Saturday night time did not finish like San Antonio Spurs hoped for, as they narrowly missed a victory in opposition to the Utah Jazz, shedding 111-110. However on this robust loss, it was exhausting to overlook the excellent efficiency of rookie Stephon Citadel.
The previous UCONN star and lottery choose placed on a present, dropping a career-high 23 factors on 8-of-16 taking pictures, together with three photographs from past the arc. He additionally added two rebounds, three assists and two steals, exhibiting how full his recreation may be.
Citadel, solely 20 years previous, performed an important function in maintaining the Spurs aggressive all night time. Though the workforce finally failed, his efficiency was a beacon of hope: a glimpse of his potential to make an actual impression in San Antonio.
“My confidence hasn’t actually been shaken,” Citadel stated after the sport. “Generally they did not fall. I have been within the health club and labored on it rather a lot. My guys have been within the health club with me. All of us belief one another to shoot the ball, regardless of who it’s ‘is.’
For Citadel, Saturday was simply the newest instance of a younger participant discovering his groove. Studying beneath veteran Chris Paul, Citadel has a singular alternative to develop his expertise as a playmaker and flooring chief. And along with his mix of athleticism, protection and confidence, he is already attracting consideration as a possible long-term candidate alongside his youthful Spurs teammates.
Citadel’s decision-making in pick-and-roll eventualities has additionally proven nice promise.
Whereas his main function may finally be geared towards playmaking, his capability to guide the second unit as an initiator has allowed the Spurs to maximise spacing with their forwards and bigs.
When Citadel labored alongside Paul, the Spurs backcourt was capable of manipulate the Jazz protection with two ball handlers able to working totally different units. This setup allowed the Spurs to run a number of display screen actions in a single possession, complicated the protection and creating choices each on the rim and past the arc.
Citadel’s emergence is promising, however with Devin Vassell anticipated to extend his minutes quickly, it stays to be seen if Citadel will retain his beginning function. However for now, he is making each minute depend and giving Spurs followers one thing to stay up for.
The Spurs are again in motion in opposition to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, November 11 at 7 p.m. CT.
