Spurs are big fans of 1 other player from NBA Draft
Apr 10, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Victor Wembanyama is viewed by many as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James came out of high school, but some with the San Antonio Spurs do not think the No. 1 overall pick is the only franchise-altering talent from this year’s draft.
The Spurs made life extremely difficult for Brandon Miller in the rookie’s NBA Summer League debut Monday night. Miller, who was taken second overall by the Charlotte Hornets, committed six turnovers and struggled defensively. The former Alabama star ended up with 18 points, but 12 of them came in the fourth quarter of Charlotte’s 98-77 loss.
According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs do not believe Miller’s performance against them is a preview of what his NBA career will look like. Some even feel Miller has the potential to be the next Kawhi Leonard.
I can tell you there are those in the Spurs organization who think he could be the next Kawhi. https://t.co/x7nOUVOe10
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) July 4, 2023
The Spurs drafted Leonard No. 15 overall in 2011. The five-time All-Star helped San Antonio win a championship three years later and was named NBA Finals MVP. Leonard then went on to lead the Toronto Raptors to a title in 2019.
Miller was booed by some Hornets fans when the team picked him. A lot of people feel Scoot Henderson would have been the better pick and don’t like that Miller was connected to a murder case.
The Spurs are obviously happy they ended up with Wembanyama, but it seems safe to say they would have chosen Miller if they had the second pick.
