2016 NBA Summer League

[sleepyvato]

I remember BurningHeart, his pessimistic posts where comedy gold.

[gaspar]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeVVGZGUnig[/youtube]

[MrMiyagi]

as compared to 'too much hope' ?

Well, you're always there to throw us a barbell as we enjoy floating on the water.

[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.

Okay, after watching the clip again, I take my comment back. When I initially saw it, I saw Bender just casually walking towards Ulis and the rest of the team, but it was mostly just the back of his head. Now, I can see that Bender actually was pretty happy that Ulis made the shot.

Also, after looking at the play, Bender wasn't even going to get a good shot off if Ulis passed it to him. I can't believe Ulis put the entire team on his tiny shoulders in the 4th quarter and gave us this win. This kid is amazing to watch. Hopefully by some magical force Ulis grows another two-three inches.

[sunsbum]

If my memory serves correct, when I used to lurk here, a fellow named BurningHeart (I think..may be wrong?) used to provide some entertaining pessimism. Actually..his posts where probably the reason I didn't sign up sooner, it was too much negativity for me too handle. [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]

That guy had some issues.

Was it you who responded when he was brought up earlier and I mentioned that when Nash went to the Lakers, or maybe shortly thereafter for some reason, he said "I'm done with this team" and you (or someone) responded "Wow, someone who actually said that and followed through on it." Though about that time I looked up an old post, looked at his user profile and it said he had last logged in within a day or two ago, so I think perhaps that heart is still burning.

Yea that was me, burning lurker.

[NTB]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BH8lz8bDaPX/

[NavLDO]

Ulis is going to be a fan favorite next season, so much heart and hustle. Unselfish player but isn't afraid of the big shot and the big moment. That strip defensively was awesome too. Murray was lucky to get that ball back.

Ulis, Warren, and Chriss are going to feast off that bench. The off ball movement of Warren plus the lobs to Chriss, yes please. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if Warren is starting after the all star break, Tucker will be traded next season for sure, especially if the plan is for Bender to be a 3.

I would love to do two 5 man rotations.

Bledsoe/Knight/PJ(TJ/Bender)/Dudley/Chandler
Ulis/Booker/TJ(Bender)/Chriss(Bender)/Len

Yeah, I'd like to see two 5 man lineups, until our newbies get their feet under them, but what I'd REALLY like to see, if Warren is all 'swole'-n-that, as our starting '4' in this new position-less NBA...oh, and Len starts over ol-grumpypants...

Bledsoe/Knight/Booker/Warren/Len (Defense would be the concern, but dat O doe... )

Ulis/Barbosa(Jenkins)/PJ/Duds/Chandler (there's enough offense there with Duds, Barbosa, PJ, and Ulis--all can shoot the rock well enough.)

Then we give Bender and Chriss minutes as their development dictates, but at the start of the season, and considering Bender has some confidence issues, throwing him out against any NBAer other than garbage time guys, for at least half the season, and you run the risk of 'hurting his psyche'. I hate to sound like we need to baby Bender, but I'm just saying we need to bring him along slowly, is all.

And to me, Len needs, and deserves a chance at, starter minutes. He's our future, not Chandler, and if he's not, wouldn't you rather know by the trade deadline whether Len is expendable or not?? If he's not our future, Chandler's more than capable of coming in and starting with Williams coming in relief. But if he can't recognize that we need to see Len, I'd actually be shocked. He knows the game by now.

[NavLDO]

Bender looks like a three to me. He will never be a go to scorer, but he will make the right play. Honestly the AK47 comparison seems about right. Bender can be an elite defender from what I have seen. He should be able to guard 1-4, will never be able to play 5, he gets pushed around way too easily.

I could see him as a fringe all star at the three a few years from now if he realizes his potential. His real value will come in the playoffs though if we ever get there. Bender, out of all the players on our team, has the most potential to be a huuge matchup nightmare. You just don't see many 7"1 guys that can move their feet like him defensively.

Also I'm not convinced Ulis is just a backup PG. His offensive ability is fantastic, and his defensive ability is shockingly good for his height. Much better than IT's defense ever was. IMO his ceiling is higher than IT's and much higher than everyone seems to think it is. Really feels like we got the steal of the draft.

To me, it's too early to tell. He's only 18, and for all we know, he could fill out with an extra 30-40lbs. I'm not saying he should try to, necessarily, but sometimes, our body fills out whether we want it to or not, even under the guidance of trainers/nutritionists. Yeah, that would take away his ability to defend Guards, but it also gives us a player like Len was trying to be last year, to some degree...a stretch 5.

Anyway, plenty of guys have remained 'thin and wiry', and I'm not saying he won't remain close to what he looks like now, I'm just saying we don't know yet with him being only 18; he might grow another inch or so and wind up being 7' 2", 260 when it's all said and done in 3 years...wouldn't surprise me. It would be a bit sad, because he truly is unique as is.

[NavLDO]

as compared to 'too much hope' ?

Well I don't know if too much hope is a bad thing. I've mentioned what I expect from this team this season, but hoping our young guys pan out into something good can't be considered a bad thing can it? I mean we all knew that Bender and Chriss were two of the more boom/bust type guys in the draft, and they swung for the fences with picks. Rather that than safety with limited upside ...at positions we have too many players at already... imo.

FIFY...man, that's 3 of these for me in two days. Sorry, I guess there were other 'safe' players at positions of need, as well, we passed on (PF/C--Poeltl/Sabonis), but the two biggest were Hield/Dunn, and I believe those were the two you were referring to.

And honestly, I'm not entirely convinced that Dunn will be the better PG, overall, than Ulis, and that's not 'rose-colored glasses' speak either. Many said that had Ulis been even 3" taller, he'd have been a top 10 pick, so while Dunn definitely has his advantages over Ulis, Ulis has advantages over Dunn.

At the same time, though, we don't know that Skal, Davis, or Diallo won't turn out to be better than Bender and Chriss, and had we not traded away our 28th, all three of them would have been 'ripe for the picking', so playing devil's advocate, going Dunn/Juancho/Skal/Ulis might've been the better play. As they say, time will tell. But yes, a good portion of us are excited for our class and how they'll turn out; the problem will be when Bender is still struggling to break out in 2 years at the age of 20, while Dunn is already starting at the age of 24 and the 'told ya so'ers' will be coming out of the woodwork saying we screwed the pooch with this draft.

[bwgood77]

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.

Okay, after watching the clip again, I take my comment back. When I initially saw it, I saw Bender just casually walking towards Ulis and the rest of the team, but it was mostly just the back of his head. Now, I can see that Bender actually was pretty happy that Ulis made the shot.

Also, after looking at the play, Bender wasn't even going to get a good shot off if Ulis passed it to him. I can't believe Ulis put the entire team on his tiny shoulders in the 4th quarter and gave us this win. This kid is amazing to watch. Hopefully by some magical force Ulis grows another two-three inches.

Yeah, there was no time for Bender to get a pass and get a shot off. He may have drawn up the play for him to help with confidence, but it ultimately probably would have hurt it, after the free throws, not getting a shot off in time.

[bwgood77]

With the pre-known caveat of Bender being 18, I could not be more happy about what I have seen from him this SL. I have to keep saying "that guy is 7'1 and 18" when he does something good or bad.

In 4 years he'll be 22 LMAO! The heads-up foul he drew!?

He has such a quick release. He just doesn't look comfortable, that's a big difference from not looking capable.

The expression on his face during the foul shots explained it all. His game just needs more confidence. The kids doesn't yet understand how good he is and can be. Once he builds his confidence, he will be great. I think he averages 8 and 4 first year on low 40's shooting first year (low-mid thirties from 3) 1 block in 18-22 mins. His turnover rate will be a problem though. When people don't have confidence they bobble the ball on the pass and the board. He showed that in both areas today. He looked visibly nervous.

Yeah, Dirk averaged 8 and 3 in his rookie year, shooting 40% overall and 20% from 3 and he was 20. And he became one of the best big men shooters of all time. Not saying Bender will be Dirk, just giving some perspective. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html

[bwgood77]

From Jovan Buha on espn, posted today...

LAS VEGAS -– Phoenix Suns second-year guard Devin Booker caught a pass from Marquese Chriss on the left block and pivoted away from the thicket of arms crowding the paint.

As Booker spun, Boston Celtics RJ Hunter and Guerschon Yabusele collapsed on him, trying to rip the ball from Booker’s grasp. With the nearby baseline acting as a third defender, Booker was trapped. Without hesitation, Booker took one dribble toward the middle of the paint, bumping Hunter out of the way, and laid the ball in over the outstretched arms of Jordan Mickey.

The effortlessness with which Booker evaded the trap and created an opening to score was similar to watching a star varsity player pick apart a junior varsity defense, which is exactly how Booker treated most of the defense thrown at him during his two-game stint at the Las Vegas Summer League. He was simply too smart, swift and skilled to be stopped.

Even before his 28-point, eight-rebound, six-assist performance in his first outing on July 9 against the Portland Trail Blazers was over, the buzz around the Thomas & Mack Center was that Booker, who already was overqualified to play in summer league, was the best player there......

....It's been only three months since the season ended, but Booker already looks considerably better.

His handle in traffic is tighter. His court vision and ability to create for his teammates has improved. His footwork in the post and on the elbow is more efficient. His shot release off the dribble is quicker and more fluid. He's stronger and more physical when attacking the offensive glass and driving the lane to draw contact.

“Everything,” Booker said of what he has worked on this summer. “Mostly my body, though. Eating right. Getting more flexible. At the same time, more leadership skills. That’s why I was at summer league -- just getting acquainted with the younger guys and trying to teach them the ropes.”......

......If his stretch at summer league is any indication of how he’ll play next season, Booker is destined for stardom, and the Suns might have finally found a franchise player.

“I think you’re seeing a star in the making,” Williams said. “He’s already a star, but he’s taking his game to the next level. It’s unfair to a lot of people.”

Suns summer league coach Nate Bjorkgren offered his impressions.

“The thing about Devin is, he keeps growing as a player every day, from last season all the way through this summer," Bjorkgren said. "With the work that he’s put in, he’s a player that’s going to keep getting better.

“You see him utilizing his post game a little bit. His elbow work. We know what he can do behind the arc. You’re seeing him handle the ball. He’s just becoming more and more versatile. He does a great job guarding the ball, and when he’s in ball screens, he’s really engaging the basketball and pursuing the ball.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/22658/devin-booker-emerges-as-summer-league-standout

[NTB]

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/7/17/12208568/tyler-luis-pick-and-roll-maestro-phoenix-suns

Nice Ulis analysis.

[Frank Lee]

Both Denver and Minny has a stable of youngsters that equal/surpass ours. I haven't paid any attention to the Wolves SL roster, but if their second yr guys are hooping today, this is going to be a toughy.

[NTB]

Both Denver and Minny has a stable of youngsters that equal/surpass ours. I haven't paid any attention to the Wolves SL roster, but if their second yr guys are hooping today, this is going to be a toughy.

Tyus Jones and Adreian Payne.

[Saberestar]

Today we have another great matchup... Tyus Jones vs Tyler Ulis. Again.

[youtube]https://youtube.com/watch?v=LwyQadf1Cew[/youtube]

[NTB]

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/14/nba-summer-league-las-vegas-ben-simmons-brandon-ingram-roundtable?xid=si_social

Most impressive player?

Andrew Sharp: Remember when the NBA gave “Player of the Month” to the entire Hawks starting five? There was a time in my life when I thought that was corny and awful, but now I understand. The Summer Suns showed me the light. The Summer Suns are my Player of the Week.

Dragan Bender was bigger than expected and incredibly active. He projects well as a big man who can play either the four or five. Devin Booker was the best player in Las Vegas for the past week, so impressive that he was done playing by the time I arrived. Meanwhile, Tyler Ulis looked generally great at point guard, scoring, running the team and holding his own on defense. Marquese Chriss is house money if Bender matures over the next few years, and Chriss had his moments as well. Overall, the Suns had the most impressive rookie (Bender), most impressive sophomore (Booker) and the best second-round pick (Ulis). Don't talk to me this week if you‘re not talking about the Summer Suns.

Team you’re most excited about for the future?

Andrew Sharp: Three-way tie. The Timberwolves with Kris Dunn as the sidekick to Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns are the most exciting young team of Summer League 2016. The Suns with Devin Booker, Dragan Bender and next year’s lottery pick (in a point guard-rich draft) will be the most exciting team in 2017. In two years D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram will be older, stronger, worlds better and the 2018 Lakers will be the new team on the rise. Is it strange to think two and three years ahead? Definitely. But the first two weeks of July were all about the Warriors. This week is about who can beat them in 2019.

[saintEscaton]

So its a forgegone conclusion that we're picking in the early lotto? I sure hope so, Lonzo Ball here we come

[darealjuice]

So its a forgegone conclusion that we're picking in the early lotto? I sure hope so, Lonzo Ball here we come

At this point I would be ecstatic for multiple people in the draft next year. Dennis Smith, Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Frank Ntilikina, Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum. If we're as bad as we are projected to be, we'll get a real stud to pair with Booker.

[sunsbg]

Will Bender even play tonight ? He looked injured or very tired, outrun by all 5 Denver players at one point in the 3rd. I expect at best an average performance from him again.