Hector Ledesma Articles - Page 9

Victor Wembanyama scored 19 points, several in impression fashion, leading France to a 78-66 win vs. Brazil. That win came on the heels of Australia’s Olympic 92-80 against Spain in the Olympics opener. So, it turns out the San Antonio Spurs’ generational talent and two of their former players – one of them beloved – took […]

Veteran NBA reporter Zach Lowe recently grabbed headlines by stating he thought Tim Duncan ranked ahead of the late Kobe Bryant among the NBA’s best ever players. It’s a statement with which some, if not many, disagree. An often overlooked reality, though, suggest that the San Antonio Spurs Hall-of-Famer should get the nod over the […]

For as good as their off-season has been, perhaps the San Antonio Spurs best move in NBA free agency has been one they haven’t made. Though they’ve been linked to Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, the asking price has reportedly been steep. While the Spurs would love to pair the 27-year-old forward with their recent […]

If the San Antonio Spurs Summer League team’s biggest prospects were to be graded over NBA Summer play, they’d get an “Incomplete.” From the fourth overall pick in this draft Stephon Castle, to Sidy Cissoko – whom legendary coach Gregg Popovich praised – and this year’s second round selection Harrison Ingram, the takeaways lend to […]

With their exhibition play winding down, the French National Team is getting closer to their first official contest of the 2024 Olympic Games and the fulfillment of a dream for San Antonio Spurs generational talent Victor Wembanyama. This Victor Wembanyama stepback off the dribble three was so ridiculous that all the commentator could do was […]

Though he ended up playing in just three games during NBA Summer League competitions, San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle wrapped up play with a better feeling than when he started competition at the professional level. “I have a lot of confidence in myself in that way and I feel like our team and our […]

San Antonio Spurs legendary coach Gregg Popovich opened up about several of his players – three of them new and one who could be in for an important role – during an ESPN interview for a Spurs Summer League game over the weekend. In talking about Chris Paul, last year’s second round draft pick Sidy […]

Stephon Castle’s 2024 Summer League is over. The organization announced the decision prior to Sunday night’s game versus the Atlanta Hawks. It’s a move that comes with precaution after the San Antonio Spurs’ first-round pick sprained his right wrist on Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s believed to be a minor injury, but the […]

San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich sat court side with Chris Paul during a Summer League game over the weekend. It reinforces that the two NBA legends are now on the same side after a couple of epic playoff battles in their past. From Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, to Steve Nash, to Dirk Nowitzki, […]

Could it be that the San Antonio Spurs greatest strength during NBA Free Agency has also served as a weakness? Hard to follow? Let’s explain. The free agent signing of Chris Paul and a trade for Harrison Barnes that also came with future first round draft picks were widely met with applause, and rightfully so. […]

Stephon Castle’s first two tastes of NBA action didn’t disappoint. The San Antonio Spurs’ first-round pick scored 18 points Tuesday in his team’s first win of NBA Summer League play. He then put in 12 in the squad’s California Classic opener before sitting out for rest the next night. “It felt great, just being out […]

Though he was traded in the heart of the NBA Free Agency period, Harrison Barnes says he had choices. He then added that joining the San Antonio Spurs was a no-brainer. “There was definitely options where that was a factor, whether or not it would be waived,” the 11-year NBA pro revealed about a trade […]

Chris Paul’s opening press conference as a member of the San Antonio Spurs was as honest as it was routine. He’s excited to play for Gregg Popovich and he’s well aware of his elder statesmen status in the NBA, but CP3 let it be known that he’s not planning on spending the twilight of his […]

For a player named Harrison, his first taste of San Antonio Spurs-related life has been “crazy.” Perhaps this applies to noted NBA veteran Harrison Barnes, who arrives in the Alamo City via trade this summer, but right now, we’re talking about the team’s second-round pick out of last month’s draft, Harrison Ingram. And this is […]

It might be easier to name the NBA coaches who don’t have direct ties to the legendary Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs. In fact, we’re just a couple of years removed from the Mike Budenholzer-led Milwaukee Bucks knocking off another Pop disciple, Monty Williams, and the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals […]

The trade for veteran forward Harrison Barnes continues a San Antonio Spurs trend.  They’re trying to have it both ways. And so far this NBA off-season, the Spurs are doing a pretty good job. In a concerted effort to keep an eye on the future as they build around generational talent Victor Wembanyama, the organization […]

Summer League is underway and San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle looks forward to the challenge that comes with going from a college star at UConn basketball to the NBA. In his first game in a Silver and Black uniform, Castle tallied 12 points, six reb0unds and three assists in a 97-65 loss to the […]

This hasn’t been a routine start to NBA Free Agency for the San Antonio Spurs. Then again, Victor Wembanyama isn’t just another player. On the heels of agreeing to terms with 12-time All-Star Chris Paul, the Spurs have reportedly submitted a trade offer to the Utah Jazz for Lauri Markkanen and were said to be […]

Amid the buzz that the San Antonio Spurs want to trade for Lauri Markannen, a report indicates they may be interested in bringing back DeMar DeRozan as NBA Free Agency kicks into high gear. When Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald posted that the Miami Heat are exploring ways to add DeRozan, he indicated that […]

Though some reports indicate any trade involving Lauri Markkanen may not be likely, the San Antonio Spurs have been linked to the Utah Jazz forward. There’s good reason. Actually, there are two good reasons they should be interested in the 27-year-old scorer. Though if a deal is possible, San Antonio appears to have some competition. […]

Normally a franchise that stays quiet during NBA Free Agency, the San Antonio Spurs made one of the league’s first splashes — maybe the biggest — to start the period. In reportedly agreeing to terms with Chris Paul, the Spurs not only adds one of the best point guards to play the game, but they […]

Many in the basketball world, not just fans of the San Antonio Spurs, are begging the team to make a splash. The presence of Victor Wembanyama, whose generational talent could help the team dramatically improve, leaves folks asking what the San Antonio will do in NBA Free Agency. With a couple of big names on […]

The San Antonio Spurs, who’ve been linked to Chris Paul for a while now, are reportedly signing the future Hall of Fame point guard and pairing him up with Victor Wembanyama, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. With the Golden State Warriors releasing Paul to start NBA Free Agency, the Silver and Black have reportedly […]

As always, predicting what the San Antonio Spurs may do in NBA Free Agency proves next to impossible. The Victor Wembanyama effect adds to the intrigue. And in reading into what the Silver and Black may do, General Manager Brian Wright didn’t help matters any. “I don’t know about all that,” Wright started to answer […]

With the NBA’s official Free Agency period approaching, let’s take a look at the approach the San Antonio Spurs will use as they look to build around generational talent Victor Wembenayama this summer. It’s a plan that first requires some fessing up from Gregg Popovich. “You know that’s a lie,” the Hall of Fame coach […]

Former North Carolina basketball star Harrison Ingram ingratiated himself in a hurry to San Antonio Spurs fans during the team’s press conference that centered on two of the team’s picks in the NBA Draft. The fourth overall selection Stephon Castle was on hand and though the team’s choice at number 36, Juan Nunez wasn’t present, […]

In introducing Stephon Castle at a local press conference, the San Antonio Spurs’ first round pick of the NBA Draft opened up about a number of topics, including what it means to start his NBA career with the proud franchise. “It’s definitely been a dream come true,” Castle said about entering the NBA with the […]

The San Antonio Spurs came away with a couple of players in the second round of the NBA Draft that fit models they’d previously followed. In drafting Juan Nunez after a trade, they went with yet another foreign player. In adding Harrison Ingram, San Antonio repeated a path that led them to this year’s first […]

From a two-time national championship coach to a five-time champion. From a program that’s established a culture to a franchise that helped make the term relevant in sports. Stephon Castle is thrilled to go from Dan Hurley and the UConn Basketball to Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. “I was just playing for the […]

Stephon Castle is officially a San Antonio Spur. Listening to the organization’s general manager, Castle was already a Spur, in a sense, before Brian Wright and company took him with the fourth overall pick in the NBA’s first round of the draft. The team’s Hall of Fame head coach, Gregg Popovich, often famously praises players […]

The San Antonio Spurs came away with UConn star Stephon Castle and draft picks in 2030 and 2031 from the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. In taking Castle fourth overall, San Antonio selected a player many thought they would in a rarity over the years. What they did with the eighth pick proved […]

Predicting what any NBA team will do in the draft often proves tough. Predicting what the San Antonio Spurs will do seems almost impossible. Predicting what the Spurs will do with two top-ten picks in a 2024 NBA Draft field filled with parity and uncertainty near the top is probably futile. All that said, we […]

Legitimate interest or a head fake? With the NBA Draft on the doorstep, the San Antonio Spurs have an increasing interest in getting to know more about Donovan Clingan according to a report headlined by ESPN’s Jonathan’s Givony and Jeremy Woo. For all the players linked to the Black and Silver as they look to […]

In the final days before the NBA Draft, most teams, especially those picking in the lottery, are rumored to be examining several different options. No different for the San Antonio Spurs, who hold the fourth and eighth picks this week. Reports indicate that the Black and Silver have a strong interest in forward Zaccharie Risacher. […]

With the 2024 NBA Finals and the champion Boston Celtics official celebration behind us, ’tis the time to reflect on not only this season, but NBA champions of the past as well. Thanks to Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs and their fans have multiple title […]

Reports indicate Tobias Harris is entering NBA free agency. The San Antonio Spurs are among five teams that are said to be interested according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report. The Philadelphia 76ers forward is coming off a season in which he averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Good numbers for […]

As much success as the San Antonio Spurs have enjoyed at top of the NBA Draft, they’ve had extraordinary fortune with later selections as well. For Tim Duncan, there is Manu Ginobili. For David Robinson, there is Tony Parker. For Victor Wembanyama, there is Kawhi Leonard. With that, we examine the five best draft picks […]

They are Derrick White’s version of bumps and bruises. Demolished teeth. With his first NBA championship now in the bag. the Boston Celtics first since 2008, the former San Antonio Spurs guard has been able to turn his attention to his chipped tooth by getting a temporary one installed as the city and franchise continue […]

Generational talent Victor Wembanyama actually is trying to do it all. The 20-year-old marvel is continuing to work with Jamal Crawford, who’s considered one of the NBA’s best ever ball handlers as well as a three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner. It appears to be another step Wembanyama, who carried loads of expectations before […]