Kork pops in Vegas

Furkan Korkmaz scored 40 points (10-18 FG, 8-14 3-pt., 12-15 FT) on his way to being the most efficient player of the day Friday in the opening action of the 2018 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. Korkmaz added six rebounds and two assists in his 28 minutes. The Philadelphia 76'ers wing was the 26th player taken in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2016. Korkmaz is 6'7", 185 lbs., 20 years old. He is from Turkey. 

Furkan amazing.

Joining Korkmaz on the Hoop Obsession All-NBA Summer League Team for July 6th...

Rashawn Thomas - Oklahoma City. 23 points (10-16 FG, 0-1 3-pt., 3-3 FT), 4 steals, 2 blocked shots in 24 minutes. 

Christian Wood - Milwaukee.  (Full stats not available)

Isaiah Hartenstein - Houston. 12 points (3-5 FG, 6-9 FT), 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocked shots in 25 minutes. 

Dakari Johnson - Oklahoma City. 20 points (7-14 FG, 6-8 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 assists. 3 steals in 25 minutes. 

Troy Caupain - Orlando. 22 points (10-15 FG, 1-6 3-pt., 1-1 FT), 3 rebounds in 24 minutes. 

Kendrick Nunn - Golden State. 18 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3-pt., 4-6 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 steals in 27 minutes. 

Jalen Jones - Dallas. 16 points (5-11 FG, 2-3 3-pt., 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds in 26 minutes. 

Davon Reed - Phoenix. 18 points (7-8 FG, 4-5 3-pt., 0-2 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 25 minutes. 

Tyler Lydon - Denver. 7 points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3-pt, 2-2 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists in 21 minutes. 

Codi Miller-McIntyre - Toronto. 9 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3-pt., 1-2 FT), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots in 21 minutes. 

Aaron Holiday - 23 points (9-15 FG, 3-6 3-pt., 2-2 FT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals in 31 minutes. 

It was a tough day for way too many players. Call it opening day jitters or call it what you want but we have not seen a day previously with so many players at either "zero efficiency" or worse yet, a "minus efficiency." 

Players who played at least 20 minutes and had a "zero efficiency": Khyri Thomas (Detroit), Tim Quarterman (Milwaukee), TJ Leaf (Indiana), Jalen Brunson (Dallas), Dorian Finney-Smith (Dallas), Carick Felix (Washington), and Jacob Evans (Golden State). 

Players that were in the dreaded "minus efficiency" category: DeAnthony Melton (Houston), Rodney Purvis (Orlando), Malcolm Miller (Toronto), Malachi Richardson (Toronto), and John Holland (Cleveland). 

McGary shines on day two in Orlando

Mitch McGary was the most efficient player on a winning team during second day action at the 2016 NBA Orlando Summer League. The powerful McGary scored 18 points (5-11 FG, 1-1 3-pt., 7-10 FT), grabbed nine rebounds and added four steals in the Thunder's 81-72 win over the summer version of the Los Angeles Clippers. McGary is a potential rotation BIG for the Thunder (if he can stay healthy). He has excellent hands, and despite his large frame he is very nimble. He beats slower big men running the floor, and his knack for being able to catch tough passes is a real skill. 

The Miami Heat rested Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson Sunday but that did not stop them from trouncing the the summer New York Knicks, 74-48. Rodney McGruder was strong for the Heat, scoring 15 points (6-9 FG, 2-5 3-pt., 1-1 FT) and adding three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 24 minutes. 

Kevin Tumba (6'9", 227 lb., Center from The Democratic Republic of the Congo) pitched in for Miami with four points (2-2 FG), four blocked shots and seven boards in 20 minutes. 

Brice was Brice Sunday 

Brice Johnson, the Clippers 2016 first round draft pick (25th) from North Carolina, had an excellent performance. Johnson showed his shooting touch, even hitting a "long two". He never hit a three-point shot in four years in college. Johnson had 23 points (11-18 FG, 0-1 3-pt., 1-3 FT), six rebounds, and two blocked shots. 

Dakari Johnson, a second round pick of the Thunder (pick 48 in 2015), caused some problems for the opposing Clippers' BIGs. Johnson used his massive 7'0", 265 lb. body to carve out space in the deep paint. Johnson scored 15 points and had 12 rebounds. Johnson is a decidedly "under-the-rim" player. 

Kenny Gabriel, a 27 year-old, 6'8" 220 lb. forward, was among the best players for Miami Sunday. Gabriel scored 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-8 3-pt.), and added six rebounds in 26 minutes. 

Shayne Whittington played well for the Pacers. The 6'11", 250 lb. center had 12 points (2-6 FG, 8-12 FT) and seven rebounds in 22 reserve minutes. The Pacers fell however to the Charlotte Hornets 80-70. 

Gabe York was among the best guards that played Sunday. York, an undrafted rookie from Arizona, led the Hornets with 18 points (7-13 FG, 2-6 3-pt., 2-2 FT). 

Wayne Blackshear was a key reserve in the Charlotte win. The former Louisville star wing scored six points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3-pt., 1-2 FT), and nabbed eight rebounds in 16 minutes. 

Royce O'Neale showed his combination of skills for the Clippers. O'Neale, a 6'5" 215 lb. guard, scored 14 points (5-8 FG, 3-6 3-pt., 1-2 FT), while adding four rebounds, and three steals in 27 minutes. 

Glenn Robinson III joins McGary as the only two players to make our "best of" list on both of the first two days of the Orlando Summer League. The Pacers' forward scored 16 points (7-15 FG, 1-6 3-pt., 1-2 FT) with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 28 minutes. 

Joe Young was not great Sunday but he was TOUGH. Young played despite having taken a hard fall 24 hours earlier that we were pretty sure was going to keep him from playing. Young scored six points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3-pt., 2-2 FT), and added three boards and three assists. 

Day One at the D-League Showcase

Dakari was great Wednesday.

Dakari Johnson stood out as the most efficient player (over 24 mins. played) on a winning team during the opening day of action (Wednesday January 6, 2016) at the NBA D-League Showcase. Johnson and the Oklahoma City Blue defeated the Delaware 87ers 119-114. Johnson, a 20 year-old, seven-footer, from Kentucky had 18 points (8-9 FG, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, and six assists (with zero turnovers) in 27 minutes. 

We made a 12-man roster out of the best performers from day one as a way to highlight their exceptional exploits at the Showcase. Click on their name to see highlights (if available). 

Hoop Obsession Starting Five for Wednesday, January 6, 2016

• Tu Holloway - Texas (seven assists and no turnovers in 34 minutes)
• Sean Kilpatrick - Delaware (35 points in 37 mins.)
• Josh Huestis - Oklahoma City (20 points, two blocked shots)
• Nick Minnerath - Canton (24 points, 3-5 3-pt)
• Dakari Johnson - Oklahoma City

Reserves:

• Marquis Teague - Oklahoma City 
• John Holland - Canton 
• David Laury - Delaware
• Cristiano Felicio - Canton
• Joel Wright - Iowa
• Rick Jackson - Delaware
• Jimmer Fredette - Westchester