[mgreener_34Participant]

 There have been a lot of threads on the summer league, but most of them are just about who’s playing good or bad, and what the big named prospects are doing. I thought it would be a good idea to make a thread about the teams we personally follow so that the posteres who don’t have a chance to watch the games/follow lower touted prospects can get a feel for what’s really going on. I’ll start off with the Boston Celtics:

The thing that stands out the most for the Celtics is how good the rookies have looked in Green, and I mean all of them. 

RJ Hunter has been fantastic after his first couple of games, and his confidense goes up every day, and with it his play. He’s shown the ability to hit the long ball like we all knew he could, but it’s his passing which really stands out to me. He has had a couple of ASTs which really had me impressed, and he always seems to make the right play. He’s had some terrible shooting games, and is the definition of a streaky shooter. He needs to work on gaining some weight, and becoming more consistent with his shot. He’s a high IQ player, and right now he reminds me of Rip Hamilton with the way he moves without the ball and makes the right play. If he puts in the work, I think he can have a career similar to Rip’s just more as a role-player 4th option instead of legit 1 or 2 like Rip was. 

Jordan Mickey. This guy is just awesome. I still don’t know what he will be able to do at the NBA level, but he’s proven that he’s a legit NBA talent/rotation player to me with his ability to rebound the ball, block shots, and hit the mid-range jumper at a good clip. He’s averaging 11/8 with 2.3 blocks in summer league, and has arguably been the Celtics best player. He has had 3 double-doubles in his last 4 games, and all of them came in around 30 minutes. He’s shown to have a high IQ as well, and I’m really impressed with his ability NOT to foul. This seems silly, but for real, a lot of big guys entering the league just can’t play right away because of this, but Mickey has def. shown some sell control. I don’t think he will ever be a legit NBA starter, but he def. has a home in the new small-ball NBA. I view him as a Darrell Arthur type of player, but brings more to the defensive side. 

Jonathan Holmes. He’s been a surprise since day one, and has been shooting the lights out. He’s shooting about 45% from three on about 4 attempt per game, and has been a consistent rebounder as well. I like his histle and approach to the game, but idk if there is a spot for him on the Celtics. He’s shown that he’s an NBA player though, and he will almost def. be making an NBA team this year, or at least make some teams training camp. 

Terry Rozier. Finally the player eveyrone thought was the biggest reach of the draft. I admit, I was a little shocked by the pick at first, but I’m a UConn fan, and Louiville is our biggest rival, so I knew we atleast drafted a dynamic player. He’s averaged 13/3/4 and has shown why he was drafted so high. He’s not a legit PG, but he does have nice vision, especially in transition. His biggest weapon is his speed with the ball, as there are few players who seem to be able to stay in front of him in pick and roll situations, and I like that. He’s also a fantastic defender, and knows how to read the passing lanes. If he gets any PT this year it will be to guard opposing PG’s that are too quick for Smart, and to pick up the tempo of the game if it slows down. His 3pnt shot has been on, but his shooting is a little all over the place. He looks like a compitent shooter though, so that’s good, but he needs to add a floater/pull up to his game, because right now he’s having a lot of trouble finishing over length in the paint. Overall I’m happy with what I’ve saw from him, and am glad he’s on the Celtics. I’ve heard a lot of people compare him to Bledsoe, but I think that’s a little ridiculous. When I watch him play I see a more gifted Reggie Jackson, who’s a better defender, but worse offensive player because of his size. If he turns into Reggie or can have a career arc close to what Reggie’s has been, I’ll be happy.

The final two players I’m going to talk about are the rookies from last year, Marcus Smart and James Young. 

Young has been an absolute disaster, and I’m starting to question why people think this kid can shoot. He can’t. He can’t create, he has no shake and bake to him, and when he does make it, it’s not like RJ Hunter or the Splash brothers were you know it’s going in or the ball doesn’t hit the net, it’s more like one of those shots where you’re playing outside with your boys and you wonder how a ball that bounced around the rim so much went in. It’s weird. He’s only 19 still, so there’s that to look at, but I’m starting to lose my hopes with him. Shooting is the easest skill to translate in the NBA, and for him it just doesn’t seem there right now. He’s a second contract player in my opinion similar to Gerald Green, and I’m fine with that, but I would hope for more from the 8th ranked prospect in a stacked draft class. 

Finally there is Marcus Smart. He’s easily been the Celtics best player, but that’s expected. He’s shown the ability to get into the paint more this year, and his defense is top notch as always, but he continues to take ill-advised shots when he doesn’t need to. He shoots way too many 3’s, and tries to make shots over people when he drives. This is indicative to his 35% FG%. I like Marcus a lot as a prospect, and hope that he can put it all together. He’s usually the best player on the floor in summer league, so we know he at least belongs in the NBA. I don’t think he’ll ever be an all-star player, but I don’t think 16/6/5/2 on low 40% and decent 3pnt% is out of the question, and I’ll be happy with that. The player he reminds me of the most is Derek Fisher surprisingly, in that he is a good defender, makes the simple pass, and leads his team. I think Smart has more potential than D-Fish did, as a scorer and defender, but both brings leadership and intangibles to whatever team they are on, and you have to love seeing that from a 21 year old kid. 

[Rip255]

Trey Lyles was pretty UNimpressive. Im not sure hes up to it….Rodney Hood and Dante Exum dominated as expected and were soon yanked from the squad.

Brock Motum could find his way on an NBA team needing a stretch 4 who can still play physical and pass the ball.

 

[Rip255]

Trey Lyles was pretty UNimpressive. Im not sure hes up to it….Rodney Hood and Dante Exum dominated as expected and were soon yanked from the squad.

Brock Motum could find his way on an NBA team needing a stretch 4 who can still play physical and pass the ball.

 

[Captain LParticipant]

 I’ll agree Lyles has been disappointing for the most part , he has shot poorly and hasn’t hustled like I would have hoped , BUT  tonight he showed much better, shot a poor percentage overall but was 4 for 7 frm 3 and had a couple of nice follow up dunks and some nice passes, ( which he has been good at all summer) , he hustled better and showed all of his skills for the most part.  I’m glad / happy with Lyles as our pick. He looked very good tonight.

[Captain LParticipant]

 I’ll agree Lyles has been disappointing for the most part , he has shot poorly and hasn’t hustled like I would have hoped , BUT  tonight he showed much better, shot a poor percentage overall but was 4 for 7 frm 3 and had a couple of nice follow up dunks and some nice passes, ( which he has been good at all summer) , he hustled better and showed all of his skills for the most part.  I’m glad / happy with Lyles as our pick. He looked very good tonight.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I had him going in the first round in my mock I was so high on him. Surprised he didn’t get drafted. Has NBA talent no doubt. Hope he sticks.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I had him going in the first round in my mock I was so high on him. Surprised he didn’t get drafted. Has NBA talent no doubt. Hope he sticks.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 

Norman Powell looks like a rotation player. Hes supeathletic and knows his role. Wish he had better court vision though on drives to the rim hevtends to get tunnel vision which in the NBA will lead to alot of charges and blocked shots against superior athletes than summer leagues level. 

Bruno is still a wildcard as far as position, role, ball iq, maturity and mentality goes. His shot looks like a thing of beutu, his body is improved and he looks about 6’10 220 and he is slowly getting more comfortable. A year in the D-League should do wonders for him.

Lucas Nogeuira looks the most improved of the bunch. Hes got a little bit of Joakim Noah to his game and is a great passer yet also has the flat footed awkwardness like Roy Hibbert. I dont know if he plans on staying in the NBA but he should thank the Raptors for developing him. Looks like a legit rotation C yet won’t crack the lineup due to the Raps having 5 bigs they want to play.

Delon Wright has such a smooth game. If he can develop a consistent shot he can be a very good player. Plays low risk system basketball and makes everyone around him better. Also a much better defender than Vasquez or Williams. 

Ronald Roberts was a good signing for the Raps to likely use strengthening its D-League team. He is undersized all the way and not skilled for his size which seems to be about 6’6 yet has a huge wingspan and amazing athletic ability. His hustle will make the players around him better just by practicing because he fights for every rebound and loose ball.

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 

Norman Powell looks like a rotation player. Hes supeathletic and knows his role. Wish he had better court vision though on drives to the rim hevtends to get tunnel vision which in the NBA will lead to alot of charges and blocked shots against superior athletes than summer leagues level. 

Bruno is still a wildcard as far as position, role, ball iq, maturity and mentality goes. His shot looks like a thing of beutu, his body is improved and he looks about 6’10 220 and he is slowly getting more comfortable. A year in the D-League should do wonders for him.

Lucas Nogeuira looks the most improved of the bunch. Hes got a little bit of Joakim Noah to his game and is a great passer yet also has the flat footed awkwardness like Roy Hibbert. I dont know if he plans on staying in the NBA but he should thank the Raptors for developing him. Looks like a legit rotation C yet won’t crack the lineup due to the Raps having 5 bigs they want to play.

Delon Wright has such a smooth game. If he can develop a consistent shot he can be a very good player. Plays low risk system basketball and makes everyone around him better. Also a much better defender than Vasquez or Williams. 

Ronald Roberts was a good signing for the Raps to likely use strengthening its D-League team. He is undersized all the way and not skilled for his size which seems to be about 6’6 yet has a huge wingspan and amazing athletic ability. His hustle will make the players around him better just by practicing because he fights for every rebound and loose ball.

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Towns was told to not worry about fouls and just play…he’s doing that about as literally as you possibly can. 

I’m not going to worry about him until I see a full season because there will absolutely be an adjustment period for him. Not only from a "big guys take a while to develop" train of thought, but also his mentality going from "play your ass off for 5 minutes and we’ll bring in reinforcements" at Kentucky to "we need you to play 25 to 35 minutes because our backups wouldn’t play at Kentucky" with the Wolves. 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Towns was told to not worry about fouls and just play…he’s doing that about as literally as you possibly can. 

I’m not going to worry about him until I see a full season because there will absolutely be an adjustment period for him. Not only from a "big guys take a while to develop" train of thought, but also his mentality going from "play your ass off for 5 minutes and we’ll bring in reinforcements" at Kentucky to "we need you to play 25 to 35 minutes because our backups wouldn’t play at Kentucky" with the Wolves. 

 

[festar35Participant]

Myles Turner – Looks really good and has fantastic potential to be a two-way player. Showed he has a very good jumper and not afraid to use it. His defense is also fantastic in terms of timing as well as some surprising athleticism with a lot of improvement in running mechanics. I hope for a bright future and think he may give it to Indiana.

Joseph Young – Spark plug! If he wants decent minutes I think he needs to show some PG skill with Ellis, Stuckey and Miles all likely to play the 2-spot. I think he could be a bit like a light version of Jason Terry going forward, but he is better than I though as well as Turner.

 

 

[festar35Participant]

Myles Turner – Looks really good and has fantastic potential to be a two-way player. Showed he has a very good jumper and not afraid to use it. His defense is also fantastic in terms of timing as well as some surprising athleticism with a lot of improvement in running mechanics. I hope for a bright future and think he may give it to Indiana.

Joseph Young – Spark plug! If he wants decent minutes I think he needs to show some PG skill with Ellis, Stuckey and Miles all likely to play the 2-spot. I think he could be a bit like a light version of Jason Terry going forward, but he is better than I though as well as Turner.

 

 

[T Rex]

 The success of these Celtics really helps dull the pain of being so high on Myles Turner but not getting him.

Mickey and Holmes are playing great, like you’d almost think their max ceiling is Shawn Kemp and Millsap, respectively, but Turner looks like a future superstar on another level, like Pat Ewing with three point range.

Turner, Porzingis, and Towns can be as good as they want to be. Sky’s the limit.

Same with Terry Rozier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 The success of these Celtics really helps dull the pain of being so high on Myles Turner but not getting him.

Mickey and Holmes are playing great, like you’d almost think their max ceiling is Shawn Kemp and Millsap, respectively, but Turner looks like a future superstar on another level, like Pat Ewing with three point range.

Turner, Porzingis, and Towns can be as good as they want to be. Sky’s the limit.

Same with Terry Rozier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Kaminsky looks like he could top out as a really solid 12 pt 7reb role player. If he ever plays on a good team, he can get you 3 or 4 assists a night too. Pretty impressed by him, although he still has glaring weaknesses.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Kaminsky looks like he could top out as a really solid 12 pt 7reb role player. If he ever plays on a good team, he can get you 3 or 4 assists a night too. Pretty impressed by him, although he still has glaring weaknesses.

[TrillaParticipant]

 Okafor- We saw why he was regarded as the best prospoect in the draft for months (post/ face up game) and the faults that people started to see in him (struggles vs length, defending.)

Tokoto- Exactly what people knew he was going to be- freak athlete, not much ball skills. If he ever figures out his jumper, he has some Thabo- lite potential

Pierre Jackson- Really happy they signed him. Can really fill it up and I like how he operates the PnR. Because hes so small and so quick, he has some Nate Robinson-ness to him. Could become a good spark off the bench

Sampson- Never liked him before, but his jumper started falling and he looked pretty good off the dribble, well see what happens in October

[TrillaParticipant]

 Okafor- We saw why he was regarded as the best prospoect in the draft for months (post/ face up game) and the faults that people started to see in him (struggles vs length, defending.)

Tokoto- Exactly what people knew he was going to be- freak athlete, not much ball skills. If he ever figures out his jumper, he has some Thabo- lite potential

Pierre Jackson- Really happy they signed him. Can really fill it up and I like how he operates the PnR. Because hes so small and so quick, he has some Nate Robinson-ness to him. Could become a good spark off the bench

Sampson- Never liked him before, but his jumper started falling and he looked pretty good off the dribble, well see what happens in October

[Author]

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