Tuesday's best at NBA Las Vegas Summer League

"E" was worthy of an entourage Tuesday. 

Erik Murphy was the most efficient player on a winning team during play Tuesday in the NBA Las Vegas Summer league. The Utah Jazz BIG from Florida scored 17 points (7-13 FG, 1-3 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT), grabbed nine rebounds, and blocked three shots in Utah's 87-69 victory over Denver. Murphy spent last season on the Chicago Bulls as their 2013 second round pick. He was waived by Chicago and claimed by Utah. 

Most efficient small forward on a winning team: T.J. Warren, Phoenix. ...I am a fan of Warren's game. He scores easily, and seeing him play with better teammates (than he had at N.C. State) only makes him more impressive. Tuesday, Warren scored 28 points (12-22 FG, 0-3 3-pt. FG, 4-5 FT), and hauled in eleven boards in 32 minutes. Phoenix beat Philadelphia 97-88.   

Most efficient shooting guard on a winning team: C.J. McCollum, Portland. ...McCollum scored 28 points in 29 minutes Tuesday in Portland's 91-76 win over Atlanta. McCollum shot 10-16 FG, 6-9 3-pt. FG, and 2-2 FT. 

Most efficient center on a winning team: Donatas Motiejunas, Houston. ...Motiejunas scored 15 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT) and had five rebounds in 20 minutes, in Houston's 83-60 rout of the Clippers. Motiejunas is still just 23 years old. 

Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Tyler Ennis, Phoenix. ...Ennis, the 18th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft scored just four points Tuesday, but he contributed eight rebounds, and five assists, with three steals in 23 minutes. 

Seven more stars: 

Tyler Johnson - Miami. ...The undrafted rookie from Fresno State continued to open eyes Tuesday, coming off the Miami bench to score 17 points (6-9 FG, 5-6 FT), snare eight boards, and swipe three steals in 25 minutes. The Heat lost 85-83 to Washington. Johnson has NBA athleticism and good size for a point guard. 

James Nunnally - Miami. ...Nunnally shot the ball incredibly well Tuesday. He scored 22 points (7-9 FG, 4-5 3-pt. FG, 4-4 FT) and had five rebounds after switching summer teams. He was originally slated to play for Dallas but they were showcasing Ricky Ledo and Nunnally did not play a single minute for them on opening day or in the next game. ...Our take on Nunnally has not changed. He knows how to play, and he can make shots as a TWO guard. He carries himself like a ten-year NBA vet. 

Lance Thomas - Chicago. ...Thomas scored 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 FT) and had six rebounds in 20 minutes as the starting power forward for the summer Bulls. Thomas (Duke) is now 26 years old. He's been playing in China. The Bulls beat Minnesota 107-73. 

Doug McDermott - Chicago. ...McDermott, the eleventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, was strong again on Tuesday. He scored 20 points (7-13 FG, 4-7 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT), dished six assists, and added five rebounds in 26 minutes. 

Mike Muscala - Atlanta. ...Muscala is too skilled a player to be denied. He scored 13 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT), and had seven rebounds in 25 minutes. 

David Wear - Chicago. ...Wear scored 15 points (6-7 FG, 2-3 3-pt. FG, 1-1 FT) and added three steals in 21 minutes. 

Malcolm Thomas - Utah. ...Thomas scored 14 points (7-11 FG), had ten rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots in 25 minutes. 

Notes: Five players were EXCELLENT Tuesday but not in our Top 12 above: Miles Plumlee, Khem Birch, Thomas Robinson, Cameron Bairstow, and Jordan McRae. It was revealed following the Portland game that Robinson had suffered a torn ligament in his thumb. He is out for the rest of the games. ...Four players managed to have "negative" efficiency ratings for their respective Tuesday games. Among them was Rodney Hood, who one day prior was our Hoop Obsession MVP of the Day as the player with the highest efficiency rating on a winning team. The other three in negative territory included some "big names": Shabazz Napier, Quincy Miller, and Amath M'Baye. 

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. 

Semi-finals NBA Las Vegas Summer League report

Babb looks like Mario Van Peebles

Chris Babb was the most efficient player on a winning team during the semi-finals of the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, Sunday in "Sin City". Babb came off the bench for Phoenix to score nine points, grab four rebounds, and dish four assists in just 18 minutes. The Suns advanced to the championship game with a 91-89 victory over Miami. Markieff Morris scored the go-ahead basket for Phoenix with 21.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter. ...The Suns will face the Warriors for the summer league title. Golden State defeated Charlotte 75-67, behind Cameron Jones' 16 points in 24 minutes. 

Our All NBA Las Vegas Summer League Team for day ten (Sunday July 21, 2013) ...Guards: Babb, D.J. Kennedy, James Ennis, C. Jones, Brandon Triche, Jerome Dyson, Dionte Christmas. Forwards: James Nunnally, P.J. Tucker, Marcus Morris, Draymond Green, and Lance Goulbourne. 

Marcus Morris stars in NBA Las Vegas Summer League Quarterfinals

Marcus Morris was Saturday star

Marcus Morris posted one of the highest efficiency ratings to date in the 2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, Saturday, in the Phoenix Suns 103-98 win over Toronto. Morris scored 23 points (8-11 FG), snared six rebounds, and dished three assists in 19 minutes! The 6'9" small forward from Kansas who was recently traded from Houston to Phoenix plays with composure and skill. Earlier in the week, Morris hit a game winning jump shot at the buzzer to keep Phoenix perfect in summer league play. 

Jarvis Varnado scored 13 points, and grabbed 12 rebounds in Miami's 82-76 win over Cleveland. ...Abdul Gaddy was extremely efficient in Charlotte's 85-75 victory over the D League Select team. Gaddy scored 17 points (6-7 FG) in 21 minutes. ...Cameron Jones had 18 points (6-11 FG), with four steals to help Golden State remain unbeaten. The Warriors beat the Lakers 83-77. 

Our All NBA Las Vegas Summer League team for the quarterfinals (Saturday, July 20th, 2013)... Point guards: Gaddy, Lester Hudson. Shooting guards: Archie Goodwin, C. Jones, Cory Higgins, Elijah Millsap. Small forwards: Marcus Morris, James Nunnally. Power forwards: Quincy Acy, Darnell Jackson. Centers: Markieff Morris, Varnado. 

Nunnally noticeable. Day six NBA Las Vegas Summer League report.

Nunnally is making NBA teams notice

James Nunnally scored 18 points in 20 minutes with four made three-point shots to earn the nod as the most efficient player on a winning team during play Wednesday in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League.  Nunnally's Miami Heat clobbered the New York Knicks summer entry 113-66.  Nunnally, who played for the Bakersfield Jam of the D-League in 2012-13, is a 6'7" small forward with deep shooting skill. He shot 40.6% from beyond the arc in the D-League, and he has continued to wow scouts with his consistent scoring ability. 

Quincy Miller showed his best form in Summer League play to date with a 17 point (6-10 FG, 5-5 FT), five rebound effort in Denver’s 87-82 victory over New Orleans.  …Josh Akognon continued his outstanding efficiency in Dallas’ 95-89 triumph over the Clippers. Akognon scored 24 points and shot the ball like a all-star. He was 6-9 FG, 8-8 FT, and 4-7 3-pt FG. …Demetri McCamey came off the bench to lead Minnesota’s complete domination over Sacramento. The final score was an ugly 92-54. McCamey had 15 points (6-9 FG), with three made three pointers. …Memphis beat Washington 90-83. Portland used overtime and another solid game from Thomas Robinson (13 points, 17 rebounds, two blocked shots) to beat Atlanta 70-69.

Our All NBA Las Vegas Summer League Team for day six (July 17, 2013)… Point guards: Jerome Randle, McCamey. Shooting guards: Akognon, Travis Leslie. Small forwards: Nunnally, Q Miller, Jordan Hamilton, Eric Griffin. Power forwards: Jackie Carmichael, JaMychal Green. Centers: Jack Cooley, Jeremy Tyler.