Swanigan helps keep Blazers unbeaten

Biggie has one more chance Tuesday

Caleb Swanigan was the most efficient player across the two NBA Summer League semifinal games played Monday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Portland BIG man scored 21 points (9-13 FG, 1-1 3-pt., 2-3 FT), and snatched 16 rebounds in 30 minutes. The Blazers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 97-92. Portland will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the Summer League championship game Tuesday evening. The Lakers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-109 in double overtime. 

Joining Swanigan on the Hoop Obsession All NBA Summer League Team for July 16, 2018...

Josh Hart - Lakers. 37 points (13-28 FG, 6-15 3-pt., 5-8 FT) , 9 rebounds in 34 minutes. 

Kobi Simmons - Grizzlies. 23 points (6-15 FG, 1-3 3-pt., 10-12 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 steals in 28 minutes. 

Svi Mykhailiuk - Lakers. 31 points (12-20 FG, 6-11 3-pt., 1-2 FT), 4 rebounds in 33 minutes. 

Jeff Ayres - Lakers. 20 points (6-8 FG, 8-9 FT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists in 35 minutes. 

Zach Collins - Blazers. 13 points (5-11 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocked shots in 28 minutes. 

Brandon Goodwin - Grizzlies. 27 points (9-20 FG, 3-10 3-pt., 6-7 FT), 3 assists in 28 minutes. 

Triple OT! Rice Jr. fries Spurs on NBA Las Vegas Summer League day nine.

Glen Rice Jr. has attitude.

The most entertaining game we saw in the 2014 NBA Summer league took place Saturday as the Washington Wizards outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 95-94 in triple overtime. Glen Rice Jr. was the star of stars Saturday with 36 points (11-21 FG, 6-10 3-pt. FG, 8-13 FT), eleven rebounds, and four steals in 36 minutes. Rice is a cocky kid that seems on the verge of a technical foul at any moment. He is ultra aggressive offensively. 

Most efficient power forward on a winning team: Daniel Theis, Washington. ...Theis is a 6'9" athlete from Germany. Saturday he scored ten points (4-6 FG, 2-2 FT), snared eight boards, and blocked five shots in 22 minutes. Theis impressed us throughout summer league play with his quick jumping ability. He is just 22 years old. He went undrafted in 2013. 

Most efficient center on a winning team: Donatas Motiejunas, Houston. ...Motiejunas continued his strong Vegas play Saturday by scoring 19 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 3-pt. FG, 5-9 FT) and grabbing 13 rebounds in the Rockets 78-71 victory over Atlanta. 

Most efficient small forward on a winning team: Otto Porter, Washington. ...Porter impressed us during Las Vegas Summer league Play each time he took to the court. He is now in NBA shape and it showed in his performance. Porter has fantastic basketball instincts. He makes the correct pass, or he can hurt opponents with his ability to score. Saturday, Porter scored 27 points (10-22 FG, 2-5 3-pt. FG, 5-7 FT), pulled in five rebounds, and had three assists in 35 minutes. ...While the Wizards losing Trevor Ariza is a big blow, the addition of Paul Pierce, and the promise of Porter being healthy and ready, should ease the impact (of Ariza's departure). 

Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Ray McCallum, Sacramento. ...McCallum scored five points, had five rebounds, and four assists with zero turnovers in 22 minutes Saturday. The Kings beat the Bulls easily 80-61. McCallum is as steady as they come. 

Seven more stars: 

Jeff Ayres - San Antonio. ...Ayres has a simple game. He rebounds, and defends and he doesn't take bad shots. Saturday he had eight points (3-6 FG, 2-2 FT), and 14 rebounds in 28 minutes. 

Cleanthony Early - New York. ...Early scored 15 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3-pt. FG, 3-4 FT) and retrieved ten rebounds in the Knicks 82-79 loss to Charlotte. Early was the 34th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. 

Austin Daye - San Antonio. ...Daye, as an established NBA veteran, was simply more skilled than most of his opponents during Summer League. Saturday, Daye scored 27 points (8-18 FG, 1-4 3-pt. FG, 10-12 FT), grabbed seven boards and blocked two shots in 38 minutes. 

Shane Larkin - New York. ...Larkin is so speedy! He gets to pretty much any spot he wants to on the court due to his great quickness, and ball-handling ability. Larkin scored 16 points, added seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals Saturday, playing as the starting point guard for the Knicks summer team.  

Ben McLemore - Sacramento. ...McLemore was efficient Saturday in the Kings win. He scored eleven points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT), and helped on the glass with four rebounds. More importantly, Ben dished three assists with only two turnovers in 23 minutes. 

Mike Muscala - Atlanta. ...Muscala scored 16 points (6-12 FG, 0-1 3-pt. FG, 4-5 FT) and grabbed seven rebounds in 26 minutes. 

Casey Prather - Atlanta. ...Prather is a guy NBA teams should be looking at to develop. He has NBA athleticism and strength at the TWO. Saturday, he scored 13 points (4-9 FG, 0-3 3-pt. FG, 5-5 FT) and added five rebounds in 23 minutes. Prather can defend well. The three point shot from NBA distance is something he may be able to develop. 

Notes: Three players (who played at least 20 minutes) posted "negative" efficiency ratings Saturday: Trevor Releford (out of shape), Billy Baron, and Austin Freeman. ...Doug McDermott did not play Saturday. He was being rested by Chicago due to a sore left foot.