Vegas Summer League Day 6. Shawn Long shines

Long made Philly better.

Shawn Long scored 25 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots in just 17 minutes to power the Philadelphia 76'ers to their first NBA Las Vegas Summer League victory of 2016. The Sixers deleted (yes, that says deleted) the D-League Select team 108-71. Ironically, Philly won their first game of the Vegas Summer League without Ben Simmons, the number one overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. They were 0-3 with Simmons in the lineup. 

Joining Shawn Long on the Hoop Obsession / BasslineSpin.com daily All-NBA Las Vegas Summer League Team for Wednesday, July 13, 2016...

Tibor Pleiss - Utah. 20 points (6-9 FG, 2-4 3-pt., 6-6 FT), 8 rebounds in 24 minutes. ...The Jazz made the Portland TrailBlazers kind of blue 96-81. 

Diamon Simpson - Cleveland. 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 FT), 4 rebounds, 3 blocked shots in 17 minutes. ...The Cavs beat the Boston Celtics 98-94. 

K.J. McDaniels - Houston. 25 points (8-12 FG, 3-5 3-pt., 6-7 FT), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots in 34 minutes. ...The Rockets lost to the Warriors 80-76. 

Terry Rozier - Boston. 24 points (7-10 FG, 1-2 3-pt., 9-9 FT) in 26 minutes. 

Joel Bolomboy - Utah. 14 points (5-6 FG, 4-6 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 assists in 24 minutes. 

Walter "Edy" Tavares - Atlanta.  14 points (5-8 FG, 4-5 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 steals in 23 minutes. ...The Hawks blew out the Sacramento Kings 81-61. 

T.J. McConnell - Philadelphia. 8 points (4-7 FG, 0-2 3-pt.), 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals in 20 minutes. 

Jonathan Gibson - Dallas. 14 points (6-9 FG, 2-3 3-pt.), 6 rebounds in 19 minutes. ...The Mavs dumped the Milwaukee Bucks 81-64. 

Taurean Prince - Atlanta. 21 points (5-11 FG, 2-2 3-pt., 9-9 FT), 9 rebounds in 25 minutes. 

Brandon Paul - Philadelphia. 20 points (8-14 FG, 4-6 3-pt.), 6 rebounds in 24 minutes. 

James Webb III - Philadelphia. 14 points (4-9 FG, 3-4 3-pt., 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals in 20 minutes. 

Notes: Three players were in "minus" or "zero" range on our per-minute efficiency scale: Isaia Cordinier, Ryan Boatright, and Julyan Stone (again). 

Melvin Johnson has himself a day. NBA D League Showcase, Saturday.

Melle Mel at work

Santa Cruz, CA. ...Melvin Johnson III was the most efficient player during day four action at the NBA D-League Showcase. The sharp-shooting 6'6" 170 lb. guard from Arkansas St. made ten of his 15 field goals (including six, three-pointers) en route to 26 points in 24 minutes (see video). However, the 25 year-old's team, Raptors 905, lost to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 125-119. Rio Grande Valley was led by K.J. McDaniels' 28 points (10-13 FG, 5-8 3-pt., 3-3 FT), and ten rebounds. 

Hoop Obsession All D-League Showcase Team (Jan. 9, 2016)

Starters:
Quinn Cook - Canton
K.J. McDaniels - Rio Grande Valley
J.J. O'Brien - Idaho
Jarnell Stokes - Sioux Falls
Joshua Smith - Rio Grande Valley

Reserves:
Verdell Jones - Santa Cruz
Melvin Johnson III - Raptors 905
C.J. Fair - Fort Wayne
Ronald Roberts - Raptors 905
Keith Benson - Sioux Falls
Ryan Kelly - Los Angeles 
Jorge Gutierrez - Canton

2014 NBA Summer League. KCP hits game winner to highlight day four.

KCP is cookin' in Orlando 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is looking like a potential full-time starting shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons based on his impressive NBA Summer League performances. Tuesday, "KCP" hit the game winning shot in Detroit's 80-78 win over the Miami Heat. Caldwell-Pope was also the most efficient player on a winning team* (* 20 mins. minimum played) which earned him our Hoop Obsession MVP for the fourth day of summer action in Orlando, FL. KCP finished with 26 points and seven assists (only one turnover) in 24 minutes. He also showed toughness by playing on a "turned" ankle, suffered in the first half.  

Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Ian Miller, Detroit. ...Forced into extra duty after Peyton Siva tweaked a hamstring, Miller (Florida St.) responded by helping get his team to the winner's circle. He had 16 points (6-10 FG), four rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. 

Most efficient small forward on a winning team: K.J. McDaniels, Philadelphia. ...McDaniels is a hyper-athletic wing that makes the kind of transition chase-down blocks that ignite crowds, and teammates. He finished Tuesday with 15 points (4-8 FG, 5-6 FT), and five rebounds in 21 minutes. His 76er's squad beat down the hapless Houston summer team 92-71. 

Most efficient power forward on a winning team: Tony Mitchell, Detroit. ...The explosive forward scored eight points (4-5 FG), grabbed six rebounds, dished two assists, had two steals, and blocked two shots, doing a bit of everything in 30 minutes. Mitchell played center Tuesday. We see him as a PF. 

Most efficient center on a winning team: Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia. ...Noel was solid Tuesday after a big performance Saturday. Tuesday Noel scored eight points, had six rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals in 24 minutes. He altered numerous shots by the Rockets players who dared get near the paint. 

Seven more stars: 

Dedmon blocks shots but also fouls often.

DeWayne Dedmon - Orlando ...The most efficient player on a losing team Tuesday was Dedmon. He scored 13 points (3-4 FG, 7-10 FT) with two blocked shots, and two steals in 20 minutes. He was hampered by foul trouble however and his Magic team lost to Memphis 80-73. 

DeAndre Liggins - Detroit. ...Consistently putting together good basketball games, Liggins has really opened our eyes to his potential as a glue guy at the wing. He rarely tries to do too much, and he has impressed us with his unselfishness and ability to create for his teammates. Liggins had 14 points (3-4 3-pt FG, 5-6 FT), three rebounds, and five assists (only one turnover) Tuesday. 

Jerami Grant - Philadelphia. ...Grant had his best summer outing to date with a productive 12 points and five rebounds in just 20 minutes. He made his lone three-point attempt. ...We don't think he has the skills yet to be a small forward in the NBA. 

Terrico White - Memphis. ...White used to try to do way too much. Now his game appears to have slowed down and become smarter. He was consistently in the right position Tuesday, hitting a couple three point shots on his way to ten points (4-6 FG) in 23 minutes. 

Casper Ware - Philadelphia. ...Ware posted 16 points, with four assists and two steals in Philly's win. 

Justin Hamilton - Miami. ...Hamilton scored eleven points (4-8 FG, 1-1 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT) and had zero turnovers in 21 minutes at center. 

Jarnell Stokes - Memphis. ...The beast forward from Tennessee scored eleven points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Memphis win.  

Notes: Kalin Lucas played very well for Memphis in their win. The former Michigan State point guard only played 19 minutes but he ran their show with precision. He had 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and only one turnover. 

James Ennis gets down on day two

Ennis' J is improved.

The most efficient player Sunday at the NBA Orlando Summer League was Miami's James Ennis. The 6'7" 210 lb small forward from Long Beach State scored 29 points on a ridiculously good 10-12 FG. Ennis made seven of the eight three-point shots he attempted in the Heat's 110-91 victory over the Brooklyn Nets summer squad. Ennis' high-energy game earned him our Hoop Obsession MVP award for day two. 

Most efficient shooting guard on a winning team: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit. ..."KCP" went nuts again. As the featured scorer for the Pistons summer squad, Caldwell-Pope scored 30 points (10-20 FG, 4-8 3-pt FG, 6-7 FT), and grabbed 12 rebounds. Needless to say, he was impressive in the Pistons 85-82 win over Memphis. "KCP" was lauded yesterday as well for his outstanding efficient play. With Rodney Stuckey an unrestricted free agent, Caldwell-Pope seems in line for a big opportunity on the real Pistons squad come fall. 

Most efficient center on a winning team: Justin Hamilton, Miami. ...Hamilton is better than I had previously given him credit for being. He really has a nice offensive skill set, including the ability to face the basket and make perimeter shots. Hamilton scored 15 points (6-12 FG), and grabbed nine boards in 25 minutes. He is 7'0" 260 lbs. 

Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Shabazz Napier, Miami. ...After a day to forget Saturday, Napier rebounded with a very good performance Sunday. He scored 17 points, dished seven assists and had four rebounds in 26 minutes. Napier had the pass of the day on a pick-n-roll, going between Mason Plumlee's legs with a bounce pass assist. 

Most efficient power forward on a winning team: Ronald Roberts Jr., Philadelphia. ...Roberts actually played center for most of this game but we project him as a "beast forward" in the NBA if he makes the cut. He certainly has made scouts aware of his combination of power and athleticism. Roberts scored 12 points (5-6 FG) and had six rebounds in the summer Sixers 84-73 win over Oklahoma City. 

Seven more stars: 

Strength is Stokes' strength. 

Jarnell Stokes, Memphis. ...Stokes was outstanding in a losing effort for the summer Grizz. Stokes is an extra strong power forward that also has a high basketball IQ with regard to his own game. He will pass up a shot that is too deep and wait for the right time to show his paint game. He scored 16 points (6-9 FG, 4-5 FT) and grabbed 12 rebounds in 29 minutes. 

Mason Plumlee, Nets. ...Plumlee, while not as effective as he was yesterday, was still plenty good. On Sunday, Plumlee scored 18 points (6-7 FG) in 23 minutes. 

Peyton Siva, Detroit. ...The more I watch Siva, the more I believe in him as a rotation backup NBA point guard. He is so smart, and he makes his teammates better, constantly looking for ways to set them up. Sunday, Siva finished at the rim and scored enough to be dynamic. He had 12 points, seven assists, and five boards in 28 minutes. 

Jordan Adams, Memphis. ...Adams showed that his first day success was not a fluke. The UCLA product knocked down jumpers and made all seven of his free throw attempts en route to 20 points (6-13 FG) in 30 minutes. Adams added seven rebounds. 

K.J. McDaniels, Philadelphia. ...He only played 20 minutes but McDaniels was effective in his brief run. He scored 13 points and had four rebounds while playing smothering defense. 

Roberson played some TWO Sunday.

Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City. ...What to do with Roberson? He lined up at shooting guard Sunday and had 12 points, ten rebounds and two assists with only one turnover in 30 minutes. While we don't foresee Roberson playing full-time on the wing, he did make a three-point shot, and he took care of the basketball Sunday. He is such a talented rebounder, and efficient player, OKC would be wise to continue to look for creative ways to get Roberson on the floor. 

DeAndre Liggins, Detroit. ...Liggins plays a complementary game that would benefit many teams. He simply gets after it defensively and then has enough ability as a passer to be effective enough on offense. He had eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his 28 minutes Sunday. 

Notes: Tyler Johnson of Fresno State looked sharp in in limited playing time. In just 13 minutes, Johnson scored 14 points on 6-6 FG. A back-cut for a quick-jump dunk was eye-opening. ...Jorge Gutierrez left the Nets game in the first half after an apparent rib injury. ...Casper Ware scored 20 points, with five rebounds, and five assists in Philly's win. ...Jakarr Sampson, a rookie from St John's, showed NBA athleticism but his game has a long way to go to be efficient. ...Semaj Christon replaced Nolan Smith in the OKC starting lineup. Christon is a player that has some upside in our opinion due, in part, to his self-confidence.