With all the success he’s had in his career, it’s not an easy feat to gain Gregg Popovich’s respect and receive high praise from him. However, Joffrey Lauvergne did enough during the San Antonio Spurs’ training camp to earn just that, as the veteran head coach only had good words to say about his performance the past few days of the league journeyman.
When asked to give his thoughts about the French international big man’s showing in training camp, Popovich said he was impressed with his rebounding, as well as offensive awareness, a key aspect for anyone playing in the Spurs system. He then added, via Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express News, that he likes his aggressiveness as well, but also knows when the best time is for him to score.
“His offensive awareness has been really good as far as choosing when to try to score, when to kick the ball, play with his teammates on defense,” Popovich said. “Rebounding-wise, he’s very willing. He’s got a good aggressiveness to him.”
Lauvergne signed with the Spurs back in July as a free agent, following his stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls last season. He is now a four-year NBA veteran, following his selection as the 55th overall pick in the 2013 draft. He has had a decent run in the league so far, with averages of 6.1 points, including 47.1 percent shooting from the field, and 4.0 rebounds in 153 career games.
The Spurs are known to have unheralded players blossom in their system, and their fans are hoping that Lauvergne will also have the same success with the team. If he can further develop his game under the tutelage of Popovich, he could turn out to be an important signing for them, and can establish himself as one of the better big men in the league in the future.
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