Note: you can find my article with observations, along with post game video, from the Summer Spurs game on Project Spurs here and here.
It was another #SummerSpurs game day in Las Vegas on Monday. This time, against the Toronto Raptors. My basketball worlds seem to keep colliding, whether it is the NBA, G League or Summer League.
I started the day getting a work out in while listening to Paul Garcia and Michal De Leon on the latest Spurscast. After that, it was lunchtime and then all business.
Arriving at the Thomas and Mack Center, I was distracted by the signs to the NBA Health and Performance Expo. Inside where a dozen or so vendors with a variety of data gathering devices, systems and apps. Data nerds rejoice!
Waiting for the Summer Spurs game to start, I saw a couple of familiar faces on the floor. Fresh of signing a two-way contract, former Bio Steel All Canadian game MVP Lorenzo Dort was playing for the Oklahoma Thunder. In the next game, former Austin Spur Matt Costello was part of the Detroit Pistons squad.
Heading into the game, the big question was whether Lonnie Walker was going to play. The answer turned out to be yes!
Drew Eubanks was also back in the line-up for the Summer Spurs. With Eubanks and Walker ready to go, the Spurs rookie trio of Keldon Johnson, Luka Samanic and Quinndary Weatherspoon were all given the night off.
You can read my game recap, including post game with coach Becky Hammon and Lonnie Walker, over on Project Spurs. Here are my favourite excerpts from the article:
Veteran Presence
After the game, it was Walker’s leadership and complete game (despite finishing with only two assists) that caught Coach Becky Hammon’s attention.
“I thought he did a much better job today getting other guys involved too, picking his spots,” said Hammon. “The way he has taken ownership with the guys and has been talking through it and leading by example, especially first on the defensive end and just being locked in and ready to go on the defensive end helps a lot. Kind of sets the tone for the team.”
With Walker putting up 23 points at the half and 32 points after three quarters, there was talk of a Summer Spurs scoring record.
As far as I can tell, Bryn Forbes holds the record, having scored 35 points during Summer League twice in 2017, earning himself the hashtag #SummerofBryn.
With Walker going scoreless in the fourth quarter, and finishing with 32 points, Forbes can sleep easy tonight. His record is safe.
After the game I caught up with Austin Spur and Summer Spur alum Jeff Ledbetter for a good chat. Look for a feature article on the Mayor of Cedar Park coming soon.
After submitting my article and uploading the post game video (you can check it out on the Project Spurs Network), I decided to take advantage of the relatively pleasant evening, by Vegas standards, to go for a little walk.
Day 4 will be an off day for the Summer Spurs so I hope to get out and about and explore the Vegas Strip a little bit before heading back to Thomas and Mack Center to watch the Toronto Raptors take on the New York Knick. I hope both Canadians, RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikis, will be on the court.
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