The Kawhi Leonard mentions keep coming fast and furious. After all, Tony Snell played his final year of high school basketball with the rising Spurs star. Though they play different games — Leonard, beyond already being established, is more physical and a better rebounder — they share a serious demeanor and strong work ethic. That's what those who know both best say. But there's another Snell similarity that, as farfetched as it remains for now, can't be ignored — Scottie Pippen. To be clear: One is a Hall of Famer with six championships on his resume. The other played his second summer league game Monday night. For now, there is no comparison. There is collaboration. "He said he's going to help me out, help me work on my footwork," Snell said. "That would mean everything to me. I want to be a good player like him. If he shows me any pointers, we'll see what happens. "I mean, it's crazy just meeting him, mind-blowing. It's a blessing even talking to a Hall of Famer like that. I looked up to him. He used his length. I know I have length, so I have to use my length as well. I think I'm underrated on defense. I try to use my length and feet and put pressure on players." Forget Hall of Fame aspirations. The Bulls, who used the 20th pick in this year's draft on the New Mexico product, would settle for Snell to remain a longtime rotation player. But one thing is clear after just two summer league games: Snell appears comfortable playing at his pace, letting the game come to him. He doesn't force much, atypical for a rookie. More often that not, he takes the right shot. He defends. "I've always been that way," Snell said. "I let the game come to me. I just try to read plays. I don't like taking bad shots. I want the best shot for the team." - See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...hicago-summer-league-20130716,0,2056485.story
From what I've seen in Summer League, Snell gives us one thing that makes a big difference in the kind of basketball we're used to seeing on the court. In fast break situations, he'll be able to dribble the ball up court without looking at his feet.
So far Snell reminds me of Thabo more than anyone else. Snell's a much better shooter and Thabo a little more a ball handler, but so far I can imagine both of their careers having similar arcs.
I like the Thabo comparison. And remember how brilliant Thabo looked at handling the ball before he was sent home from Summer League because he was out and out dominating everyone? Good times and a humbling reminder. I like Snell's versatility and his handling. I'm still worried about his shot. He struggles getting it off when he's guarded tightly, and players are just barely playing defense in the summer league. It's fun though isn't it? We haven't had a class of young players to be excited about in a good long while.
I haven't been so excited about a rookie since we picked James Johnson. I like his ball handling skills. He's clearly not aggressive with his shooting. He may well turn into a solid player for us. I expect so. The only real negative I see is that he doesn't clearly look like the best player on the floor in SL.
He has his moments. He has been described as being passive and tentative, that is a fair assumption from what I have seen so far. Practicing with Noah will get him out of that.
This is true, but after watching Snell in the SL he looks to me like a player who does best when he has good players around him. He completely seems like a fill in the cracks sort of guy, and SL is all about ball dominant alpha dogs trying to get their share. Guys like Andrew Goudelock. I like him least when I watch him with the ball in his hands, but he seems very valuable in those moments when no one's paying attention. He moves well without the ball, and has a knack for filling in space very well, both on offense and defense. Even in SL he goes out of his way to disrupt passing lanes and hedge on wing guys when they're getting ready to go through their cuts, and he's long enough that he actually makes a difference. I think he's got a lot of Luol Deng in him and will do well in Thibs' system. Like SST, his shot kind of worries me for a guy who's supposed to be a shooter. Kind of a long, deliberate release that sort of seems to hang in the air. Of course he'll have the benefit of playing off Derrick once the season starts, but he seems like a 35% sort of guy from 3, and not 40%+. I like his ballhandling, but he seems to have a high center of gravity and slow first step which makes it difficult for him to get by guys. But he knows where to be on a basketball court, so in a structured offense that should get him a long way. And he's so long he'll be able to shoot scoop shots 10 feet away from the basket.
He and Murphy are picking up the pace on their shooting tonight. Snell is just alright with me. Nice breakdown, Rosen, but I think you overstate your case. He hasn't been in the front because he hasn't been comfortable yet with his shot. He's loosening up. I like how he moves and how aware he is of the court. Good player.
Of course. I was only making observations based off the summer league games themselves, and he did a fine job of proving me wrong last night. Cheers, Tony! At this point I'm officially optimistic about Tony Snell on the Bulls. He'll come out of the gate slowly, but he's a genuine two way player who seems to have a solid approach to the game. The best thing you can say about him is that his style f play is very instinctive. Thibs went on the air during the game last night and mentioned playing Tony, so it seems like there are some plans for him to see the floor this season.
