San Antonio Spurs Rookie Stephon Fortress is shortly making his presence felt within the preseason, most lately main the crew with 17 factors coming off the bench in a 107-97 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday evening.
His stat line – 17 factors (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-10 FT), two rebounds, 4 assists and two steals – solely scratches the floor of the impression Fortress is already exhibiting, and the Spurs teaching employees, together with head coach Gregg Popovich, have to be intrigued by his early improvement.
Fortress’s skillset and match with the San Antonio system
Fortress’s athleticism instantly stands out, particularly in a system recognized for creating proficient and versatile gamers beneath Popovich.
His elite leaping potential and defensive potential make him a singular addition to a Spurs crew that’s incorporating new expertise behind Victor Wembanyama. Popovich has at all times valued gamers with a excessive IQ, and Fortress’s pure instincts on each ends of the court docket place him effectively for an enormous position this season.
Fortress’s potential to get to the free throw line, as demonstrated by his 10 makes an attempt within the Orlando sport, is a uncommon trait for a rookie guard. This talent is particularly priceless for the Spurs, who typically depend on guards who can break down defenses and create offense by attacking the rim.
His mixture of fast first step acceleration, physique management and physicality means he’s not solely able to scoring but additionally fouling, an essential asset in slowing down the sport or punishing defenses for being out of place .
In Popovich’s offense, Fortress’s passing potential can be key.
He confirmed nice imaginative and prescient with 4 assists in his latest efficiency, which might turn into a defining a part of his sport.
In a system the place ball motion is essential, Fortress’s potential to acknowledge defensive shifts and discover open teammates will enable him to thrive.
His evolving chemistry with massive males like Wembanyama, Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson will create further spacing, permitting Fortress to drive and kick or discover the roll man on pick-and-roll performs.
The Postman Chris Paul
One of the vital thrilling features of Fortress’s improvement is the prospect of taking part in alongside veteran level guard Chris Paul.
Paul’s arrival in San Antonio offers Fortress a mentor who excels in half-court offense, decision-making and defensive depth. Paul’s flooring common position is known, and pairing Fortress with him within the backcourt will speed up the rookie’s development by inserting him in lineups the place he does not must dominate the ball however can nonetheless assault off screens and cuts.
Defensively, Fortress’s size and athleticism make him an excellent candidate to pair with Paul, whose defensive acumen is commonly underestimated.
Though Paul can tackle extra conventional level guard duties, Fortress’s potential to protect a number of positions – given his 6-foot-6 body and fast lateral motion – will give Popovich the flexibleness to vary assignments, a vital trait in at present’s NBA.
Overview: Spurs rotations and Fortress improvement
Fortress’s position alongside Tre Jones and Devin Vassell within the backcourt presents quite a lot of attention-grabbing prospects for Popovich.
Vassell, the Spurs’ finest perimeter defender outdoors of Wembanyama, has turn into a dependable two-way participant, and Fortress’s presence as a slasher and facilitator might additionally unlock extra scoring alternatives for Vassell.
Jones, a extra conventional level guard with a pass-first mentality, might complement Fortress’s dynamic athleticism in staggered rotations.
Nonetheless, the actual intrigue is available in how Fortress would possibly play towards Wembanyama, the Spurs’ crown jewel.
In pick-and-roll conditions, Fortress’s potential to make the appropriate learn – whether or not it is a lob to Wembanyama or discovering an open shooter like Champagnie, Johnson or Vassell – will probably be important to the offensive circulation Spurs.
Popovich’s system has at all times favored multi-dimensional guards who can learn defenses, and Fortress’s creating offensive abilities place him to turn into a key a part of the crew’s core.
Use the defensive potential of the citadel
Defensively, Fortress is already exhibiting the potential to be a disruptor on the perimeter.
Together with his lengthy wingspan and fast footwork, he’s able to switching to a number of positions, a trait that can enable the Spurs to be versatile of their defensive schemes. Popovich is more likely to make use of extra change defenses, using Fortress’s potential to protect each smaller guards and larger wings.
This defensive versatility, mixed along with his knack for producing steals, will give the Spurs extra transition alternatives.
Popovich’s Problem: Managing Expectations
At simply 19 years outdated, Fortress remains to be uncooked, however the fundamentals of an impression participant are evident.
Popovich will seemingly coach him up slowly, beginning the season with extra bench minutes and step by step rising his position as he turns into extra comfy with the velocity and physicality of the NBA.
Given the Spurs’ observe report of creating younger expertise, Fortress is in an excellent state of affairs to refine his offensive sport, notably his capturing consistency and decision-making in high-pressure conditions.
If Devin Vassell stays out as a result of damage, Fortress might discover himself within the beginning lineup before anticipated.
On this state of affairs, Popovich would seemingly place him in a guard lineup with Chris Paul, maximizing Fortress’s off-ball motion whereas letting Paul orchestrate the offense.
The necessities
Fortress is the kind of rookie the Spurs have at all times thrived with.
His early preseason performances have already proven flashes of brilliance, and with Popovich guiding him, his sport is more likely to develop exponentially all through his rookie season.
Whereas there will probably be some rising pains, Fortress’s athleticism, defensive potential and creating offensive toolkit make him an intriguing a part of the Spurs’ future alongside foundational skills like Wembanyama and Vassell.
For San Antonio followers, that is an thrilling prospect to stay up for.
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