This topic contains 8 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by r377r377 r377 5 years, 8 months ago.

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  • #68908
    Dog_ShammdogDog_Shammdog
    Dog_Shammdog
    Participant

    I’ve already done multiple posts about the summer league and it’s top performers, but with all thirty teams participating in LV, I could probably make a dozen. Here are some more noteworthy performers from the LVSL. 

    -Deonte Burton got a two way deal from OKC after dominating in Korea last year and showing well in SL. Tbh, I was kind of surprised to see him get the two way but have been a fan of his for a while so I’m happy to see it. He’s a power guard that moonlights as a 4. Super athlete with a crazy mix of strength and explosion to go with some natural scoring ability. I like his fit on OKC bc he has that ‘junkyard dog’ in him like Westbrook and think that he’s a consistent jumper away from being an NBA contributor. 

    -Perry Dozier, also for OKC, seems to have taken a step in his development by being much stronger with the ball and assertive offensively. His jumper is still a work in progress and will be the lynch pin to his potential NBA success. 

    -Mitchell Robinson is a physical/athletic specimen with as much potential as you will ever find in the second round. He’s a quick twitch athlete that gets off the floor effortlessly. He’s made his living in SL off putbacks, dump offs and lobs, but with his ridiculously light feet and explosive ability, I believe he could be a face up style big ala Amare Stoudemire (not nearly as prolific, I’m just talking about style).

    -Jairus Lyles landed a two way deal for Utah after putting his exceptional quickness on full display and getting to his spots at will. He’s ridden his tourney success to an NBA contract and looks to have a legit shot at sticking in the league. He needs to get physically stronger and become more of a playmaker, but the tools and character seem to be there. 

    -Arnoldas Kulboka, the second round pick of the Hornets, has looked much more ‘ready’ and physically developed than I had been anticipating, His shooting stroke is as advertised but his fluid athleticism and physicallity were undersold. At 6’10" with a true perimeter game, I beieve he’s going to outperform his draft range and sooner than later. I’d love to see him develop as a ball handler and shot creator but he already has NBA skills. 

    -Devin Robinson has been one of the most impressive second year players, in terms of first to second year development. He looks much more comfortable with the ball in his hands but is also playing the three and D role beautifully. His on ball D and team D has been consistent with him playing the passing lanes and making a difference as a help side defender. He’s a big, lanky, fluid, explosive athlete who still has room to grow physically and with his skillset. 

    -Vlatko Cancar has been one of the most underrated players in summer league. He’s still working on his buyout and it’s yet to be seen when he’ll be suiting up for the Nuggets, but he could be a great addition. He’s a knockdown shooter at the stretch 4 and is a big and strong athlete with some subtle athleticism that catches opponents off guard. He’s a very efficient player that doesn’t need plays run for him or to dominate the ball to make a big impact. With Denver’s current roster construction, I think they should be trying to get him stateside ASAP.

    -Ray Spalding has been playing center for the Mavs SL squad and is looking like a likely 2-way contract guy whether its with Dallas or not. His coordination along with his size, length and athleticism make him an intriguing young player. He has good hands and puts the on the backboard/in the hoop fast after the catch. He’s not going to be a low post scorer, but has value as a helpside defender, rim runner, and lob target. 

    -Keita Bates-Diop has been super efficient for Minnesota and is poised to be a steal imo. He plays within himself and rarely gets sped up. He has a feathery touch and has a wide away of different shots that he’s comfortable shooting that allows him to be a threat from every level. Defensively, he’s been able to guard small ball 5’s while also switching out to the perimeter seemlessly. 

    -Rayshaun Thomas for OKC has been playing the 4 &5 and has been playing his butt off. And his skillset seems to be rounding out. He’ll never be a go to scorer and I haven’t seen much in terms of a jumper, but he’s a versatile defender and high level offensive rebounder. His dexterity and athleticism has been problematic for opposing bigs. 

    -Thomas Bryant played well for the Wizards as a rim protector and rebounder but didn’t shoot quite as well as you’d hope. The size, length, athleticism and motor are all there and his skillset is coming along. His feel for the game and IQ are some things that he’s going to need to improve but he looks ready to contribute as is. 

    -Alex Caruso of the Lakers has been one of the most consistent and hardest playing point guards in summer league. He’s 6’5" and physically strong with ‘sneaky’ hops. His jumper is a bit mechanical but he’s at least a willing shooter. He’s strong with the ball but can dribble himself into trouble at times, but as a probing playmaker he has been effective. But his calling card is really his defense, both on and off the ball, and he’s been great on that end. 

    -Chris Chiozza has done well for himself as the pg for the Wizards SL team. He’s lacking in size but is as good and willing of a passer as there is in summer league. And it’s not just his passing, he’s a true floor general who really knows how to run an offense. I’m not sure if he has the physical tools to make it, but his defense has actually been surprisingly good imo. So if he can manage to become an above average shooter, I could see him playing in the NBA.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • #1122276
    AvatarAvatar
    SubZero
    Participant

    I’m admittedly biased as a Kentucky guy, but SGA, Knox, and Hami all balled out. Hami was really the only surprise out of the 3 but they all look ready to play real minutes

    It was good seeing Harry Giles looking healthy too. He’s understandably still pretty rusty, but I think he can give some good minutes this year. His energy was great, it seemed like he had 9 boards and 3 steals every game

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  • #1122288
    AvatarAvatar
    The Scare Crow Rises
    Participant

    He showed a ton of versatility and knocked down shots at a nice clip, he’s already a great athlete and defender But him being able to pass and shoot in the future is going to earn him a starting spot, I can see him work his into the 76ers rotation very early and overtaking Reddick or Covington in the starting lineup, I’d like to see him become the full time SG next to Fultz at PG defensively, Simmons can start at PF and Dario Saric can be the 6th man we need

    Potential Lineup

    Fultz-Smith-Covington-Simmons-Embiid

    McConnell-Reddick-Korkmaz-Saric-A.Johnson

    TLC, Anderson and Bayless May see spot minutes

    Anderson could replace Kormaz in my potential lineup 

     

     

     

     

     

     

       

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  • #1122289
    AvatarAvatar
    Scrooge McDuck
    Participant

     Wade Baldwin has been playing summer league for the blazers. He will be the backup point guard this year and should have a break out season. Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent also look like they’re ready to contribute at about 5-15 mpg.

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  • #1122292
    AvatarAvatar
    goddag
    Participant

    Kieta Bates Diop. There were a lot of teams not doing their homework to let this guy slide to 48 in the draft. And the T Wolves thank them. 

    He is easiely the steal of the 2nd round, now. Just wait for 3 years from now, and then check this out.

    I would have taken hime over the last 5 guys in the first round of the draft. Let alone the other 17 in the second round.

     

     

     

     

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    • #1122293
      AvatarAvatar
      SubZero
      Participant

      Mitchell Robinson’s looking every bit the best steal that Bates-Diop is, but otherwise I agree. I literally watched one Ohio State game all year and was convinced he was a 1st rounder. Do we know why he slipped so far?

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      • #1122295
        AvatarAvatar
        BallerScript
        Participant

         Could be related to the back spasms he had during his Utah pre-draft workout.

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      • #1122299
        Dog_ShammdogDog_Shammdog
        Dog_Shammdog
        Participant

        I agree that durability concerns probably made him fall, especially after his back spasms in Utah, but I wouldn’t be surprised if FO’s weren’t sold on his motor and commitment. His last year at OSU was a revalation, but his first three were underwhelming at best. He was a late riser in the high school rankings but shot up the boards thanks to his prototypical NBA size/length/athelticism, but didn’t hit the ground running like many anticipated. I have a couple friends who worked on Matta’s staff at OSU and the have nothing but good things to say about him as an individual, but as a player and competitor he left much to be desired ’til this past season. But I think FO’s would be crazy to think that his last season at OSU was just a flash in the pan. So I’d guess the concerns were with his health and longevity. 

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  • #1122378
    r377r377
    r377
    Participant

     Non rookie John Jenkins had a good summer league after playing in spain and is looking for a NBA contract.

    I quite liked him in college, he has had back problems which maybe why he didn’t stick in the NBA….

     

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