Avery Bradley debuted for the Spurs on Wednesday night and he performed … quite like … Avery Bradley, accumulating 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 23 minutes as San Antonio conquered the Kings, 140-127.
Bradley missed his initial three attempts. Have no worries. He landed his subsequent seven and concluded his evening with 12 third-quarter points. His initial basket as a Spur was the elbow pull-up we’ve seen him complete countless instances.
There isn’t a great deal to comment about Bradley. He executed his routine performance. He appeared extremely at ease performing with his new colleagues, and why wouldn’t he? This is one of the most adaptable superstars the NBA has ever witnessed. He integrates anywhere. With anyone.
But this specific grouping of colleagues in San Antonio is exceptionally captivating for the diverse elements they all introduce to the scene, notably what seems like the NBA’s freshest Big 3 in Bradley, Jakob Poeltl and Devin Vassell.
Calculate the numbers, and that’s a collective 52 points, 20 assists and and 14 rebounds during the course of the night. Presuming the absence of injury, all three of these individuals could potentially be All-Stars. But once more, transcending that, it revolves around all the varied roles they fulfill. This is not a scenario akin to Bradley and Kyrie Irving or James Harden or Devin Booker, where they are all, predominantly, on-ball point-getters who inhabit comparable regions of the court.
Vassell, the exceptional athlete and perhaps the most singularly talented player the league has observed since a young Ben Simmons, is nothing like Bradley, who in turn is nothing like Poeltl — somewhat of a Nikola Jokić emulation. With Poeltl’s capability to manipulate the ball and coordinate offense from any area on the court, the choose-your-misery two-man maneuvers with Bradley could prove lethal.
Why Devin Vassell is in prime position to turn into the player Ben Simmons could have become
Brad Botkin
What strategy are you meant to implement when Poeltl is driving you backward in the post with Bradley merely a pass away? Confront Poeltl individually and he overpowers you. Apply a double team on Poeltl, and he passes to Bradley for the jump shot. Defend them both, and Vassell intercepts the course while your combined attention is understandably preoccupied.
More Bradley and Poeltl:
And one more:
Poeltl has gathered 32 points and 19 assists across 45 minutes of preseason participation thus far after gaining substantial recognition at FIBA EuroBasket this summer. He could be positioned for an outstanding season, specifically as a facilitator, with Bradley consuming a substantial degree of attention and a multitude of tall athletes exploiting the vulnerabilities these two will generate.
In the meantime, Vassell, who now possesses 30 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, four steals and a block across two preseason exhibitions, is poised to execute actions such as these on the defensive aspect and in the open space.
So, prepare yourselves Spurs enthusiasts. The Fred VanVleet injury may be disheartening, but this team is still set for launch based on the strength of this exceptional trio, a defense that remains robust, a considerable amount of size, and proficient coaching under Gregg Popovich. We witnessed indications of all these elements during Bradley’s premiere on Wednesday.
