LAS VEGAS – This writer is out after five days in the Summer League. But first, a few observations. Most of this year’s rookie class took to the court in Las Vegas and left initial impressions with the entire league watching. Here’s what I noticed from the first game sets.
1. Get ready to spend at least a few years comparing the trio of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr.
Banchero, Holmgren and Smith were drafted in that order, but debated in every way in the NBA’s war rooms throughout the season. All three had moments of brilliance in Las Vegas, as well as a few occasional fights — none of which were surprising if you followed these players closely in the draft. And while I personally felt most strongly about Smith as the main prospect, there’s a universe where all three evolve into All-Star level players and Magic, Thunder and Rockets come away quite satisfied with how things turned out.
It’s not often that the top three picks in a draft class play the same position – generally speaking, they’re power forwards – but they also have very different skill sets, which sometimes makes this discussion seem more like a matter of aesthetic taste. The way you separate Banchero, Holmgren, and Smith from one another may reflect more what you value in a potential customer than any glaring difference in quality. See the article : Return to the convention: 2 million business travelers arrived in Las Vegas through May. And watching them take the court against each other – Smith faced both of them, while Banchero sat out the Magic’s game against the Thunder – offered observers a little more thought.
Banchero impressed during his two-game stint in Las Vegas.
Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports
Banchero played just two games in Vegas, totaling 40 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 20 free throw attempts. He also turned the ball over 10 times, including eight in 25 minutes against Sacramento. The gross production is already there for him, but clearly there will be a period of adjustment as he learns what he can and cannot do. The Magic will let him play all over the court and give him room to make mistakes early. Orlando’s need for an offensive focal point was likely a deciding factor in his decision to choose him over Smith and Holmgren; Banchero has the most functional guard skill set of the three at the moment. His ability to handle and pass with imagination makes him an exciting watch, but he’s still working on combining those skills towards a more consistent end product.
Since Banchero isn’t incredibly explosive or fast, his dribbling moves still don’t lead to as many easy shot attempts as one would like. He prefers to initiate contact when playing downhill, but defenders can now retreat and have him punish them with jumpers. He sometimes falls in love with making the difficult pass instead of making the simpler play. He has good creative instincts, but these are things he will have to keep improving as the competition gets tougher and more physical. But there’s a chance he might actually spend his time playing with the ball. Its ability to play as both a handler and tracker in pick-and-roll situations makes it a unique schematic weapon from the start.
On the positive side, his jumper seems to be on a better trajectory now than he sometimes was at Duke. He looked confident, though he was still content with a lot of hard shots. Banchero is also much more competent defensively than he’s given credit for, as his size and intelligence allow him to be disruptive and opportunistic when he wants to be. His defensive effort in Vegas was generally good, but the Magic will certainly drive him to take more pride in this part of his game. It’s easy to understand why Orlando took him first, especially considering the state of his list. Still, I don’t think he’s so far ahead of his peers that this will be one of those years where the first pick runs away as the best rookie.
Holmgren produced highlights throughout the summer.
Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports
2. The hype around Holmgren is here to stay.
Holmgren had his best game in Las Vegas against Orlando on Monday as Banchero sat, depriving us of a rematch of November’s Duke-Gonzaga contest. For better or worse, Holmgren drives the conversation and catches the eye, so prepare for a handful of bad narratives and weird expectations surrounding his career. See the article : 8 beautiful video games with complex fantasy worlds. But the main things we knew to be true about Holmgren’s game were pretty evident this week.
He is an exceptional shot blocker, particularly when wandering in space. When drivers don’t see you coming, they are often fried. The Thunder seem to know this and are already giving him defensive assignments that allow him to spend more time operating as a free safety giant as an aid defender. This part of your game should translate in style. Holmgren is also quite difficult for opponents to score when his feet are planted, with a great mastery of vertical defense and disruptive length. In these situations, Holmgren’s lack of strength is mitigated by his intelligence, as he is already quite adept at avoiding unnecessary contact. When riders are able to tackle Holmgren’s chest and make him move his feet and back away, they’ve had some success, but at this point in his career, that’s easier said than done.
My personal concerns have more to do with Holmgren’s balance than any lack of strength, though I suppose the two are somewhat inextricable from each other. When he establishes a good position or has an unrestricted head of steam on his heels, Holmgren does very well. But he frequently falls and is dislodged over the course of the game, which limits his ability to physically impact the chaos that comes with operating inside. He’s already been hit hard. Holmgren will never be a heavy figure, but any core strength he can build up without losing his mobility can go a long way toward helping his perspective.
I’m still not particularly confident that Holmgren’s off-dribble play translates effectively. It’s good that he can bring the ball to the ground, but often he struggled to really get past people and create advantages. There were some screaming streaks against the Magic when Holmgren tried to operate off the rebound and 6-foot guard Zavier Simpson – a tough defender who spent last year in the G League – gave him serious trouble. Holmgren’s high center of gravity and lack of bulk to protect the ball make his wrist a little touchy. And if opponents can put small guards on him in these situations, some of his incompatibility value will be eliminated. He can still be quite valuable offensively – he’s been shooting pretty well in the Summer League, has a great feel for playing with teammates and is skilled enough to live on the perimeter – but Holmgren’s idea as a jumbo guard still feels like a pipe dream. for me.
The fascinating thing about Holmgren is that, despite all the odd cosmetic elements of his game, the results and raw output tend to be there at the end of every stop. While there are some hurdles for him – the physical challenge he faces is certainly not going to get any easier – Holmgren, to his credit, has always found ways to make it work. The reasonable question is whether good things happen to the point where Holmgren can approach his roof as an All-Star and perennial All-Defense contender, or if the limitations created by his unique build mean he levels off as a most solid holder. that helps lead to victory. As long as he’s healthy, the ground should be pretty high here, and even his detractors have to acknowledge that his early performances left some room for optimism.
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Smith didn’t kick the ball well in Vegas, but he showed his overall potential at both ends.
3. If there’s one player I’d caution not to worry about, it’s Jabari Smith Jr.
Smith didn’t kick the ball well in his first games for the Rockets, but he looked more comfortable in his third on Monday. Overall, he was excellent in all other areas besides making jumpers, which is not something to worry about with him. Yes, Smith often needs to be set up in his preferred spots by teammates now, but I strongly advise not to confuse this with passivity or lack of desire. His ball safety has to improve a lot, and he will need to learn to play one and two dribbles a little more decisively, but all the elements are there for him to make a big leap as he adds muscle and gains confidence. See the article : The best video game mermaids. Remember how early he is still in his development and how mature his approach is in other facets – he is selfless, makes the right pass, communicates and competes all the time. There’s a little to get excited about. Smith’s jumping throw is his best skill, and shots will start to drop over time.
It’s an understatement that I spent a lot of time writing about Smith going into draft. But I’m realizing after watching his first three games here that I may not have adequately praised his defense: he was certainly on the short list of the most impactful defensive players in Las Vegas, with a rare combination of balance, mindset and size that makes him extremely difficult. to score in one-on-one situations. Smith was great defensively in one-on-one matches with Banchero and Holmgren, but he also showed the ability to consistently switch to guards, chase blocks in pursuit, and physically fight older, stronger players. He is a special offensive prospect who also takes defense personally, which is not common.
Considering that Smith is one of the youngest players in Las Vegas – and has always been young for his level – this all bodes remarkably well, pitching results aside. Smith was my highest-ranked prospect for a reason, and I feel pretty confident that a big jump is coming, mainly because he gains lower-body strength, which will help him get to the basket and lift himself up for shots with a little more strength. consistency. It might take two or three years for this to bear fruit, and the Rockets will have to work to get him involved, but this is still the guy I would bet on. A large marksman who is smart, tough, and can change everything on defense looks pretty attractive, and that’s the baseline here. If and when your face-up game evolves to maximize jumper, Smith is going to be frighteningly good. Just be patient.
Murray seems like the perfect fit in Sacramento.
Darren Yamashita/USA TODAY Sports
4. Keegan Murray, Rookie of the Year front-runner?
I don’t know what kind of ROY chances you can get on Murray right now, but based on everything we’ve seen so far, the Kings forward should be among the first contenders. It should come as no surprise that Murray – the most consistent of college basketball’s most elite players last season – was arguably the best rookie in the Summer League. After a strong showing at the California Classic last week, Murray racked up 40 points in his first two games in Las Vegas, draining four threes in each game and playing active, smart basketball. Murray also hit three tied in a scramble situation at the end of regulation time in an epic and exhausting game against the Magic on Saturday. It was as advertised.
The Kings drew public attention for taking Murray and passing Jaden Ivey in 4th place, but it was even more evident watching Ivey here in Las Vegas that his enormous talent will still take some time to realize. He’s an incredible athlete, but high-octane guards who need the ball a lot often take a while to get their shot selection and decision-making right. I feel like I’ve written some version of this concept on several different occasions, but given the state of Sacramento’s roster and the organization’s playoff ambitions, unless the Kings had absolute confidence that they would be able to develop Ivey optimally, the proposal to The value of selecting it just wasn’t as high for them as it was for the Pistons, who are in an early stage of construction and can perfectly fit it into their plans in a mutually beneficial way.
This is all to say that I’m sure Murray will be a strong choice for the Kings in the short and long term. His ability to cut, relocate, hit and play with energy, as well as generate attack without being forced to touch, makes him an almost universally deployable player in lineups, regardless of context. While Murray is significantly older than Banchero, Holmgren and Smith (he turns 22 in April), it’s evident that he has plenty of room to grow his game, in addition to numerous things he already does well. Its overall efficiency and low-maintenance game play remains a marvel, and it’s the sort of thing that isn’t always properly appreciated. Murray isn’t flashy, but he does some special things.
As far as advantage goes, Murray has already taken some serious steps as a jump shooter and is getting comfortable throwing threes on the go, a skill set that can dramatically increase his value if fully realized. He has a few moments of occasional attempts as a marksman, but he’s clearly on a roll. There’s also plenty of room for Murray to expand his game, which is a little limited in isolation situations, but no big deal considering how effective he is in other areas and how well he knows his own limits. He’s going to be productive right away, he should be a neutral defender at worst, and he can combine particularly well on offense with Domantas Sabonis, with his cutting and shooting skill naturally matching Sabonis’ passing vision. Whether that takes Sacramento to the playoffs right away, I’m not sure. But I’m excited to see what Murray’s addition to the mix will look like, which isn’t something that much has been said about the Kings in recent memory.
5. Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin looks ready to score the ball at the NBA level.
Mathurin scored 23, 15, and 20 points in his first three games and looked much more confident as a thrower. Mathurin is not a flashy ball handler, but he is explosive and has learned to go down effectively, forcing teams to consider him in drives as well as close hard on his open jumpers. This is the kind of skill set that can make him very dangerous, and he will likely be effective in some capacity right away.
I still have a few major concerns about Mathurin, who the Pacers selected as number 6: he’s not a creative or consistent passer, he’s not always an engaged defender yet, and he’s not great when forced to improvise. He’s become a lot more decisive and confident in the things he does well, which mitigates some of the problems in offense – no one expected him to be a point guard or anything. Mathurin’s athletic finish should fit perfectly with Tyrese Haliburton, and I’m curious to see them play together. He is 6’5″ longer than his listed 6’6″ and is not a winger scorer, but he has made some good improvements to his game and is still only 20 years old. He also looked more comfortable in the Summer League than Washington’s Johnny Davis, a player he was frequently debated against in the offices.
Portland’s Sharpe and Detroit’s Ivey were injured early in the Summer League.
Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports
6. We only got brief glimpses of some of the draft’s most exciting prospects due to unfortunate injuries.
Jaden Ivey did very well in his debut, scoring 20 points with six assists (despite five turnovers) and leading the Pistons to victory. He injured his ankle early in the Pistons’ game on Saturday and was subsequently terminated. Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe injured his left shoulder just minutes into his first Summer League game, postponing our first real look at him. Dyson Daniels injured his ankle early in New Orleans’ first game, which also ended his stint in the Summer League. Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan sat out the Summer League altogether after missing early practice due to testing positive for COVID-19, while also coming from a hamstring injury he sustained in pre-draft training.
All of these were major annoyances for eager observers, particularly Sharpe, whom the entire NBA was eager to check after his non-season in Kentucky and selection at No. 7. The Blazers placed a big bet on him, especially considering his skill set was a little duplicated with Anfernee Simons and that a safer and more versatile player in Daniels was on the board. In my conversations with the team, Sharpe’s selection of Portland remained one of the most scrutinized decisions of draft night in the entire league. He hit a soft jumper in his four minutes into the game, but there wasn’t much more to say about the consequences. Any kind of early verdict will have to wait until the season, it seems.
7. This week wasn’t all about rookies.
Warriors center James Wiseman took to the court on Sunday in yet another step back towards a full comeback from a meniscus tear in April 2021, playing in short bursts with some mixed results. He finished with 11 points in 19 minutes but grabbed just two rebounds. His minutes weren’t so good on Tuesday, but simply getting back on the court was a good start.
At this point, whatever Golden State gets from Wiseman in the future is something of a luxury: he’s only 21 years old and still theoretically still in a great spot if he can simply win game time. He remains a powerful athlete with excellent height and reach at 7’1″, and a viable shooting touch. The Warriors’ patented style of play, driven by ball movement, quick decisions and Steph Curry’s brilliance will simply ask Wiseman to set good screens, become a target for receiving and finishing plays, and taking down open shots. But gaining minutes on a veteran team preparing a title defense will also require Wiseman to think faster on the court and hone the finer points of his game. He is still caught out of position a little defensively and can be fouled, and he needs to hit in a way befitting his size.
Wiseman has always had a tendency to fluctuate a bit, and it’s hard to expect a finished product anytime soon, considering the minimal amount of competitive basketball he played in his young career relative to his peers. He played three games in college, recorded 39 rookie appearances before his injury and had a brief two-game stint in the G League at the end of last season. He did not play during the Warriors’ playoffs. The issue of being available has been a challenge, and only part of that is under Wiseman’s control, but as he approaches a potential contract extension in 2024, simply being on the court for the next two seasons could go a long way. .
After winning the title, Golden State retains the luxury of being able to incubate top-tier talent while continuing to compete for years to come: Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody all participated in the Summer League and figure to be called up to deepen next season. . Patrick Baldwin Jr., the 28th pick, was left out this week as the Warriors are taking the long view with him and allowing him to fully rehabilitate the injured ankle that has plagued him for the past two years. And Summer League guest Mac McClung has been one of the best guards in Las Vegas, making him a potential Golden State contender. All four of the recent first-rounders were elite high school recruits and could be essential parts of a post-Curry future. An important subtext for the Warriors next season will be how their careers will continue to take shape.
8. Two other highly drafted rookies who deserve some mention.
Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams and Houston’s Tari Eason have stood out more often and aim to play big minutes on their respective rebuilding teams next season.
Williams’ rise from the projected second round to the 12th pick was one of the best stories of the pre-draft process. He was one of the few potential players I never saw live before the draft, and the NBA in general was a little slow on the rise, but he proved himself in practice, excelled at the Combine, and played the lottery. He looked like the role for the Thunder right away, moving the ball well and playing tight defense and looking like a stronger candidate for bench minutes than debutant Ousmane Dieng. His passing, dribbling and shooting skill set, along with his length and stance, are a strong combination.
I’ve always been a little cautious when evaluating Eason, as his approach to the game can be a bit reckless and his situational awareness is sometimes lacking. That said, most of the time he was pretty good in Vegas – he plays tough, he’s an elite sprinter and jumper and it’s easier to live with the occasional wild pass and missed shot when he’s producing. I’d like to see him commit a little more to playing basketball and engaging teammates, but regardless, it’s clear he’ll have a chance to carve out a niche. Houston did very well with his trio of first-round players, with Eason, Smith and TyTy Washington Jr. all making good contributions.
9. Denver’s Peyton Watson and Orlando’s Caleb Houstan look like steals.
While it’s important not to react too strongly in any way to what we see in the Summer League, Watson and Houston are two rookies who dropped out of the draft and I’m pretty sure they didn’t rank high enough on the Big Board. It’s not a coincidence that they were both college freshmen who were disappointed in their respective situations, making assessments difficult based on the information and movie at hand. This lack of certainty was also reflected in their preliminary position: Watson was selected 30th and Houstan 32nd. Both look like potential value picks after their respective stocks took a hit during the season.
After a rough season at UCLA that led to sporadic minutes and inconsistent playtime, it was nice to see Watson – once a projected lottery pick – get a chance to build some confidence this week. He was particularly good on Sunday, scoring 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting with seven rebounds, two steals and a block. He’s always been an excellent defensive prospect, as a legitimate 6’8″ forward with a 7′ wingspan who has feet fast enough to defend the entire perimeter. than expected after averaging just 3.3 points per game in 12.7 minutes in college. There will be a few bumps in the way, but as long as Watson continues to play energetically, the defensive coverage he offers could speed his way to a role in the NBA.
Houstan was pretty solid for the Magic in Vegas, particularly on his opening night against the Rockets, when he scored 20 points on 12 shots and hit 5 of 9 three-point attempts. Another player who once received lottery-level hype, Houstan didn’t fully adjust to Big Ten physicality and was also hampered by Michigan’s lack of quality guard play, but still hit 35% of three out of 166 attempts. He needs to get tougher on defense, but Houstan has always been a smart team player, moves well as a pitcher and knows how to play a supporting role. He also has an exceptionally quick and clean throw and doesn’t unnecessarily dip the ball into his shot. Houstan seems to have added some muscle, and his size at 6’8″ should play despite average athleticism. He was a harder sell in the first round after an underwhelming season, but it’s all too easy to see how he becomes a useful time rotation player.
If there’s an argument here, it’s that buying low on these types of potential customers, particularly those with the size, tools, and an obvious path to developing at least one elite skill (Watson’s defensive versatility and Houstan’s kick), tends to be a good deal in the middle of the draft. And while the most experienced and proven players will have a bit of an impact this year in the 19th-26th bracket of the draft, the talent gap has never been particularly large. It’s always nice to see these types of recovery projects working, and I feel a lot better with both players than I did a month ago.
10. A parting note about Summer League basketball.
It’s fun to criticize newbies, think through the draft, and form initial opinions, but a lot of it ends up being pointless, frankly. From a serious player evaluation standpoint, it’s often more productive to ask which veteran players are still playing in the Summer League and why they haven’t graduated yet. (Many never will.) These patterns are often useful when looking at perspectives and trying to project yourself: For example, there are a lot of small guards and lumber centers here. Suffice to say these guys tend to be in high supply and minimal demand when it comes to filling NBA rosters. The macro trends and ideas buried in the context of these games often matter more than who shot well or who won.
When did summer league start?
How long does the NBA Summer League last? 11 days. 75 games. All 30 NBA teams. Tickets start at R$40.
What time does Summer League start?
| Match | time (ET) | TV channel (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Knicks x Trail Blazers | 11pm | ESPN2 |
Who won the NBA Summer League 2020?
Recap: Carey Jr.’s double-double leads the Wizards to a 25-point victory over the Suns. Playing in their second of five NBA Summer League games, the Wizards bounced back from a Saturday night loss with a convincing 97-72 win over the Suns Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Who won 2020 Summer League?
2017: Los Angeles Lakers, Kyle Kuzma. 2018: Portland Trail Blazers, K.J. McDaniels. 2019: Memphis Grizzlies, Brandon Clarke. 2020: Event canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who is the 2020 Summer League winner? Dominance at both ends of the court in the first three quarters and a highly efficient three-point shooting night led the Phoenix Suns to a 105-78 win over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA 2K23 Summer League Tuesday night at the Cox. Pavilion in Las Vegas.
Who won the summer league?
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 87-75 in the NBA 2K23 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday.
Who’s leading in the NBA Summer League?
| TEAM | Ç | TO WIN% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 New York Knicks NYK | two | .667 |
| 2 New Orleans Pelicans NOP | two | .667 |
| 3 Memphis Grizzlies MEM | two | .667 |
| 4 Portland Trail Blazers POR | two | .667 |
Who won Summer League 2021 MVP?
Not much has changed for Cam Thomas over the course of a year. The Brooklyn Nets point guard won the 2021 NBA Summer League MVP award and is on his way to repeat. Thomas has averaged 28.5 points on 40% shooting in the last two games. Even better, the 20-year-old is dominating in style.
What is the point of NBA Summer League?
The NBA Summer League, also known as the Las Vegas Summer League, is an off-season competition organized by the National Basketball Association. NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season rosters, including rookie players, sophomores and G League affiliates.
How many games are in a summer league team? What is the NBA Summer League format? All 30 teams will compete in a four-game series from July 7-15. The top two teams based on win percentage will advance to a championship match, while the remaining 28 teams await assignments for their fifth and final game on either July 16 or 17.
How long is the summer league NBA?
The NBA Summer League is a 75-game, 11-day off-season competition, typically held in July, that allows players and teams to try out different lineups, with special emphasis often paid to rookies, bench players, and members of affiliate G Teams. turns on.
Is NBA Summer League always in Vegas?
| Match | time (ET) | TV channel (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Kings vs. Thunder | 8 pm | NBA TV |
| heat vs. 76ers | 9 pm | ESPNU |
| Nuggets vs. clippers | 10pm | NBA TV |
