2016 NBA Summer League

[rsavaj]

Worst announcers ever.

In a universe with Steve Albert?

Steve Albert is the perfect announcer for a bad team. I thoroughly enjoy listening to him try to figure out and describe what the hell he's watching.

These guys were just...ugh.

[NavLDO]

Ulis could be pound for pound the best player from this draft, even if he 's not heavy enough to be numba 1

He's only 20 YO. Like I've mentioned previously, I gained 20lbs by doing nothing extraordinary between ages 19 and 24. He also measured in at 160 last year, so I wouldn't be surprised if by 2018, if he isn't a solid 175-180 after a couple of years of NBA nutrition/workout instruction, etc.

I see no reason why Ulis, IF what he's shown in SL and can improve upon what he's shown, couldn't be a starting PG in this league. At 5'10" 180, he'd be just fine. He'll find ways to make his shot and make the passes; he's already shown that creativity and we are only in SL.

[NavLDO]

Miyagi can...some others who shall remain nameless...absolutely not.

I'm waiting for the 'Bender's a bust' after missing those FTs...

the casual fans have already begun it

Yep, they were doing it after a couple of games. He is the youngest guy in the entire nba. He has shown some mad skills. I've seen a lot of nba players miss a couple of free throws that could have won the game. Four blocks very nice though.

Alan Williams with 16 boards. We have three centers now that can be monsters on the boards. Of course Williams is doing it in summer league but he looks impressive.

Silly BW, BLKS don't matter...ONLY FTs do.

Alan Williams is a beast, and while he's made some judgmental errors, there is no doubting he has some serious Rebounding skills.

[Saberestar]

I know Bender couldn't buy a bucket and he choked those free throws big time but 4 blocks is nice!!

Yeah, I think he was really good defensively today. He doesn't get too many rebounds because he can be moved easily because he lacks strength, but other than that he is a very good all around defender.

Offensively he just doesn't have weapons to explode at this point of his career. He is just a pick and pop guy ( stretch four) but not good enough to be a factor because his shooting is decent but not great.

We need to be patient with him...but like a fan sometimes is difficult to be patient watching the games

[kennydorglas]

I wish Bender had more high-low plays and some PNR like that sick pass he made to Cooke.
I think we're playing him with little to no creativity.

His defense tonight was just marvelous.

[NavLDO]

This is the first game I have seen Ulis size be an issue, Murray has really used his size to take advantage of Ulis he has out played him this game.

Ummm...not sure if serious. Ulis stripped it from him, but no one there to grab it, then out shoots Murray from 3 (3 of 5 vs 2 of 6)...or are you going off the bulk stats Murray had 29 pts vs Uls only 19, ergo, Murray out played him?? Ulis with 4 Assts vs Murray's 3. Murray had 3 TOs vs Ulis' 1, Ulis 2/2 FTs, Murray 1/2. Oh, but Murray made more pts...he's better...2PT%...that's all Murray had on Ulis this game...

I like Ulis as much as anyone but if you watched the game and didnt notice Murray use his size and strength advantage then you are just putting on the Rose colored glasses.

Of course, but everyone has, to some point, used their size/strength advantage, but that doesn't mean "he has out played him this game." Which is exactly what you said...THAT'S the point I'm making. Outmuscling does NOT equal outplaying.

[dremill24]

Kinda feels like a less athletic, less dumb Brandon Knight.

Yup, got the same feeling.

He's a combo guard who can handle the rock and occasionally dish when needed

Oh, well I still have no clue why he calls himself a PG, cause it's clear he's not. His mindset seems to be to score, score, score and maybe pass if he can't get a shot off.

When you run the point you dont have to rely on others to get your shots, I'd call myself a PG too

Im more worried about everybody else calling him a PG

[Fo-Real]

My God, ULIS MAN!!! He keeps on impressing me over and over. Hits big shots, plays good defense, and above all is already a great leader. You can really tell a difference in. The flow of the game when he is not in. Crowd favorite in the making.

[sleepyvato]

When you run the point you dont have to rely on others to get your shots, I'd call myself a PG too

Im more worried about everybody else calling him a PG

Honestly glad we didn't draft him.

[kennydorglas]

I dont think Ulis was abused by Murray. He did the right thing of re-directing his man to our bigs... but Alan Williams is really slow so he couldnt get into him in time when they went small (pretty much when he take over the game and bjorkgren didnt adjusted)

His ability to stay in front of most guys is great and on top of that he can really harass this guys on-ball with his 'athletic hands'

[Zelaznyrules]

Worst announcers ever.

In a universe with Steve Albert?

Steve Albert is the perfect announcer for a bad team. I thoroughly enjoy listening to him try to figure out and describe what the hell he's watching.

These guys were just...ugh.

These guys were a challenge but, yeah, I'd give a solid edge to Steve Albert as the worst announcer ever. I rarely complain about basketball announcers anymore, a season listening to George Raveling providing analysis for Pac 10 games cured me of that. But Steve Albert makes my brain hurt.

[Thespianoid]

I wish Bender had more high-low plays and some PNR like that sick pass he made to Cooke.
I think we're playing him with little to no creativity.

His defense tonight was just marvelous.

heavily agree with the bold. Right now, aside from occasional PnP, Suns are mostly just parking him weakside in the corner/wing as a recipient of kickouts as the defense sags middle. Think he needs more high post touches with dedicated off-ball movement for Kuric/Ulis (Denver did a lot of this with Juancho/Murray) and side PnR as the ballhandler.

Also when they run PnR with him as the screener and he pops, whoever the C is should be ducking in so Bender can make the high-low feed. Happened a lot with Alan Williams in the first few games but he wasn't able to finish inside.

All in all, Suns have to do a better job taking advantage of Bender's playmaking. Probably his most NBA-ready offensive skill at this point.

[dremill24]

I wish Bender had more high-low plays and some PNR like that sick pass he made to Cooke.
I think we're playing him with little to no creativity.

His defense tonight was just marvelous.

agree. Think he needs more high post touches with dedicated off-ball movement (Denver did a lot of this with Juancho) and side PnR as the ballhandler. Right now, aside from occasional PnP, Suns are mostly just parking him weakside in the corner/wing as a recipient of kickouts as the defense sags middle.

Also when they run PnR with him as the screener and he pops, whoever the C is should be ducking in so Bender can make the high-low feed. Happened a lot with Alan Williams in the first few games but he wasn't able to finish inside.

All in all, Suns have to do a better job taking advantage of Bender's playmaking. Probably his most NBA ready offensive skill at this point.

To be fair, you're cobbling together a team full of kids who have never played together after maybe a week or two of practice. Running a complex game plan that tailors to specific guys' skillsets is pretty difficult.

[Thespianoid]

I wish Bender had more high-low plays and some PNR like that sick pass he made to Cooke.
I think we're playing him with little to no creativity.

His defense tonight was just marvelous.

agree. Think he needs more high post touches with dedicated off-ball movement (Denver did a lot of this with Juancho) and side PnR as the ballhandler. Right now, aside from occasional PnP, Suns are mostly just parking him weakside in the corner/wing as a recipient of kickouts as the defense sags middle.

Also when they run PnR with him as the screener and he pops, whoever the C is should be ducking in so Bender can make the high-low feed. Happened a lot with Alan Williams in the first few games but he wasn't able to finish inside.

All in all, Suns have to do a better job taking advantage of Bender's playmaking. Probably his most NBA ready offensive skill at this point.

To be fair, you're cobbling together a team full of kids who have never played together after maybe a week or two of practice. Running a complex game plan that tailors to specific guys' skillsets is pretty difficult.

yeah that's true. can't expect much during SL. but something to keep track of during the season though for sure.

[dremill24]

I dont think Ulis was abused by Murray. He did the right thing of re-directing his man to our bigs... but Alan Williams is really slow so he couldnt get into him in time when they went small (pretty much when he take over the game and bjorkgren didnt adjusted)

His ability to stay in front of most guys is great and on top of that he can really harass this guys on-ball with his 'athletic hands'

'Abused' would be a dramatic description, but it was clearly more of a factor today than previously.

[Qwigglez]

A little upset that Bender wasn't as hyped as the other guy when Ulis hit that shot...

He's probably just down on himself. You miss those two with the whole arena watching and people on tv, it's probably not easy to get over quickly. Especially at that age. Your first opportunity to win a game against some nba competition and you blow it.

I understand that, but still. It's the little things like this, as opposed to him making/missing free throws that I'm really looking for in SL.

On another note, I like Bender's mechanics on his shot, he just needs a higher arc, or at least he did in this game. His shot was straight every time.

[darealjuice]

I'm excited to see Bender play with some NBA talent, he makes a lot of good passes that end up being blown lay ups or missed open shots. Obviously he needs to keep working on his jump shot, but I think he'll at least be a serviceable shooter by the end of his rookie season, it's almost always straight on just not quite on the money. Still, he shows a lot of skill for a guy that's going to be the youngest player in the league next year, and I think his defensive ability and ability to stay in front of guards is going to help him see the court as a rookie. I think a rotational lineup of Bledsoe/Booker/Warren/Bender/Len or Chandler will be fun to watch next year.

[NavLDO]

My God, ULIS MAN!!! He keeps on impressing me over and over. Hits big shots, plays good defense, and above all is already a great leader. You can really tell a difference in. The flow of the game when he is not in. Crowd favorite in the making.

Yeah, I was shocked in learning that a 5'10", 160lb PG won SEC Defensive Player of the Year...how often does that happen!?!?! He's definitely 'scrappy'; in fact, that should be his nickname--"Scrappy-Doo"

[JMac1]

1. Tyler Ulis is a bad man.
2. Bender looked good doing everything but shooting before the injury.
3. Bender is 18
4. Bender looked good doing everything except shooting after the injury.
5. Bender just learned about how to be clutch.

I was laughing so hard when Bender was at that FT line.

[Saberestar]

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