Bucks Drop Second Summer League Game In Loss To Spurs

After a disappointing showing in their Summer League bow against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, the Milwaukee Bucks were back in action at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

Their opponent on this occasion was the San Antonio Spurs, who had also lost their first game of the tournament, falling to Kristaps Porzingis‘ New York Knicks on Saturday night.

There’s probably no team in the NBA that’s more famous for their “culture” than San Antonio, and from this game it seems even on their Summer League roster the philosophy trickles down.

The Spurs looked to play unselfish basketball, moving the ball for better shots, and it paid off as they were an absolute juggernaut from behind the three-point line, making over 66 percent of their attempts from deep.

Much of the credit for that has to go to the woman who was facing off against Bucks’ Summer League coach Sean Sweeney, San Antonio’s Becky Hammon. Hammon’s hiring was seen as a ground-breaking move by many around the league last season, and this just seems like a logical next step in the process for her coaching career.

In the game itself, the Bucks came out with the same lineup that started their first game of the competition, and many of the same faces shone through, and also failed to shine.

Of the players currently on Milwaukee’s main roster, it was this year’s 17th overall pick Rashad Vaughn who was the pick of the bunch. Since being selected by the Bucks, most of the talk surrounding Vaughn has focused on his shooting, but the former UNLV man showed some different wrinkles to his game in this one.

Sure, the 18-year-old made a three-pointer, but on an all-round horrible shooting night for him he had to find other ways to contribute too.

Vaughn showed a more diversified offensive game than many have spoken about with a couple of nice slashes to the basket, followed by smooth layup finishes.

For a player who was often termed as selfish prior to the draft, the rookie also displayed some nice passing. Vaughn had four assists, including a couple of highlight dimes in the form of an over the shoulder dish to Kevin Jones and a perfectly timed alley-oop to Michael Eric.

Vaughn did have five turnovers on the night, but if that came as a by-product of him trying to distribute, well Summer League is designed to be a learning experience, so I wouldn’t worry too much.

Damien Inglis had another frustrating night as he continues to try and feel his way back into basketball condition. The Frenchman went 0-5 from the field, but did grab five rebounds in his 15 minutes of play.

Jorge Gutierrez had eleven points in a display that was at least more active than his opener against New Orleans, yet three assists against four turnovers doesn’t really cut it for a guy who has been an NBA point guard.

Of the non-roster players, there were a number of positives for Milwaukee though.

After a hit and miss first game, big man Michael Eric was sensational on this occasion. Just short of a double-double with ten points and nine boards, Eric did great work in the pick-and-roll and added in four blocks for good measure.

Star of the first game, Sean Kilpatrick once again came out shooting, making 3-5 from deep on his way to eleven points on the night.

Pint-sized point guard Jerome Randle was once again impressive with eight points and no turnovers in eleven minutes of play where he showcased his elite handles as well as a nifty pull-up jumper.

Former University of Oklahoma Sooner Cameron Clark was on his game once again too, with 5-10 shooting leading him to an eleven points, six rebounds showing.

Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Kyle Anderson (1) shoots against the defense of New York Knicks center Kristaps Porzingis (46) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Despite some good performances, the Bucks were outclassed on the night by the Spurs though.

Jarrell Eddie who briefly spent some time with the Atlanta Hawks last season shot the lights out for San Antonio with 15 points including 5-8 from behind the arc.

Summer League standout Jonathan Simmons recently signed a contract with the Spurs, and continued to show out with 13 points including a thunderous dunk over Michael Eric.

It was last season’s first round pick Kyle Anderson who was the orchestrator though with his 22 points and five rebounds proving too much for Milwaukee to handle.

Next up for the Bucks, they’ll square off with the Cleveland Cavaliers at 3pm Central today.

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