I think Simons and Little could have really benefitted from summer league. Not having it will hurt their progression. It also sucks that CJ 2.0 won’t get a SL to learn our system and bond with the young guys.
Neil is banking on Simons magically becoming a point guard. It probably won't happen, but the chances would have been increased at least a little bit if he had another SL.
I don't think 6 games will make a difference for Simons. Getting playing time and confidence will make the biggest difference for him. And not being saddled with playing with bums like Toliver, Bazemore and Mario won't hurt either.
I don't know where everyone is getting this from. We haven't had a legit backup PG the entire time Ant has been here and he still hasn't played. Stotts' rule up to this point has been to keep Dame or CJ on the floor at almost all times. Like it or not CJ is our backup PG not Simons and it wouldn't be anybody else we might have picked up. We will have a three guard rotation with Dame, CJ and Gary... that will be it except for garbage time or injury.
maybe not but if he does it will because he's worked his tail off and improved (hopefully no serious injuries) which would be a huge plus - he should get some great mentoring from Roco and Melo
It's a good year to not have a draft pick. A lack of summer league and probably an abbreviated preseason helps teams with lots of vets and little turnover. Funny enough, although we have turnover most of the guys who are gone sucked so won't be missed. Hood and Kanter already know the system and how to play off Dame and CJ, so should hit the ground running. The only new guys who will have to fit in are Roco, Jones and Giles, and Roco is the only one who figures to get big minutes. And he's played next to Harden, who plays like an extreme version of Dame in many ways. Sure, Simons could use more court time, but he practices every day against Dame and CJ. I think the Lakers are going to be insanely good this year. But if they struggle at all it'll be at the start of the season as they try to make all their new pieces fit. (AD and LeBron will probably take it easier in the afterglow of the championship as well.)
Great point. And he works super hard...... but if he couldn’t minutes behind Tolliver and Mario, he won’t get on the court this year.