NBA Summer League grades game 1

[kekgeek]

Well the wolves played the D-League Selects today and lost. After the first quarter, the wolves just stunk. I am going to grade the players we might actually care about.

Shabazz- D

He started out good with a good post move, and hit a three early, he also had a very nice spin move in the post late, to tie the game. When he was not in the post he struggled. He missed 2 wide open threes, air balled a shot in transition. Struggled dribbling right. He was consistently beat off the dribble and had 4 fouls. I will give him this though he made some good passes, even though he only had one assist, he made some good passes and the guys just dropped the ball. There is a lot of room for improvement, and I know it is just summer league, but he showed flashes and he will need to get better.

Dieng- B Played pretty well defensively, had a nice post move, had a sick block in transition. Tough to tell how good he really is because summer league is a guards game.

Johnson- B+ He has no post moves period, but he hit his jump shot, over and over again. Changed shots and rebounded well. I think he should be more dominate than he was because he is 28, but Overall he was a good player today.

Hummel- A By far the best player on the wolves today. Hit his open shots, played great defense took charges, good ball movement and moving with out the ball. He was far the most poised on the team, I would say he has a shot at roster spot number 15

Brown- B- Played really well in the fourth, hit some jump shots, he had some bad Shved in him where he would leave his feet with no where to go, but he competed defensively and had some nice passes, excited to see him again.

Paul- C- Hit some shots early was 2 for 6 from the field, good defense and good off the ball movement, didn't notice him at all after the 2nd quarter.

I have to give credit to the D-League player Hannah, He was amazing, hit three after three, took the ball to the rack with authority, and played pressure packed D, best player on the floor by far.

I know it is just summer league but I was disappointed on what I saw, the wolves should not lose to a D-League team, but there was some bright spots and I am ready for the next game.

[Coolbreeze44]

Not going to make any judgments off of 1 game. But if Shabazz can't shine in this setting he has no chance to be a player in the NBA. But again, let's see how this league plays out before we make any definitive judgments.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This upsets me. Apparently it was a close loss? Why did I see the score say 83 to xx? Clark hit a three as game expired? What does that mean? Somebody hit a game winner on us?

I'll watch it when NBATV airs it, but I'm disappointed they didn't play better. Also, some Hannah guy hooped on us. Geez.

[kekgeek]

This upsets me. Apparently it was a close loss? Why did I see the score say 83 to xx? Clark hit a three as game expired? What does that mean? Somebody hit a game winner on us?

I'll watch it when NBATV airs it, but I'm disappointed they didn't play better. Also, some Hannah guy hooped on us. Geez.

The wolves were down 5, Clark is on the wolves, and he hit a three, to narrow the game to 2 as time expired.

[Volans19]

Shit, I posted on the wrong thread. I started then I had to run to the store sorry. But I agree with most of what kekgeek said.
Cam- no our player hit a three at the end, it didn't have any effect on the game besides making it look close

[Monster]

I'd give Dieng and A grade for sure. Played like he was in the Tourney playing for Louisville. Thats a good thing. I don't think Brown looked too great but that Hannah was all over everyone playing PG so thats a consideration. Shabazz looked um rough at times. You can see why he slipped in the draft, but that postup game is there and his 3 point shot looks like its there. A D grade is probably about right. Its just the first game though he really wasn't awful but far from impressive which you either expect or hope for. Hummel looked like a different guy than last year. Way more pep in his step and his D was really there getting into passing lanes and he just looked like a guy that can play basketball and he wasn't a wallflower guy like he was last year. He looks confident and really to play some ball. He could make the roster if he keeps this up and keeps knocking down shots.

I think don't think losing to the D-league team is that bad of a thing either. There were plenty of guys on that team with NBA experience and are hungry. They have been through this many times some of them probably have even played together at some point.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

After watching the game, here are my grades. Take them for what you will:

Shabazz Muhammad: C- , He definitely could have played better today, but the biggest plus I'll give him was effort. The effort was there. He played pretty good defense for the most part. Only two real mistakes that I saw on that side of the floor. Let one guy blow by him that resulted in a kick-out for three. The other was where he bit on a pump fake and got called for the foul. Score was 70-70. Has to stay on his feet and contest there. Had a nice left hand early in the game. Right hand dribble looked better than when it did at UCLA. His motor looks as advertised, very good. Made a three early that was uber wet. Made a few mistakes on the offensive side. Three turnovers I believe. A couple of forced shots. Memorable was a forced three in the corner that didn't need to be taken. A couple times the ball would kick around after a Sota missed shot and as soon as he got the ball he'd fade for a shot. Didn't like that. I will say, though, there was a questionable foul call on him early in the game that should have resulted in free throws. More good stuff, I thought his passing game was underrated. Set up his teammates for good looks more than anyone thought he would going in. Easily could have had 4 or 5 assists. Lot of slip passes to the big guys where they could have went aggresive to the rim or taken an open jumper. About three of those times the Minesota player fumbled the ball away. He did get credit for an assist to Hummel though. Good post-up by Shabazz, Hummel cut on the left side and Shabazz flipped it over his shoulder for the easy layup. Already can't wait for Game 2.

Gorgui Dieng: B+ , The defense is definitely there. Good instincts in 1v1 situations. Really smart help defender. Had an impressive block on a transition bucket. I think he ended the day with three beats. Pulled down a couple boards as well. He is LONG. Really gets in the way at times. That's the best way to describe it. Altered shots like he did back at Louisville. Offensively, he'd got room to grow but the potential is there. He knocked down an open mid-range jumper. That was nice to see. He also got an opportunity in the post where he hit a turn around jumper. The announcers and myself included were pleasantly surprised by that. Also caught the ball a step behind the free throw line, saw the wide open lane, took a dribble and flushed it down for the easy bucket. I thought he played well. Good stuff from Dieng today.

Robbie Hummel: A , This guy looked like an NBA player out there. Normally you can see the difference between a rookie/DLeaguer who hasn't stepped on an NBA court and then the NBA backup who's there to better his skills and get ready for the season. Hummel looked like the latter. Has an understanding and a feel for the game. High basketball IQ and knocked down most of his open shots. Looked really good D as well. Active hands, read passing lanes and took several charges. It was refreshing to watch him out there. Played an all-around good game. The only knock I can give him is that he had a turnover where he kind of gave the ball to his defender by trying to pass over his head to a cutter and all the defender had to do was raise his hands a little. Still worthy of an "A" grade, though.

Chris Johnson: A- , The only player in the game to have a double-double I believe. He was active on the boards. Used his length to his advantage all game long. Had a block somewhere in there. His mid-range to deep mid-range jumper was on today. Knocked about 3 or 4 of them down. Had a couple putbacks. Nothing too extravagent. Good game from CJ though.

Lorenzo Brown: C+ , Didn't really impress me too much, but had a slightly above average game I would say. Knocked down a couple shots. Played decent defense. Had a couple of chase 'em down rebounds. Knocked down a three in the defender's face if I recall correctly. Ball skipped around on the floor before he picked it up and launched. All in all, looked like a second rounder with some decent tools.

Brandon Paul: B , Was really excited to see how he'd play today. Loved his energy on defense. Played tight on his man and pressured the ball. That might be his calling card if he does in fact make it in the NBA. His jumper looked good today as well. Knocked down several shots. Really liked the one play where he passed it to a big just under the arc and cut towards the ball. The big flipped it back to him and he had a good look at an open mid-range jumper, bucket. Nothing negative really came across worthy for me say. Good energy, good effort. Liked what I saw from him in Game 1 given his minutes.

Solomon Hill: B , Didn't know what he would bring today, but he was pretty decent. Altered a couple shots and played physical defense. Knocked down a mid-range J that looked fundamentally sound. Also made a great bounce pass to a cutter on the baseline. Really enjoyed that play from Hill. Not sure if he'll make the team, but if by chance he did, I wouldn't feel bad about it. Supposedly he's done well enough in practice to get a little hype around him. We'll see how he does in the next games.

That's all for our Wolves. That Hannah player on the D-League team is going to find himself on an NBA team's bench. I know he got a little hot during the game, but the stroke is there. That's no fluke. Apparently he's a pretty good catch and shoot guy from what the announcers said. Not sure if they actually know anything or not, but take their word for it. I was impressed with his defense. The guy was stealing oxygen from Clark and Brown the whole game. I hope he keeps his play up. Would be nice for him to be rewarded for his play, assuming he continues at this level.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Excellent write up on Shabazz, cam. I disagree with you on his improvement with the right hand though. I was hoping to see more with reports of the off season work he has been doing, but I didn't see enough. I noticed that he used mostly his right hand as he started a fast break in the first half, but he appeared a little unsteady.

However, his passing game you describe was a pleasant surprise. I saw him several times last season both live and on TV, and I don't remember him ever showing the nice drop bounce pass to a big man that he had yesterday. But yesterday it seemed so natural...could be lethal working with Pek. It occurs to me that UCLA's offense last year was so perimeter oriented, and they had so little inside talent, that he wasn't asked to work the ball inside. Everyone knows Shabazz can score, but the passing he showed yesterday could be a nice bonus. Very encouraged.

[colvillhoops [enjin:6641266]]

watched the tape replay after recording it. Somewhat difficult to analyze our bigs since the other teams PGs really disrupted our ability to run an offense. Good summaries. My thoughts

Shabazz: pleasantly suprised by his passing. nice moves in the paint. shooting form looks good. Lateral quickness and ability to defend are still a problem.

Hummel: high basketball IQ. Good shooter. Takes charges well. Could see him possibly be the 15th guy.

Brown: has potential but would be better served by DL or playing overseas. Don't see him helping us this year. Made a terrible unforced error when he failed to get the ball to half court in 8 seconds in spite of no one guarding him.

Deng: a baby Mutombo. very long. seems to have decent hands. Needs to get stronger. Would love to see him play with a good PG, e.g., Ricky.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Just watched the replay. Honestly, nothing I saw changed any of my prior thoughts on Dieng, Johnson, or Shabazz, the three guys I watched the closest. Looking forward to the next game.