Summer League Thread

[SBM]

Payne is not a good basketball player. Really does not play smart or efficient. Dennis turns it over too much. They are going to make our team but if they play like they did in summer league neither will be in the rotation consistently.

[atlantabbq99]

Not a good game from Payne, but still contributed with his rebounding and defense.

Another good game from Tavares. He only played 12 minutes, but it seemed like he dominated and controlled the boards when ever he was on the floor. Yes he is tall, but he has great technique when it comes to rebounding and boxing out.

[D21]

Don't know if it's by design or by choice, but Payne is playing outside way more than is effective. He should strongly consider playing more inside when his shot isn't falling. Seems to be a concerning trend that he shoots no matter if he's hot or not.

Agreed. He's approaching Josh Smith territory with his insistence on putting up jumpers.
Just because he CAN hit them, doesn't mean he always has to shoot them.

If he can hit lots of these shots, he needs to start developing game with C in the paint or wing cutting to the basket. Don't know if he can pass to other in this kind of play, but it would bring something.

Commentators brought up something interesting - when Payne takes a step in, to the college 3, he seems much more comfortable and accurate. Hopefully he can adapt to NBA range soon.

At least, he would hit the long 2s more than Smith was doing.

[Jamaaliver]

If he can hit lots of these shots, he needs to start developing game with C in the paint or wing cutting to the basket. Don't know if he can pass to other in this kind of play, but it would bring something.

Commentators brought up something interesting - when Payne takes a step in, to the college 3, he seems much more comfortable and accurate. Hopefully he can adapt to NBA range soon.

At least, he would hit the long 2s more than Smith was doing.

Yep.

Payne could be very dangerous on the pick and pop. Analytics be damned, if he can hit long twos better than 3-pointers, bring it in 6 feet and put up those shots.

[theatlfan]

Pretty sure Payne was given "fire at will" orders from the outside - it is a Development League. We got him to be a stretch 4/5 but he's only practiced from the college 3. No, the shooting numbers weren't good, but you have to look past that - the shot itself was fine and just needed fine tuning from a longer range.

The only things that concerned about Payne's game was 1) his hitch on the catch-and-shoot where he takes the ball between his knees and 2) his propensity for dribbling. I don't know if we'll try to coach out the former or not, but it cost him a few times in the games I saw including at least once last night (Full Disclosure: I watched the 1st 1/2 last night, the rest is on the DVR and I hope to watch it today). As far as the latter, I think once he gets into NBA games he'll realize that he can't put the ball on the floor as much. He's actually got some decent skill with his handle so it's not like I won't him to moth ball it altogether, but I just can't think that a near 7'er can be dribbling the ball on the perimeter a lot without bad things happening.

On the plus side, that man hustles. I can't say enough about that. For a big man an 1st round pick to run as much as he does is really impressive. I'd guess 2-3 years down the line he'll know better when to run and when to conserve, but for now, I'll take it, especially when he's only competing for 10-15 minutes per night. When someone is giving so much effort on the court, it can really mask deficiencies in other areas.

[D21]

his hitch on the catch-and-shoot where he takes the ball between his knees

I saw it too, some very slow catch and shoot but I think he was wide open (don't remember the game).
Don't know if he can make it faster.