Darius Adams has a day, Tobey making believers

Adams starred Wed. 

Darius Adams was the most efficient player on a winning team during play on July 6th at the NBA Summer League. Only three games were contested (all in Orlando) as the Utah Summer League took a day off. Adams came off the bench for Dallas to score 25 points (9-16 FG, 3-8 3-pt., 3-4 FT), dish six assists, and nab three steals in 25 minutes. The Mavericks beat the Charlotte Hornets 84-81. ...Adams is a 6'1", 27 year-old guard, that made the All-Spanish ACB League Team in 2015-16. 

Mike Tobey, an undrafted rookie from Virginia was equally as impressive in the loss for the Hornets. Tobey scored 16 points (8-13 FG), with 14 rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals in 26 minutes. 

The rest of the Hoop Obsession All-Summer League Team from July 6, 2016...

Tomislav Zubzic - Oklahoma City. 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-5 3-pt.), 3 rebounds, 3 assists in 17 minutes. The Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 89-71. 

Ron Baker - New York. 22 points (8-15 FG, 4-9 3-pt., 2-3 FT), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals in 33 minutes. The Knicks fell 95-90 to the Orlando White team. 

Arinze Onuaku - Orlando White. 16 points (7-10 FG, 2-6 FT), 13 rebounds, 2 blocked shots in 25 minutes.

Michael Frazier - Orlando White. 12 points (2-5 FG, 8-10 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, in 16 minutes. 

Devin Booker - New York. 12 points (4-9 FG, 4-4 FT), 8 rebounds, in 23 minutes. 

Dakari Johnson - Oklahoma City. 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-5 FT), 9 rebounds in 23 minutes. 

Cameron Payne - Oklahoma City. 19 points (7-15 FG, 2-4 3-pt., 3-4 FT), 6 assists, 3 steals in 26 minutes. 

Treveon Graham - Orlando White. 19 points (7-12 FG, 2-5 3-pt., 3-5 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals in 31 minutes. 

Tyler Honeycutt - Dallas. 8 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3-pt., 1-2 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots in 30 minutes. 

Patricio Garino - Orlando White. 14 points (3-8 FG, 2-5 3-pt., 6-7 FT), 3 steals in 33 minutes. 

2016 NBA Summer League. Orlando, Day One.

Justise Winslow played well for Miami.

Each day of the NBA Summer League we will provide this list as a review of the standout players. This endeavor helps to cement in our mind the players that are getting it done consistently. 

We watched all five games from Saturday. The Miami Heat summer team is loaded with ball-hawking Briante Weber leading the defensive intensity. Flying on the wings, Miami has two rotation players from their very good 2015-16 NBA Playoffs squad. Both Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson played Saturday, making it difficult for the summer Clippers to make the first pass in their offense. The Heat beat the Clipps 91-71. 

Detroit Pistons reserve Center Jordan Bachynski was the most efficient player on a winning team during the opening day of action in the Orlando NBA Summer League. Bachynski, is a 7'2" BIG that is relatively mobile and seemingly always tenacious. He had eleven points (4-4 FG, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, and a blocked shot in 17 turnover-free minutes. The Pistons throttled the Knicks 81-49. Bachynski is 26 years old. The Arizona State late-bloomer was undrafted in 2014. He showed up on our list of the three best Centers from the 2016 NBA D-League Showcase. 

Georges Niang impressed for the Indiana Pacers. Despite questions about his ability to defend in the NBA, Niang proved that at the Summer League level, he can hang. His crafty game was on full display. Niang scored 17 points, grabbed 12 boards, dished five assists, and had two steals in 25 minutes. It occurred as we watched him throw a perfect lob pass to Rakeem Christmas, that Niang did not exactly have above-the-rim finishers as teammates in college. Niang's vision combined with NBA athletic BIGs might make Niang even more efficient. The Pacers conserved fuel down the stretch and won easily 93-66 over the Orlando Magic Blue squad. 

The Clippers looked bad in their loss (but I have a strong feeling that was mostly about how good Miami's D was). A bright spot for L.A.C. was the play of Branden Dawson, a 2015 draft pick (56th overall). The Michigan State product was all over the court, providing 14 points, and seven rebounds in 16 minutes as a reserve. Let's hope Dawson gets some more burn next time out. 

The crop of 2016 undrafted rookie free agents was represented well by Stefan Jankovic. The former Hawaii star came off of the Heat bench to score 17 points (7-10 FG, 2-4 3-pt., 1-1 FT) in 20 minutes. Jankovic hit one particularly crazy reverse pivot fall-away on the baseline that brought ooohs and ahhs. 

Michael Frazier, the former Florida Gator shooting guard, had a nice day for the Orlando Magic White team in their 79-74 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Frazier scored 12 points (3-6 FG, 2-2 3-pt., 4-6 FT) and snatched five rebounds in 16 minutes.  

Andre Dawkins (Duke 2014) scored 16 points in 21 minutes (5-8 FG, 1-3 3-pt., 5-5 FT) for the Dallas Mavericks summer entry. They lost a squeaker to Oklahoma City 86-85 (Cameron Payne hit the game-winning jumper for OKC). Dawkins is now 24 years old. He spent last season in the D-League playing the two-spot for the Texas Legends. 

Although he was out of control at times, Marquis Teague showed that he can really "shake". He was confusing defenders with his quickness and power off the dribble. Teague had 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 17 minutes for the Mavs. 

Glenn Robinson III showcased his inside-outside game in the Pacers win. Robinson tallied 16 points (6-13 FG, 2-5 3-pt, 2-2 FT), eight boards, three assists and three steals in 31 minutes as a starter. 

Arinze Onuaku held down the painted area in the Orlando White victory. The massive Onuaku scored 16 points (6-9 FG, 4-7 FT) to go with eight rebounds in 25 minutes. 

Payne earned the interview on NBA-TV.

Cameron Payne was the most efficient point guard for day one. Not only did he make the game winning shot for the Thunder, the second year pro also scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished four assists (with just one turnover), and had two steals in 31 minutes. 

Phil Pressey was a close runner-up in the battle for most efficient point guard. Pressey, at 5'11" was a rebounding machine Saturday, collecting ten boards. He also scored eight points in his 21 minutes off the bench for the Pistons. 

There were five players that REALLY struggled to put it mildly. The opening day of 2016 NBA Summer League play was rough for Brandon Fields, Mickey McConnell, J.P. Tokoto, Ron Baker, and David Michineau. All five of those players posted per-minute efficiency ratings of either, zero or minus. In Baker's defense, his individual on-ball D was outstanding. He moves his feet very well. He just didn't make shots Saturday. 

Shooting Guards to watch in the NCAA Tournament

Annually we examine the prospects in the NCAA Tournament that NBA teams should be paying the most attention to. Specifically, we analyze a player's production per minute, and ability to defend. ...They say good guards will lead you to the winner's circle. Here are the best all-around Shooting Guards as we view it...

Graham = underrated

Treveon Graham - VCU 6'5" 215 Junior. ...Graham projects as a utility type pro that is not afraid to mix it up. He averages 15 points and seven rebounds per game this season. Graham's basketball hero is Paul Pierce and he tries to do Pierce-like things on the court. Graham is a career 34% three-point shooter. He has improved his assist-to-turnover ratio each season, getting into positive territory this year. He is a top-tier defender.

Casey Prather - Florida 6'6" 212 Senior. ...Scottie Wilbekin gets the notiriety but for our money the most important Gator is Casey Prather. Prather is an NBA athlete that has developed from a scrawny inefficient 165 lb. freshman into a skilled 216 lb. Senior. He averages 14 points and five rebounds per game. He projects as more of a TWO in the NBA than the forward position he presently employs at Florida. The most amazing part of his game is his field goal percentage. Prather is shooting 61% FG this season. He shot 62% last season. Defensively, he is excellent, ranking in the top half-dozen of all SG's in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. 

Jordan Adams - UCLA 6'5" 220 Sophomore. ...A major reason that UCLA is winning again is due to the play of Jordan Adams. He is an NBA athlete that averages 17.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He has a "feel" for the game, and boasts a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, which is always nice to see in a "scorer". ...Adams hits 84% of his free throws. We put him into the shooting guard group but it is conceivable Adams can play Point Guard too. 

Denzel Valentine - Michigan St. Sophomore. ...Valentine is a vital part of the Michigan St. team that many see as a virtual lock for the Final Four. Valentine gets eight points, six rebounds, and four assists per game. I like Valentine's 6'5" size as it projects to the next level. He is one of those players that is "all over the court". He has improved his three point shooting this season, hitting at a 36% clip. 

Melvin Ejim - Iowa State 6'6" 230 Senior. ...Ejim was the 2013-14 Big 12 Player of the Year, posting averages of 18 points and eight rebounds per game. He is a smart, hustling, active player that, in college, plays forward. In the NBA, if he makes the cut, we see Ejim as a TWO. He has improved to 34% as a three-point shooter. He rebounds exceptionally well for his 6'6" size, and he hits 73% of his free throws. ...Ejim is from Toronto. 

Smith is a pest... in a good way.

Russ Smith - Louisville 6'0" 160 Senior. ...Smith is a whirl of energy that puts extreme pressure on opposing defenses with his ability to score. He shoots 35% 3-pt. (career), and 76% FT (career). ...Despite his 6'0" frame, Smith is a good defender too. He has the best Defensive Rating of any SG in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Smith has made strides at running a team from the Point Guard position but his nature is reflected in his 1.21-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. That is not PG worthy. 

Tyler Haws - BYU 6'5" 200 Junior. ...Haws is as skilled a wing scorer as there is in the college game. He moves without the ball like a seasoned veteran and his jumper is accurate and reliable. He is an 86% free throw shooter that hits 38% of his long balls. His defensive rating is not good but his offensive ability puts him on the map. 

Josh Hart - Villanova 6'5" 202 Freshman. ...Hart is coming off of an 18 point, eight rebound performance in Villanova's most recent game. He is widely considered one of the top-50 freshman in the country. He is shooting 50% FG, and in a small sample size of minutes, he owns an impressive 1.8-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Royce O'Neale - Baylor 6'6" 220 Junior. ...You don't hear much hype about Royce O'Neale but he is a player that has compiled some impressive numbers in his three-season NCAA career (he played his first two seasons at Denver). He is shooting 53% FG, and he owns a 1.37-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He shoots 38% from three-point range (career). He is worth keeping an eye on. 

Kyle Casey - Harvard 6'7" 225 Senior. ...Casey is an NBA athlete that averages 10.6 points, and 5.6 rebounds per game. He is a grown man at 24 years of age. For his position, he is an excellent defensive rebounder. For his career he shoots 50% FG, and 75% FT. Casey is an aggressive defender that can get himself into foul trouble. ...Casey sat out a year at Harvard after being involved in a school-wide cheating scandal. 

Michael Frazier II - Florida 6'4" 200 Sophomore. ...Frazier is a accurate shooting wing that hits an amazing 46% of his three point attempts (career). At the line, he further proves his great shooting touch at 86%. He led the SEC in True Shooting Percentage this season. ...Frazier averages 12.9 points, and 3.5 rebounds per game. Frazier exploded for 37 points in early March in a rout at South Carolina. 

Sean Kilpatrick - Cincinnati 6'4" 215 Senior. ...Kilpatrick scores 20.7 points, and grabs 4.4 rebounds per game. He has a 1.2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. …34% 3-pt. (career), 78% FT (career). He led the AAC in free throw attempts this season. …Kilpatrick has a three year old daughter. 

LaDontae Henton - Providence 6'6" 215 Junior. ...Henton plays forward but we project him as a TWO if he cracks the next level. He averages 13.9 points, and 7.8 rebounds per game. Henton is really good on the defensive glass. …Henton was arrested in May 2013 on a domestic dispute charge.