Has Summer season League modified your opinion of Stephon Fortress and Harrison Ingram in any manner?
Marilyn Dubinski: I’m admittedly not a lot into school basketball, so the one opinions I had of them earlier than had been what I had learn. For Fortress, there was the occasional “Brian Wright certain loves tall guards who can’t shoot”, however for essentially the most half I appreciated the decide due to all of the reward I had examine it. Though the pattern measurement was small, Summer season League confirmed it. His calm demeanor and degree of management remind me of Tim Duncan (to not put that degree of expectation on him), his defensive expertise and energy are precisely what the Spurs want, and whereas inconsistent, his capturing stroke is easy and simply wants some tweaks. We might look again in the future and say the Spurs obtained the very best participant on this (admittedly weak) draft. As for Ingram, he seems like a strong participant with 3&D potential and ought to be signed to a two-way contract.
Mark Barrington: I actually didn’t know a lot about Ingram earlier than the Spurs drafted him, and he appears to be as marketed. He had a sluggish begin within the California Basic, however by the point he obtained to Vegas, he confirmed himself to be a great contributor on the Summer season League degree. That’s nonetheless a good distance from being an NBA participant, however he did sufficient to earn a 2-way spot and turn out to be a growth participant for the crew.
Stephon Fortress is a stud, and he confirmed that in his restricted enjoying time in Summer season League. He’s a great defender and his courtroom consciousness and deal with are wonderful. His shot is inconsistent, however he’s not afraid to take it when he’s open. That’s his greatest weak point, and enjoying aggressively is the correct strategy to work it out. He’s most likely going to overlook numerous pictures this 12 months, however he’s obtained time to do this. I’m wanting ahead to a giant leap in his second 12 months, however this 12 months, he can nonetheless get numerous courtroom time and work with Chris Paul to get higher.
Jesus Gomez: I used to be an enormous fan of Fortress in the course of the predraft course of, largely due to his protection, and protection isn’t what usually will get the highlight in Summer season League. So I used to be pleasantly stunned to see his offensive sport look extra developed than I anticipated. He wants numerous work earlier than he generally is a main ball handler within the NBA however the instruments are there, together with the shot. As for Ingram, I wasn’t conversant in his sport however he appeared snug in his 3-and-D projected position in Vegas and was slightly higher than I anticipated at placing the ball on the ground and attacking closeouts. Total, I used to be impressed.
Invoice Huan: I used to be fairly iffy about Fortress’s match when the Spurs drafted him, and I’ve undoubtedly turn out to be larger on him after Summer season League. Sure, the shot’s nonetheless regarding, however he confirmed actual playmaking flashes that I wasn’t certain he had. I can now see Fortress being a full-time level guard, however a lower-usage one within the mould of a Jrue Vacation or Derrick White – two guys whom he’s usually in comparison with. With that stated, I nonetheless suppose he may be greatest utilized as an off-guard with secondary playmaking duties, though that additionally will depend on how a lot his shot improves.
Transitioning to Ingram, I can confidently say that I watched 0 minutes of him previous to Summer season League, so I’ll simply vigorously nod and agree with the whole lot that my esteemed fellow writers have stated about him.
Rob Dillingham will all the time be tied to the Spurs after the draft day commerce. It’s early, however do you suppose the franchise will remorse passing on him?
Dubinski: I don’t suppose so. Whereas Spurs have managed to make it look unusually laborious to seek out shooters in lately years, they do exist on the market past Dillingham, and his ceiling is proscribed by his small stature and lack of defensive upside. If the Spurs wished to maintain the eighth decide, there have been higher choices accessible, and he most likely wouldn’t have been who they selected. In the identical manner that Kawhi Leonard was formally drafted by the Pacers however could be seen because the Spurs’ decide as a result of it was at their behest, Dillingham is Minnesota’s decide.
Barrington: I feel Dillingham goes to be an excellent scorer and a minus defender. His slight body is all the time going to be a legal responsibility in a league stuffed with athletic freaks just like the NBA, however capturing at an elite degree is one thing that each crew wants. I really feel fairly assured he’s going to be a great participant, however not the form of participant that the Spurs search for to construct their crew. I look ahead to watching him play, however I don’t remorse the truth that it gained’t be in a Silver and Black uniform, and I feel that Brian Wright feels the identical manner.
Gomez: I can see Dillingham having a great rookie season, inflicting some followers to freak out, however except he turns into a star proper off the bat, I doubt anybody ought to be too involved concerning the Spurs passing on him, particularly since he doubtless wasn’t their selection for the decide. There’s all the time a danger of wanting silly within the brief time period when making future-oriented strikes however for now, buying and selling the decide nonetheless seems like an simply justifiable determination.
Huan: If there’s a bus known as the Dillingham Skeptics, I might give up my job proper now and apply to be the driving force. I’m not simply saying that as a result of the Spurs traded him, both: I let loose an audible groan when he was drafted and screamed with pleasure when the deal occurred. It was like watching the 2013 and 2014 finals another time, besides on a a lot smaller scale with the complete expertise ending after a minute.
Of us, should you had been involved about Trae’s potential match because of his measurement, simply keep in mind that Dillingham is roughly 15 kilos lighter than the previous, though he’s an inch taller. Dillingham additionally isn’t near what Trae was popping out of school, so even when he scores at a excessive degree, he’ll additionally quit extra factors on his personal finish.
I’m certain he’s a terrific child and all, however I simply have a tough time believing that somebody who’s the identical measurement as me generally is a constructive contributor within the NBA. Perhaps that claims extra about myself than something, however hey, it’s what it’s.
Are you stunned that Dominick Barlow and Cedi Osman haven’t been signed but?
Dubinski: I can see how Barlow isn’t essentially on anybody else’s radar (to outsiders, he’s an undersized heart with out a lot capturing vary and unimpressive numbers), however Osman surprises me a bit. He’s a consummate skilled who can shoot, could be a constructive presence in any locker room, and certain wouldn’t value greater than the exception, however there’s simply one thing about this free company interval that has been odd. I can’t faux to be a CBA grasp or understander of this apron stuff, nevertheless it clearly has groups terrified to decide to anybody long-term and has vastly slowed down free company. In reality, it seems just like the “center class” of the NBA is getting smaller, and we’re heading in the direction of a spot the place everybody will both be on max extensions or one-year contracts.
Barrington: By no means stunned. Osman isn’t coming again, and most definitely Barlow isn’t both. Cedi is numerous enjoyable, and he’s most likely higher now than a number of the younger gamers that the Spurs are at present growing. However he’s not a part of their future plans, so he’s going to finish up enjoying someplace else this season.
Barlow is a fan favourite, and the Spurs do want improved depth on the heart and energy ahead positions. The Spurs might simply go gentle on bigs this season, and let Barlow attempt to discover a spot on one other crew. As an undersized participant with restricted upside, the Spurs would possibly simply be prepared to maneuver on from him now, or he might be excited about discovering a crew that would give him extra enjoying time. Appears like a mutually useful determination.
Gomez: I feel it’s straightforward for followers who’re invested within the growth of gamers on their crew to overrate them slightly, and I consider that’s what occurred with Barlow. Personally, I assumed somebody would have taken an opportunity on him by now, however he does have some important weaknesses and is caught between positions. He belongs on an NBA roster nevertheless it would possibly take time earlier than he will get a suggestion and Europe might come calling. Osman not being signed is extra of a shock. He can shoot, has measurement and doesn’t complain about his position, so a contender might most likely use him. It’s attainable he doesn’t need to signal for the minimal and results in Europe however he nonetheless appears to have some fuel within the tank as an NBA participant.
Huan: Barlow remaining unsigned does shock me a bit on condition that the Spurs lack bigs on their present roster. I’ve no clue what the rationale is, however he generally is a nice shock for one more crew if San Antonio lets him go.
However, Cedi not being signed isn’t too shocking. Positive, he’s a great locker room presence, nevertheless it appeared like issues had been heading towards an amicable divorce, and that’s enjoying out proper now.
