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Spurs' Stephon Castle explains why Jalen Brunson is trickier than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has now defended both elite guards, Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Castle defended SGA in the seven-game Western Conference Finals and did the assignment on Brunson in the NBA Finals Game 1 against the New York Knicks.
After the 105-95 loss, Castle highlighted the differences between the two guards. The Spurs star noted that while SGA is a threat when he is driving to the basket, Brunson gets to his spots and makes those angles count.
"I'd say they're very similar in ways," Castle told reporters. "Obviously, Jalen's left-handed, Shai's right-handed. But I think Shai is more of a threat to get all the way downhill, all the way to the basket.
I think Jalen likes to use angles a lot more, uses probably a little bit more pump fakes than Shai. But yeah, most of it is angles and trying to get to his spots and not really trying to draw fouls as much, but trying to get to his mid-range and get to spots the way he likes."
In a way, Castle seems to be suggesting that defending Brunson might be tougher than the assignment on the two-time MVP.
With exceptional defense, you can force a foot misstep from SGA while he drives to the basket, but Brunson is agile, smart, and has exceptional footwork with a great mid-range game. He gets to his spots with sharp dribbling skills and creates space for himself with step-back and pump fakes. You can almost be caught in two minds while defending him and that's where the trickier part lies.
MORE:Jalen Brunson spoils Air Corgi's viral Spurs prediction in NBA Finals Game 1
Stephon Castle needs some catching up to do against Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson erupted for 30 points, including 13 points in the fourth quarter, to take the Knicks over the hump in the NBA Finals Game 1 against the Spurs.
If the Spurs stand a chance to swing the momentum to their side in Game 2, he needs to be on the top of his game while defending Brunson. Instead of chasing steals and overcommitting, the Spurs guard might need to cut down his angles and make him feel uncomfortable.
If Castle can make Brunson work for everything, the Spurs have a better chance to tie the series before they head to MSG for Games 3 and 4.
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