**Official Summer League 2024 Thread**

[Eyeamok]

So I recall in the 21 playoffs against Atlanta. Doc inserted Maxey in one game and he scored 16 points. The next game as soon as Maxey touched the ball McMillan called out a play which completely neutralized Maxey and for the entire game Maxey scored 2 points.

Then there was the season where some fans were clamoring for Maxey to be traded for Lowery. WTH

My point is you've got to give these guys/McCain time to develop.

[FireMorey]

You can say that for any player, but I think you can also look at a player's skill set, look at a player's size, and project what you think their strengths, weaknesses, and struggles will be at the NBA level. That's all anyone can do right now. The alternative is no one would ever have any opinion on any player until 5 years down the line.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

It takes time and every player is different with the amount of time it takes. I've seen guys that were late 1st/2nd round picks come in and light it up right away only to have their careers fizzle out. Cedrick Henderson from the Cavs and Landry Fields from the Knicks come to mind. Other guys like Kyle Lowry take a couple of years to figure things out and get going. I respect any opinion people have about McCain. I did not like the pick initially, as I thought it was the most idiotic move we've made in the draft since the Mikel Bridges trade. I still don't feel great about passing on Dalton Knecht. It was just not a smart move to do that. With that being said, that's just my opinion and that doesn't mean that I necessarily doubt Jared McCain. I think McCain can be a player in this league, but the conversation is always going to be McCain versus Knecht until it isn't. I think what we're going to see is Dalton Knecht step in right away for the Lakers and have a role/impact. I think with McCain, we could see this taking a couple of years unless the injuries to the guard position pile up. The one thing I do think McCain has going for him is that he's playing on a team that is expected to contend in the postseason. I feel like that sometimes can help a player out growing up in those environments. I think paired with his work ethic, it was monumental for Tyrese Maxey. McCain has been praised as a worker and a gym rat, so I'm definitely going to withhold any overreactions I might have for the next few years. Obviously, Morey saw something in him and it's been made clear that we are going to keep him around, so I think he's going to be pretty good for us.

[Stanford]

Dalton Knecht is 23 and he's also been trash. Don't know why every is crying about this guy.

[mjkvol]

I don't know how you guys do it, these games are virtually unwatchable. I don't see how any serious evaluation can be done with what are ragtag run 'n' gun scrimmages with mostly guys who will likely never see the big show.

McCain will probably end up being a roster player here or somewhere, but a munchkin whose primary value lies in his ability to take and make 3's was just a waste of the 16th pick, especially given the choices available.

You can't make a final judgment until he's with the big boys in camp, but an inability to really stand out among this dreck isn't the best sign.

Watch it on League pass then select All possessions or watch the replay then skip all the dead balls.

Its torture to watch it live with all the fouls.

I watch all sports on delay, but the play is just so awful overall that it's just hard to watch.

[mjkvol]

So I recall in the 21 playoffs against Atlanta. Doc inserted Maxey in one game and he scored 16 points. The next game as soon as Maxey touched the ball McMillan called out a play which completely neutralized Maxey and for the entire game Maxey scored 2 points.

Then there was the season where some fans were clamoring for Maxey to be traded for Lowery. WTH

My point is you've got to give these guys/McCain time to develop.

I agree completely that we have to give him time to settle in, but I don't recall ever having doubts about Maxey. The only doubt was when and if Glenn was ever going to let him play, and without the Simmons saga who knows when that might have been?

[FireMorey]

Knecht hasn't been trash. That doesn't mean he's going to be some great NBA player. Even if McCain ends up being a bust, I don't think this is anywhere close to Zhaire Smith 2.0 because I don't think they passed on anyone close to SGA or Bridges in talent. But at least in the summer league so far Knecht looks like he belongs. He's been the Lakers best player, although on a really weak summer league roster. He's hit some shots that McCain simply is incapable of incorporating into his arsenal because of his size and athletic limitations.

Does that mean he'll be a better NBA player? No. But let's be real. Everyone here wanted Knecht when the Sixers were on the clock and the "it's only summer league" takes are only ever stated when a player struggles in summer league. If McCain dropped 50 last night everyone would be hyped.

Went back this morning and skimmed through the game in full on DVR(no chance I watch summer league live) and he looked pretty awful. That doesn't mean his career is over or he'll suck, but can't be afraid to call it like it is in the moment either.

[mjkvol]

Dalton Knecht is 23 and he's also been trash. Don't know why every is crying about this guy.

It's tough not to look like trash in these sloppy messes of games, but you can't even compare how Knecht has looked with McCain, but they are completely different players that offer totally different skill sets.

I don't agree with Explosions in that I'm not going to be comparing them moving forward, as it serves no purpose. I'd be greatly surprised if DK isn't a first year contributor and ends up being at the very least a solid role player. I'd love to say the same for McCain, I just have my doubts.

[AI_Efficiency]

Dalton Knecht is 23 and he's also been trash. Don't know why every is crying about this guy.

It's tough not to look like trash in these sloppy messes of games, but you can't even compare how Knecht has looked with McCain, but they are completely different players that offer totally different skill sets.

I don't agree with Explosions in that I'm not going to be comparing them moving forward, as it serves no purpose. I'd be greatly surprised if DK isn't a first year contributor and ends up being at the very least a solid role player. I'd love to say the same for McCain, I just have my doubts.

Also, respectfully, all this talk about McCain being 20 and needing time makes no sense to me in terms of the sixers outlook. Sixers are all in and Embiid might not have working legs in 2-3 years. Ditto for PG. We need someone that can contribute right away. I’m also somewhat skeptical of the argument I’ve seen that McCain could be a more valuable trade chip than some other contributors. I feel like it isn’t a good look if we want to move off him in year 1 after we’ve gotten the best look at his skillset for 6 months.

[Stanford]

Also, respectfully, all this talk about McCain being 20 and needing time makes no sense to me in terms of the sixers outlook.

People have been talking about Embiid's window for 5 years. It really shouldn't have an impact on what we do with a draft pick.

[NearingZero]

Also, respectfully, all this talk about McCain being 20 and needing time makes no sense to me in terms of the sixers outlook.

People have been talking about Embiid's window for 5 years. It really shouldn't have an impact on what we do with a draft pick.

IMO it's pretty clear that the next 3-ish years are the Sixers' prime opportunity for a title. However, I don't think that necessarily means taking a more "NBA-ready" player 16th in a supposedly bad draft. Unless you think that guy is likely to be a meaningful playoff contributor right away, I'd take a higher ceiling guy. Whether that's McCain, I have no idea, but I imagine the Sixers think so.

[AI_Efficiency]

Also, respectfully, all this talk about McCain being 20 and needing time makes no sense to me in terms of the sixers outlook.

People have been talking about Embiid's window for 5 years. It really shouldn't have an impact on what we do with a draft pick.

IMO it's pretty clear that the next 3-ish years are the Sixers' prime opportunity for a title. However, I don't think that necessarily means taking a more "NBA-ready" player 16th in a supposedly bad draft. Unless you think that guy is likely to be a meaningful playoff contributor right away, I'd take a higher ceiling guy. Whether that's McCain, I have no idea, but I imagine the Sixers think so.

Yea, I guess it’s just whether any of the other options (Knecht, De Silva, etc) would be able to provide meaningful playoff minutes. And I think the fact that embiid continues to get more injuries every year is even more a reason to be concerned about our window, not less. If we’re lucky, we get like one healthy Embiid playoffs over these next couple years imo.

[Black Mage]

Excited to see Shannon and hopefully McCain tonight.

[HotelVitale]

Also, respectfully, all this talk about McCain being 20 and needing time makes no sense to me in terms of the sixers outlook.

People have been talking about Embiid's window for 5 years. It really shouldn't have an impact on what we do with a draft pick.

IMO it's pretty clear that the next 3-ish years are the Sixers' prime opportunity for a title. However, I don't think that necessarily means taking a more "NBA-ready" player 16th in a supposedly bad draft. Unless you think that guy is likely to be a meaningful playoff contributor right away, I'd take a higher ceiling guy. Whether that's McCain, I have no idea, but I imagine the Sixers think so.

I don’t know if he’s higher ceiling exactly, but the FO thought he was better and would end up a better player. It’s definitely possible they were wrong but I don’t have any problem with the logic—most mid 1st picks aren’t very good so take the guy you think will become a player.

[ivysixer2000]

Bona really looks good out there, and can even make free throws.

Hoping McCain isn't another sixer who forgot how to shoot. Its too early to judge with the small sample size.

[ivysixer2000]

McCain looks alot better in this one so far. He's been taking too many contested 3s, just needs to calm down and just play.

[phillynative]

I didn't watch these games to see old a** Dowtin hold on to the ball every possession

[phillynative]

Nail polish , tick lock or not he can't be out here letting people push him around. Especially not here .

[HotelVitale]

I didn't watch these games to see old a** Dowtin hold on to the ball every possession

No idea why they're letting a mediocre tunnel vision scorer run the team and set up the offense. Really not good for anyone.

(Also RCIV is much better at that if they need to let someone do it.)

[HotelVitale]

This Caleb Martin interview, man. The pain.