The clock also didn’t start for like 1-1 1/2 seconds when OKC inbounded the ball right before the half with like 6.2 seconds left. The tip in the had to end the half should not have counted.
Suder only relatable NBA skill is as a spot up shooter he desperately needs someone to set him up.Kyle hustles and try’s hard but what scalable NBA skill does he have? Like Kaluma he only needs to improve his 3 point shooting to be an NBA player.Im keeping Okereke he has transferable scalable NBA skills.Actually reminds me of last year Kaluma.would take sometime to see if he shows improvement like Kuluma has.
they tried him off the ball in the Cali games and he looked much worse off than on the ball. Problem with him as a facilitator or lead guard is he's too conservative and waits for the perfect pass, if it doesn't develop he's SOL. I don't know if he's afraid to make a mistake or what. On top of that, he can't get by anyone. If he's small and going to be a shooter, he needs a little shake to him or something to get separation and he's got none. I think he can probably find his footing as a solid G-League player at some point but at the big league... just don't see it unless he hits another growth spurt and tacks on 3". When you're a C, motor is a NBA skill more so than at any other position, when paired with athleticism it's a clean path to blocks and boards. Gabriel lasted 2 seasons with us based off that. There's a lot of scouting comps of Kyle to Timelord, I don't see that but NbaDraft.net's Jordan Bell comp is closer i think and he had himself a 5 year career. Kyle showed a glimpse of some decent passing reads last night and gave a solid Gortat screen for Suder but Suder isn't quick enough to do anything with it. Kyle would have been better off picking him up and carrying him to the basket . I hate his game. Like really hate his game. It's not his fault, he just has the complete wrong build to succeed at any position. He's either too slow or small depending on where you're trying to slot him. On this team I have him behind Thiero and Carr (obviously), Manon, Kyle, Kaluma, Watson, Hickey and Suder. For him to find a way you have to break him down and make him change everything. Think Rocky with his feet tied together and chasing alley chickens. He's too upright, he cannot defend anyone in space, his handle is too loose, he holds the ball 3 ft from his body when dribbling or making any move, he's too slow on the perimeter and short for the middle. Now he is built out of steel and has really long arms, can get a stop at the rim and can score in the post if he doesn't have to do anything extra with the ball, he can hit a 3 if he wears a smaller shoe... the lack of awareness every game and getting called for out of bounds is frustrating. That's a ceiling of a 15th man not worth the resources to get him there.
Summer league stuff crazy things happen. I took a team to team camp a few years back. Multiple games going on, confusion galore. A team scored 2-3 seconds after time ran out to beat us. Just a seeding game but irritating...lol
Watching Adou and Carr makes me wish that Rob had targeted a pass first point guard over a scoring one like Sexton. They are so uber athletic and need to get someone to set them up with those lobs. I know some think they will automatically show up and somehow get starters minutes but that’s not how JJ coaches. For OKC, Mara is a much bigger project than I expected. He’s supposed to be a very good passer but he threw away a lot of them. He barely looked to score- even against a team that didn’t even have a 6’10” guy out there.
I read here a couple days ago Sexton lives in the key getting there with the strength of HIS game and was great at feeding Kessler “lobs”. Not to mention Luka and AR are both excellent at it and there will be all kinds of rotation possibilities. Would imagine Grimes can pitch em up too?
I’m starting to lose a little faith in Walter’s decision making. It has to be a promise to Jeanie that the ever so important Rambii stay on for at least another season during the transition. That’s all I got.
1st Half Our guys walked into a tougher time at the rim with Johnson waiting to meeting Thiero and Kaluma at the rim, he weighs 2x as much as Aday Mara. Kate Mara might weigh in heavier than Aday. Our drivers weren't afraid though. Johnson racked up the fouls. Johnson found himself in a foul off with Suder. Lakers must think highly of Kaluma. Got an in game "about the player hit " and that we see him as a 3&d prospect we're developing. His drives are just uber efficient. He's either getting the bucket or the foul if he touches the paint. Then he expanded out to close the half with a couple 3s. Leading the way with 18 at the half. Okereke is about to get pulled over for a DUI. He can't keep it inside the lines. He f***s it up the ft line too. Repeat lane violations. He's in his head about the 3s now too you'll see him checking where his foot and the line is. That's bad. Couple good Kyle plays with a contested finish in the post and a dunk shortly thereafter The Janitor with two threes. Who knew? Smith had a good close to the 1st. Aggressive d and dive for the loose ball. Middy. Then help D to force a TO on their final shot of the Q. I like the determination and effort but at this point in his career, I just don't think it's happening. I had pre typed that Manon was disappointing this half but in the final 3 he stepped it up. Disrupts the play on D, then on offense drives and gets to the line in the same minute. Then gets a layup. Then an alley to Thiero. Where was that the rest of the half?
Kuluma is a good prospect..if he continues to develop the jumper;he's ready for a spot on the big league roster IMO.
2nd Half/ Overall Wait... are we a legit summer league team? Kaluma Curry: 2 way him before he gets to the locker room. 34 points, including 6/10 from 3. He kept it up in the 2nd half. 3s, drives + contact, D with verticality. Broken up with a middy. Then back to his 3 game. He and Manon were also the two most vocal on D. Thiero: far drop after Kaluma but he was probably our second best player. He didn't shy away from Johnson, but that meeting they had at the rim late in the 3rd was Thor vs Hulk in the arena. Nice back to back buckets in the final 3. Suder: proof of life! His drive to the basket early in the 4th was his quickest/ least over thought move since he's been here. Followed that with a couple 3s. Good to see something from him... finally
Wasn’t it said Tony Bennett had tough defensive teams in college. Seems that’s exactly this summer league team with who all they’ve put together. Just wear opposing teams down and pull ahead in the 2nd halves. What a heater of a game from Kaluma.
I’m not one to overreact to summer league games, but Kaluma needs to be on one of our 2-Way spots. Over who I don’t really care, but when you see a guy in the typical wing size that can shoot, drive and score, maybe try to keep him around.
