Josh Primo shows 'flip-the-switch' quality in Summer League
By Josh Paredes
![Gregg Popovich, Josh Primo Gregg Popovich, Josh Primo](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2503,h_1407,x_0,y_175/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/29/01g7g216zjnvfkyt4p94.jpg)
"That's what we need from you!" shouted San Antonio Spurs Assistant Coach Mitch Johnson when Joshua Primo hit a late-game 3-pointer on Friday.
It was only the sophomore's 12th point of the afternoon, one in which he was expected to assert his dominance as a man among boys (age aside). That basket came at the 3:40 mark of the final frame. By the end of the contest, Primo ended up with a game-high 20 points.
It was clear from the get-go that the 19-year-old was looking to get others involved as much as possible throughout the game. As a result, 25th pick Blake Wesley was able to enjoy an impressive debut, tying Primo with team-highs of 20 points and five assists.
When the Spurs were just about out of the game and Wesley started to cramp up, though, it was Primo who decided to flip the switch.
Primo getting in his 💼 pic.twitter.com/ExWg3oqKVX
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 8, 2022
Joshua Primo pours it on in the final four minutes
It was a dazzling display of eight points in two minutes for Primo, who used a combination of step-back threes, tough teardrops, and fancy footwork in the process. Hitting outside shots from 24, 25, and 25 feet, he closed the gap in the game's final minutes and showed he has the ability to take over when needed in the Summer League.
With the left?! That's toughhhh, @JoshuaPrimo4 💧 pic.twitter.com/wIvHTF0M2g
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 8, 2022
The Summer League isn't about winning though, even if the league is trying to make it so by debuting Summer League Champion rings. It's about developing the fresh faces on the squad -- something Primo was last year.
And develop they did, as Malaki Branham also showed some flashes in his debut -- ending the game with 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting. The 6-9 power forward, Dominick Barlow, also showed some positive signs, grabbing seven boards to go along with his nine points.
Joshua Primo understood the assignment on Friday, but something tells me his competitiveness took over late in the game anyway. It was a good sight to see from someone who's going to play a prominent role on the main squad likely for years to come.
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Let's see if the young fella has some more tricks in his bag as the Summer League continues.