Lost in the madness that was the NBA free-agent frenzy is the NBA’s Orlando Summer League which ran from July 5th through the 11th. Now as a caveat, Summer League ball is nothing more than an organized pickup game with head coaches. Defense is a foreign concept to many, there is no personal foul limit and average NBA players can post huge numbers against inferior competition.
Summer League is traditionally the place where second-year NBA players come to beat up on the rookies, much the same way they were showed up by their more senior NBA brothers. Holding true to form this year we see that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Detroit Pistons has been lighting it up his five games of action.
A 5.9 ppg and 0.7 rpg guy in his rookie season he is tearing up the Summer League competition to the tune of 24 ppg and 7.4 rpg. Caldwell-Pope isn’t the only sophomore who is dominating in Orlando. Kelly Olynyk had a rip line of 17.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg in his five games while sophomore Mason Plumlee went off for 18 ppg and 4.7 rpg averages.
So giving the stat lines some context and without being overly critical on the level of competition, we can still take some value from Summer League ball. Typically rookies don’t post great numbers here as they are in a more of a feeling out process than an assert oneself state; however, here are some rookies who are doing their best to show that they belong.
We start with the 6th overall pick in the draft Marcus Smart who suited up for Boston’s squad. Smart posted a decent line consisting of 14.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 4.2 apg. Despite the rounded attack, Smart shot a dismal .294 from the field and that is in a league where uncontested jump shots are the norm. What Smart did show was a tenacity on defense and a motor that showed no quit. Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens had to be impressed with what he saw out of his rookie; the shot will come as the confidence increases.
A long shot to make the Brooklyn Nets this season is Cory Jefferson whom they acquired from the San Antonio Spurs after they drafted him 60th overall. Jefferson played his heart out in Orlando and as a result he will likely earn a spot in the Developmental League. Jefferson posted solid averages of 11.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg in only 21 minutes of action. Jefferson isn’t going to be an impact for the Nets this season but his effort and determination surely caught someone’s attention.
From Brooklyn we move onto Memphis where we check in with the Grizzlies 22nd overall pick Jordan Adams and their second-round pick via the Utah Jazz, Jarnell Stokes. Both Adams and Stokes were the bright spots for the Grizzlies Summer League team as Adams led the team in scoring with a 14.8 ppg average and Stokes led the squad in rebounding with a 9.4 rpg average.
Stokes is destined for the D-League as he needs some consistent work against bigger and stronger competition, while Adams will likely get a shot at cracking the Grizzlies roster. Adams is a bit of a wildcard to make the team as they are deep at the guard spot already so he too will likely be sent down for some seasoning and playing time.
One of the rookies to receive the most press despite being a late first-round pick is none other than Shabazz Napier of the Miami Heat. Now Napier is going to be all but guaranteed a roster spot come opening day so these summer games are just a tune up for training camp more than anything else.
Napier’s debut in Orlando wasn’t without it’s struggles though as the rookie cracked double-figures in scoring only twice and managed a high of seven assists all the while showing off a jump shot that didn’t exactly leave defenders worried. Napier is getting a second run for Miami’s Las Vegas summer squad so we shall see where he sits after a dozen or so of these mock games.
From Napier we check in with yet another highly publicized rookie. Mitch McGary with the Oklahoma City Thunder came into the summer with something to prove; most notably his health. McGary’s summer performance suggests that he is in fine health and his shooting stroke is still as sweet as it ever was. McGary left Orlando with averages of 14.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg; not earth shattering but a good sign for the Thunder.
Orlando put Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton on their squad for the league. Neither Gordon nor Payton were standouts but each were consistent and solid in their debuts. Payton showed good patience running the point on his way to averaging 7 apg over the five games. Gordon was fairly quiet on the offensive end but he did show off some solid defense and seemed content to defer to others when it came to scoring.