Monday, July 6, 2015

Stanley steams Sunday Summer League

Stanley Johnson is the real deal
Stanley Johnson was the most efficient player on a winning team in the three games played Sunday at the NBA Orlando Summer League. The rookie from Arizona was the eighth selection in the 2015 NBA Draft. Johnson showed off his combination of strength, athleticism, and skill in the Detroit Pistons 77-69 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. 

Johnson scored 24 points (10-14 FG, 1-3 3-pt., 3-5 FT), grabbed nine rebounds, and snatched three steals in 31 minutes. It says here that Johnson will be a big upgrade on the wing for the Pistons this season. Last season, Detroit played the aging Caron Butler, and aging Tayshaun Prince far too often at small forward. Jodie Meeks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope received the bulk of the shooting guard minutes. Pairing Johnson with Meeks (healthy headed into the 2015-16 season) appears to be the correct path for improvement. 

Our Hoop Obsession All NBA Summer League Team for Sunday July 5, 2015...

Troy Daniels - Charlotte. ...When Troy Daniels has his shot dropping like it was Sunday there is not too much the defense can do to stop him. Daniels went nutso from beyond the arc, nailing six three-pointers en route to 21 points (7-12 FG, 6-9 3-pt., 1-1 FT) and six boards. Daniels' Charlotte team was beaten 79-75 by Memphis. Daniels spent time on three NBA rosters in 2014-15. The way he is playing for Charlotte he may give P.J,. Hairston a run for his position. 

Kammeon Holsey - Detroit. ...Holsey scored 16 points  (7-9 FG, 2-4 FT), and had two steals in 22 efficient minutes. Holsey is 6'8" 234 lbs. He went undrafted in 2014 out of Georgia Tech. Holsey played for the Grand Rapids Drive in the D-League last season. 

Willie Reed - Miami. ...Reed continues to make our "best-of" lists whether it is in the D-League or Summer League it is apparent to us that Reed is good enough to be on an NBA roster. Sunday Reed was instrumental in Miami's win by pouring in 17 points (9-12 FG, 1-3 FT), and grabbing nine rebounds in 28 minutes. ...The Heat beat the Nets 71-70 on a tip-in by Tyler Johnson who received a pass from Justise Winslow from side out of bounds, with four tenths of a second left. 

Ryan Boatright - Brooklyn. ...Boatright is a shooting guard in a point guard's body. Sunday Boatright was fantastic as a playmaker for himself, shaking his man repeatedly to gain space for his jumper. Boatright scored 23 points (7-14 FG, 5-8 3-pt., 4-4 FT) and added two steals in 25 minutes. Boatright ran the point for the Nets Sunday. Despite his good scoring, Boatright had zero assists and three turnovers offering further evidence that he is not a point guard. 

Aaron Harrison - Charlotte. ...Aaron Harrison, undrafted out of Kentucky, looked like a guy with a real shot to make an NBA team. He didn't shoot well from the perimeter but he used his size advantage (6'5" 210) to be an efficient contributor. He had 16 points (6-10 FG, 0-3 3-pt., 4-6 FT), eight assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes. 

Frank Kaminsky - Charlotte. ...Kaminsky had another solid outing. He scored 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-3 3-pt., 0-1 FT) with eight rebounds and two blocked shots in 33 minutes. 

Russ Smith - Memphis. ...Smith is so speedy. He also is a fierce competitor that is a pesky defender. I enjoyed watching him run the Summer Grizz, leading them to a win. Smith had 14 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3-pt., 4-5 FT), seven assists, and three steals Sunday. 

Tyler Johnson - Miami. ...Johnson had the game winning shot for the Heat, a testament to his strength and jumping ability that he could score in a desperate situation. The second year pro from Fresno State continued to excel in summer play with 12 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3-pt., 3-4 FT), four rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes. 

Jarnell Stokes - Memphis. ...Stokes bullied his way to ten points (3-5 FG, 4-6 FT) and eight boards in the Grizzlies victory. 

Notes: Two players who have caught my eye as terrific defenders are Josh Richardson and Greg Whittington. Richardson, a Heat second round pick from Tennessee, has shown the ability to block jump shots one-on-one. His length and recovery time is extraordinary. ...Whittington is simply all over the court. His lively defensive game is light years ahead of his offense but his defensive impact on two games in two days was eye opening. 

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