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. 

Cherry stars on Day Three in Vegas

Cherry represented Oakland well Sunday

Will Cherry was the most efficient player on a winning team Sunday, during the third day of play, in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League. The Cavs reserve point guard exploded for 21 points (9-13 FG, 3-5 3-pt. FG), with seven rebounds, and four assists (zero turnovers) in just 23 minutes. His Cleveland summer league team beat the San Antonio Spurs summer squad 82-70. Cherry, 23, is 6'1", 165 lbs, from Oakland, CA. He attended University of Montana and was draft eligible in 2013.

Most efficient small forward on a winning team: Doug McDermott, Chicago. ...McDermott 'broke out' in his second game of summer league with 31 points (7-12 FG, 5-9 3-pt. FG, 12-12 FT) in 27 minutes. The Bulls unearthed the Nuggets 103-76.

Most efficient shooting guard on a winning team: Courtney Fells, New Orleans. ...Fells, a 27 year-old "power-guard", came off the bench for the Pelicans Sunday. He scored 25 points (9-13 FG, 4-6 3-pt. FG, 3-3 FT), and had two steals in New Orleans 90-73 beatdown of the Lakers.

Most efficient power forward on a winning team: Anthony Bennett, Cleveland. ...Bennett, the first selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, was excellent Sunday. He scored 13 points (5-8 FG, 1-3 3-pt. FG, 2-3 FT), and grabbed 14 rebounds in the Cavs W.

Most efficient center on a winning team: Eric Moreland, Sacramento. ...Moreland came off the bench for the Kings and provided much needed energy in their 72-65 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Moreland scored four points, had nine rebounds, and blocked four shots in 21 minutes. While Moreland does not possess the strength (224 lbs.) that NBA centers need, he does have a standing reach of 9'2"(same standing reach as Tyson Chandler, Marcin Gortat, and Al Jefferson) ...so it is not a 'reach' for Moreland to be viewed as a center. Moreland is 22 years old. He went undrafted (2014) out of Oregon State.

Seven more stars

Seth Curry - Phoenix. ...Seth Curry was brilliant Sunday. He was 7-9 from the field, 5-7 from beyond the arc, and 7-7 from them free throw line en route to 26 points in 22 minutes. His Suns squad was victorious over Milwaukee 93-82. 

Trey Thompkins - Lakers. ...Thompkins scored 18 points (7-9 FG, 2-2 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT) and snared five boards in just 20 minutes. 

Quincy Miller - Denver. ...For the second day in a row Miller made our daily Hoop Obsession list of the 12 best players. Miller had 26 points (11-20 FG, 3-7 3-pt. FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, and three assists in 32 minutes. 

Mike Muscala - Atlanta. ...The skilled BIG was very good Sunday despite a 94-92 Hawks double overtime loss to the D-League Select Team. Muscala scored 15 points (4-8 FG, 0-3 3-pt. FG, 7-7 FT), grabbed 15 rebounds and dished three assists in 31 minutes. 

Austin Freeman - Chicago. ...Freeman knocked down four three point shots in the Bulls win. He finished with 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 3-pt. FG) off the bench in just 22 minutes. 

Lazeric "Zeek" Jones - Chicago. ...Jones, a former UCLA guard, started at the point for Chicago Sunday, and responded with 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 3-pt. FG), four rebounds, and five assists in a very efficient 20 minutes. 

Glen Rice Jr. - Washington. ...Rice continued his strong summer play with 22 points (7-14 FG, 4-8 3-pt. FG, 4-7 FT), six boards, three steals, and three assists in 31 minutes Sunday. His Wizards beat the Timberwolves 67-61. Rice is stuck behind Bradley Beal on the Wizards depth chart. On many other teams, Rice could be a guy that plays a more prominent role. Don't be surprised if NBA teams in need of an upgrade in their backcourt come to the Wizards looking to steal Rice Jr. while he is still relatively under-exposed. 

Notes: Portland's entire starting five scored in double figures as they beat Houston 75-67. ...After a great opening day - T.J. Warren (Phoenix) was held to just seven minutes of playing time due to being injured. He was the victim of an errant elbow to his right eye. Warren required four stitches, and did not play in the final 20 minutes of the game as a precaution. ...Alex Len was ruled out for the remainder of Summer League after suffering a broken finger.