Video: Bertans showing marked improvement
The last we heard of Davis Bertans (drafted by the Pacers in 2011 but his rights traded to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the George Hill-Kawhi Leonard deal) was that he signed a multi-year contract with KK Partizan in Serbia, committing to over three years nearly a year ago.
The Latvian sharpshooter is considered one of the top European prospects and has drawn comparisons to the likes of Dirk Nowitzki. Considering his young age, he was still very raw when drafted by the Spurs and one dimensional, but after watching some video of Bertans in action for Partizan, he is showing marked improvement in several areas.
While still displaying a high-quick release that will be tough to guard in the NBA, especially when taking his 6-10 frame into consideration, Bertans is looking less and less like a spot up shooter and is showing more mobility in taking a few steps into the lane for a jumper or driving inside for a layup. He also seems to be much more aware on the court and can be seen working within the offense to try to set up his teammates and get free for perimeter shots in a number of ways including quick slips on screens and picks.
Bertans still has some work to do on the defensive end, but his upside at this age is very high with potential to become much more than a spot-up outside shooter a la Kyle Korver.
His shooting will be an asset with that high release but he is a worthless screen setter, and an even worse defender... On those fronts he needs vast improvement.
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He already looks better than Novak, but need footwork and some more mass. Richards may or may not be a heads case. I hate to be the only person on this blog that has reserved an option on Richards. I have stated many times, the guy has had fewer than 200 minutes on the court in 3 years, and has been stuff on teams that favor experience and senority. If he didn't think he was better than guys whop get to play ahead of him, he'd have no passion or confidence. Why the Spurs can't get him some place where he can get minutes, I don't know. The UK national team cut him the year before, his previous team gave him 11 min. per game for 9 games, his new team, gave him 1 game where he played 23 minutes and he scored 12pts, and 7 rbs, 2 assist, since then, he has had a total of 12 minutes in 3 games. Let's just wait and see, if he can get comfortable somewhere and see if he improves. He has a much bigger upside than Bertrans.
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I like this kid's game, looks like an upgrade on Matt Bonner. Let's see what else he has in the near future.
Looked like Lorbek nearly broke his ankles but I liked his activity. I was really excited about this guys potential when we drafted him, and he seems to be progressing nicely. Not to mention he doesn't seem to be the head case Ryan Richards, which is gravy. If he can bulk up in the next 2 years there should be a spot for him soon.
After 2 years Lorbek will be too old to play in the nba. But talking about Bertan, if he improves with hispresent body structure he can play in the nba after all his body frame resembles Durant.
