Summer League Impressions (other than Kings)
- Thread starter Blob
- Start date
The question with Ball is can he defend, and can he be as effective in the half court as he is in transition. Remember that summer league is entirely different than the regular season. He'll be up against must better defense in the regular season. In the first game he couldn't stay in front of a non-athletic PG that had surgery on both knee's. How is that going to fare against the Westbrook's of the world? He's a great passer with terrific court vision, but he's far from perfect. It should be fun to watch his progress along with Smith and Fox. I was really disappointed when Fultz went down...
I'm not impressed with any of the PG's looking good in SL. If they are even half of what they're expected to be, they are supposed to stand out against the talent that's there. As for our own FOX, I was more relieved than impressed for the exact same reasons. When someone doesn't stand out (e.g., Jimmer) then you know you likely have a big problem on your hands. But for the ones that did standout like they were supposed to, we won't really have an idea how good (or bad or average) they are until preseason and the early stages of the regular season. Even then, it still takes time.
I think Ball and Smith will struggle defensively, for different reasons. Offensively I still think Ball might have trouble in the half court because he won't be able to get past his defender very easily and DSJ might well struggle when teams put lengthy defenders on him. Having said that, both did some very nice things that should definitely create optimism among their respective fanbases.
I think Ball and Smith will struggle defensively, for different reasons. Offensively I still think Ball might have trouble in the half court because he won't be able to get past his defender very easily and DSJ might well struggle when teams put lengthy defenders on him. Having said that, both did some very nice things that should definitely create optimism among their respective fanbases.
They're going to hide him. He'll play against the least offensive threat in the back court or even the SF. For example, against the Kings he'd probably play defense against whoever they put out there at the three - Carter, Jackson, et al. It's not going to work too well against the Warriors, but against many teams it could. I think in about three years he'll be serviceable on the defensive end, at least as good as Rubio.
Hope you enjoyed SL Baja! Also hope you got your front-row seats before all the Laker fans came barging in... SL looked absolutely packed. Really speaks about the volume of this class.
Speaking of offense and playmaking, how do you think Fox managed with that? I think he did a nice job, but had a few troubles. Watching from the TV, it seemed like he had a difficult time controlling the pace and flow of our offense. He was never able to establish a consistent rhythm. In the half-court, he struggled as a playmaker and facilitator. He wasn't able to create good looks for his teammates, specifically Skal and Papa. In PnR, he looked to score instead of hitting the roller. He was easily able to penetrate, but hardly ever kicked it out even when defenses met him at the rim. The offense was ugly when he was running the point. It was a 1-man show each time he was on the floor. Just seemed like he had troubles running the offense. It really didn't help that Buddy was awful.
Good thing? He's only 19 with a lot of time to improve. Far from a finished product, but he's not a natural passer or playmaker lots of people oddly tried to say he was. I can't help but say he reminds me of a less physical and athletic Derrick Rose. He can get to all his spots on the floor like Rose did. Not the same exact player, but they're similar in playing styles.
Speaking of offense and playmaking, how do you think Fox managed with that? I think he did a nice job, but had a few troubles. Watching from the TV, it seemed like he had a difficult time controlling the pace and flow of our offense. He was never able to establish a consistent rhythm. In the half-court, he struggled as a playmaker and facilitator. He wasn't able to create good looks for his teammates, specifically Skal and Papa. In PnR, he looked to score instead of hitting the roller. He was easily able to penetrate, but hardly ever kicked it out even when defenses met him at the rim. The offense was ugly when he was running the point. It was a 1-man show each time he was on the floor. Just seemed like he had troubles running the offense. It really didn't help that Buddy was awful.
Good thing? He's only 19 with a lot of time to improve. Far from a finished product, but he's not a natural passer or playmaker lots of people oddly tried to say he was. I can't help but say he reminds me of a less physical and athletic Derrick Rose. He can get to all his spots on the floor like Rose did. Not the same exact player, but they're similar in playing styles.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/lonzo-...a-summer-league-winners-losers-040856218.html
I cant say I can disagree with the kings assessment. I know its just summer league and many think its meaningless but wish the kings did better and showed more growth.
I cant say I can disagree with the kings assessment. I know its just summer league and many think its meaningless but wish the kings did better and showed more growth.
I thought Fox played really well, showing off his speed and disrupting the other team with his picks and in your face defense. His passing and playmaking relies totally on what his teammates do with the ball when they get it. Papa still loves to get in a dribble before a dunk and lost the ball about 40% of the time due to the other team ballhawking that dribble. It appeared the Coaches had Buddy working on his handle instead of setting up for perimeter 3's so Fox lost some dimes there. Skal was not hitting his shots in the games he played with Fox. Jackson did a nice job as well and I would not be surprised if he plays significant minutes this season. Overall I just don't think the plan was to feature Fox as a playmaker.
Buddy was trash but we've seen him drop a lot of points on NBA teams. Not worried.
Skal was trash but we know he's relatively new to the game, relatively passive, and last season he showed some real stuff against NBA teams when playing a role he was comfortable with in a legit offense (not summer league trash ball). Not worried.
Papa G was trash but I have zero expectations where he's concerned. He's young, but doesn't look good at all. Super slow. Even when I watched him last year in some of his better games he didn't really look like much. His ceiling is probably a poor man's Kosta, and if he proves me wrong I'll happily eat crow. I still hate the pick, but because Vlade also got us Skal, Mali, and Bogs that draft I'm not mad at him. Not worried.
I am disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Fox and Mali. Other than that? Meh. It's SL.
Really I'm just mad that Lonzo looks legit. Dang Lakers.
Skal was trash but we know he's relatively new to the game, relatively passive, and last season he showed some real stuff against NBA teams when playing a role he was comfortable with in a legit offense (not summer league trash ball). Not worried.
Papa G was trash but I have zero expectations where he's concerned. He's young, but doesn't look good at all. Super slow. Even when I watched him last year in some of his better games he didn't really look like much. His ceiling is probably a poor man's Kosta, and if he proves me wrong I'll happily eat crow. I still hate the pick, but because Vlade also got us Skal, Mali, and Bogs that draft I'm not mad at him. Not worried.
I am disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Fox and Mali. Other than that? Meh. It's SL.
Really I'm just mad that Lonzo looks legit. Dang Lakers.
Buddy was trash but we've seen him drop a lot of points on NBA teams. Not worried.
Skal was trash but we know he's relatively new to the game, relatively passive, and last season he showed some real stuff against NBA teams when playing a role he was comfortable with in a legit offense (not summer league trash ball). Not worried.
Papa G was trash but I have zero expectations where he's concerned. He's young, but doesn't look good at all. Super slow. Even when I watched him last year in some of his better games he didn't really look like much. His ceiling is probably a poor man's Kosta, and if he proves me wrong I'll happily eat crow. I still hate the pick, but because Vlade also got us Skal, Mali, and Bogs that draft I'm not mad at him. Not worried.
I am disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Fox and Mali. Other than that? Meh. It's SL.
Really I'm just mad that Lonzo looks legit. Dang Lakers.
Skal was trash but we know he's relatively new to the game, relatively passive, and last season he showed some real stuff against NBA teams when playing a role he was comfortable with in a legit offense (not summer league trash ball). Not worried.
Papa G was trash but I have zero expectations where he's concerned. He's young, but doesn't look good at all. Super slow. Even when I watched him last year in some of his better games he didn't really look like much. His ceiling is probably a poor man's Kosta, and if he proves me wrong I'll happily eat crow. I still hate the pick, but because Vlade also got us Skal, Mali, and Bogs that draft I'm not mad at him. Not worried.
I am disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Fox and Mali. Other than that? Meh. It's SL.
Really I'm just mad that Lonzo looks legit. Dang Lakers.