NBA Summer League Monday, Rodney Hood shines

Hood up to all good

Rodney Hood, a second year pro from Duke, was the most efficient player on a winning team across two NBA Summer leagues Monday. Hood led the Utah Jazz to a 100-82 win over the Boston Celtics in the second game of the Utah NBA Summer League. Hood dropped jumpers, scored in transition, and played an unselfish game on his way to 23 points (9-17 FG, 1-5 3-pt., 4-6 FT), ten rebounds, and four assists in 29 minutes. 

Hoop Obsession All 2015 NBA Summer League Team for Monday July 6th. 

Chris Singleton - Orlando (White). ...Singleton played as well Monday as we've ever seen him play. Always known as an outstanding defensive player, Singleton often runs into trouble with terrible shot selection, trying to be an OFFENSIVE force. The reality is that Singleton's jumper is sketchy at best. Monday he played his trademark great D and limited his forced offense to just a couple possessions. The result was a super-efficient 17 points (8-12 FG, 0-1 3-pt., 1-2 FT), six rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, two steals, and most importantly a W for his team.  Singleton played 30 minutes as the Orlando White team beat Indiana 85-76 Monday in the day's first game in the Orlando NBA Summer League. 

Aaron Gordon - Orlando (Blue). ...Gordon scored 21 points (8-11 FG, 1-2 3-pt., 4-8 FT), grabbed ten rebounds, dished three assists and pilfered three steals in 30 minutes. The Orlando Blue team however lost to Oklahoma City 73-65. Gordon made our list of the best Summer League ballers for the second time in as many opportunities. 

Mitch McGary - Oklahoma City. ...McGary was the biggest reason the Thunder won Monday. McGary scored 19 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 3-pt., 1-2 FT) with three boards, two assists, and two steals in 25 minutes. 

Marcus Smart - Boston. ...Smart is a really good basketball player with the exceptions of his shot selection and touch. It can be maddening to see Smart dominate a game in several facets yet hurt his team by jacking up ill-advised three point shots. Smart's defense is smothering. His court-vision is nice. He helps as a rebounder. Monday, Smart scored 26 points (6-20 FG, 2-10 3-pt., 12-13 FT), pulled in five rebounds, dished eight assists, and had two steals in 30 minutes.  

Keith Appling - Orlando (White). ...Appling is making a strong case for a deeper look by NBA teams. He played well again Monday with 17 points (3-10 FG, 0-1 3-pt., 11-11 FT), three rebounds, and three steals in 22 minutes. He quarterbacked his team their second win without a loss.  

Myles Turner - Indiana. ...Turner looked very much like a player who will positively impact the Pacers lineup this coming season. The BIG rookie from Texas had 13 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3-pt.), nine rebounds and six blocked shots in 27 minutes. 

Jordan Mickey - Boston. ...Mickey, a 2015 second round pick (33rd overall) from LSU looked comfortable as a finisher in the pick-n-roll. It is a given that he brings rim protection. Mickey had 16 points, four rebounds, and three blocked shots in 27 minutes. One block, in particular, was a spectacular denial of Jack Cooley trying to attack the rim. 

Dante Exum - Utah. ...Exum struggled in the first quarter and then looked like a completely different player the rest of the game. The final three quarters were the best I've seen Exum play since the Hoop Summit in 2013. Exum finished with 20 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3-pt., 9-10 FT), five rebounds, and five assists in 29 minutes. Unfortunately, Exum sprained his left ankle late in the game (1:50 left in Q4) which was already decided. 

Seth Tuttle - Miami. ...Tuttle scored eleven points (5-6 FG, 1-2 3-pt.), and added three rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 27 minutes. The undrafted rookie free agent from Northern Iowa had a great Senior season but was dreadful in post-season play (Portsmouth, Reese's All-Star game). The Heat beat the Detroit Pistons 78-73 to remain undefeated in summer action at 3-0. 

Davis Bertans - San Antonio. ...Bertans displayed his sharp shooting Monday, nailing five three-pointers. He scored 19 points (6-10 FG, 5-8 3-pt., 2-3 FT), and dished three assists in 26 minutes. The Spurs beat Philadelphia 74-71. 

Stanley Johnson - Detroit. ...Johnson scored 14 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 3-pt., 4-6 FT), with seven boards, and two steals in 29 minutes. 

Notes: Utah's Grant Jerrett suffered a separated right shoulder. ...After shooting the ball well on the opening day of the Orlando Summer League. Adonis Thomas had a game to forget Monday. Thomas went 3-14 FG and turned it over five times in the Pistons loss.