Set to take point guard reigns, Bryn Forbes cites Patty Mills as biggest help
SAN ANTONIO — Bryn Forbes is about to be put in a position no one thought he'd be in to start the 2018-19 San Antonio Spurs season - the team's starting point guard.
After a rash of injuries at the point guard spot - Derrick White, and Dejounte Murray - in a span of a week during the preseason, the Spurs will have to look to Forbes to be the floor general.
And he'll be tapping into the advice he's been receiving since his rookie season particularly from veteran guard Patty Mills.
"That's my guy," Forbes said to reporters following a recent team practice. "Man, from the first day I walked in here for training camp, he was the first person who came to me and was like 'If you need anything, come to me.'"
During his rookie season Forbes was tasked to learn the point guard position while with the G-League's Austin Spurs. He needed to get out of his comfort zone of just being a shooter and learn to play the hardest position in the NBA.
Now the Spurs will need to see those Austin lessons and Mills' guidance to bear fruit on the court once the new season starts.
"He took me under his wing from day one which has been huge for me and I have been learning from him ever since," said Forbes.
Mills found himself in the same situation last season. The veteran guard was asked to run the team and do so much more than what he has grown accustomed to in San Antonio.
Head coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged he needed Mills to help the team as much as he could including playing him out of his natural position.
"It's been tough for him because I've been playing him at the point guard position, at the wing, at the two-guard. He's been all over the place trying to help us any way he could," Popovich said.
Pop is asking Forbes to the same now.
But Mills’ experience last season should help the former Michigan State standout emerge as the Spurs floor leader as the new season commences.
"Even the other day, my first time at point guard, he's talking to me - this is what you do on this play, this is what you do here," Forbes said. "He's been one of the biggest helps for me since I've been here."
