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. 

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. 

Day Three - NBA Orlando Summer League

Mr. July

Reggie Jackson stole the show Tuesday in the NBA Orlando Summer League. Jackson hit for a Orlando Summer League record 35 points, at one juncture in the game, scoring 18 straight for the summer Thunder. Jackson made 12 of 19 field goal attempts, and nailed nine of his eleven free throws. He scored his 35 points in only 29 minutes of play, leading the Thunder to a 79-75 win over the Detroit Pistons summer entry. 

Our Day Three All-Orlando Summer League Team... Point guards: R. Jackson, Dwight Buycks, Cedric Jackson, Phil Pressey. Shooting guards: Victor Oladipo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Small forwards: James Ennis, Solomon Hill. Power forwards: Kelly Olynyk, Jeremy Evans. Centers: Greg Smith, Jarvis Varnado. 

Too early for judgements in Summer League. Memorable day for Koufos.

Eight games total (two contests for each of the eight teams) into the Orlando Summer League is just enough to remind all that making judgments on a player after one game is never prudent. If all you did was see the games from Monday you may have thought that Oliver Lafayette was a candidate to someday start at Point Guard in the NBA. However - a second game revealed that he could not get anything against Jrue Holiday, a young elite defender. Lafayette was forced into five turnovers and his game EFR was a putrid .045.

Holiday, meanwhile, was our Player of the Day for Monday but 24 hours later his offensive game was horrible. His deep shot was ugly and flat and he had four turnovers on 3-10 FG shooting.

If all you did was watch Monday’s games - you may have thought that Kosta Koufos could NEVER contribute in an NBA game. However if you saw him dominate on Tuesday - your mind would have been changed. Ditto for Jazz second round pick Jeremy Evans (pictured at right, sacrificing his body).

The point is… you have to WATCH the games to really know. And then you need to back up what you think you saw with some data so you don’t get lost in the flair that a player may have.

Paul George looked spectacular at times for the Summer Pacers. He set a Orlando Summer League record for steals in one game with seven! He had some sweet finishes in the open court. But the stat sheet doesn’t lie and George, as good as looked, was only .419 EFR for the game. Why? He was 5-15 FG (0-7 from three) and he had five turnovers. I would be willing to bet most folks never would have thought George was actually just so-so in this game. His flashy athletic game probably had most saying, “Wow! That Paul George was GREAT!”.

Josh McRoberts plays with grit and I appreciate that but a glance at a stat sheet from Tuesday shows that “J-McBob” was not getting it done. He jacked up 18 shots, and made three of them. His game EFR was .090 (about equal to a Milli Vanilli recording). Yikers!

Pacers Head Coach Jim O’Brien showed just how ridiculously old school (and out of touch) he is when he bristled at Rick Kamla referring to Tyler Hansbrough as “Psycho T”. O’Brien said something about not liking nicknames and he came across with the charisma of the late Richard Nixon. This helps me understand a little further why T.J. Ford is not playing up to his known ability. O’Brien clearly does not believe in Ford as he stated publicly on NBA-TV, “We need a point guard and that will solve a lot of problems for us.”

I will repeat again that I strongly believe Ford is worth whatever perceived risk there is. He is said to be available via trade by the Pacers. Ford is in the last year of his contract.

...Notes: Kyle Weaver has clearly improved his outside shooting. That is crucial to his development in OKC because he already is an excellent defender. ...I thought P.J. Tucker outplayed James Harden Tuesday. Tucker is looking for an NBA gig as a bruising post-up Two Guard. He competes on every play and showed that he could keep his man in front of him despite weighing more than the average SG. ...Jeremy Pargo hit a game winner at the buzzer to lift the Summer Bobcats past OKC.

The Player of the Day for day two was Koufos who led his team to a 78-73 win. The former Ohio State Center scored 13 points, grabbed eleven boards and blocked four shots in just 20 minutes.

Our “All Day Two Orlando Summer League Team” (their game efficiency rating). PG - Lance Stephenson - IND .600, SG - Gerald Henderson - CHA (pictured at left) .676, SF - Gordon Hayward - UTA .750, PF - James Augustine - UTA .650, C - Koufos - UTA 1.100. Bench: Guards: Jodie Meeks - PHI .586, Eric Maynor - OKC .529. Forwards: Patrick Ewing Jr. .592, Tony Gaffney - BOS. .583, Luke Harangody - BOS .580. Centers - Paul Davis - ORL .652., Marreese Speights - PHI .586.

Day One Orlando Summer League efficiency report.

The NBA Summer League in Orlando started play yesterday. There are eight teams represented in the games being shown live on NBA-TV.

The Player of the Day for day one was Jrue Holiday (pictured at left) who led his Summer Sixers past New Jersey 84-74 in the nightcap game. Holiday played the Point Guard position well, scoring 23 points on 8-13 FG, with eight assists and only two turnovers.

Our “All Day One Orlando Summer League Team” (their game efficiency rating).

PG - Holiday - PHI. .750, SG - Lance Stephenson - IND .733, SF - Evan Turner - PHI .778, PF - Luke Harangody - BOS. .768 , C - James Augustine - UTA .905. ...Bench: Guards: Terrence Williams - NJ .636, Jerome Randle - ORL .636, James Harden - OKC .571. Forwards - Gordon Hayward - UTA .615, Magnum Rolle - IND .684, Jeff Adrien - ORL .667. Center: Byron Mullens - OKC .697.