Summer League: Vegas baby, vegas.

[Kerrsed]

So i was all excited to get to see the Fox/Ball matchup today, and laugh as Fox schools Ball, but the Lakers pulled Ball for the day due to a sore groin.

The season hasnt even started yet and he's ducking Fox!

[Puff]

Is Williams going to play today?

I think it would be fun watching him and Jackson hit the boards.

[Saberestar]

Is Williams going to play today?

I think it would be fun watching him and Jackson hit the boards.

No, he is not on the roster.

[JMac1]

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

Some of what makes Booker special can be seen in his attitude towards the SL games he played in last year.

Despite being a first-team all-rookie selection last season, he doesn’t view summer league as beneath him. The common fears that hold other young players back from playing in summer league -- such as underperforming on a big stage or risking injury -- don’t concern him, either.

“That’s my work ethic,” Booker said. “I stay in the gym. I don’t want last season to be known as a fluke season or something that happened just because of injuries. Every time I step on the floor, I always feel like I have something to prove. I’m trying to win, most importantly.”

“But every time I step on the floor, I want to be the best player.”

I think both Chriss and Bender could use a dose of that mentality. I did think Bender started the game with a little more fire, he had two ORBDs in the first couple mins, that was good to see.

Just because bender isnt playing up to your standards doesnt mean he isnt trying. I can see why you would say this about chriss.

It's an attitude. Bender can try all he wants, but if that attitude and mindset belief isn't there.......you are done. DSJ had it last night against Josh. Something you have to have programmed in you when you are young. A lot of people confuse this with arrogance, but outside of Barry Sanders, most have to wear that attitude on their face and express it verbally....psyching yourself up outloud. I think that is what the poster was talking about with Bender.

[TOO]

I think Roberson is is floor.

Roberson with a 3 point shot would be a lethal player. We have to hope Bender's J develops.

I dont see the Roberson thing, JJ can pass and handle the ball, he drives aggressively to the rim. Roberson is strictly a defender and nothing else.

We're not talking about JJ, we're talking about Bender.

Ah I missed that, obviously. My bad, nothing to see here

[Phnxsports]

Very interested if we see a different Chriss tonight after an ass chewing or not. If not I am super disappointed in the coaching staff.

[8on]

I was happy with the 2016 draft because I felt like Chriss was insurance for Bender. One of them would pan out. I'm still convinced Chriss is going to be a stud, but Bender hasn't outplayed my expectations for him. I never saw it with Bender. Too much potential, too little substance for an NBA player.

[matt131]

I said this for last game, but I just hope we shoot a higher percentage today. I haven't seen the games so I'm not sure if the issue is too much iso play, poor passing, or just that we cannot shoot, but it would be cool if we ran plays to get high percentage shots like Jackson cutting to the rim or something. I mostly just want something positive to happen and for the attitudes to be good

[DirtyDez]

Bulls will regret passing on Smith. Lauri yeeesh.

[Thespianoid]

Great start to the chuck fest already.

[bwgood77]

I don't hold the Knight trade against McD too strongly. And not hitting on Len is okay; nobody's perfect. I like how he's done with 2nd rounders - Ulis, Reed - and undrafted players - Williams, Jones Jr.

But if neither Bender nor Chriss pans out... that would be a big deal. We need one of these guys - Len, Bender, Chriss - to be an impact player. If none of them do, McD's on my personal hot seat. I couldn't tell who among Bender, Chriss, Sabonis or Brice Johnson (!) was the best PF available at #4 last year, but I gave McD the benefit of the doubt. Well, he took two bites at that apple. So I need to see that at least one of these guys was a good pick; otherwise, I'll start to have real doubt about this front office.

Edit: Indulging myself a bit here... I will always give McD high marks overall, because I've believed and continue to believe in his general approach. But the thing you can't do when you rebuild this way is fail to build around your talent. I think Ulis/Booker/Jackson has tremendous potential as a trio, and I give kudos to Ryan for assembling it. And his bigs selections have all been... the right idea, you know? And isn't that just the best you can do?

At some point, when we try to shift toward contention, we will have the opportunity to use trades and free agency to add the impact big we will need if neither Dragan nor Marquese pan out. But it sure would be a lot easier if to climb championship mountain if they do.

In my estimation, McD will have at least two more draft selections to make as GM of this club. Hopefully more. Hopefully these players can come together and win games. I'll keep cheering.

Are you that low on Bender and Chriss after this season? I didn't even think they'd play much since they were so raw and since Bender played very little the season before and was coming from overseas and Chriss hadn't played long and was such a poor rebounder in college. They both exceeded what I expected from them this season. I'm surprised you seem so low on them. I didn't think you were.

[Kyler Murray]

Is every SL game like this? Almost unwatchable so far.

[Thespianoid]

Is every SL game like this? Almost unwatchable so far.

depends on the team. For the most part yeah, it's low-IQ pickup ball. But some teams are well coached like the Mavericks or Hawks and actually play proper basketball

[Sunsss]

Little outside shooting would open things up a bit, but it's not there.

[bwgood77]

Great start to the chuck fest already.

I wish they'd start Reed instead of DJJ. Reed is a better shooter (despite his last game) and with this group it's very hard to spread the floor, which make things tougher for Bender and Chriss, and is another reason Bender has to try and stretch the floor DJJ is useless spreading the floor because they don't guard him. Even when he gets a pass out there and is wide open he still drives or something so what's the point in guarding him out there? All the opposition has to do with this lineup is clog the lane and force us to shoot 3s and then it gets ugly.

[bwgood77]

Of course right after I post that Reed comes in and it opens up and Bender finds Chriss in the middle.

[Thespianoid]

Good play using Bender as a passer and Chriss as the lob threat.

[8on]

OH BABY! J-Jacks with the finish!

[Foliohattu]

JJ Nice!

[alldayeveryday]

I like that dunk Josh. I LIKE THAT DUNK.