Mobley Outlasts Suggs In Their First NBA Encounter!
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League on August 11, 2021 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
It’s Day 4 of the NBA Summer League from Las Vegas and we have some more games, featuring some of the brightest young players in the game. From Cleveland’s Evan Mobley to Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, there is a lot of talent going to be displayed today.
Brooklyn Nets
Cameron Thomas just scores. That’s about it. 22 points on 7/10 shooting from the free throw line. He is such a natural scorer who will fit in well with the Nets, who, spoiler alert, are pretty good at scoring.
I also liked what I saw from the 29th overall pick, Day’Ron Sharpe, the center from UNC. Off the bench, he had 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Looks like a solid center down low who can give you solid defense and rebounding, something the Nets so desperately need.
A big guy rotation of Claxton, Sharpe, and Griffin? That’s pretty good, not the worst thing in the world. Pretty good rotation that can likely hold things down against the likes of Embiid and Giannis in the Eastern Conference.
Memphis Grizzlies
Ignore the fact that Max Strus absolutely dominated this game and hit the game-winning shot in sudden death literally 5 seconds in, the Grizzlies played a pretty good game.
Ziaire Williams had 19 points on 6/10 shooting, 4/6 from 3. Not the best jump shooter in college, so it’s encouraging to see him shoot well. The Grizzlies really need that dynamic wing scorer and Williams could provide that with some development. Really good game from him.
(Not to mention that he’s eating 5,000 calories a day to bulk up).
Xavier Tillman had 14 points and 7 assists. Santi Aldama, the 30th pick Grizzlies this year, struggled mightily again. Just 1/9 shooting, but it’s the Summer League. Not the end of the world, contrary to popular belief.
Desmond Bane had 16 points and John Konchar turned into Russell Westbrook. He had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Not too bad.
But for the Grizzlies, you hope Aldama plays better and that you continue to see good things from your other first round pick, Ziaire Williams.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs got their first win in Las Vegas and they looked pretty, pretty good.
Evan Mobley was a lot better in this game, looked more comfortable. 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Hit some 3’s and mid-range shots, even some off the dribble. Still lacks that strength to bully people in the post, but that will come with time. Had some really nice passes, including a back-door pass to Okoro that led to a dunk. Pretty good game from him, looked solid.
Lamar Stevens had 13 points and 7 rebounds. He hit some mid-range shots, he’s looking pretty, pretty good so far. Isaac Okoro had an efficient 15 points. Had some really nice finishes at the rim, I’m really looking forward to seeing him play this season.
The Cavs young guys are looking good. Mobley, Okoro, and Stevens should all be looked as really good pieces for the Cavs in 2022.
Orlando Magic
This was a bit of a struggle for the Magic, to say the least.
Jalen Suggs had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, another solid game. One thing I didn’t like was his decision making. Sometimes when he had an open shot, he passed the ball, and vice versa. One of the thing young guards in the NBA have to learn is when to pass it and when to shoot it. With that being said, he was easily the best player on the court for Orlando today.
RJ Hampton was just 3/10. Cole Anthony was just 2/10. Franz Wagner had a solid game with 10 points. But the young guys like Hampton and Anthony haven’t been great in the Summer League. I think Suggs has been great as advertised, but I’m looking to see more from sophomore players like Hampton and Cole Anthony.
OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans
OKC Thunder
No Josh Giddey, which sucks. I really like Giddey so hopefully we see him again in Vegas, but I have my doubts. Likely going to have to wait for the pre-season/regular season to see him in action again.
Tre Mann struggled, just 4/15 shooting. He still had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, but he has struggled scoring in Vegas thus far.
Theo Maledon and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl were ok but Aaron Wiggins had another nice performance. He had an efficient 16 points off the bench. He’s been pretty good in the summer league and might be playing himself into a chance at making the OKC 2022 roster.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans got their 2nd win in Vegas and their youngsters played another solid game.
Trey Murphy III, the 17th pick in the draft this year, had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. He’s been pretty good in Vegas and could help the Pelicans a lot this season.
Naji Marshall had 18 points and 11 rebounds, solid game for the forward. Kira Lewis Jr had 12-5-5. The Pelicans expect big things from him this year with the departure of Lonzo Ball.
But the Pelicans offseason was still awful. Just wanted to add that.
Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors young guys were excellent in their first summer league game. Safe to say game 2 wasn’t as fruitful.
Scottie Barnes was just 2/8 from the field, as he didn’t get the same looks that he did in the first game. But he was 8/12 from the free throw line and finished with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Not the worst game in the world, but certainly not as good as his first game.
Precious Achiuwa played in his first summer league game after coming over in the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade. He was solid, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Malachi Flynn struggled shooting as well, just 6/19 from the field after his amazing game 1. 16 points from the sophomore guard from San Diego State.
Not the best game in the world from the Raptors’ young guys, but I really like their trio of youth (Flynn, Barnes, and Achiuwa) going forward. Really think they can make an impact for the Raptors this upcoming season.
Golden State Warriors
While the Raptors’ young guys weren’t great, it’s not like the Warriors young guys were any better. But they were good enough to win the game.
Jonathan Kuminga went 5/17 from the field, showing his raw decision making and poor shot selection at times. But he still finished with 18 points on the night, not too bad. Still has a lot of developing to do (his nickname also needs some work).
Moses Moody also struggled, shooting just 4/15 from the field in his 2nd Summer League game in Vegas. He would finish with 13-5-6, an alright game.
Gary Payton II was also very good, 13-5-6 with 2 steals an a very efficient scoring night. With Nico Mannion headed to Italy for this upcoming season, you might see Payton more this season. I sure hope so, he’s a really good player who could help the Warriors out a lot.
New York Knicks
Miles McBride Enthusiast. I was right about him and nobody else was so you can’t tell me otherwise.
McBride was the best player for the Knicks in this game against a bunch of nobodies wearing purple and gold. 7/9 shooting from the field, a perfect 6/6 shooting from 3, with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists off the bench in 28 minutes. His defense was also excellent as he should be able to get minutes for Thibodeau. He can defend and look at his offense. He can flat out play and should get some role with the Knicks in 2022. Otherwise I will be very, very angry.
Obi Toppin again struggled shooting, but had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley had 25 points and 7 assists, but he was inefficient (again). Miles McBride stole the show and was excellent.
Oh, and Quintin Grimes struggled again. I really didn’t like this pick and he hasn’t looked good so far. I know it’s the summer league, but still. Not the best of looks. Maybe he turns things around when the games start to matter more. Maybe.
What Are Your Thoughts From The Summer League Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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