Wizards Summer League/Training Camp thread

[80sballboy]

Just finished watching and was a little more impressed though we had 25 turnovers. Pitiful decision-making in the open floor by just about everybody. Here are my thoughts.

1)Marcus Keene. Was looking forward to seeing him and now I know why he wasn't drafted. He was a scorer in the MAC, on a team that wasn't loaded with talent. Wasn't not impressed with his quickness. He should be able to get to the rim or at least the lane with ease against this competition, but he couldn't. Sure, he can shoot but he needs to be a playmaker. At the end of the game, Cunningham (uggh) was running the team and Keene was playing the 2.

2)Cunningham. You can have him. He's a poor man's Jordan Crawford who jacks up bad shots from everywhere and hits some. On that play where he hit the 3 and was fouled, he gave up an open 3 on the other end. Also don't like body language every time he drives and bangs into someone, he throws up his hands. No thanks.

3)McCullough. There is something there but not sure what it is. Lanky, athletic and kind of a slasher. In today's game, not sure what that's worth if you can hit 3s and you're really not a rim protecting power forward. But he is active and if he can put on 10-15 pounds, he might be a rotation guy. If he can start making 3, he can start making $$$.

4)Young. He has a nice post up game, which is fine but needs to develop a better face-up game. If he plays the 3, well, he won't likely be in the NBA next season, so not sure what he is position-wise. I think he's perfect for the G-League, where he can develop a 3-point shot or at least try. I just don't see the upside being that great because not long like McCullough or long and athletic like Robinson.

5)Robinson. He's so far away but so athletic. Dude needs a trainer to just bulk his lower and upper body up. I'd have to go with him as the 2nd two-way deal based on potential. Hope that he learns the game in the G-League and works on his body.

6)Ochefu and Mac. They were fine. Daniel needs to stop fouling. Sheldon needs to stop turning the ball over and develop a left hand. He was better in this game and looked to have more bounce than against Memphis (ankle issues). Still looking for him to shoot more 3s and not just slash.

7)Jenkins. Like to see a little more of him. Know he can shoot but never thought he had the footspeed for the NBA. Hope he can prove me wrong.

Bottom line? Everybody seems to shoot 3s and make 3s save for us. I know people say we have no creator off the bench.
Well, who was the creator last season? Bojan? Meeks, Scott, Smith, Frazier, Mahinmi is a slight step up but I think we need another 4

Not many choices though for a cheap 4

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[80sballboy]

https://www.bulletsforever.com/2017/7/10/15949446/washington-wizards-miami-heat-final-score-summer-league-nba-2017?utm_campaign=bulletsforever&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

[pcbothwel]

Chris, ochifu and Mac had solid games. Young and Robinson were ok ! Cunningham again lit it up, Keene should be starting, young should be coming off the bench, and Robinson should be starting.

I have a sneaky feeling that we are going to sign Cunningham. And offer our second g leave contract to Robinson.

I'd be good with that

I wouldn't. Cunningham is a 26-year old professional basketball player. Of course he looks good compared to these guys.

But he's not an NBA player, & he's never going to be one. These young guys aren't NBA players either, but there's a chance one or more of them will become one.

Agree. guys like Cunningham are a dime a dozen.
Robinson gives us nothing this year. He if thin and a fairly raw. Let him get minutes in the G-league and then stick him in the weight room when the season ends in April.
Keane should get the last roster spot for now. But he has little room for error in my book. He is a one trick pony, so he better show that skill

[gambitx777]

Chris, ochifu and Mac had solid games. Young and Robinson were ok ! Cunningham again lit it up, Keene should be starting, young should be coming off the bench, and Robinson should be starting.

I have a sneaky feeling that we are going to sign Cunningham. And offer our second g leave contract to Robinson.

I'd be good with that

I wouldn't. Cunningham is a 26-year old professional basketball player. Of course he looks good compared to these guys.

But he's not an NBA player, & he's never going to be one. These young guys aren't NBA players either, but there's a chance one or more of them will become one.

How old was hassan whiteside when he played his way back into the league he was 26? Jordan Crawford made a return and looks great at 28. Gys can go away and come back better. If he can come off the bench and score you some fast points whats the problem with leaving him on the end of the bench for the vet min, over guys like jamal crawford, and james jones and other washed up dudes. at least hes 26 and can still grow, Plus as long as we keep robinson and we already have young, (who look to be the two better UDFA's we brought in) Then whats the issue.

[Tricky_Kid]

I forgot about Devin Robinson and Pangos...

I thought they both did some great things. I like Pangos, has good instincts on both sides of the ball. I don't think he's an NBA guy though. Nor is Devin, yet.

I'm still trying to recover from this McCullough hangover. I expected so much better.

I just watch 4th quarter of this game and man this Pangos guy sucked. In final minutes few key tournovers, dribling too much. Definatelly not NBA player.

[gambitx777]

Robinson had a good game.! Could not have asked for more of him the past two games. If we take two rookies he should be signed to the team out right if we keep Cunningham and a rookie Robinson should get that last 2 way

[closg00]

Robinson looks like he might be worth developing, but the dude needs 4-years to fill-out that body

[dangermouse]

Ochefu looked really good again, but how many roster spots do we have left? We're pretty stacked when it comes to bigs. I'd like to see Devin on a two-way contract. There's talent and athleticism there, just needs to hit the weight room. Its not even about being bulkier, just stronger.

Young could be good too if he puts on muscle. Decent post up game.

Mac had a great game, feeling more confident that he might test Meeks for that backup guard spot.

[payitforward]

I'd be good with that

I wouldn't. Cunningham is a 26-year old professional basketball player. Of course he looks good compared to these guys.

But he's not an NBA player, & he's never going to be one. These young guys aren't NBA players either, but there's a chance one or more of them will become one.

How old was hassan whiteside when he played his way back into the league he was 26? Jordan Crawford made a return and looks great at 28. Gys can go away and come back better. If he can come off the bench and score you some fast points whats the problem with leaving him on the end of the bench for the vet min, over guys like jamal crawford, and james jones and other washed up dudes. at least hes 26 and can still grow, Plus as long as we keep robinson and we already have young, (who look to be the two better UDFA's we brought in) Then whats the issue.

What Hassan Whiteside did has no bearing on Jared Cunningham. But, yes, I'd want him over Jamal Crawford, sure. & yes, we should be keeping Robinson.

But, if we are looking for a last pick up I still wouldn't make it Cunningham. I would be looking for a young, Defense-minded C prospect. I.e. the next version of Willie Reed, who I would have signed 2 years ago out of SL. Or Alan Williams, who I would have signed immediately after he wasn't drafted in 2015. This year I would certainly have grabbed Kennedy Meeks at midnight draft night!

[Kanyewest]

I wouldn't. Cunningham is a 26-year old professional basketball player. Of course he looks good compared to these guys.

But he's not an NBA player, & he's never going to be one. These young guys aren't NBA players either, but there's a chance one or more of them will become one.

How old was hassan whiteside when he played his way back into the league he was 26? Jordan Crawford made a return and looks great at 28. Gys can go away and come back better. If he can come off the bench and score you some fast points whats the problem with leaving him on the end of the bench for the vet min, over guys like jamal crawford, and james jones and other washed up dudes. at least hes 26 and can still grow, Plus as long as we keep robinson and we already have young, (who look to be the two better UDFA's we brought in) Then whats the issue.

What Hassan Whiteside did has no bearing on Jared Cunningham. But, yes, I'd want him over Jamal Crawford, sure. & yes, we should be keeping Robinson.

But, if we are looking for a last pick up I still wouldn't make it Cunningham. I would be looking for a young, Defense-minded C prospect. I.e. the next version of Willie Reed, who I would have signed 2 years ago out of SL. Or Alan Williams, who I would have signed immediately after he wasn't drafted in 2015. This year I would certainly have grabbed Kennedy Meeks at midnight draft night!

EG (or someone who picks the players) might be a Villanova fan. Daniel Ochefu largely contained Meeks in the NCAA tournament in 2016. The Wizards also signed Kris Jenkins and Maalik Wayns. Although both Ochefu and Jenkins are from the DMV.

[80sballboy]

I wouldn't. Cunningham is a 26-year old professional basketball player. Of course he looks good compared to these guys.

But he's not an NBA player, & he's never going to be one. These young guys aren't NBA players either, but there's a chance one or more of them will become one.

How old was hassan whiteside when he played his way back into the league he was 26? Jordan Crawford made a return and looks great at 28. Gys can go away and come back better. If he can come off the bench and score you some fast points whats the problem with leaving him on the end of the bench for the vet min, over guys like jamal crawford, and james jones and other washed up dudes. at least hes 26 and can still grow, Plus as long as we keep robinson and we already have young, (who look to be the two better UDFA's we brought in) Then whats the issue.

What Hassan Whiteside did has no bearing on Jared Cunningham. But, yes, I'd want him over Jamal Crawford, sure. & yes, we should be keeping Robinson.

But, if we are looking for a last pick up I still wouldn't make it Cunningham. I would be looking for a young, Defense-minded C prospect. I.e. the next version of Willie Reed, who I would have signed 2 years ago out of SL. Or Alan Williams, who I would have signed immediately after he wasn't drafted in 2015. This year I would certainly have grabbed Kennedy Meeks at midnight draft night!

I think Jared Cunningham stinks, but he did play for six NBA teams, so he has NBA experience. But I don't think the Wiz have any interest in keeping him as a fourth or fifth shooting guard. I think developing young bigs is key, which is why we need to stick with Robinson and Ochefu because there really are no other options. Willie Reed would be great as a backup post player and he's likely to get a nice offer from 4-5 teams that can pay much more than we can.

[closg00]

Agree about Cunningham, I have zero interest in keeping him. Robinson is a really long-term project the way the Whiteside was, perhaps too-long.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[payitforward]

... if we are looking for a last pick up I still wouldn't make it Cunningham. I would be looking for a young, Defense-minded C prospect. I.e. the next version of Willie Reed, who I would have signed 2 years ago out of SL. Or Alan Williams, who I would have signed immediately after he wasn't drafted in 2015. This year I would certainly have grabbed Kennedy Meeks at midnight draft night!

EG (or someone who picks the players) might be a Villanova fan. Daniel Ochefu largely contained Meeks in the NCAA tournament in 2016. ...

Understood. But overall Meeks had an outstanding college career &, to me at least, looks like a guy who will have a 10+ year career in the NBA. So far in SL (which means very little of course) Meeks is looking very good.

At the same time, it's also true that Ochefu had an outstanding college career -- especially his Junior & Senior years. He & Meeks are somewhat similar in having no ability, so far, to extend their offensive games away from the basket but being very efficient under the basket & being very good rebounders & shot-blockers.

Hey... maybe Ochefu will turn out to be good? I liked our signing him after the draft last year. Gonna get behind him!

[80sballboy]

... if we are looking for a last pick up I still wouldn't make it Cunningham. I would be looking for a young, Defense-minded C prospect. I.e. the next version of Willie Reed, who I would have signed 2 years ago out of SL. Or Alan Williams, who I would have signed immediately after he wasn't drafted in 2015. This year I would certainly have grabbed Kennedy Meeks at midnight draft night!

EG (or someone who picks the players) might be a Villanova fan. Daniel Ochefu largely contained Meeks in the NCAA tournament in 2016. ...

Understood. But overall Meeks had an outstanding college career &, to me at least, looks like a guy who will have a 10+ year career in the NBA. So far in SL (which means very little of course) Meeks is looking very good.

At the same time, it's also true that Ochefu had an outstanding college career -- especially his Junior & Senior years. He & Meeks are somewhat similar in having no ability, so far, to extend their offensive games away from the basket but being very efficient under the basket & being very good rebounders & shot-blockers.

Hey... maybe Ochefu will turn out to be good? I liked our signing him after the draft last year. Gonna get behind him!

One thing that separates those guys is Meeks has hands. He has very little lift although he's come a long way in terms of his conditioning. I think Ochefu is the better defender, while Meeks should be a better scorer and slightly better rebounder. I think Meeks could develop a 3-point shot down the line but then again, in a few years, we might see quality post players become more relevant again.

[gambitx777]

Agree about Cunningham, I have zero interest in keeping him. Robinson is a really long-term project the way the Whiteside was, perhaps too-long.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

You can't have people going on and on about ow the team never develops players and never builds for the future, and say "that guys gonna take to long to develop) This kid is good and hes showing flashes of that and we need to hold on to him no matter whaat.

[NatP4]

If we don't sign Keene I'll kill myself. This dude is better than Frazier already

[Dat2U]

Glad I didn't waste my money going to Vegas to watch this crap.

[gambitx777]

This is the obligatory "lets see what the other guys have game. Robinson and Cunningham and still leading the pack in guys who are probably going to get invited back. Keene might get a camp invite.
Mac and Ochifu are having solid games tonight and are obviously signed, Chris has at least been showing some good rebounding, ish. IDK. hes not showing me what I need him to show me and hes not even playing badly tonight, I just wanted more of a jump from this kid and i don't think im gona get it, right now.

[Tricky_Kid]

Glad I didn't waste my money going to Vegas to watch this crap.

I don't waste my time watching second half

[NatP4]

Summer league team must be coached by Scott Brooks. Waayns, Cunningham, Pangos have ruined every game by playing like selfish idiots. Not playing Keene is completely asinine. McCullough hardly gets to touch the ball. Mac is the best player on the team and is used as a secondary scorer. My eyes are bleeding