NBA Summer League 2023

[A Future of Stevens]

Azubuike had highlights in game two:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H_LA_xuFyg&t=2s

I always thought of Azubuike as being huge, but he looked average in those highlights. He is either smaller than I thought, or WAS SL roster was huge.

I went back and checked his combine measurements.  He was 6'-10" (w/o shoes), 260 lbs, 7'-7.25" wingspan.  ESPN lists him at the same height but 280 lbs (not surprising he could have gained some bulk).  I don't know what qualifies as "huge", but I think he has plenty of size to be a NBA big.  I thought he looked pretty good in the second game (not so much in the first game).  I would take him by a mile over Kabengele on a 2-way, but he probably finds a place on a roster somewhere.  He is 23 now, 24 in Sept., so not a "kid" anymore.

Wow. I had that impression of him coming out. He just looks smaller to me in those highlights than those measurements would suggest. Long arms always help.

[celticsclay]

For those that miss tacko fall he is playing on espn right now. I root for the improbably nba comeback as an end of bench guy.

[gouki88]

For those that miss tacko fall he is playing on espn right now. I root for the improbably nba comeback as an end of bench guy.

Love him. Forgot how comically large he is

[Amonkey]

For those that miss tacko fall he is playing on espn right now. I root for the improbably nba comeback as an end of bench guy.

Love him. Forgot how comically large he is

He’ll be the anti Wemby player

[gouki88]

For those that miss tacko fall he is playing on espn right now. I root for the improbably nba comeback as an end of bench guy.

Love him. Forgot how comically large he is

He’ll be the anti Wemby player

Haha. If Tacko had any lateral mobility, maybe

[Goldstar88]

For those that miss tacko fall he is playing on espn right now. I root for the improbably nba comeback as an end of bench guy.

Love him. Forgot how comically large he is

He’ll be the anti Wemby player

Zinger will be. Can’t wait to see those two matchup. 

[Smartacus]

I think that Cam Whitmore falling to 20 is going to be remembered as an unconscionable mistake for most of the teams that past on him. Today Cam dropped 26 points in Summer league but it's how he did it that got my attention. 8 Steals which is a summer league record, ripping down rebounds, easy stroke on his 3 pointer. His offense looks completely sustainable and he'll walk into the NBA in the 90th percentile for strength.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zoo3EhPtkw&t=3s&ab_channel=HouseofHighlights

I do not know what the deal was with his medicals and Sam Vecenie has hinted that there was something alarming that contributed to the fall but man, this kid looks like 90% of what Anthony Edwards was when he was drafted. Did Toronto not realize that they are entering a rebuild? Is Sam Presti afraid to put anyone with character concerns around his young roster? Are the Wizards going to really look in the mirror when Bilal Coulibaly struggles to justify his second contract?

It's summer league so of course pump the breaks but Ime lucked out on this one. Whitmore would have been entirely justifiable at Picks 4 -6 and I could see this Rockets team being well ahead of schedule within 2 years if even 2 or 3 of their prospects meet their potential.

[Birdman]

Where is Taco Fall nowadays

[boscel33]

Where is Taco Fall nowadays

I think I saw he was in China.

[Who]

So any take-aways from SL? Who impressed? Anyone look like a bust?

I didn't watch much. I mainly tuned in to see Holmgren and Wemby. Holmgren was super-impressive.

Wemby impressive but not as fluid an athlete and has bad defensive fundamentals. He needs a fair bit of work before he is ready to play winning basketball but that is fine. He will have time to grow into his body. He is not really a PF or a C at this point but he will be a C after he grows more into his body and improves hid defense.

Holmgren is a stud. Much better on defense than Wemby. Better positioning off ball for help defense. Better lateral movement for staying in front of quicker perimeter guys. Better leaping ability for challenging more variety of shots. Offensively, he was smooth. Nice handles. Good driving. Good patience. Super-impressive. I see him as a PF.

The Thompson Twins seemed to play good. Amen only had one game. It was a good game. Hard to tell if he can be efficient or not from one game but certainly talent there. Ausar showed great D and hustle but did show efficiency problems with his scoring, shooting and turnovers.

Gradey Dick and Jordan Hawkins both struggled.

Leonard Miller quietly had a huge SL. Looking like one of the best players in the draft. He looks like the steal of the draft early on.

[Roy H.]

Leonard Miller quietly had a huge SL. Looking like one of the best players in the draft. He looks like the steal of the draft early on.

Leonard Miller and TJD still on the board. Too high value picks.

I thought L Miller could have gone lottery. TJD after lotto. It would be great to get either of those guys at #25.

Yeah, Miller is the guy I want.  Which means he will either go #24 and be a star, or end up a bust if he makes it to us.

I like the Walsh pick, but Miller was my guy.  And he was still there after we traded down the first time! 

[libermaniac]

I’m at the game and no sign of Walsh warming up. 🤬

[libermaniac]

My bad. Walsh just turned up.

[Ed Monix]

I have this haunting feeling Jackson-Davis is going to turn into an high level role player.

You watch his growth after a few seasons playing with Draymond Green.

[boscel33]

I watched more Summer League this year than other years because I was traveling for work and not much else on in the hotels.  This had to have been some of the worse basketball I've seen played.  Lawdie, what going through their heads on the court.  Was there a record for turnovers surpassed this summer?