Five stories from the Summer League
The Portland Trail Blazers joined the Sacramento Kings on Sunday as the only teams to win multiple NBA Summer League championships.
Portland, which also clinched the title in 2018, edged the New York Knicks in the Finals by a score of 85-77. Forward Trendon Watford was named Most Valuable Player.
But beyond Portland’s championship, which even its superstar Damian Lillard was not watching the game, the NBA Summer League left us with several interesting storylines heading into the 2022-23 season.
From confirmation that the current rookie class is one of the most talented in the last decade, to the refereeing debut of an NBA champion, here’s our analysis.
- The potential of Banchero, Holmgren, Smith…. And Murray?
The top three picks in the NBA draft lived up to expectations with their respective teams.
First, the Orlando Magic needed just two games to see the potential of power forward Paolo Banchero, who averaged 20 points, six assists and five rebounds per game.
Banchero, who to the surprise of many was chosen in the first round of the draft over his counterparts, fit perfectly into the Magic’s system. He will be a solid candidate for Rookie of the Year if he stays healthy.
On the other hand, ‘unicorn’ Chet Holmgren showed flashes of what Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder envisioned when they selected him in the second round: he is the player with the most potential of the trio.
Chet, with a 7’6″ wingspan, scores, grabs rebounds, blocks balls and creates space for his teammates. He has a good understanding with Australian point guard Josh Giddey. The duo is the Thunder’s bet on the future.
Meanwhile, Smith, who was presumed to be the first pick, was a perfect fit for the Houston Rockets, who already have a promising talent in Jalen Green, second pick of the 2021 draft.
Smith can not only create his own shot, but he defends. His good attitude on the court will take him far.
Lastly, Keegan Murray backed up the Sacramento Kings’ pick with his performance in his figure over talented guard, Jaden Ivey.
Murray proved he can be that complement to Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. He averaged 23.2 points, fourth most in the competition, and more than all of the ‘Top 5’ picks in the 2021 draft. In turn, he shot for 50 percent. Sacramento’s steal? The first rule of summer league is don’t overreact.
- Latin American presence
Several Latin American players participated in Summer League. Among them, Puerto Ricans Tremont Waters, George Conditt, Aleem Ford and Ethan Thompson, among others, such as Alex Morales and Manny Camper.
The first two returned to the Puerto Rican basketball league to resume their commitment with the Carolina Giants in the playoffs of the local competition, being eliminated by the reigning champions Capitanes de Arecibo.
The rest of the Puerto Ricans had little participation. Morales (6.5 points), Thompson (6.2 points) and Ford (5 points in three games).
For the Dominicans, Chris Duarte played only one game, scoring 16 points. He was followed by Lester Quiñones (5 PPJ points), LJ Figueroa (8.8 points) and Jean Montero (5.4 points).
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Leandro Bolmaro had 10 points with two assists per game in five duels, while his compatriot Vildoza had 6 points per game. Brazilian Bruno Caboclo registered nine points and 6.3 rebounds.
- The champions boast alternatives
In two games, Moses Moody finished as the summer league’s scoring leader with 27.5 per game. Moody, like Kuminga, was part of the Warriors’ successful 2021 draft.
Those Warriors-post Kevin Durant-acquired Andrew Wiggins and a first-round turn, who ended up becoming Kuminga, in exchange for D’Angelo Russell and other role players. It was here that Golden State’s true rebuild began.
Moody, with the ‘blessing’ of Draymond Green, was selected in the 14th round. A year later, it is paying off.
Kuminga, precisely, registered 19.3 goals in four Summer League games. In addition, the second selection of the 2021 draft, center James Wiseman, finally returned to the court.
He shined. The future is bright for the champions.
- The Lakers of Pippen Jr. and O’Neal Jr.
While LeBron James ‘broke’ the internet by participating in the Drew League, the Lakers finished the summer league with a 3-2 record.
Not many conclusions can be drawn from a young Lakers roster, most of which won’t see an NBA minute. However, two sons of ‘NBA 75’ legends left good feelings: Scotty Pippen Jr. and Shareef O’Neal.
Pippen Jr. led the Lakers with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals to a win in their last Summer League game. He currently has a two-way contract.
Meanwhile, O’Neal, Jr. ends his contract with the Lakers at the end of the Summer League. Will he be given the opportunity to play with the G-League affiliate? We’ll see, but the son of the legendary NBA center has not had it easy. From open-heart surgery to floundering in college basketball, O’Neal will continue to fight for his dream.
- Richard Jefferson’s refereeing debut
Former New Jersey Nets forward and current ESPN commentator Richard Jefferson made his debut as a ‘guest’ referee on July 11 at the New York Knicks-Portland Trail Blazers game.
Jefferson, a veteran of 17 seasons and champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, assured that he dared to perform such a task in order to continue “getting to know the game more”, from which, although he is now retired, he still benefits as a commentator.
But not before leaving us some other controversial… plays.
Anyway, it was a great Summer League and a great success, as usual, for the NBA.
