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The Chinese national team has played two games in Sacramento and lost them by an average of more than 40 points. They looked much better in the second game than the first, as they kept the margin hovering about 10 points until the Hornets took over late in the second half. China was called for a ton of moving screens in their first two games but appeared to be figuring out how to avoid the call the more that they played, and if they can limit turnovers, they could be much more competitive.
China has size and shooters. I expect the Spurs to win this game, because the Chinese program is nowhere nearly as mature as the game is in the US, but it’s entirely possible for this team to put a scare into the undersized summer Spurs. The Summer Spurs are one of the least talented teams in Sacramento, especially if you leave out the trio of players expected to be in San Antonio after training camp. [Castle, Cissoko, Ingram] Many other NBA squads are putting more experienced players on their Summer League teams but the Spurs decided to just work out their rookies this year.
Summer League teams exist for the teams to work out their young players and get some extra practice in the team system, which is a little rough for the rest of the squad, who are just there to show off their games and get a taste of the NBA experience. Even though these guys are really good basketball players, they have only the slimmest chance of making it on an NBA roster, but they’re going to give it their all chasing the dream tonight.
Tonight will be the Spurs last game in the California Classic Summer League, and will be idle until Saturday night at 8:00 PM when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers in Las Vegas.
The Chinese team will protest some missed calls, but the referees will not notice because they have not figured out how to complain American style. Chris Paul will be hired as a consultant by the Chinese after he retires to address this problem.
One final word:
Go Spurs GOOOOOO!!
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