Nando De Colo showed that he's still getting adjusted to the NBA in San Antonio's first game of the season against the Miami Heat. He played extended minutes with Coach Pop sitting his Big 3 and starting shooting guard. While it was seen as an obvious blowout in favor for the Heat, the Spurs reserves stayed in the game and gave a strong showing against the defending NBA champions and their stars.
For De Colo, it wasn't just another game but a learning experience.
Very closed game vs. the Heat ! Some stupids TO at the end but it's good to play, and I will learn about it… for the rest of the season.
— Nando De Colo (@NandoDeColo) November 30, 2012
The San Antonio Spurs made some costly mistakes at the end which gave the game to the Heat and De Colo was at the center of some of them.
The most notable one was not defending Ray Allen on the inbounds when the Spurs needed to foul. That mistake upset Coach Pop and cost Nando a benching while Gary Neal replaced him. The great thing is he knows what he did wrong and will learn from it. He shouldn't kick himself too much though. If it wasn't for his really good play that night, the Spurs wouldn't even have been in position to win the game.