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*Photo via NY Post
The NBA summer league is a basketball junkie’s summer time fix. Fans get to watch NBA basketball all day, for almost an entire month and get to see high draft picks make their NBA debuts. Summer league is also where fans will catch glimpses of future superstars, undrafted players fighting for training camp invites and veterans looking to make it back into the league.
In today’s 24/7 sports media cycle, players are critiqued after every game, even during summer exhibitions. High draft picks are put on a pedestal when they play well and thrown to the wolves when they don’t. While seeing a player produce in the summer league is definitely a positive, majority of summer league players will not play in the NBA, and performances shouldn’t be taken as reliable foreshadowing
Since summer league is filled with prospects trying to earn an NBA roster spot while also learning new sets and playing with new teammates, there isn't much efficiency in these games. With that being said, there have been gems hidden throughout summer league who are ready to have their summer league success translate to the regular season.
SF/PF Aaron Gordon – Orlando Magic
Second year man Aaron Gordon made a very strong impression at the Orlando Summer League this year. He showed off a new look along with a consistent and mechanically sound jump shot.
Gordon has developed a higher release and has eliminated excess motion from his jump shot from since the end of his rookie season. These tweaks look like they could really being paying off as he averaged 21.7 points and shot 50 percent from the field, all while still playing within Orlando’s offensive scheme. Another thing I liked about his jump shot was that he wasn't just a stand still shooter. Gordon seemed very comfortable shooting mid-range jumpers off the dribble.
Gordon also made a big impression on the glass, averaging 11.7 rebounds along with playing solid interior and perimeter defense. If Gordon can continue to improve his offensive consistency from the perimeter, he will have major impact during his sophomore campaign with the Orlando Magic
PG Joseph Young – Indiana Pacers
After sitting out the first couple of games and having a lackluster summer league debut, Joseph Young caught fire. He put up 25 or more points in his last three games in Orlando while shooting 50 percent from the field, 45 percent from deep, and 78 percent from the free throw line.
Young was able to consistently get to his spots and take the shots he wanted to. It’ll be interesting to see if Young can produce with similar efficiency when his touches are limited, if he can make it to the active roster. I still have a lot of concerns with Joe Young's game at the next level (size, play-style, point guard skills), but I think he will be a monster in the D-League next season. He might have a chance to compete for a rotation spot in his second season.
PG/SG Seth Curry – New Orleans Pelicans
How many more summer league and D-League games will Seth Curry have to score over 20 points in before he lands an NBA contract? In his first three games, it’s been clear that Curry is head and shoulders above almost all of his competition, must come with the last name. Coming out of Duke, Curry was labeled as a spot up three-point shooter. In Vegas, he has shot below 20 percent from deep, and is still leading the summer league in scoring. He’s not just a one trick pony.
Curry has been able to create his own shot off the dribble, which is something he had a hard time doing in college. With a tighter handle, Curry has also been able to get to the basket and shoot off the bounce consistently. He also has a knack for drawing fouls, as he’s been to the free throw line over 20 times in 3 games.
Curry also seems to put more effort into his defense. He has been applying a lot of ball pressure on his opponents, forcing close to three steals in his three summer league games. Curry has been beating up on lower level competition for over half a year now. He may not be his MVP brother, but he should be able to land a contract as the 10th to 12th man off the bench. Seth Curry belongs in the NBA.
SG Norman Powell – Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors 2015 second round pick Norman Powell has been a very pleasant surprise this summer league. Powell was labeled as a defensive specialist coming out of college, but Powell's made quite an impact on offense.
Powell has been using his quickness along with his above average ball handling skills to get to the rim at will and finish through contact. He has also been very efficient with his scoring, averaging 19.3 points while shooting 59 percent from the field. Powell has above average to elite NBA athleticism. This is put on full display as he harasses ball handlers and disrupts passing lanes. Similar to Avery Bradley on defense, Powell is a ball hawk who can really make perimeter players uncomfortable on offense.
Powell also knows his limitations offensively as a basketball player. A lot of summer leaguers will make a couple of shots and then start chucking up every heat check three they can. Powell knows that he's a below average three point shooter that's why he has only taken five three pointers through three contests. If Powell's below average jump shot prevents him from earning a roster spot with Toronto this season, expect him to be one of the better two way players in the D-League.
PF Mitch McGary – Oklahoma City Thunder
Mitch McGary showed the most versatility of any big man other than Aaron Gordon at the Orlando Summer League. McGary looked like he was playing point guard when he was on the floor at times. He showed off a huge improvement in his ball handling skills when he went coast to coast several times after getting steals in transition.
He also flashed an improved jump shot, knocking down 18 foot jumpers with ease. McGary also excelled in transition,whether it was leading the break as a ball handler or running the floor and getting or creating an open look. McGary also played sound fundamental, team defense as he averaged two steals and one block per game while also ripping down 7 boards per game in just 24 minutes of action.
Even though McGary's numbers weren't eye popping in the Orlando summer league, averaging 12.5 points and 7 boards, he showed OKC that he can stretch the floor with his jump shot to open up driving lanes for Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. He showed his ability to excel offensively in any situation whether it is down low, in the high post, or even in transition. McGary might not get a lot of playing team with the re-signing Enes Kanter, but I have no doubt that if one of the Thunder's big men go down McGary could step in and play well in big minutes.
PF/C Kristaps Porzingis – New York Knicks
Whether you love or hate Kristaps Porzingis, the seven-foot-three Latvian Mamba is a summer league attraction. He heard a mix of boos and cheers from 10,000 strong whenever he touched the ball. I have made a point to tune into every Knicks summer league game just to see what the number four overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft has in his tank.
I'll be the first to say I've had my doubts about Porzingis, but he has impressed me in limited minutes in Las Vegas. He doesn't force anything, plays smart basketball, and has great shot selection. Porzingis is a versatile threat on offense, whether it's stepping out and stretching the floor, making beautiful passes out of the post or putting the ball on the floor and getting to the free throw line. Porzingis also displayed his ability to finish at the rim with either hand.
He also has shown talent as a screener on high pick and rolls. In his first game against the San Antonio Spurs Porzingis scored almost half of his points off the high pick and roll. He demonstrated the ability to pop or roll to the basket, which could prove to be a defensive nightmare for all opposition.
I also would like to put a rest to the general stereotype that Porzingis is soft European big man. Kristaps Porzingis is far from soft he's willing to bang with anybody in the league, even if he needs to put on weight. Porzingis wouldn't back down from Los Angeles Lakers big men Tarik Black and Julius Randle, who are both built like physical NFL linebackers.
Even though Porzingis has played in limited minutes, he has been very efficient averaging 10.5 points in his first two games while shooting 60 percent from the field. Porzingis has the skills to play in the NBA, now its time for him to work on his body. Once that happens, he will be an excellent player in this league.
All stats via NBA.com