CruzDude
Senior Member sharing a brew with bajaden
Bajaden and I watched game 1 on the tube and were impressed with team organization and overall play, one of the best first games of a summer league either of us had seen. A close game-1 usually is a good indicator. Not this time. I watched games 2 and 3 from great seats in each arena and concentrated often on following specific players exclusively for 4-5 possessions at a time to better understand their abilities and capabilities. These included the two draftees, McLemore and McCallum as well as Lockett, Gordon, Minnerath and Aiken. I then did the same as best possible for game 4 on the tube. Game 5 I watched the team play.
McLemore showed vast improvement in game 5 and was gradually getting his game together. Most (there are exceptions) 1-and-done lottery picks still have a good size NBA learning curve. McLemore was no different. But his improvement in game 5 was dramatic and showed clearly he is a fast learner. We'll never know what bug Cuz put in his ear just after half of game 5 but it too must have helped as he got 19 points in the 3rd quarter alone. He was getting his own shot, being aggressive, and getting his balance in order for most all his shots. He also was able to "catch-and-shoot" more than in previous games due to improved passing by the guards and took advantage. Overall I saw what the FO saw in him and why he was rated the 2nd or 3rd best pick in the draft by most folks.
McCalllum showed the same poise and ball movement in each game. His game is more polished than McLemore (but McL has a higher ceiling, both comments plagarized from bajaden in private chats). improvement came in moving style to help others get open. The fact he got 11 or 12 assists in game 5 was due almost entirely to the fact that others were moving better to get open and many more made their shots from his passes unlike in games 2, 3 and 4 when almost no one got open very often and he had to dribble more to try to find openings that just were not there. He should be PG #3 in training camp behind Vasquez and IT.
Gordon showed flashes of how he can be a dominant PF both on offense and defense. Hard to gauge his NBA level in summer league but would hope to see him, Lockett and Minnerath in Reno. Has an NBA body and 4 years of college ball and should set his NBA worthiness in the D-League.
Lockett was quiet for first couple of games but then he was the MVP of game 3. Great shooting touch and form out to and including the 3, good ball handling skills, no unnecessary passes or dumm moves and really good rebounding for a 6-5 SG and an SG is his position. Fell off a bit in game 4 then back to his good side in game 5. Not flashy, good basic floor skills, excellent chance for D-league.
Now my favorite player of the summer league was "Minne-bird". In games 1 and 2 had no clue who or what he was. Then he started pounding and banging and rebounding in game 3 along with showing his really good mid-range jumper. Good form, an excellent FT'er, fearless and agressive on both ends. Game 4 and 5 saw major improvements in Minnerath both offensive and defensive. And his comfort and form for a good 3pt shot came out showing he has more range that we thought. But what is he, a PF or SF? Kings are stacked at PF so need is SF which I think he can fill and what I think Malone sees in him. Good hops, long arms, versatile shooter and probably their summer league best rebounder. I think we see him in training camp along with Lockett and maybe Gordon and hopefully a really good Reno team comes out of this group and others.
McLemore showed vast improvement in game 5 and was gradually getting his game together. Most (there are exceptions) 1-and-done lottery picks still have a good size NBA learning curve. McLemore was no different. But his improvement in game 5 was dramatic and showed clearly he is a fast learner. We'll never know what bug Cuz put in his ear just after half of game 5 but it too must have helped as he got 19 points in the 3rd quarter alone. He was getting his own shot, being aggressive, and getting his balance in order for most all his shots. He also was able to "catch-and-shoot" more than in previous games due to improved passing by the guards and took advantage. Overall I saw what the FO saw in him and why he was rated the 2nd or 3rd best pick in the draft by most folks.
McCalllum showed the same poise and ball movement in each game. His game is more polished than McLemore (but McL has a higher ceiling, both comments plagarized from bajaden in private chats). improvement came in moving style to help others get open. The fact he got 11 or 12 assists in game 5 was due almost entirely to the fact that others were moving better to get open and many more made their shots from his passes unlike in games 2, 3 and 4 when almost no one got open very often and he had to dribble more to try to find openings that just were not there. He should be PG #3 in training camp behind Vasquez and IT.
Gordon showed flashes of how he can be a dominant PF both on offense and defense. Hard to gauge his NBA level in summer league but would hope to see him, Lockett and Minnerath in Reno. Has an NBA body and 4 years of college ball and should set his NBA worthiness in the D-League.
Lockett was quiet for first couple of games but then he was the MVP of game 3. Great shooting touch and form out to and including the 3, good ball handling skills, no unnecessary passes or dumm moves and really good rebounding for a 6-5 SG and an SG is his position. Fell off a bit in game 4 then back to his good side in game 5. Not flashy, good basic floor skills, excellent chance for D-league.
Now my favorite player of the summer league was "Minne-bird". In games 1 and 2 had no clue who or what he was. Then he started pounding and banging and rebounding in game 3 along with showing his really good mid-range jumper. Good form, an excellent FT'er, fearless and agressive on both ends. Game 4 and 5 saw major improvements in Minnerath both offensive and defensive. And his comfort and form for a good 3pt shot came out showing he has more range that we thought. But what is he, a PF or SF? Kings are stacked at PF so need is SF which I think he can fill and what I think Malone sees in him. Good hops, long arms, versatile shooter and probably their summer league best rebounder. I think we see him in training camp along with Lockett and maybe Gordon and hopefully a really good Reno team comes out of this group and others.
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It is great that the Kings have the Reno Bighorns to place these young guys with. I think it improves the chances of recognizing and retaining any NBA level talent that comes through the SL program. I still recall how Wes Matthews was on the Kings SL team a few years ago but slipped away to be signed by the Jazz.
