Maybe Dan Gilbert was headed to Orlando?
While Dan Gilbert was flying his plane to Miami, elsewhere in Florida, or somewhere else in the United States, actual basketball was being played in Orlando. Here are my recaps. I apologize in advance (for what, I’m unsure):
Pistons vs. Grizzlies (85-82)
The star of this game was undoubtedly Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who scored 30 points on 10-20 shooting and 4-8 from three. He also had 12 rebounds and three assists. This is the kind of game Detroit fans want to see from their first round pick last season. With a year of NBA experience, Caldwell-Pope should’ve had an advantage over most Summer League competition, and today’s performance illustrated that. Peyton Siva also had a solid game, scoring 12 points and handing out seven assists.
Jordan Adams put on a strong performance for the Grizzles, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds. Jarnell Stokes also played well, finishing with 16 points on 6-9 shooting and 12 rebounds (including six offensive rebounds).
Where are they now player?: Brian Cook
Brian Cook, who played for the Clippers in 2003, finished with only four points on 1-9 shooting a day after finishing with 10 points and five rebounds. Despite such a star performer struggling to score, the Pistons were able to overcome Cook’s struggles.
76ers vs. Thunder (84-73)
Travis Bader and Ronald Roberts Jr. put on efficient performances for the Sixers, with Bader finishing with 13 points on 4-7 shooting and four assists. Bader, who finished with the most three pointers ever made in NCAA history, was only 1-4 from three, but scored often by pulling up for mid-range jump shots after defenders closed out hard at the perimeter. I wouldn’t be too concerned about Bader’s three point shooting, he’s proven he can knock down shots from that range. Showing he can score in other ways, as he did today, will bode well for him as he looks to make a roster. His defense must improve however. Roberts Jr. emerged in the second half, scoring 12 points on 5-6 shooting along with five rebounds. The athletic forward from Saint Joes was active for much of the game, and his intensity on both ends contributed to the Sixers victory.
Casper Ware also showed up for Philadelphia in the second half. Ware led all scorers with 20 points on 8-16 shooting. He also had five assists and five rebounds. This is Ware’s third summer league, but he latched on with the Sixers at the end of last season after playing well for the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League. Despite his lack of size, Ware is making a solid case to be brought into camp for the Sixers.
KJ McDaniels showed his strengths of getting to the rim and playing defense have transitioned at least to Summer League, but his three point shooting still needs work. Summer League is a place to experiment however, and I’d like McDaniels to continue taking three point shots.
For Oklahoma City, Mario Little (who once played for BC Dnipro-Azot Dniprodzerzhynsk in Ukraine) led the team with 18 points on 3-7 shooting. Little was able to get to the line often, and finished a perfect 10-10 from the line. Being able to draw fouls and convert from the line is an underrated trait to have.
Perry Jones III underwhelmed, scoring nine points on 3-11 shooting.
Where are they now player?: Nolan Smith
Smith, the former standout at Duke, played just eight and a half minutes.
Heat vs. Nets (110-91)
James Ennis was a monster, scoring 29 points on 10-12 shooting, hitting 7-8 from three. Shabazz Napier also had a strong outing, scoring 17 points and adding seven assists (including one fancy pass between Mason Plumlee’s legs). Napier was 6-12 and only 1-4 from deep, but he drew a lot of attention throughout the game which allowed Ennis and Justin Hamiltion (15 points, nine rebounds) excel.
Aside from being nutmegged, Mason Plumlee scored effectively, finishing with 18 points on 6-7 shooting. He was only 6-12 from the line however, and only totaled one rebound. Aside from Plumlee, no one on Brooklyn really separated themselves.
Where are they now player?: Tyler Honeycutt
Remember the days when Tyler Honeycutt was considered a potential lottery pick? I swear that was a thing. The UCLA product instead slipped to the second round in the 2011 draft, and was drafted by Sacramento. After being traded to Houston, the Rockets eventually waived him, and after a stint in Israel Honeycutt has landed with the Heat’s Summer League team. Today’s outing didn’t help his chances to get back into the league, as he finished with two points (0-3 shooting), three assists, and six fouls.
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