[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

Disclaimer: I know this is just summer league and I’m probably being a bit of a reactionary in many of these observations. I could very well be wrong about any and/or all of this post. I just love summer league and am spitballing because I’d like to hear the forums take on some of these guys that haven’t been getting talked about. 

-Trevon Bluiett and JP Macura are both NBA players imo. Bluiett can just fill it up and score with the best of them and Macura contributes to winning in so many ways and doesn’t make mistakes. Neither one need to dominate the ball to be effective either. JP just pops off the screen to me as a quintessential ‘glue guy’ and I think an NBA team is going to fall in love with him.

-Georges Niang needs to be on an NBA roster. He seems to have improved his conditioning and isn’t getting blown by on defense. He’s rebounding his area, creating plays for his teammates and knocking down shots. 

-Derrick Jones Jr. got injured and will most likely be out for the rest of LVSL, but in his few games he showed that he is a legit NBA player and the Heat should guarantee his contract regardless of his injury. He has great size and length for a combo forward and is an absolutely ridiculous athlete and not just with his jumping. He’s so fluid and lightfooted and seems to be figuring the game out and ‘hitting his stride’ in real time. It was a shame to see him go down with injury because he was putting on an absolute show. 

-Wendell Carter Jr. might demand a starting spot day 1. His interior defense has been great but his ability to guard on the perimeter and move his feet has been eye opening. He is a power house of a man but still has nimble feet and plenty of room for growth/development. 

-Johnathan Isaacs has shown as much development from rookie to sophomore year as anybody. Last season I heard a lot of ppl giving up on him as a potential SF but he looks way more comfortable and is playing with confidence and knocking down shots. He’s also guarding the post and wing better and providing some help side rim protection. 

-Staying with the Magic, Wesley Iwundu and Mo Bamba have been likewise impressive. Thinking of a lineup with Iwundu, Isaacs, Gordon and Bamba really gets me excited. I believe Orlando has a solid core to build around and might be seeing the light at the end of the rebuild tunnel

-Josh Hart was thought of as a bit of a ‘finished product’/pro-ready pick and while that was true, he is showing now that his game had way more room for growth than most thought. He’s shooting great from three on a high volume and is also getting minutes at the point where he is also thriving. His defense, physicality and decision making have always been great but he’s showing some offensive upside that I hadn’t anticipated but am pleasantly surprised to see. 

-Mo Wagner/Svi Mikhailiuk have also been balling out for the LAL SL squad and have been showing all the things that the Lakers drafted them for. Svi is shooting the lights out off the catch and dribble, moving the ball fast and making quick decisions, and producing without dominating the ball – sounds like a great fit on a Lebron team. I wasn’t too big on the Wagner pick at first but came around to liking it by the time the Cali SL started. Now, I’m all in and absolutely love seeing him in a Lakers jersey. The kid plays with such passion and joy and talks so much smack that it just cracks me up. He’s also showing a diverse skillset, a feathery touch, surprising fluid athleticism and NBA level physical strength. I hope he gets heavy minutes day 1. 

-Jordan Bell has been tearing it up for GS and is showing an expanded skillset that makes me think he could be functional as a small forward somewhere down the road. He’s not the cerebral playmaker that Draymond Green is, but he’s not just a raw athlete at this point either. He makes the right play 9/10 times and can be counted on to play his butt off. 

-Isaiah Hartenstein bet on himself and played last season in the G-League on a league minimum contract just to keep himself in the fold. He looks much better than last season and just seems to be figuring the NBA game out. The recent success of Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic should bode well for him going forward as he possesses a lot of the same traits that make them special. He is a highly skilled and cerebral legit 7 footer with NBA range and surprising fluidity/coordination. I would like to see him rolling harder to the rim but definitely think he will experience NBA success and sooner than later. 

-Daniel Hamilton has been playing great for OKC and is showing a much more diverse skillset than when he was coming out of college. He’s been creating opportunities for others, creating his own offense, knocking down open shots and defending/competing at a high level. He’s still young and has his best ball ahead of him. He has all the requisite tools, skills and intangibles to stick in the league. 

-Elie Okobo may not be quite the raw project that many thought. He’s been getting to his spots at will and hasn’t been getting sped up. He’s knocking down open shots and taking care of the basketball. 

-Wade Baldwin is looking like he’s poised to pick up where he left off last season with Portland where he played his way onto the floor with his defense and toughness. He’s showing more on the offensive side of the ball than I’ve seen to this point and looks like he actually could be a point guard in the NBA. 

-Devonte Graham/Jevon Carter have both hit the ground running in summer league for their respective teams. Many ppl thought the Hornets and Grizzlies reached on the upperclassmen point guards but both are showing that their games are translatable to the NBA. Carter’s jumper off the dribble and ability to to break defenders down off the dribble has been especially encouraging. Graham has been getting to the rim at will, knocking down jumpers and playing great team defense. 

I could go on and might still add some more in the comments but I doubt too many ppl have gotten this far into the post anyways. So what do you guys think? Anybody else you think deserves some love that hasn’t been getting it? What are some of your biggest takeaways?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Derrick Jones Jr. is signed to a 2yr deal with the Heat before summer league.

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

Yes, I was looking at his second year being non-guaranteed but I suppose that doesn’t matter so much at the moment. I just think it’d be nice to see them make that second year guaranteed to breathe some confidence into him – not that he wasn’t playing very confidently at summer league already. He’s a ridiculously young vet at 21 in his third offseason and has already bounced around a bit. I think it would be a great confidence booster for him and a worthy investment. 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 When did this young vet thing become 3 years. I remember Amir Johnson being a young vet at 25/26 with 8 years in the league but 3 years? Your still green at that time.

Derrick Jones aint no young vet he barely got a contract. Thing is Miami has been working very close with him since acquiring him towards the end of last year so they knew his breakout was coming. Miami didnt want him to enter Summer League unsigned so they got that little sneaky partially gauranteed deal done before he blew up. 

I was actually thinking how high would Derrick Jones get drafted if he entered this years drafts with his skill level where its at now and teams seeing his current performance at SL. Probably pretty high he was impressive.

 

[Miko4rm206Participant]

 I really like the Mobility, Versatility and Length the Magic have in Bamba and Isaac. They can be really scary in a Couple years. 

And I like what I’ve Seen from Harry Giles. The Kings also have alot Versatility and Different types of bodies they can throw at you in the post. Dearron Fox is Legit as well. Him and DSJ will compete for best PG out their class

 

[Captain LParticipant]

 I’ll take Fox over Smith. Love what I saw from Fox.

[celtics1982Participant]

 Has to be the best feel good story and man he looks good. I’m excited for the Kings, just wait till 2019 to take off.

[theballerwayParticipant]

wasnt a popular pick (probably why I like it) but Troy Brown has looked good in the first 2 games. 21/12 23/7. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Kostas Antetokounmpo is definitely an nba athlete. Yes, his skill set is raw and he needs to get stronger. He’s a project who is probably going to require some significant time in the g league. However, being his size and being able to move the way he does you are looking at a potential terror on the defensive end of the court. Could wind up being a steal at the 60th pick.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Hard disagree about Daniel Hamilton. He’s been sloppy with the ball and tries to force things way too often. He’ll make a good pass every now and then, but he puts his head down and decides to drive or make a pass even if it’s not there. PJ Dozier and Rashawn Thomas are the real lesser mentioned guys that have been playing really well. I think Dozier has a shot at making the roster this year, and Thomas probably won’t make ours but I could see a team giving him a shot

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I think Kostas Freak has as much potential as any forward in the draft — but his floor is obviously low, although not so low where he can’t get on the court in the modern NBA.  Length/versatility/athletism are the callling cards now, and Kostas has lots of that….

Yeah, Bamba is good.  His shot looks really good.  I had him as the 2nd best center in the draft behind Mitchell Robinson — basically I was mad that Bamba wouldn’t work out or give his medical records to Memphis.  And I love me some Mitchell Robinson.  Needs to get bigger/stronger and needs to polish his game but he looks a bit like Wilt.

I also had Wendell Carter ahead of Ayton (8th pick vs. 10th pick on my Big Board).  Good all-around skill-set.  Maybe he shoulda been the Grizzlies pick as a Z Bo replacement.

Wenyen Gabriel: Didn’t watch his game, but he had 8 and 10 with a steal.  Solid forward type who can hit the 3 and rebound.  He could be the next Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and that is more of a semi-floor for him, I think.  I wanna see the Kings/Grizz matchup.  Not just Jaren Jackson vs. Giles but also Jackson vs. Wenyen Gabriel.  They actually have similar games, but JJJ has more supposed "upside". 

Jalen Brunson/Jevon Carter: solid, scrappy point guard types if slow and fairly unathletic and not too long.  Decent players and probably decent picks, BUT this was not the draft to take 3rd string point guard types at the top of the 2nd round — especially with a guy like Mitchell "Bubba Gump" Robinson still on the board.

Miles Bridges and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are impressing.  I didn’t watch their games though…

Sexton has better stats than Trae but I had Sexton over Trae anyway.

Still waiting for Donte Inferno to show his stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

 great tread and post to start it. I am biased but Jabari Bord has really impressed me and I expect him to get decent production with Boston or somewhere else next season.

[whiteflashParticipant]

 The kid from Kansas the Lakers drafted has really impressed. It’s obviously just SL, but the comp I made before the draft was "Turbo Danny Green" and I feel that’s pretty accurate. 

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