San Antonio Spurs followers went via a curler coaster of feelings on Sunday. Earlier than the summer season Spurs contest with the Atlanta Hawks, the crew introduced first-round choose, Stephon Fort, would miss the remainder of the Summer time League with a wrist harm. It was a blow for followers who wished to see the UCONN product construct on his already spectacular Summer time League. Fortuitously for Fort and the Spurs, it appears to be a extra preventative transfer, than an indication of a long-term harm.
With out one among their greatest gamers, the summer season Spurs stepped up and took down the Hawks, and the number-one total choose, Zaccharie Risacher, in a 79-76 win. They received contributions up and down the roster on each ends. Newcomer, D’Moi Hodge led the crew in scoring with 13 factors whereas hitting three triples. Jamaree Bouyea had one other robust exhibiting with 12 factors, 4 assists and three steals.
With out Fort, the summer season crew gained’t have the nationwide attract they introduced earlier this 12 months. But, Sunday evening’s sport confirmed that this crew can nonetheless win ball video games with out his pedigree. Regardless of a sloppy ending to the sport wherein San Antonio practically gave it away, it was an total strong efficiency. They’ll look to maintain that up in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans on July sixteenth.
Observations:
Bouyea has been one of many greatest winners from the Spurs summer season crew. He’s a defensive pest who appears able to working an NBA offense. San Antonio all of a sudden has a little bit of a logjam at level guard. Chris Paul, Tre Jones, Fort and Blake Wesley will all struggle for minutes. As a result of Bouyea is on a two-way, it’s unlikely he’ll issue into that competitors all that a lot. Nonetheless, it’s nice to have that form of depth with a two-way roster spot. If he performs many of the season in Austin, he’ll doubtless elevate the youthful Spurs round him.
It was a troublesome taking pictures evening for Harrison Ingram, however he nonetheless discovered methods to contribute. He had 6 factors on 2-10 taking pictures and hit simply 1-7 threes. He nonetheless managed to choose up 4 offensive rebounds. Ingram’s exercise on the glass has been encouraging this summer season. A participant together with his dimension and motor that shoots a good proportion from deep is a beneficial piece transferring ahead.
Nathan Mensah has been taking part in some nice basketball within the final three video games. He had 10 factors and 9 rebounds with a block on Sunday. Mensah is an honest athlete and appears strong as a rim protector regardless of being 6-foot-9. He went below the radar within the California Traditional however has intrigued me together with his exercise in Vegas.
Hodge was a lights-out shooter on the College of Missouri, so it wasn’t shocking to see him get scorching from deep. He’s a strong on-ball defender, too (he picked up 2 steals within the loss. Keep watch over Hodge transferring ahead. Because the Spurs look to fill their two-way roster spots, he may very well be a first-rate candidate as a 3&D depth piece.
