NBA Summer League: What to Watch For Today
Contents
- The NBA Summer League is in full swing and there are plenty of storylines to follow.
- Here are the top five things to watch for today:
- 1) The Debut of the Top Picks
- 2) The Return of the Veterans
- 3) The Battle for Roster Spots
- 4) The New Rules in Effect
- 5) The Intensity Level
- Summer League is the perfect time for young players to make a name for themselves and for veterans to prove that they still have what it takes to compete at the highest level
- Today’s slate of games features some of the best players in the league and there are sure to be plenty of highlights.
- Be sure to tune in to catch all the action!
The NBA Summer League is in Full Swing and there are plenty of storylines to follow. Here’s what to watch for today.
The NBA Summer League is in full swing and there are plenty of storylines to follow.
The NBA Summer League is in full swing and there are plenty of storylines to follow. From the rookies trying to make an impression to the fringe players fighting for a roster spot, there is something for everyone. Here are four things to watch for today.
1) The battle for the last spot on the Lakers’ roster: With Los Angeles’ roster already full of young talent, it will be interesting to see who wins the final spot on the team. There are a few players who are vying for that last spot, but second-year guard Vander Blue has been the stand-out so far. He’s averaging 22 points per game and will look to continue his strong play today against the Sacramento Kings
2) The debut of rookie sensation Zion Williamson The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft will make his much-anticipated Summer League debut today when his New Orleans Pelicans take on the Milwaukee Bucks Williamson is one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory and it will be interesting to see how he fares against NBA competition.
3) Can anyone slow down Ja Morant?: The No. 2 overall pick has been spectacular so far, averaging 24 points and seven assists per game He’ll look to keep up his strong play today as his Memphis Grizzlies take on the Atlanta Hawks
4) Who will step up for Team USA?: With a number of marquee players opting out of this year’s FIBA World Cup Team USA is facing a bit of a talent shortage. That said, there are still plenty of talented players on the roster and it will be interesting to see who steps up in the absence of some of America’s biggest stars.
Here are the top five things to watch for today:
With the NBA Summer League in full swing, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. Here are the top five things to watch for today:
1. Can the Celtics continue their strong play? Boston has looked like one of the best teams in the summer league so far, led by impressive play from 2019 first-round pick Carsen Edwards The Celtics will take on the Grizzlies today, and it will be interesting to see if they can keep up their high level of play.
2. How will Zion Williamson look in his second game? The No. 1 overall pick made his much-anticipated Summer League debut yesterday and did not disappoint, putting up 22 points and nine rebounds in just 27 minutes. Williamson will look to build on that performance today against the Hawks.
3. Can Ja Morant continue his strong play? The grizzlies’ rookie point guard has been one of the best players in the Summer League so far, averaging 19 points and eight assists per game Morant will go up against a tough Boston team today, so it will be interesting to see how he fares.
4. What will RJ Barrett do in his second game? Barrett, who was taken No. 3 overall by the Knicks, struggled in his Summer League debut yesterday, shooting just 5-of-18 from the field and committing six turnovers. He’ll look to Bounce Back against a tough Hawks team today.
5. Can any other rookies stand out? There have been a number of impressive rookies so far in summer league play, including Edwards, Williamson, Morant and Barrett. With so many talented young players on display, it will be interesting to see if any other rookies can stand out today.
1) The Debut of the Top Picks
1) The Debut of the Top Picks: We’ll get our first look at Zion Williamson (No. 1 overall pick), Ja Morant (No. 2 overall pick), and RJ Barrett (No. 3 overall pick) today as they debut for the New Orleans Pelicans Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks respectively. All three rookies are sure to be must-see TV today.
2) The Battle for First Place: The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings are currently tied for first place in the Summer League standings with identical 3-1 records. They’ll face off against each other today in a game that could potentially decide who finishes in first place.
3) The Return of Lonzo Ball Lonzo Ball missed the Lakers’ last game due to illness but is expected to return to action today. He’s been one of the most exciting players to watch in the Summer League so far and his return should make for an interesting game against the Kings.
2) The Return of the Veterans
The NBA summer league is a great opportunity for young players to get some experience against NBA-level talent. But it’s also a chance for veterans to get back on the court and remind everyone why they’re still in the league. Here are two vets who will be looking to make an impact today:
SG Kyle Korver, Utah Jazz
Korver is one of the best shooters in NBA history and he’s coming off a season in which he shot nearly 50% from three-point range He didn’t play much in the Jazz’s first Summer League game, but expect him to see more action today. Korver will be looking to show that he can still knock down shots at a high level, and he could be a key contributor for the Jazz this season.
C Enes Kanter Boston Celtics
Kanter is a big body in the post who can score efficiently around the basket. He didn’t play much last season with the Trail Blazers but he should see re Playing time with the Celtics this summer. Kanter will be looking to show that he can still be an effective player in limited minutes, and he could be an important piece for the Celtics next season.
3) The Battle for Roster Spots
With NBA rosters at a maximum of 15 players, there are always going to be more guys fighting for a spot on the end of the bench than there are open starting jobs. While some of the fringe guys will be looking to prove that they belong in the NBA at all, others will be trying to flash enough talent to earn a spot on a specific team’s roster. Here are a few guys who will be trying to do just that today:
Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers – Covington is a 6’9″ forward who spent last season in Europe. He was drafted in the second round by Houston in 2013, but he was never able to crack the Rockets’ rotation. He’s still only 24 years old, and he’s a good shooter with the ability to play both forward positions. The Sixers are loaded with young talent, but they don’t have a ton of experience. Covington could earn a spot on their roster by providing some instant offense off the bench.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, New York Knicks – Yes, he’s related to Giannis. Thanasis is Giannis’ older brother, and he is also trying to carve out a spot in the NBA. At 6’7″, he has decent size for a wing player. He’s an aggressive defender and an excellent athlete. Like Covington, Antetokounmpo is trying to make the most of his opportunity with a young team. The Knicks don’t have much experience on the wing outside of Carmelo Anthony so Antetokounmpo could find himself in contention for a roster spot if he can show that he can contribute on both ends of the floor.
PJ Hairston, Charlotte Hornets – Hairston was drafted by Miami in 2014 but was immediately traded to Charlotte on draft night. He’s a 6’6″ shooting guard with good athletic ability and three-point range. Hairston was considered a first-round talent heading into last year’s draft, but his off-court issues caused him to slide into the second round. The Hornets have depth at shooting guard but Hairston could earn himself some playing time if he can prove that he has matured and is ready to play at an NBA level.
4) The New Rules in Effect
The NBA Summer League is in full swing and today will be the first day that fans can get a look at the new rules being tested out. One of the most significant changes is the shot clock which has been shortened from 24 seconds to 22. This should lead to more possessions and more points, which is always welcome in the Summer League
Another change that will be in effect is that teams will now be allowed to advance the ball past Half Court after an out-of-bounds situation with just one pass. This should speed up the game and make it more exciting, as teams will have to think about whether to go for a quick score or try to set up something better.
Finally, there will be a new bonus system in place for Free throws If a team commits a foul while its opponent is shooting a three-pointer, the fouling team will receive one free throw attempt as well as possession of the ball. This should discourage teams from deliberately fouling in order to prevent their opponents from getting an easy three-point attempt.
All of these rule changes are just being tested out at the Summer League level, so it remains to be seen whether they will be adopted by the NBA as a whole. But it should be fun to watch how they impact the games today!
5) The Intensity Level
The games might not count towards anything, but that doesn’t mean the players out on the court will be taking it easy. In many ways, the Summer League is more intense than the regular season as guys are playing for their jobs. Every trip down the floor could be the difference between getting a spot on an NBA roster and heading back to the G-League or Europe.
Summer League is the perfect time for young players to make a name for themselves and for veterans to prove that they still have what it takes to compete at the highest level
Today is the first day of NBA Summer League action, and there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. Here are a few things to watch for:
Can Zion Williamson dominate against NBA-level competition?
The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft was absolutely dominant in college, but many wonder if his game will translate to the NBA. We’ll get our first look at Williamson today as he takes on the New York Knicks
Which young players will stand out?
Every year, a few young players use Summer League as a springboard to better things in the NBA. Who will be this year’s breakout stars? Keep an eye Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young Chicago Bulls forward Wendell Carter Jr., and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson
Can the veterans prove they still have something left in the tank?
For some players, Summer League is about trying to extend their careers. Can aging veterans like jamal crawford J.R. Smith, and Joe Johnson prove that they can still play at a high level?
Today’s slate of games features some of the best players in the league and there are sure to be plenty of highlights.
Today’s slate of games features some of the best players in the league and there are sure to be plenty of highlights. Some of the things to keep an eye on are:
– Can Zion Williamson continue his dominant play?
– How will RJ Barrett fare against tougher competition?
– Who will step up for Team USA?
Be sure to tune in to catch all the action!
The NBA Summer League is underway and there is plenty of action to catch today! Here are some of the things to keep an eye out for:
-The Chicago Bulls are in action against the Atlanta Hawks This will be a good opportunity to see how the Bulls’ young players including Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn, look against NBA competition.
-The San Antonio Spurs are taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves It will be interesting to see how No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton looks in his first taste of NBA Action
-The Los Angeles Lakers are facing off against the Sacramento Kings This should be a fun game to watch as both teams have young, talented rosters.