Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan says he’s more motivated than he’s ever been in his career, as he told NBA.com in a TV interview. DeRozan was highly agitated when the Raptors traded him away to the Spurs and while he claims he’s over the disappointment, he feels he has something to prove while moving to the Western Conference. “I treated my whole summer workout with that motivation, that chip on my shoulder. It’s making me more anxious to get out there and play,” he said.
In other news around the Spurs:
- Coach Gregg Popovich said during the team’s annual media day on Monday that Dejounte Murray is up for the challenge of becoming the team’s next standout point guard, Madalyn Mendoza of the San Antonio Express News writes. “He really wants to be good, he really wants to be to the team what Tony (Parker) was to the team,” Popovich said. “I’m confident he’ll do that as time goes on.” Murray’s ability to push the ball will force the tempo and challenge his teammates, Popovich adds. “Other players will have to run like they’ve never run before because he’s going to go,” Popovich said. “And if they want to ball they’ll have to run with him.”
- LaMarcus Aldridge is glad the Kawhi Leonard saga is over and doesn’t want to rehash it, Michael Bolin of 247Sports relays. “It’s obviously gone now. If you are gonna ask questions about that whole thing, I’m not going to answer it,” the veteran power forward said. “We are happy to turn the page.”
- Popovich took recently retired guard Manu Ginobili on his annual coaches’ retreat last week, ESPN’s Michael C. Wright tweets. Ginobili revealed earlier this month that Popovich tried to talk him into playing for another season.
DeRozan will play at an MVP level, I’m sure Pop will bring down his shots and make him a lot more efficient and a better defender.
Murray- 14 ppg 5 rpg 6 apg
DeRozan- 22 ppg 3 rpg 4 apg
Gay- 13 ppg 4 rpg 2 apg
Aldridge- 21 ppg 11 rpg 2 apg
Gasol- 10 ppg 7 rpg 2 apg
He might even make Derozan a forward. That gets minutes for Derrick White, Forbes, Bellinelli, Mills, rookie Walker.
Motivated DeRozan should be good, just not sure how he and LMA will co-exist. Both play in the mid-range and want the shots. Aldridge struggled his first year in SA because he was not able to play his game and get the touches, could be interesting again this year.
”It’s obviously gone now. If you are gonna ask questions about that whole thing, I’m not going to answer it,” the veteran power forward said. “We are happy to turn the page.” Interesting quote from Lamarcus A. about Kawhi. Almost like describing the plague or some disease.