groin damage, and whereas he may have some first sport jitters too, he’s value handing over for. The sport can be on Saturday at 3:00 PM CT on ESPN.
