TBpup
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Summer League isn't much of a gauge on what a player might do in the NBA but there are some things that can translate at least a bit on a productive side and some that can ensure a player doesn't wear that teams jersey ever again.
Obvious: Caleb "Biggie" Swanigan has a nose for the ball. He also has a nice outside touch and can pass quite well for a big man. Concerns would be that he is not very explosive and doesn't finish well around the rim in traffic and doesn't seem to have that Zach-like ability to create space from the ground....yet. But there is no denying this kids work ethic and you have to like what you saw from him on a consistent basis.
Positive: Jake Layman has a multiple skill set probably larger than any other SF on our roster. That may not be saying a lot as so many of the SF options are severely limited in one area or another but he did well to display some of his arsenal. His shooting still needs to be better but as the games progress, he got better after a slow start, going 9-20 from '3' in his final three games of the Playoff on a 3-games-in-3-nights scenario. Averaged 18.3 points and 6 rebounds in those final three games and while not getting a lot of assists, made a lot of good passes that teammates just didn't finish. He also played good defense at times.
Positive: Zach Collins. He didn't play much and there is much for him to work on from a strength standpoint and in making shots at the next level but what was a very positive note was his defense. He definitely made an impact there and was in the Top-5 in several advanced defensive categories. I'll be interested to see how he progresses with big-mans' camp and some time in the weight room.
Positive: Who had Jarnell Stokes making any type of impact at all before this started? Yet the big man did a lot of very good thing on offense and on the boards just by being active. Averaged 13 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting an eye-popping .672 from the field. However, in the 4 games that he started once Collins went out, he averaged 15. 5 points and 10.75 rebounds. I'm not sure where he fits in the NBA but you certainly can't fault his production in the opportunity given.
Positive: Jorge Gutierrez can pass. He might not be able to shoot very well although he did have a nice Championship game but his passing was what turned the Summer League around once Pat C went down with an injury. He also is a decent defender and for a 15th guy, I'd wouldn't mind seeing someone like that on the roster.
Flashes: Antonius Cleveland was probably the Blazers best wing defender on the floor. Unfortunately he didn't get many minutes but did well with those while he was on the court and shot it well in the few opportunities he had. Similar was Markel Brown who in very limited minutes before going out, showed a nice shot, was in the Top-5 in several offensive efficiency categories and has some serious hops.
Be Gone and Never Wear that Jersey Again: No need to labor this. RJ Hunter and Nick Johnson were terrible. Both looked like they were individually trying to end the Blazers Playoff run every time they stepped on the court. Dismissed.
Unfortunately, Pat Connaughton wasn't much better. He couldn't hit a shot to save his life and was getting scored on at will. Did have one nice assist game before going down with the hamstring injury but if I'm looking for a 15th player, I'd take the defense of Antonius Cleveland or the play making ability of Gutierrez and let Pat go play baseball where he has the chance to make a bigger impact.
It was an unexpected run after starting out 1-2 and certainly a nice diversion for the middle of July. I'm curious to hear what the rest of you think about what you saw.
Obvious: Caleb "Biggie" Swanigan has a nose for the ball. He also has a nice outside touch and can pass quite well for a big man. Concerns would be that he is not very explosive and doesn't finish well around the rim in traffic and doesn't seem to have that Zach-like ability to create space from the ground....yet. But there is no denying this kids work ethic and you have to like what you saw from him on a consistent basis.
Positive: Jake Layman has a multiple skill set probably larger than any other SF on our roster. That may not be saying a lot as so many of the SF options are severely limited in one area or another but he did well to display some of his arsenal. His shooting still needs to be better but as the games progress, he got better after a slow start, going 9-20 from '3' in his final three games of the Playoff on a 3-games-in-3-nights scenario. Averaged 18.3 points and 6 rebounds in those final three games and while not getting a lot of assists, made a lot of good passes that teammates just didn't finish. He also played good defense at times.
Positive: Zach Collins. He didn't play much and there is much for him to work on from a strength standpoint and in making shots at the next level but what was a very positive note was his defense. He definitely made an impact there and was in the Top-5 in several advanced defensive categories. I'll be interested to see how he progresses with big-mans' camp and some time in the weight room.
Positive: Who had Jarnell Stokes making any type of impact at all before this started? Yet the big man did a lot of very good thing on offense and on the boards just by being active. Averaged 13 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting an eye-popping .672 from the field. However, in the 4 games that he started once Collins went out, he averaged 15. 5 points and 10.75 rebounds. I'm not sure where he fits in the NBA but you certainly can't fault his production in the opportunity given.
Positive: Jorge Gutierrez can pass. He might not be able to shoot very well although he did have a nice Championship game but his passing was what turned the Summer League around once Pat C went down with an injury. He also is a decent defender and for a 15th guy, I'd wouldn't mind seeing someone like that on the roster.
Flashes: Antonius Cleveland was probably the Blazers best wing defender on the floor. Unfortunately he didn't get many minutes but did well with those while he was on the court and shot it well in the few opportunities he had. Similar was Markel Brown who in very limited minutes before going out, showed a nice shot, was in the Top-5 in several offensive efficiency categories and has some serious hops.
Be Gone and Never Wear that Jersey Again: No need to labor this. RJ Hunter and Nick Johnson were terrible. Both looked like they were individually trying to end the Blazers Playoff run every time they stepped on the court. Dismissed.
Unfortunately, Pat Connaughton wasn't much better. He couldn't hit a shot to save his life and was getting scored on at will. Did have one nice assist game before going down with the hamstring injury but if I'm looking for a 15th player, I'd take the defense of Antonius Cleveland or the play making ability of Gutierrez and let Pat go play baseball where he has the chance to make a bigger impact.
It was an unexpected run after starting out 1-2 and certainly a nice diversion for the middle of July. I'm curious to hear what the rest of you think about what you saw.
