Cody Zeller

Day 1 recap
Day 2 recap
Summer League rosters

New York Knicks 82, Washington Wizards 69
Boxscore

The Knicks opened Day 3 at the COX Pavilion with an easy 13-point win over the Wizards. Once again, No. 3 pick [Player:Otto Porter] turned in an underwhelming performance, finishing with just eight points on 4-13 shooting in 29 minutes. Porter hasn’t shown the assertiveness you would hope to see from a high lottery pick.

Porter’s makes were on his easiest attempts, but he did score on a clever backdoor cut for a lay-up off of an offensive rebound. Again, Porter played his best when he was jumping passing lanes and pushing the ball, but he will need to bounce back in his next three games or he may leave Las Vegas with his confidence shaken. At the moment, the 20-year-old Porter simply doesn’t posses NBA strength or physicality. His match-up with Tim Hardaway, Jr. was cut short when the Knicks’ first-round pick left the game with a bruised wrist after just 10 minutes.

Although falling just shy of his second double-double (13 points, eight rebounds), Jeremy Tyler thoroughly outplayed [Player:Jan Vesely] in his 13 minutes of action Tyler was effective using his size and he was relentless on the offensive boards. On the downside, Tyler’s famous short fuse was on display when was called for a technical foul when he shoved [Player:Chris Singleton] after a failed putback attempt.

Former Louisville forward [Player:Terrence Jennings] led New York’s victorious effort with 16 points to go with eight rebounds and two blocks. He had success finishing inside and knocking down mid-range shots.

Wizards’ point guard [Player:Marcus Haynes] got the start after a mediocre performance from [Player:Sundiata Gaines] in Game 1, leading his team with 13 points. 

Charlotte Bobcats 86, Dallas Mavericks 80 
Boxscore

The Bobcats held off a late charge from a fired-up Mavericks squad in the second game on Day 3. Charlotte nearly blew a 25-point lead, but held on to win by six. No. 4 pick [Player:Cody Zeller] bounced back in a big way after a rough showing in his summer league debut, finishing with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Zeller was more of an imposing presence today, as he played with a high motor and controlled the defensive boards. He displayed a willingness to go up with his left hand and hit all nine of his foul shots. He got up and down the court with ease –on one sequence, Zeller hustled back on transition defense to establish position and took a charge.

[Player:Jeff Taylor] continued his solid summer play, posting 19 points and five rebounds. Taylor has been Charlotte’s most consistent performer and he plays within the offense, rarely forcing poor shots. He has proven to be proficient running the court and slashing to the basket. He is among the most polished players in the entire LVSL, and his presence is helping to build continuity for painfully young Bobcats’ squad in desperate need of leadership.

[Player:Bismack Biyombo] works hard every game and fought hard today for position; however, he didn’t receive many offensive opportunities. So far in Vegas he has played the role of garbage man, with his basket limited to put backs and finishing feeds from team mates. His hands let him down at times today and threw up an air ball on one of his only post up moves.

[Player:Justin Dentmon] was impressive off the bench for Dallas, leading his team with 18 efficient points in 20 minutes. [Player:Josh Akognon] was a little sluggish today, but did come to life as the game progressed. He and [Player:Jae Crowder] put up 16 each.

Second-round pick [Player:Ricky Ledo] showed a bit more today with a decent handle and some nice passes. He moved well off the ball and got some good looks coming off picks.

Cleveland Cavaliers 69, Memphis Grizzlies 58 
Boxscore
 
The Cavs technically scored more points in this game than the Grizzlies, but nobody truly "won" here this evening. In addition to some horrendous shooting, the game also featured more than 30 combined turnovers and a jaw-dropping 60 fouls called. [Player:Dion Waiters] led all scorers with 23 points, to go along with four rebounds and four assists.

Waiters has yet to establish himself as a consistent outside threat. He is at his best when he’s attacking the basket and leaking out in transition, where he excelled in this game. [Player:Tyler Zeller] posted another solid outing, with 11 points and nine rebounds. He fought for position and showed off a soft right-hand jump hook from the post.

Second rounder [Player:Carrick Felix] looked to be more comfortable in his second game. While he shot just 2-7 from the field, he was active at both ends of the court and hit the glass hard, collecting 11 rebounds. His handle isn’t bad, but he did show a tendency to keep his head a little low when dribbling.

[Player:Jack Cooley] played well and battled hard with Zeller much of the game. Cooley showed the ability hit from long range and posted team highs with 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

[Player:Tony Wroten] shot poorly. That might be an understatement. Wroten tried his best to create high-percentage scoring opportunities and he rarely had problems getting to the rim. He just failed to convert, finishing 1-14 from the field for seven points. He missed some very makable lay-ups — in one sequence, he missed two on one trip. While it’s positive to see a player with the inclination and ability to penetrate through a defense, Wroten has a propensity to throw up wild shots, while expecting to hear a whistle bail him out.

The Grizzlies, like many of the summer league fans inside COX Pavilion, will be quickly trying to forget this game.

In other LVSL action…

D-League Select 81, Los Angeles Clippers 77
Boxscore

The Clips committed 24 turnovers against this collection of summer league veterans, but UNC rookie [Player:Reggie Bullock] provided a bright spot once again, tallying a team-high 18 points.

Los Angeles Lakers 81, Portland Trailblazers 63
Boxscore

The Lakers rode a balanced scoring attack (six players with eight or more points) and capitalized on the Trailblazers’ mistakes to cruise to an easy win. [Player:CJ McCollum] led the Blazers with 15, but shot only 6-17 from the field.

Milwaukee Bucks 69, New Orleans Pelicans 61
Boxscore

This was an ugly one. The Pelicans attempted 70 shots, but scored only 61 points. That’s almost impossible. The Bucks got 16 points from [Player:Dominique Jones]. [Player:Brian Roberts] led all scorers with 20 — nearly one-third of his team’s total offense.

Atlanta Hawks 75, Miami Heat 71
Boxscore

Sharpshooter [Player:John Jenkins] led all scorers with 19 points, and German rookie [Player:Dennis Schroeder] ran the offense well, dishing out eight assists. For the Heat, LeBron James is busy planning his wedding.

Toronto Raptors 82, San Antonio Spurs 76
Boxscore

The Raptors capitalized on a dominant performance from [Player:Jonas Valanciunas] (19 points, 13 rebounds, but only 4-12 from the field) and received an encouraging contribution from the athletic [Player:Terrence Ross], chipping in 14. DeShaun Thomas and [Player:Cory Joseph] each scored 16 for San Antonio, and both players look to be the next under-the-radar steals for this phenomenal organization.

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6 Comments

  1. Do yours, and read closely it
    Do yours, and read closely it says steal not second rounder. A player can go 10th overall and still be a steal. Its not like 29th overall is some sorta lock, no one was shocked when Dj White, Mardy Collins and Alando Tucker didn’t make it. And maybe you didn’t know but everyone has considered Tony Parker an “Under the Radar Steal” for a while now, he also went to the Spurs in that same slot.

  2. Do yours, and read closely it
    Do yours, and read closely it says steal not second rounder. A player can go 10th overall and still be a steal. Its not like 29th overall is some sorta lock, no one was shocked when Dj White, Mardy Collins and Alando Tucker didn’t make it. And maybe you didn’t know but everyone has considered Tony Parker an “Under the Radar Steal” for a while now, he also went to the Spurs in that same slot.

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