Tuesday, July 8, 2014

NBA Summer League. Reed achieves on day three.

Reed was best Monday in Orlando.
Willie Reed was the most efficient player on a winning team in day three action of the NBA Orlando Summer League. Reed was effective at both ends of the floor in the Pacers easy 96-77 win over the Celtics. Reed, listed at 6'10" 220 (but looks heavier) scored 18 points (8-12 FG), had six rebounds, four blocked shots, and three assists in 25 minutes. Reed was recently released by the Sacramento Kings after playing for their D-League team, the Reno Bighorns. He is 24 years old. 

Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Nolan Smith, Oklahoma City. ...Smith did not look ready to play Saturday but Monday he performed well. Smith, 25 years-old, from Duke, scored eleven points (3-4 FG, 4-4 FT), dished four assists with zero turnovers, and had three steals in 20 minutes. His Thunder notched their first win in three tries in Orlando Summer League play with a 98-84 W over the Brooklyn Nets. 

Most efficient small forward on a winning team: James Nunnally, Indiana. ...How can a guy go 0-5 FG and be efficient you ask? The answer; do a bunch of other things to fill up the boxscore and help your team get to the winner's circle. That's what Nunnally did Monday. The 23 year-old from San Jose, CA had six points (6-6 FT), seven rebounds, four steals, and four assists with no turnovers in 21 minutes. 

Most efficient power forward on a winning team: Mitch McGary, Oklahoma City. ...McGary was a monster on Monday. The 21st pick in the 2014 NBA Draft had 18 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocked shots in 31 minutes. A rookie from Michigan that was instrumental in the Wolverines 2012-13 success, McGary again showed his high-revving motor, and well-rounded skill set. The 22 year-old left hander projects as a great fit for the Thunder. While McGary can be sloppy with the ball (four turnovers Monday), he "gives himself a chance" by staying perpetually aggressive and involved. If he stays healthy, the real Oklahoma City Thunder may have found a solution to their gaping efficiency hole up front. Switch the ever-efficient and active McGary with Kendrick Perkins and the OKC team efficiency rises significantly. It appears to us to be a potential elevating fit in the same way that Kawhi Leonard replacing Richard Jefferson made the Spurs more efficient overall. 

Lamb makes it look easy. 
Most efficient shooting guard on a winning team: Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City. ..."The Lambinator" makes the game look easy. He had 26 points (8-21 FG, 2-7 3pt. FG, 8-9 FT), eight rebounds, and three steals in a heavy 35 minutes Monday. 

Seven more stars: 

Elfrid Payton - Orlando. ...Payton rebounded tremendously from a poor opening game Saturday. The tenth overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft looked like the floor-leader Orlando wants him to be Monday in the Magic's 87-69 victory over the summer Rockets. Payton had 12 points (5-5 FG, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, and nine assists (four turnovers) in 29 minutes. 

Mason Plumlee - Brooklyn. ...Playing his third game in three days, Plumlee was still effective. The soon-to-be second year pro had 13 points (4-6 FG, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. 

Moser's been good in Orlando
Mike Moser - Boston. ...Moser posted 11 points (3-9 FG, 3-7 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, and four assists in 21 minutes off the bench Monday. The undrafted rookie free-agent has looked the part of an NBA forward in his opening two summer league games. He is offensively aggressive. 

Kevin Jones - Indiana. ...Jones, 24, from West Virginia, has been playing professionally in the Philippines. He scored 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-4 FT), and grabbed seven rebounds in the Pacers win Monday. His face-up shot was falling and he and Willie Reed played well together. Jones looks out of shape to our eyes but that did not stop him from playing well. At 6'8" 250 lbs (or more), Jones is now certainly a power forward. There was a point in his career where he seemed to be in-between being a THREE or a FOUR. 

Marcus Lewis - Oklahoma City. ...The D-League/French League veteran with the big behind knows how to play. He was trotted out as OKC's starting center (think Chuck Hayes) Monday. Lewis responded with 13 points (6-8 FG), three assists, and three steals. He is 27 years old. 

Cory Jefferson - Brooklyn. ...Jefferson, a rookie from Baylor that was the 60th and final pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, had a nice contribution Monday. Jefferson scored nine points (2-4 FG, 5-5 FT), and grabbed five boards in 23 minutes. 

Chris Crawford - Houston. ...Crawford did not shoot well but played a nice game otherwise as a lone bright spot for the surprisingly bad Houston summer team. Crawford had 12 points (3-13 FG, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes. 





No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.