By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-07-10 12:30:19
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2024 年 7 月 6 日，加州萨克拉门托：在 2024 年 7 月 6 日星期六于加州萨克拉门托 Golden1 中心举行的加州经典夏季联赛对阵夏洛特黄蜂队的比赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔在第四节跑到替补席时与队友击掌 /eknny/。（图片来自 Reginald Thomas II/圣安东尼奥马刺队）
加州萨克拉门托——周二，马刺队的目光都集中在圣安东尼奥，因为球队公布了今夏最引人注目的自由球员签约。
克里斯·保罗，这位 12 届全明星球员，马刺队的宿敌，以及被广泛认为是他那一代顶级控球后卫的球员，现在将穿上银黑相间的球衣。
在西边 1700 英里外，这位即将成为保罗最新的 NBA 门徒的 19 岁年轻人，全心全意地为这一举动鼓掌。
“我对此超级开心，”新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔在马刺夏季联赛球队在萨克拉门托举行的加州经典赛上以 89-67 击败中国队后说道。“能有像他这样的球员，和他并肩作战，让他指导我一点，这将会很有趣。”
上个月，卡斯尔在选秀大会上被康涅狄格大学选中，排名第四。他向各支球队明确表示，他的目标是在 NBA 成为一名首发控球后卫。
如果这意味着有机会与像保罗这样的控球后卫传奇人物一起分享球场和录像分析室，卡斯尔很乐意暂时搁置这些计划。
“从小看篮球长大，你总是在看克里斯·保罗，”卡斯尔说。“他是 NBA 历史上最优秀的控球后卫之一。仅仅是知道他现在是我的队友之一，这是一种很棒的感觉。”
保罗以一份价值近 1100 万美元的为期一年的合同到来，这可能会让卡斯尔在马刺队的阵容深度排名中下降，至少目前是这样。
如果保罗选择与其他球队签约，卡斯尔几乎肯定会以马刺队首发控球后卫的身份开启他的新秀赛季。保罗的到来可能会让卡斯尔移到德文·瓦塞尔身后的替补得分后卫位置。
马刺队——以及卡斯尔——相信这种取舍是值得的。
马刺队的教练组相信，保罗对上赛季 NBA 最年轻的阵容的影响将是积极的。
“这将是无价的，”马刺夏季联赛教练肯尼·特雷沃(Kenny Trevino)说，他一直在萨克拉门托与卡斯尔和其他新秀一起训练。“我认为克里斯对（卡斯尔）以及其他所有人来说都将是巨大的帮助。”
在之前的职业生涯中，保罗一直被认为帮助年轻的后卫们打开了比赛的新局面，特别是在俄克拉荷马城的谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大和菲尼克斯的德文·布克。
卡斯尔可能是下一个。
周二，在马刺队总部举行的新闻发布会上，保罗与另一位新加盟的老将哈里森·巴恩斯一起受到欢迎。这位 39 岁的控球后卫明确表示，他前往圣安东尼奥是为了打球，而不是执教。
如果需要传授经验，保罗——这位即将迎来他职业生涯第 20 个赛季的 NBA 现役助攻王——表示，他希望这些经验教训是双向的。
“我很高兴能与这些家伙分享我的知识，以及他们想知道的任何事情，”保罗说。“但我也很高兴看到我能从他们身上学到什么。”
不仅仅是卡斯尔渴望从保罗身上汲取营养，即使是在他即将 40 岁的时候。
维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)可以期待更多空接传球。瓦塞尔和其他人可以期待更多无人防守的三分球出手。
即使是那些不打控球后卫，甚至根本不怎么上场的球员，也可以期待着学习一两招关于 NBA 比赛是如何进行的。
“他和很多类型的球员一起打过球，也有过很多经历，”二年级前锋西迪·西索科(Sidy Cissoko)说。“他知道这一切是如何运作的。他知道如何取胜。我认为这是我们唯一缺少的一块拼图。”
渴望向保罗学习的愿望延伸到了马刺队轨道上的球员，他们可能不会进入球队秋季的常规名单。
25 岁的贾马里·布耶(Jamaree Bouyea)是马刺夏季联赛球队的控球后卫，上赛季他以一份双向 G 联赛合同结束了赛季。他说，他期待着在秋季训练营期间与保罗共度时光。
作为一名加州本地人，布耶对 2011 年至 2017 年期间观看保罗为洛杉矶快船队效力的比赛有着美好的回忆，当时这支球队被称为“空接之城”。
“我小时候很喜欢看，”布耶说。“即使是现在，他仍然是克里斯·保罗。他的球商很高。他超级聪明。观察他是如何工作和运作的，这将令人大开眼界。”
如果保罗能够与身高 7 英尺 3 英寸的文班亚马一起重建空接之城，那可能会打破从东海岸到西海岸的精彩集锦和篮板。
与此同时，卡斯尔已经在为保罗制定一份问题清单，一旦全队在圣安东尼奥集结，他就会向保罗请教。
这位控球后卫神童非常渴望学习。
“我想知道他的阅读比赛的能力，如何在持球和挡拆中运用，”卡斯尔说。“那是他的专长。我期待着向他请教，在那些情况下他在关注什么，试图从中学习并将其添加到我的比赛中。”
马刺队只花了 1100 万美元，就让他们未来的青少年控球后卫能够向有史以来最伟大的控球后卫之一学习。
马刺队——以及卡斯尔——都对这种安排充满希望，认为每一分钱都是值得的。
2024 年 7 月 6 日，加州萨克拉门托：在 2024 年 7 月 6 日星期六于加州萨克拉门托 Golden1 中心举行的加州经典夏季联赛对阵夏洛特黄蜂队的比赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队录像助理肯顿·特雷沃(Kenton Trevino)在第三节与圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔交谈。（图片来自 Reginald Thomas II/圣安东尼奥马刺队）
马刺队新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔在周六上午于维克托资本表演中心被介绍给媒体和受邀嘉宾后运球。
马刺队新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔在周六上午于维克托资本表演中心被介绍给媒体和受邀嘉宾后走下球场。
克里斯·保罗，自由球员，在为金州勇士队效力后与圣安东尼奥马刺队签署了一份为期一年的合同。2024 年 7 月 9 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，马刺队在宣布交易后不久举行的新闻发布会上，他正在向媒体发表讲话。
克里斯·保罗，自由球员，在为金州勇士队效力后与圣安东尼奥马刺队签署了一份为期一年的合同。2024 年 7 月 9 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，马刺队在宣布交易后不久举行的新闻发布会上，他正在向媒体发表讲话。
克里斯·保罗，自由球员，在为金州勇士队效力后与圣安东尼奥马刺队签署了一份为期一年的合同。2024 年 7 月 9 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，马刺队在宣布交易后不久举行的新闻发布会上，他正在向媒体发表讲话。
克里斯·保罗，自由球员，在为金州勇士队效力后与圣安东尼奥马刺队签署了一份为期一年的合同。2024 年 7 月 9 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，马刺队在宣布交易后不久举行的新闻发布会上，他正在向媒体发表讲话。
克里斯·保罗，自由球员，在为金州勇士队效力后与圣安东尼奥马刺队签署了一份为期一年的合同。2024 年 7 月 9 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，马刺队在宣布交易后不久举行的新闻发布会上，他正在向媒体发表讲话。
克里斯·保罗，自由球员，在为金州勇士队效力后与圣安东尼奥马刺队签署了一份为期一年的合同。2024 年 7 月 9 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，马刺队在宣布交易后不久举行的新闻发布会上，他正在向媒体发表讲话。
点击查看原文：Spurs rookie Stephon Castle 'super happy' to learn from Chris Paul
Spurs rookie Stephon Castle ‘super happy’ to learn from Chris Paul
July 6, 2024, Sacramento, CA: San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle high fives /eknny/ as he jogs to the bench during the fourth quarter of the California Classic Summer League game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Golden1 Center in Sacramento, California Saturday, July 6, 2024. (Photo by Reginald Thomas II/San Antonio Spurs)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The eyes of Spurs Nation were affixed to San Antonio on Tuesday, as the team unveiled its most high-profile free agent acquisition of the summer.
Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star, longtime Spurs antagonist and player widely regarded as the top point guard of his generation, is now set to don the silver and black.
A good 1,700 miles to the west, the 19-year-old who is set to become Paul’s latest NBA protégé wholeheartedly applauded the move.
“I’m super happy about that,” rookie Stephon Castle said after the Spurs’ Summer League team defeated Team China 89-67 at the California Classic in Sacramento. “To have a guy like that and play alongside him and have him mentor me a bit, it’s going to be fun.”
Selected fourth overall out of Connecticut last month, Castle made clear to teams heading into the draft he aimed to be a starting point guard in the NBA.
Castle is good with putting those plans on hold if it means a chance to share the court — and the film room — with a point guard legend like Paul.
“Growing up watching basketball, you’re always watching Chris Paul,” Castle said. “He’s one of the best point guards to ever play in the NBA. Just to know he’s one of my teammates now, it’s a great feeling.”
The arrival of Paul on a one-year deal worth nearly $11 million likely pushes Castle down the Spurs’ depth chart, at least for now.
Had Paul opted to sign elsewhere, Castle almost certainly would have opened his rookie campaign as the Spurs’ starter at the point. The presence of Paul likely moves Castle to the backup shooting guard slot behind Devin Vassell.
The Spurs — and Castle — believe the tradeoff will be worth it.
Spurs staffers believe Paul’s influence on a roster that last season was the youngest in the NBA will be a positive one.
“It’s going to be priceless,” said Spurs Summer League coach Kenny Trevino, who has been working with Castle and other rookies in Sacramento. “I think Chris is going to be huge for (Castle), as well as everybody else.”
At previous career stops, Paul has been credited for helping younger guards unlock new levels to their game, particularly Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City and Devin Booker in Phoenix.
Castle could be next in line.
At a news conference Tuesday at Spurs headquarters, where Paul was welcomed alongside fellow veteran newcomer Harrison Barnes, the 39-year-old point guard made clear he is headed to San Antonio to play, not coach.
If there is teaching to be done, Paul — the NBA’s active assists leader on the cusp of his 20th pro season — said he hopes the lessons go both ways.
“I’m excited to share with these guys what I know, whatever they want to know,” Paul said. “But I’m also excited to see what I can learn from them.”
It isn’t only Castle who is eager to glean from what Paul can offer, even at the doorstep of 40 years old.
Victor Wembanyama can expect more open lob passes. Vassell and others can expect more uncontested 3-point attempts.
Even players who don’t play point guard — or even play much at all — can expect to learn a thing or two about how the NBA game is played.
“He’s played with so many kinds of players and had so many experiences,” second-year forward Sidy Cissoko said. “He knows how this works. He knows how to win. I think that was the only piece we were missing.”
The desire to learn from Paul extends to players in the Spurs’ orbit who might not be ticketed for the team’s regular roster in the fall.
Jamaree Bouyea, the 25-year-old point guard of the Spurs’ summer squad who finished last season on a two-way G League contract, said he is looking forward to spending time around Paul in fall camp.
A California native, Bouyea harbors fond memories of watching Paul play for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2011 to 2017, when the franchise became known as “Lob City.”
“I loved watching that as a kid,” Bouyea said. “Even now, he’s still Chris Paul. He’s got a great IQ. He’s super smart. To watch how he works and how he operates, it’s going to be eye-opening.”
If Paul is able to recreate Lob City with the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama, it might break highlight reels and backboards from sea to shining sea.
Castle, meanwhile, has already been formulating a list of questions for Paul once the full team convenes in San Antonio.
The point guard prodigy is nothing if not eager to learn.
“I want to know about his reads, being on the ball and using pick and rolls,” Castle said. “That’s something he specializes in. I’m looking forward to picking his brain about what he’s looking at in those situations, trying to pick up on it and add it to my game.”
For the tidy sum of $11 million, the Spurs have set it up so their teenage point guard of the future can tutor under one of the greatest ever to do it.
The Spurs — and Castle — have high hopes that arrangement will be worth every penny.
July 6, 2024, Sacramento, CA: San Antonio Spurs video assistant Kenton Trevino talks to San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle during the third quarter of the California Classic Summer League game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Golden1 Center in Sacramento, California Saturday, July 6, 2024. (Photo by Reginald Thomas II/San Antonio Spurs)
Spurs draft pick Stephon Castle dribbles after being introduced to the media and invited guests Saturday morning as at the Victory Capital Performance Center.
Spurs draft pick Stephon Castle walks off the court after being introduced to the media and invited guests Saturday morning as at the Victory Capital Performance Center.
Chris Paul, is a free agent player and signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Golden State Warriors, was seen making remarks to the members of the press during a press conference held by the Spurs franchise shortly after the trade was announced on July 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
Chris Paul, is a free agent player and signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Golden State Warriors, was seen making remarks to the members of the press during a press conference held by the Spurs franchise shortly after the trade was announced on July 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
Chris Paul, is a free agent player and signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Golden State Warriors, was seen making remarks to the members of the press during a press conference held by the Spurs franchise shortly after the trade was announced on July 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
Chris Paul, is a free agent player and signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Golden State Warriors, was seen making remarks to the members of the press during a press conference held by the Spurs franchise shortly after the trade was announced on July 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
Chris Paul, is a free agent player and signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Golden State Warriors, was seen making remarks to the members of the press during a press conference held by the Spurs franchise shortly after the trade was announced on July 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
Chris Paul, is a free agent player and signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Golden State Warriors, was seen making remarks to the members of the press during a press conference held by the Spurs franchise shortly after the trade was announced on July 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News