“All the work I’ve put in this summer, into my body, into my game, into my diet, I feel like I’m better than last year,” Forbes told reporters after the 86-94 loss.Headed to Vegas with the same roster as Utah, but some slight changes to our schedule. @NBASummerLeague Details » https://t.co/aVFx7slPPk pic.twitter.com/oYP6WTatWY
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 7, 2017
Overall, it was a busy Thursday for the Spurs, who officially signed first round draft pick Derrick White to his rookie contract prior to tipoff. As White and the Summer Spurs squared off against 76ers, reports surfaced that San Antonio had signed veteran forward Rudy Gay to a two year, $17 million deal.
A proven scorer throughout his eleven-season career, Gay is coming off a tough campaign in Sacramento, where he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. For longstanding Spurs enthusiasts, the move echoes the 1996 signing of NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins who arrived in San Antonio a few seasons removed from a similar injury. Wilkins averaged 18 points in his only season as a Spur, which matches Gay’s career scoring average.Officially, official. #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/dOUqL3uwFB
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 7, 2017
Next up for the Summer Spurs is a Saturday night showdown with the Miami Heat in Las Vegas at the NBA Summer League. This year’s tournament features an unprecedented 24 teams, including 14 playoff participants from this past postseason. San Antonio boasts the second highest winning percentage in NBA Summer League competition, and captured the offseason title in 2015.
If Forbes continues his hot shooting and Dejounte Murray takes over the tournament, another summer crown could be in the cards for San Antonio. Despite a 1-2 record in Utah, Forbes was optimistic about his team’s odds in Las Vegas.For @BrynjForbes, this summer is about growing & leading. #SummerSpurs pic.twitter.com/KsVUxuvAk8
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 6, 2017
“I think we’re in a good place right now,” said Forbes. “We kind of collapsed at the end of that last game. I don’t think it was because we were tired. We just made some small mistakes that we can fix. I think we’ll be a lot better in Vegas though.”
Saturday, July 8, Spurs vs. Heat, 7 PM, ESPNU
Sunday, July 9, Spurs vs. 76ers, 9:30 PM, ESPN2
Tuesday, July 11, Spurs vs. Trailblazers, 3 PM, NBATV
