As a season of adversity and uncertainty comes to an end, Spurs fans can be certain of one thing: Stephon Castle was the right choice for this squad. He was regarded as one of the most pro-ready prospects in his draft class, and he has proven this to be right. He is going to win Rookie of the Year easily. At this point, announcing the award is simply ceremonial.
I expected Castle to be a finalist and convinced that he would win, but he has beyond even my expectations. The previous NCAA champion entered the league with a winning background, thanks to Dan Hurley’s coaching at UConn.
He demonstrated it on the court, but the statistics do not reveal what is most important about San Antonio’s rookie.
Zach Lowe, the recently resurrected NBA commentator, has settled in at The Ringer after a brief absence following his departure from ESPN. Lowe was joined by another notable analyst, Kirk Goldsberry, who praised Castle. Goldsberry spoke about what makes Steph special, and he couldn’t be more correct.
“When you talk to the Spurs, they don’t discuss statistics with him. They talk about locker-room presence, intangibles, and competition, which is not prevalent in this league right now.” – Kirk Goldsberry
Castle has the “it” factor, which coaches cannot teach.
You either have “it” or don’t, and Stephon Castle has the sauce that every player wishes they had. When he speaks to the media, he oozes confidence. He believes in himself, which is a great trait. It isn’t cocky confidence either. The Peach State native is modest in his statement, but he isn’t scared to make his mark on the game.
There is no figure that measures ambition and grit, but if there were, Castle would be at the top of the list. When I watch certain young players, particularly high draft picks, I am looking for their motor. How badly do they want this?
When a young player demonstrates reasonable skill, significant development, and unwavering effort, there is typically something exceptional about them.
They will not always realize their full potential, which can be influenced by a variety of factors, most notably their surroundings. I am a big believer that going to the incorrect situation ruins more players than making them into success stories.
Fortunately, Castle is in the proper place to realize his potential. Kawhi Leonard is a sore point for Spurs supporters, but he is the final example of a drafted player who progressed enormously from what was expected of him to who he was by the end of his rookie season. The Klaw played with a tireless determination, often outperforming his opponents.
This leads to more possessions and points.
Steph has a similar motor, which is why he has grabbed so many of the rebounds indicated by Lowe and Goldsberry in the video above. Spurs Nation is pleased that Brian Wright has identified a player with the talents that the team requires, but they are also excited about who he is as a player. Castle has all of the necessary intangibles, and supporters couldn’t be more pleased with the hand they were dealt.
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