Summer League

[Sunsdeuce]

We should temper our expectations after 1 Summer League game for Maluach. He is only 18 and will need coaching and development. Calling him a bust after 1 SL game seems to me a bit premature.

I’m not calling him a bust this very moment. I’m saying , project players rarely work out and I’ve seen this story plenty of times before and it rarely ends well when a player is years away from being ready. My point was, I didn't like the pick during the draft and at this very moment I’m not seeing much to disprove my opinion.

Of course you can’t call a player a bust after one summer league game. That’s the most obvious Gambo style take there is but there are red flags I can’t ignore.

[garrick]

We should temper our expectations after 1 Summer League game for Maluach. He is only 18 and will need coaching and development. Calling him a bust after 1 SL game seems to me a bit premature.

I’m not calling him a bust this very moment. I’m saying , project players rarely work out and I’ve seen this story plenty of times before and it rarely ends well when a player is years away from being ready. My point was, I didn't like the pick during the draft and at this very moment I’m not seeing much to disprove my opinion.

Of course you can’t call a player a bust after one summer league game. That’s the most obvious Gambo style take there is but there are red flags I can’t ignore.

Yeah it was mentioned that Maluach had one of the worst draft combine measurements with a lower than average vert and lane agility so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising he looked slow. Lots of centers taken in the lottery end up not panning out so if he does end up as a bust it wouldn't be surprising in the least.

[Sunsdeuce]

We should temper our expectations after 1 Summer League game for Maluach. He is only 18 and will need coaching and development. Calling him a bust after 1 SL game seems to me a bit premature.

I’m not calling him a bust this very moment. I’m saying , project players rarely work out and I’ve seen this story plenty of times before and it rarely ends well when a player is years away from being ready. My point was, I didn't like the pick during the draft and at this very moment I’m not seeing much to disprove my opinion.

Of course you can’t call a player a bust after one summer league game. That’s the most obvious Gambo style take there is but there are red flags I can’t ignore.

Yeah it was mentioned that Maluach had one of the worst draft combine measurements with a lower than average vert and lane agility so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising he looked slow. Lots of centers taken in the lottery end up not panning out so if he does end up as a bust it wouldn't be surprising in the least.

I’m convinced he’s not ever going to be a top 10 center but I’m hoping he becomes a serviceable center who is a capable starter. I see Bismack Biyombo career for him, but praying for a Mount Mutombo career.

[Frank Lee]

‘Not much basketball experience’ is a pass usually given to athletic players. Apparently, this kid isn’t one.

As much help this team needs, grabbing a GLeaguer project with #10 is disappointing. I don’t give a Shttt about his personality and willingness to learn. A whiff is a whiff.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I’m not calling him a bust this very moment. I’m saying , project players rarely work out and I’ve seen this story plenty of times before and it rarely ends well when a player is years away from being ready. My point was, I didn't like the pick during the draft and at this very moment I’m not seeing much to disprove my opinion.

Of course you can’t call a player a bust after one summer league game. That’s the most obvious Gambo style take there is but there are red flags I can’t ignore.

Yeah it was mentioned that Maluach had one of the worst draft combine measurements with a lower than average vert and lane agility so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising he looked slow. Lots of centers taken in the lottery end up not panning out so if he does end up as a bust it wouldn't be surprising in the least.

I’m convinced he’s not ever going to be a top 10 center but I’m hoping he becomes a serviceable center who is a capable starter. I see Bismack Biyombo career for him, but praying for a Mount Mutombo career.

A lot of lottery picks of all positions bust or are just meh, that's just they way it's always been with the draft. (Suns fans should know this all too well) They took at 18 yr old project, it was always going to be about development. Its not like he was a reach, he was a well regarded prospect based on potential.

Time will tell how it turns out, by all accounts he's a coachable young man so theres hope. Not that he can't succeed without a 3pt shot but if he was able to develop one then the upside is tremendous. A giant defensive anchor who can also stretch the floor and make his FTs is very valuable.

[Saberestar]

We should temper our expectations after 1 Summer League game for Maluach. He is only 18 and will need coaching and development. Calling him a bust after 1 SL game seems to me a bit premature.

I’m not calling him a bust this very moment. I’m saying , project players rarely work out and I’ve seen this story plenty of times before and it rarely ends well when a player is years away from being ready. My point was, I didn't like the pick during the draft and at this very moment I’m not seeing much to disprove my opinion.

Of course you can’t call a player a bust after one summer league game. That’s the most obvious Gambo style take there is but there are red flags I can’t ignore.

Yeah it was mentioned that Maluach had one of the worst draft combine measurements with a lower than average vert and lane agility so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising he looked slow. Lots of centers taken in the lottery end up not panning out so if he does end up as a bust it wouldn't be surprising in the least.

What??? He played VERY WELL yesterday, I don't know if we saw the same game.

He missed some 3s, but other than that he was very good. 14 points, 5 boards, 2 blocks in 21 minutes. He played in front of Sarr who was the 2nd pick in the draft last year and played a good rookie season.

He isn’t even 19...for what is woth he played better than Cooper Flagg in his first game.

[dremill24]

I’m not calling him a bust this very moment. I’m saying , project players rarely work out and I’ve seen this story plenty of times before and it rarely ends well when a player is years away from being ready. My point was, I didn't like the pick during the draft and at this very moment I’m not seeing much to disprove my opinion.

Of course you can’t call a player a bust after one summer league game. That’s the most obvious Gambo style take there is but there are red flags I can’t ignore.

Yeah it was mentioned that Maluach had one of the worst draft combine measurements with a lower than average vert and lane agility so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising he looked slow. Lots of centers taken in the lottery end up not panning out so if he does end up as a bust it wouldn't be surprising in the least.

What??? He played VERY WELL yesterday, I don't know if we saw the same game.

He missed some 3s, but other than that he was very good. 14 points, 5 boards, 2 blocks in 21 minutes. He played in front of Sarr who was the 2nd pick in the draft last year and played a good rookie season.

He isn’t even 19...for what is woth he played better than Cooper Flagg in his first game.

Its just one game so Im not making any big long term proclomations with this, but if you thought he was good in specifically that game yesterday then Im really not sure what you're watching

[Saberestar]

After watching this game, I’m even more worried that Maluach is going to bust and bust hard. I don’t like project players because they rarely reach their potential. I’m keeping my fingers crossed he at least becomes Andrew Bynum.

Maluach Is 2 years away from being 1 year away. Didn’t like the pick but I’m praying he turns into something, anything servicable. But right now, still have him as a bust.

Fleming is the one player I really want to see on the court. Brea is as advertised, can shoot the skin of the ball doesn’t do much else. Worst case scenario is he becomes Troy Daniel’s 2.0, which is fine. But for me Fleming has a lot of pressure, he needs to explode and give fans some excitement.

Well, if you expect 25/15 from a 18yo rookie in Summer League...yeah, you can be worried about it.

Look at the stats and the way other top rookies played in their first SL game in the last 10 years.

I was impressed by his mobility and his hands around the rim. Those catches aren't easy...he just have soft hands.

He is 7'2 and 250 lbs...he is fast for that size. Like I said in the post above he played in front of Sarr and I think he did a very good job. We won by 20 and the Wizards have good youngsters in their roster...IDK what do you want from him.

[Saberestar]

Yeah it was mentioned that Maluach had one of the worst draft combine measurements with a lower than average vert and lane agility so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising he looked slow. Lots of centers taken in the lottery end up not panning out so if he does end up as a bust it wouldn't be surprising in the least.

What??? He played VERY WELL yesterday, I don't know if we saw the same game.

He missed some 3s, but other than that he was very good. 14 points, 5 boards, 2 blocks in 21 minutes. He played in front of Sarr who was the 2nd pick in the draft last year and played a good rookie season.

He isn’t even 19...for what is woth he played better than Cooper Flagg in his first game.

Its just one game so Im not making any big long term proclomations with this, but if you thought he was good in specifically that game yesterday then Im really not sure what you're watching

OK, if he wasn't good who was good in your opinion? Didn't you expect Sarr to somewhat dominate him? He didn't make **** in front of him and Maluach made a good impact on both sides.

Rookies usually have a tough time in Summer League and Maluach didn't have any tough time yesterday. He just missed some 3s...if he ended the game going 3/6 from deep everyone would say that he was GREAT.

Our entire starting 5 + Boogie+Huntley played very well and that's why we could won a good SL team by 19 points.

[KLEON]

Koby and I know for sure I'm not getting carried away but he's giving Klay Thompson vibes, his shot is smooth. He better be in the rotation this upcoming season

[bwgood77]

After watching this game, I’m even more worried that Maluach is going to bust and bust hard. I don’t like project players because they rarely reach their potential. I’m keeping my fingers crossed he at least becomes Andrew Bynum.

Maluach Is 2 years away from being 1 year away. Didn’t like the pick but I’m praying he turns into something, anything servicable. But right now, still have him as a bust.

Fleming is the one player I really want to see on the court. Brea is as advertised, can shoot the skin of the ball doesn’t do much else. Worst case scenario is he becomes Troy Daniel’s 2.0, which is fine. But for me Fleming has a lot of pressure, he needs to explode and give fans some excitement.

Yeah, I was most interested in Fleming too. I missed the very beginning, and didn't have a great stream, but it was a bit painful to watch it all, so I didn't even check out the 2nd half.

[KdoubleDees23]

‘Not much basketball experience’ is a pass usually given to athletic players. Apparently, this kid isn’t one.

As much help this team needs, grabbing a GLeaguer project with #10 is disappointing. I don’t give a Shttt about his personality and willingness to learn. A whiff is a whiff.

We didn’t wiff anything . It was one summer league game

Take a seat old man

[KdoubleDees23]

At least we didn't get Cooper Flagg with #1

[bigfoot]

Yeah it was mentioned that Maluach had one of the worst draft combine measurements with a lower than average vert and lane agility so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising he looked slow. Lots of centers taken in the lottery end up not panning out so if he does end up as a bust it wouldn't be surprising in the least.

What??? He played VERY WELL yesterday, I don't know if we saw the same game.

He missed some 3s, but other than that he was very good. 14 points, 5 boards, 2 blocks in 21 minutes. He played in front of Sarr who was the 2nd pick in the draft last year and played a good rookie season.

He isn’t even 19...for what is woth he played better than Cooper Flagg in his first game.

Its just one game so Im not making any big long term proclomations with this, but if you thought he was good in specifically that game yesterday then Im really not sure what you're watching

Where he was good/very good
defensive positioning
Rim Protection
On court communication
Short hooks shots and touch around basket
transition from offense to defense
transition from defense to offense
effort

Where he struggled
rim running
ball handling
distance shooting
ability to adjust when guards step on the accelerator

Most concerning for me was rim running and stopping the guards going full bore. The latter may be a tall order for any big man. I don't think he will do much ball handling and distance shooting this season. He needs to excel at rim running.

Over all his game was average at worst and probably better than average considering he played against Sarr and George who both took physical advantage of him at times because of their NBA experience. I think some of his sloppy balling handling and crappy shot selection made things look worse than they really were. Of course the coach told him to get up six outside shots/threes so I don't blame Maluach.

I'm not ready to claim success or failure at this juncture. We will have a much better idea by April.

[KdoubleDees23]

I think this draft is going to go down with only 1-4 good players.

[bwgood77]

This guy doesn't look bad...keep watching after the dunk..he immediately gets back on defense and plays great man defense on a guy and ends up with another fast break and a nice move for a shot.

Watch on YouTube

[KdoubleDees23]

I’m not impressed with Harper either

[KdoubleDees23]

Cooper Flagg takes some dumb shots ! Long bad 2s all game so far

[sunsbg]

People expect too much too early from these young players who were not even top 5 picks. Was/Is Myles Turner super athletic or did he shoot 3s well in his first few seasons ? Maluach is not slower IMO and he has skills but they need a lot of refinement at this stage. Oso I compare to another unorthodox player who doesn't possess a great shot in Kyle Anderson. He still has a role on a team with all the intangibles. At least there are no complains about Dunn after first SL game.

[bigfoot]

People expect too much too early from these young players who were not even top 5 picks. Was/Is Myles Turner super athletic or did he shoot 3s well in his first few seasons ? Maluach is not slower IMO and he has skills but they need a lot of refinement at this stage. Oso I compare to another unorthodox player who doesn't possess a great shot in Kyle Anderson. He still has a role on a team with all the intangibles. At least there are no complains about Dunn after first SL game.

No idea why people complained about Oso ... nice game 11 pts, 14 rbs, 2 asts, 3 stls, good defense, 6 offensive rebounds and some highlight dunks.