Take Five: Rebuilding Around Wembanyama and Scouting the NBA Draft

Observations from live coverage of the San Antonio Spurs and G League Ignite.

Yours truly had the opportunity to cover the San Antonio Spurs, G League Ignite, and Austin Spurs in person over the last week, and that would never have been possible if not for the support y’all have shown The Vic-and-Roll since we launched this website in December. From the bottom of my heart, thank y’all for reading and subscribing.

Though we usually focus on Victor Wembanyama and his rising co-star Devin Vassell, it only felt appropriate to redirect the spotlight to the supporting cast to examine who might make the cut when push comes to shove this offseason. And, of course, we took time to scout a prospect who may soon be the newest member of the Silver and Black.

Without further ado, here are the five most striking takeaways from my vantage point in various seats on media rows across the state.

---

1.) Sidy Cissoko

After diving into his G League film, it is clear that Sidy Cissoko possesses the physical tools and feel for the game to become a rotation player at the next level if he continues fleshing out the holes in his arsenal. However, his first taste of legitimate action might not arise this season as the Spurs rely on an established pecking order and lineups in a sincere attempt to be competitive during the last leg of the regular season schedule.

Even when Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News asked Popovich about the possibility of Cissoko receiving minutes in San Antonio in the latest pregame presser, the 75-year-old head coach seemingly shot down the idea that we should expect to see the rookie suit up in the NBA anytime soon by skirting around the question.

“He’s getting minutes with the G League," Popovich said. “I want him to get as many minutes as possible. He’s just doing the best he can, trying to figure out what kind of player he’s going to be, just like everyone else in the G League.”

Though it appears the teenage forward will have to bide his time in Austin for the rest of the season, he has demonstrated promising playmaking flashes as a potent rebound-and-run passer and heady half-court connector. Cissoko also supplies off-ball utility as a cutter, but his horrific three-point shooting could make it impossible to carve out an everyday role unless the organization has an influx of deadeyes this summer.

As is the case with most youngsters, turnovers and fouls have been an issue from time to time, and Cissoko can get too ambitious with passes and overly physical on defense. Nonetheless, his suffocating pressure at the point of attack, extraordinary anticipation in the lanes, relentless pursuit in recovery, and switchability should endear him to Pop as he finds his footing as a wing stopper, event creator, and deflection machine.

---