Summer League 2018 (brought to you by K_chile22)

[Mr. E]

Summer League is upon us!

Who will step up? Who will stand out?

Who is even playing???

Our own K_chile22 has all the info you need right here:

http://www.rednationhoops.com/2018/07/rockets-2018-summer-league-preview.html

I'm looking forward to seeing how Hartenstein & Joe Chee look as they could have roles on the team this year. Also, Rob Grey will be fun to watch and I hope that he does well.

[K_chile22]

Hey, I appreciate it!

Game one thoughts (the good):

Hartenstien looked great. Rushed some passes leading to turnovers early and didn't attempt any threes, but looked great playing the as a hard roller, rim protector and making extra passes.

Zhou Qi looked good on defense and hit a few threes. Looks to have gained some weight but still small.

Melton's (this year's second rounder) defense was great, as advertised

Treyvon Duval and House aren't actually on the team, but Duval passing really impressed me and he got to the rim with ease. Still only 19, and I've liked House since last off-season as a 3&D wing which he showcased.

The bad:

Onuaku stinks. He's just bad. Hopefully they can move him for a roster spot.

Melton's offense was really rough, but that's kind of expected since he hasn't played an organized game of basketball in over a year and is miscast on the SL roster as a lead guard.

RJ Hunter also didn't look good. Probably gets waived and his two way spot goes elsewhere



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[Mr. E]

Treyvon Duval and House aren't actually on the team

Just to clarify - are you saying that they've just been signed to Summer League contracts?

[K_chile22]

Treyvon Duval and House aren't actually on the team

Just to clarify - are you saying that they've just been signed to Summer League contracts?

Yeah. Think one of them gets RJ Hunter's two way when this is all said and done. Though it's possible Duval doesn't want to sign a two way because if he had I imagine he would've gotten one at just 19 and he was expecting to get drafted

The other two-way went to Gary Clark but he (and Rob Grey) didn't even dress and were seated behind the bench for some reason

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[Mr. E]

Every Summer League makes me upset that the NBA doesn't have a good farm system in place.

And I don't consider the NCAA to be a farm system. The NBA should be competing with the NCAA, not relying on them.

[K_chile22]

Every Summer League makes me upset that the NBA doesn't have a good farm system in place.

And I don't consider the NCAA to be a farm system. The NBA should be competing with the NCAA, not relying on them.

Well, hopefully the G league can become that. A few guys signed for this season straight out of high school

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[K_chile22]

Melton should've gone in the first round. A lot of teams are going to be banging their heads about him. After struggling on offense in the first game he's been outstanding in the next two, putting up 26-10-5 tonight while playing his usual great defense. He's still just 20! How did he slide to 46!?

[styLesdavis]

Any info why Hartenstein didn`t play last night?

[RollingWave]

Any info why Hartenstein didn`t play last night?

Morey said something with the knee but he'll play next game, might just be a bit of a scheduled rest as well.

[K_chile22]

Any info why Hartenstein didn`t play last night?

Morey said something with the knee but he'll play next game, might just be a bit of a scheduled rest as well.

I think it was actually a bruised hand, according to Feigen on Twitter.

Pretty bummed Gary Clark isn't playing (agreed to a two way deal after going undrafted). Suffered an ankle injury during the pre draft process so the Rockets are holding him out.

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[RollingWave]

Melton has sort of come on these couple games, it's hard to overreact to Summer league but as long as they're showing flashes it's usually a major positive, it's plausible that he might get serious burn next year especially later on.

Zhou Qi has shown more consistent flashes than last year, though every game he seem to be good one half then meh the other. But generally you like to see guys actually improving on things and he has clearly gotten a much quicker shot. I'm a bit worried on the defense side as it seems to be some serious highlight block and deterence but also some guys going through him or finishing relatively easily over him (granted some of them are NBA level guys too, even the best rim protector is going to get scored on quite a few times a game.) I don't like the general speed he seem to be playing at but part of that is just his general size / movement (he's also beaten other teams down the floor quite a few time so this might be more of a case where he just look like he's moving slow.)

Hartenstein certainly look good and would generally get credit for at least clearly looking like he's active. granted style of game is important here, he's playing inside and the active game and a lot of Zhou Qi's value is inherently because he's staying outside and spacing. But if we're looking at a guy who has a better clear floor of being comfortable he can play some minutes Hartenstein certainly looks good now. Though it's plausible they play Zhou Qi more as a 4 (which would be worse for his stats sheet but probably better for the team.)

I'm disappointed with Nanu more than anything because it doesn't seem like he's showing anything new. I think he can play ok backup center minutes but the problem is there are so many centers nowadays being just ok is not enough.

[K_chile22]

I think Zhou's motor isn't great because he's been so reliant on just being bigger than everyone. That's a concern. He has put on some weight but still has a way to go.

Don't think Nanu is an NBA player though

I like Hartenstien working on his roll man/garbage man role first, before honing the three point shot he's flashes various times. Solidifying a floor of a traditional big first, then work on the upside of a shooting five that can defend

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[texasholdem]

Rockets played their last summer league game yesterday and were eliminated by Cleveland. Melton was really impressive near the basket and on defense. He should get more minutes than MCW. Zhou didn't play but hartenstein did. Deng Adel had a nice dunk and a hakeemesque fake and jump hook.

[MaxRider]

only watch the second half of yesterday game against Cleveland

Hartenstein -- G-League player, don't think he can even be backup
House -- best player of the game, his defense is meh, shooting suck
Melton -- not a PG, try to play too much hero ball, better as 3&D guy
Edwards -- don't impress me at all, not sure he signed with the team or just the summer league

i doubt the rest get invite to camp

[texasholdem]

only watch the second half of yesterday game against Cleveland

Hartenstein -- G-League player, don't think he can even be backup
House -- best player of the game, his defense is meh, shooting suck
Melton -- not a PG, try to play too much hero ball, better as 3&D guy
Edwards -- don't impress me at all, not sure he signed with the team or just the summer league

i doubt the rest get invite to camp

Hartenstein is way better than Onuaku. He's mobile and has range. He could get the roster spot that Tarik Black occupied last season.

House and Adel should make the preseason roster too.

Only 3 roster spots left with Ennis signing. Maybe Melo gets one of those 3.

[K_chile22]

only watch the second half of yesterday game against Cleveland

Hartenstein -- G-League player, don't think he can even be backup
House -- best player of the game, his defense is meh, shooting suck
Melton -- not a PG, try to play too much hero ball, better as 3&D guy
Edwards -- don't impress me at all, not sure he signed with the team or just the summer league

i doubt the rest get invite to camp

That was by far Hartenstien's worst game, he's been good outside of this one. Far more deserving of a roster spot than onuaku.
House can shoot it, it's what he's best at. Nearly 40% shooter in the g league over two seasons
Melton isn't really a point guard, more of a secondary creator but he's forced into the PG role by this summer league roster. He can run pick and roll but you don't want him running everything. What I saw from him was really encouraging though. Shot looks worlds better than college, looked comfortable taking them, defense still outstanding, and still did a solid job running an offense considering he hasn't played organized basketball in over a year. Think he will be one of Morey's best picks. A lot of smart people had him going in the teens and he somehow slipped all the way to 46, probably because teams didn't get to watch him play last season
I haven't really been impressed with Edwards either, he's had some solid games, he's a shooter with some defense who just hasn't shot that well in SL (5 game sample)

I think Adel, House, Hunter all make it to camp, Melton gets a three year deal, Edwards and Clark (didn't play due to ankle injury but signed quickly after draft) get the two two way deals, and Hartenstien will get deal if they can move Onuaku's guaranteed deal, otherwise they'll ask him to stay with the vipers or spend a season overseas

[MaxRider]

only watch the second half of yesterday game against Cleveland

Hartenstein -- G-League player, don't think he can even be backup
House -- best player of the game, his defense is meh, shooting suck
Melton -- not a PG, try to play too much hero ball, better as 3&D guy
Edwards -- don't impress me at all, not sure he signed with the team or just the summer league

i doubt the rest get invite to camp

That was by far Hartenstien's worst game, he's been good outside of this one. Far more deserving of a roster spot than onuaku.
House can shoot it, it's what he's best at. Nearly 40% shooter in the g league over two seasons
Melton isn't really a point guard, more of a secondary creator but he's forced into the PG role by this summer league roster. He can run pick and roll but you don't want him running everything. What I saw from him was really encouraging though. Shot looks worlds better than college, looked comfortable taking them, defense still outstanding, and still did a solid job running an offense considering he hasn't played organized basketball in over a year. Think he will be one of Morey's best picks. A lot of smart people had him going in the teens and he somehow slipped all the way to 46, probably because teams didn't get to watch him play last season
I haven't really been impressed with Edwards either, he's had some solid games, he's a shooter with some defense who just hasn't shot that well in SL (5 game sample)

I think Adel, House, Hunter all make it to camp, Melton gets a three year deal, Edwards and Clark (didn't play due to ankle injury but signed quickly after draft) get the two two way deals, and Hartenstien will get deal if they can move Onuaku's guaranteed deal, otherwise they'll ask him to stay with the vipers or spend a season overseas

not sure how two-way contract work
Hunter and Brown were on two-way contract last season
is it just one year?
i doubt both will be back
Melton pretty much make Brown expandable
Hunter, didn't really see much in him
Onuaku, only highlight is underhand free throw, don't even what is up with him last season
Hartenstien, is he ready to play? i only watch him play in limited min, and you said it is by far his worst performance game
Nene can't play back to back or long period of time, so we need a backup center ready to play

Melo or no Melo
Anderson or no Anderson

our roster is far from done

[K_chile22]

only watch the second half of yesterday game against Cleveland

Hartenstein -- G-League player, don't think he can even be backup
House -- best player of the game, his defense is meh, shooting suck
Melton -- not a PG, try to play too much hero ball, better as 3&D guy
Edwards -- don't impress me at all, not sure he signed with the team or just the summer league

i doubt the rest get invite to camp

That was by far Hartenstien's worst game, he's been good outside of this one. Far more deserving of a roster spot than onuaku.
House can shoot it, it's what he's best at. Nearly 40% shooter in the g league over two seasons
Melton isn't really a point guard, more of a secondary creator but he's forced into the PG role by this summer league roster. He can run pick and roll but you don't want him running everything. What I saw from him was really encouraging though. Shot looks worlds better than college, looked comfortable taking them, defense still outstanding, and still did a solid job running an offense considering he hasn't played organized basketball in over a year. Think he will be one of Morey's best picks. A lot of smart people had him going in the teens and he somehow slipped all the way to 46, probably because teams didn't get to watch him play last season
I haven't really been impressed with Edwards either, he's had some solid games, he's a shooter with some defense who just hasn't shot that well in SL (5 game sample)

I think Adel, House, Hunter all make it to camp, Melton gets a three year deal, Edwards and Clark (didn't play due to ankle injury but signed quickly after draft) get the two two way deals, and Hartenstien will get deal if they can move Onuaku's guaranteed deal, otherwise they'll ask him to stay with the vipers or spend a season overseas

not sure how two-way contract work
Hunter and Brown were on two-way contract last season
is it just one year?
i doubt both will be back
Melton pretty much make Brown expandable
Hunter, didn't really see much in him
Onuaku, only highlight is underhand free throw, don't even what is up with him last season
Hartenstien, is he ready to play? i only watch him play in limited min, and you said it is by far his worst performance game
Nene can't play back to back or long period of time, so we need a backup center ready to play

Melo or no Melo
Anderson or no Anderson

our roster is far from done

A two way contract can be up to two years, doesn't effect the cap, and the players are primarily with the G league team and can only spend a maximum of 45 days with the actual NBA team, players signed to a two way must have no more than three years experience. Also, you can only have two guys on that contract at a time.
Hunter got a two year deal, but since he's on a two way he can be cut with no consequence, which I expect he will, and Browns deal expired, so he's a restricted free agent, though I doubt the Rockets have any interest in bringing him back.
Edwards and Earl Clark were signed on exhibit 10 contracts, so, for now, they are regular NBA contracts, but the Rockets have the ability to turn those into two way deals if they want to (they likely will).

Onuaku came in with a great NBA body and put on weight in both seasons, and not the good kind. He's got a foot out of the league already.

I'm not sure Hartenstien is ready. Still only 20 and pretty raw, but I think it'd be fine to start the season with him and Qi as the deep bench centers and see if either can handle it, as playing with CP and Harden is pretty easy for a big, as long as they can catch a lob and defend. Hartenstien is a good defender, is physical, and a solid athlete, he just has trouble finishing and sometimes gets sped up, leading to avoidable mistakes.

I'm assuming the Melo thing is happening. Everything pointing that way. Not happy about it, but Daryl has earned the benefit of the doubt. Don't think they'd be willing to pay what it takes to dump Ryno, so if he is traded there will probably be some other bad money coming back

[MaxRider]

Hartenstein and Adel look better in highlight (who isn't?)
look like Morey is trying to sign Hartenstein
Adel definitely look better than Edwards for 3&D guy

[K_chile22]

Looks like Alessandro Gentile will be in camp with the Rockets. Figured since he wasn't on the summer league team after he claimed he would be, the Rockets told him they didn't want him to try to come over, but apparently that was just due to a thumb surgery.

For those unfamiliar, Gentile is a 25 year old, 6'7 wing, from Italy. He was a second round pick (53) in 2014. He's a scorer who can pass but isn't a very willing passer. Not much of a defender, ok in Europe but probably below average in the NBA. Has not shot well from three at all in his career (which is the reason for the thumb surgery which apparently is the result of an injury from year back). Doubt he even gets a two way deal but he's been desperate to come over since the D'Antoni hiring (his dad was D'Antoni's teamate in Italy and D'Antoni is just an Italian basketball legend)