Las Vegas Summer League Notes

[Smitty731]

I hope you don't mind, Smitty, but I posted your comments about the Spurs on Spurstalk. I credited you, gave your Twitter account and linked to this thread. I just think your comment about Dedmon is easily the biggest Spurs-related surprise of the off-season and was worthy of discussion with the wider Spurs nation.

Don't mind at all. Thanks for sharing!

[Smitty731]

"He's the best shooter in the league. Yes better than the Warriors guys."

Come on...this is just a ridiculous thing to say. Until Booker or anyone else posts 30 a game on 0.504 / 0.454 / 0.908 over 82 games, they are not the best shooter in the league. I get hyping up your own team and all but this would make me lose all respect for whoever said it.

Same with Rockets thinking they suddenly have best offense in the league. I wouldn't want someone making any sort of key decisions who was so far removed from reality personally.

I'm sorry what did Stephen curry do at 19? Oh that's right he was in college, not crushing it like booker. Just stop being that old guy ywlling at clouds and realize that Russell/booker/kat will be dominating the league in a few years.

I'm sorry, do you lack basic reading comprehension skills? Nowhere did I say Booker was a bad player or that he wouldn't continue to get better. I just said right now, as in today, he is not the best shooter in the NBA. Go ahead and argue the other side of that if you want - meaning tell me why you think anyone is better than the guy who just had the best shooting season of all-time at shooting the basketball.

There is a better way to address the poster than attacking him. Please don't do it again.

[Karmaloop]

LA Lakers

1. They are in love with Brandon Ingram and said he was the guy they wanted all along. They view his scoring as a great complement to D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.

2. They have big plans for Larry Nance Jr. and Anthony Brown to be a part of the rotation.

3. Signing Luol Deng allows them to bring Ingram and Randle along a little slowly and to not have to push them. They think Deng will be an ideal mentor over the next couple of years and/or a tradeable piece down the line.

4. They laughed when asked about Timofey Mozgov being a questionable signing - "A year ago everyone loved the guy. Now he stinks? Man are people wrong."

5. They also think Mozgov will make a great pairing with Ivaca Zubac, who they viewed as a surefire first round pick.

Nothing terribly surprising here.

1.) Really surprised there's no mention about Russell's play. You'd have to imagine that the Lakers are feeling pretty good about holding onto him after the debacle that was last season. He played at an MVP-caliber in the Summer League, and while the team fell short which probably keeps him from winning the MVP, they have to be impressed not only with his on the court production but also the vocal leadership role he's taken. Anyone he might have lost in the locker room last year (*cough* looking at you Lou Williams *cough*) will be quickly won over.

2.) Not sure Anthony Brown is a big rotation player until he cleans up his offensive game. Outside of that final game, he was definitely a net negative offensive player. For a guy that was billed as a 3&D player coming out of Stanford last year, his shooting has been atrocious. I'm not ready to write him off, but he's a distant 3rd on the depth chart at both SG (Clarkson and Lou) and SF (Deng and Ingram).

3.) Agreed on the Mozgov thing. Nobody is pretending he's going to be this franchise saver, but people were gushing over Mozgov after the 2015 season, and he had an injury plagued year and suddenly everyone hates him. He'll do what they need, protect the paint and mentor Zubac who was a pleasant surprise.

[Scoot McGroot]

Deng, I think will slide to stretch-4 when some matchups call for it. I think he plays 20mpg at SF and 10mpg at PF, leaving some 25-28mpg for Ingram at SF despite not starting.

Judging by his play over the last couple seasons, if you don't play Deng primarily, and maybe solely, as a stretch 4, you're going to feel like he's a waste of money and time. He's a guy who's grown, and aged, into primary stretch 4 territory in this NBA, and that's where he's going to produce. You should probably view him as a guy who can play some 3 when some matchups call for it, and in small doses. Otherwise, he's a small, stretch, 4 now.

[bwgood77]

"He's the best shooter in the league. Yes better than the Warriors guys."

Come on...this is just a ridiculous thing to say. Until Booker or anyone else posts 30 a game on 0.504 / 0.454 / 0.908 over 82 games, they are not the best shooter in the league. I get hyping up your own team and all but this would make me lose all respect for whoever said it.

Same with Rockets thinking they suddenly have best offense in the league. I wouldn't want someone making any sort of key decisions who was so far removed from reality personally.

I'm sorry what did Stephen curry do at 19? Oh that's right he was in college, not crushing it like booker. Just stop being that old guy ywlling at clouds and realize that Russell/booker/kat will be dominating the league in a few years.

I'm sorry, do you lack basic reading comprehension skills? Nowhere did I say Booker was a bad player or that he wouldn't continue to get better. I just said right now, as in today, he is not the best shooter in the NBA. Go ahead and argue the other side of that if you want - meaning tell me why you think anyone is better than the guy who just had the best shooting season of all-time at shooting the basketball.

Yeah, as a Suns fan who loves Booker, that was a bit ridiculous to say. He was hitting some crazy long 3s that looked almost Curry like, but it's Summer League. I do think he might become one of the better shooting players, and some of the other things he has developed such as post moves and a better handle have been impressive.

[OAKLEY_2]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

[Karmaloop]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

I'm not even sure I'd do Rubio straight up for Gay, let alone throwing in Shabazz as well.

[OAKLEY_2]

Summer league is horrible ball.

[youngcrev]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

I'm not even sure I'd do Rubio straight up for Gay, let alone throwing in Shabazz as well.

Is Shabazz worth more than Collison? Seems kinda like a wash to me.

[Patsfan1081]

"He's the best shooter in the league. Yes better than the Warriors guys."

Come on...this is just a ridiculous thing to say. Until Booker or anyone else posts 30 a game on 0.504 / 0.454 / 0.908 over 82 games, they are not the best shooter in the league. I get hyping up your own team and all but this would make me lose all respect for whoever said it.

Same with Rockets thinking they suddenly have best offense in the league. I wouldn't want someone making any sort of key decisions who was so far removed from reality personally.

I'm sorry what did Stephen curry do at 19? Oh that's right he was in college, not crushing it like booker. Just stop being that old guy ywlling at clouds and realize that Russell/booker/kat will be dominating the league in a few years.

You're faulting Curry for staying in school? Curry was always an efficient shooter from his freshman season up to today. Not trying to downplay Booker because he's very young and extremely talented but he also played on what might have been the worst team in the second half of the NBA last season given the chance with full reigns and he wasn't a very efficient outside shooter. Not saying that it will continue just that he's still has a long way to go and def hasn't earned to be called one of the best shooters in the game as of yet. Russell.....Ill leave that for another time but KAT is in a league by himself.

[Patsfan1081]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

I wonder if that possibly means they rather trade Dieng than have to pay him.

[Scoot McGroot]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

I wonder if that possibly means they rather trade Dieng than have to pay him.

Meh. Jordan Hill is a solid big man, if he's your 4th or 5th big man. If he's your 3rd big man, you're in trouble. I imagine that Minnesota invested in both Aldrich and Hill because they know that they cannot count on KG, Payne, or Pekovic in any way, shape, or form to play reliable minutes. As such, they're really looking at a big man core of KAT, Dieng, Bjelica, Aldrich, and Hill, with anything they can get from KG and Pekovic being gravy. Payne is just a guy.

[Smitty731]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

I wonder if that possibly means they rather trade Dieng than have to pay him.

Meh. Jordan Hill is a solid big man, if he's your 4th or 5th big man. If he's your 3rd big man, you're in trouble. I imagine that Minnesota invested in both Aldrich and Hill because they know that they cannot count on KG, Payne, or Pekovic in any way, shape, or form to play reliable minutes. As such, they're really looking at a big man core of KAT, Dieng, Bjelica, Aldrich, and Hill, with anything they can get from KG and Pekovic being gravy. Payne is just a guy.

That is how I took it with Hill. It was a depth signing and not much more.

Aldrich on the other hand is actually pretty good. Most people haven't stayed up on him, but he had a nice year in LA. He was a targeted signing for the Wolves this summer.

[Sheva7]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

From a Kings perspective, we wouldn't trade Collison for Rubio or Gay for Shabazz so not something we would consider.

We are happy with Collison as our starting PG. Rubio is a really bad fit on our team especially with Collison gone. That still leaves us without the backup PG we need and gives us a huge downgrade at SF.

[TKainZero]

On the Lakers' stuff, my biggest beef is with Anthony Brown being part of the rotation. He played a little better last night but he's a supposed "3 and D guy" who can't make 3s and looks lost on D.

Brown has zero offensive game

However. He can defend 1,2, and the 3.
He made Durant work last year.

I might like him starting at SG Being the dedicated defender and chasing down everyone. He is a good defender. And the team is better with him out there. Brown starting will allow clarkson to run the bench. (Which I project as his long term role)

Still would like to see the lakers sign a starting SG with plus defense thou

[TKainZero]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

I wonder if that possibly means they rather trade Dieng than have to pay him.

Meh. Jordan Hill is a solid big man, if he's your 4th or 5th big man. If he's your 3rd big man, you're in trouble. I imagine that Minnesota invested in both Aldrich and Hill because they know that they cannot count on KG, Payne, or Pekovic in any way, shape, or form to play reliable minutes. As such, they're really looking at a big man core of KAT, Dieng, Bjelica, Aldrich, and Hill, with anything they can get from KG and Pekovic being gravy. Payne is just a guy.

Still boggles my mind that the t-wolves traded for Payne. Everyone knew he wasn't nba quality

[HartfordWhalers]

I wonder if that possibly means they rather trade Dieng than have to pay him.

Meh. Jordan Hill is a solid big man, if he's your 4th or 5th big man. If he's your 3rd big man, you're in trouble. I imagine that Minnesota invested in both Aldrich and Hill because they know that they cannot count on KG, Payne, or Pekovic in any way, shape, or form to play reliable minutes. As such, they're really looking at a big man core of KAT, Dieng, Bjelica, Aldrich, and Hill, with anything they can get from KG and Pekovic being gravy. Payne is just a guy.

Still boggles my mind that the t-wolves traded for Payne. Everyone knew he wasn't nba quality

Who won the trade:
Atlanta 40%
Minnesota 13%
Both: 27%
Too many Payne puns: 19%
viewtopic.php?t=1371953

[wablty]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

They're solid rotational depth got for relatively cheap. What's the problem?

[OAKLEY_2]

Minny signing Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill seems beyond underwhelming.

By the way this trade seems to present an obvious opportunity for both Minny and Sac.

Rudy Gay/Darren Collison
for
Ricky Rubio/Shabazz Mohammed

From a Kings perspective, we wouldn't trade Collison for Rubio or Gay for Shabazz so not something we would consider.

We are happy with Collison as our starting PG. Rubio is a really bad fit on our team especially with Collison gone. That still leaves us without the backup PG we need and gives us a huge downgrade at SF.

I'll guess I'll throw Boogie in as he seems to be on the same page as Gay...

[Mr Swagtastic]

Thanks for the great read, I think Powell has been a real bright spot for The Raptors and maybe a top 5 player this summer his play/chemistry with Wright is very nice to see and I think Toronto might have to give Wright some more mins. Haven't seen too much Poeltl but he looks like he will find a niche as a athletic C who can block a few shots and get some buckets plus he has chemistry with Wright (former Utah teammate)