Portland vs Atlanta Summer League Game Thread! 1pm Tuesday

[Natebishop3]

I thought Meyers looked better than ever. He actually played good defense, that was amazing! That Kim Hughes is a genius!
The team as a whole plays great defense, seem well coached, not only do we have better players, we also play better as a team.
CJ was just impressive, I think he deserves minutes. The thrill was amazing as usual. T-Rob had just a ridiculous game, was just too good, his best plays were actually assists.
Freeland seemed a bit bummed coming off the bench on SL. Just proves how deep we are that a guy like Freeland doesn't even start for our summer league team!

Zero rebounds in over 21 minutes. ZERO rebounds.

 

[noknobs]

There are still months left in the off-season, then training camp, then pre-season.. I'm as frustrated with Leonard as anyone but it's not over for him. He's still a 7 footer with athletic talent. Maybe it'll start to click for him sometime this year. If you keep your expectations at zero, anything he contributes or becomes will be a bonus. At this point it doesn't seem too productive to keep critizing the 14th guy on the roster. Especially after one meaningless pre-season game coming off an injury. He's a project, he'll work out in a year or two, or he won't and he'll be gone.

Blake, CJ, Barton, TRob and Kaman seems like it could be a decent bench, then there's Freeland, Claver and Wright.

 

[Natebishop3]

There are still months left in the off-season, then training camp, then pre-season.. I'm as frustrated with Leonard as anyone but it's not over for him. He's still a 7 footer with athletic talent. Maybe it'll start to click for him sometime this year. If you keep your expectations at zero, anything he contributes or becomes will be a bonus. At this point it doesn't seem too productive to keep critizing the 14th guy on the roster. Especially after one meaningless pre-season game coming off an injury. He's a project, he'll work out in a year or two, or he won't and he'll be gone.

Blake, CJ, Barton, TRob and Kaman seems like it could be a decent bench, then there's Freeland, Claver and Wright.

It's really hard to think of a lottery pick as the 14th man on your roster. That's a hard pill to swallow.

 

[riverman]

Zero rebounds in over 21 minutes. ZERO rebounds.

In summer league too...Allan Crabbe got 2 boards in a short stint. He's 6'6

 

[Natebishop3]

In summer league too...Allan Crabbe got 2 boards in a short stint. He's 6'6

Meyers doesn't box out. I saw him repeatedly get beaten to a rebound by his man.

 

[Blazer4ever]

His 7 fouls mean one thing - he was trying on defense. That's the first time I see him do that. He was still confused somewhat but trying is the 1st step to improving. CJ was 1-7 from 3 two days ago.
I'm telling you, this is the beginning of a major breakthrough for him.

 

[riverman]

Meyers doesn't box out. I saw him repeatedly get beaten to a rebound by his man.

I thought he was in fear of messing up his pompadour with all that expensive hair product

 

[Natebishop3]

His 7 fouls mean one thing - he was trying on defense. That's the first time I see him do that. He was still confused somewhat but trying is the 1st step to improving. CJ was 1-7 from 3 two days ago.
I'm telling you, this is the beginning of a major breakthrough for him.

Eh, I don't know. A few of the fouls were just touch fouls. Not like he was hammering people in the paint.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Meyers can rebound. Maybe he needs to get used to the combination of playing defense and also rebounding. The kid is starting to get better, you'll see.

 

[riverman]

His 7 fouls mean one thing - he was trying on defense. That's the first time I see him do that. He was still confused somewhat but trying is the 1st step to improving. CJ was 1-7 from 3 two days ago.
I'm telling you, this is the beginning of a major breakthrough for him.

He did some things better, pt well taken but ZERO rebounds in summer league with that many minutes when you're 7'1?

 

[LuckyShot]

His 7 fouls mean one thing - he was trying on defense. That's the first time I see him do that. He was still confused somewhat but trying is the 1st step to improving. CJ was 1-7 from 3 two days ago.
I'm telling you, this is the beginning of a major breakthrough for him.

Most of his fouls were silly reach ins or just generally being out of position. He's always done those things.

 

[Pinwheel1]

So....I see we have moved on from the CJ is a bust/can't shoot/ was a wasted pick posts. I guess Leonard is good for something.

 

[riverman]

So....I see we have moved on from the CJ is a bust/can't shoot/ was a wasted pick posts. I guess Leonard is good for something.

CJ had me doubting him until the Rockets game, after this win I've found some hope. I didn't think he was as good as folks had him hyped up to be but if he keeps playing at this level, he'll easily replace Mo

 

[Wizard Mentor]

His 7 fouls mean one thing - he was trying on defense. That's the first time I see him do that. He was still confused somewhat but trying is the 1st step to improving. CJ was 1-7 from 3 two days ago.
I'm telling you, this is the beginning of a major breakthrough for him.

I'm still annoyed that he got back on a fast break possession, threw the ball right over his head and he didn't even jump leaving a highlight alley-oop for the other team:

http://www.nba.com/video/games/hawks/2014/07/15/1521400031-por-atl-play2.nba/

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm still annoyed that he got back on a fast break possession, threw the ball right over his head and he didn't even jump leaving a highlight alley-oop for the other team:

http://www.nba.com/video/games/hawks/2014/07/15/1521400031-por-atl-play2.nba/

Yeah, that was pretty frustrating.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I'll tell you another thing about CJ. CJ is a naturally good defender. Barton and Robinson are also underrated defenders. We were getting transition points like we never get with the regular team.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'll tell you another thing about CJ. CJ is a naturally good defender. Barton and Robinson are also underrated defenders. We were able to get transition points like we never get with the regular team.

The team with Brown, Barton, CJ, Robinson, and Freeland is actually really good on defense.

 

[jlprk]

I guess Leonard is good for something.

And what would that be?

He hasn't learned one thing in 2 years, except fear and laziness.

 

[riverman]

I'm still annoyed that he got back on a fast break possession, threw the ball right over his head and he didn't even jump leaving a highlight alley-oop for the other team:

http://www.nba.com/video/games/hawks/2014/07/15/1521400031-por-atl-play2.nba/

I think the coach had him running sprints as a penalty for fucking up boxing out. He forgot it was a real game and just went with the practice ritual

 

[Pinwheel1]

And what would that be?

He hasn't learned one thing in 2 years, except fear and laziness.

I was joking about how there are no more posts about CJ "sucking" (Or to quote you "he is terribly overrated. Last SL he stank it up") thanks partly to Leonard playing and changing the focus for our "critiques"

 

[Blazer4ever]

I think criticism is sometimes justified but in this case it would be missing the point. Leonard could have gotten 20 and 10 and I wouldn't be as impressed with him as I was today.
He made me change my opinion of him, I now have great expectations from him moving forward.

 

[Blazer4ever]

And I think they were talking to him on defense, giving him instructions, but he played much better defense and he deserves great credit. It's clear to me he realized this is his biggest weakness and decided to work hard on improving that aspect. I wish Aldridge could make the same kind of effort to improve defensively.

 

[BBert]

CJ had me doubting him until the Rockets game, after this win I've found some hope. I didn't think he was as good as folks had him hyped up to be but if he keeps playing at this level, he'll easily replace Mo

CJ's defensive advantage alone is enough for me to want him instead of Mo.

 

[Pinwheel1]

My goal for CJ is a "healthy" Eric Gordon type player. He is a little smaller than Eric, but I see some similarities in their game. Of course CJ won't be a max player like Gordon, but that is a plus IMO since he will be coming off the bench. I do think he will finish games though. One extra guy who can create his own shot when the game is on the line to keep the doubles off of Lillard is needed.

 

[Natebishop3]

My goal for CJ is a "healthy" Eric Gordon type player. He is a little smaller than Eric, but I see some similarities in their game. Of course CJ won't be a max player like Gordon, but that is a plus IMO since he will be coming off the bench. I do think he will finish games though. One extra guy who can create his own shot when the game is on the line to keep the doubles off of Lillard is needed.

I think Eric Gordon is a realistic goal.

 

[jlprk]

I was joking about how there are no more posts about CJ "sucking" (Or to quote you "he is terribly overrated. Last SL he stank it up") thanks partly to Leonard playing and changing the focus for our "critiques"

Oh, okay. Cool. As for McCollum, last SL he was the featured star, as shooter and PG. Coming from LeHigh, he failed at both. After Lillard, we all thought Olshey was a genius and expected another Lillard. After one SL game, I started the mantra, "He is no Lillard," which got the status quo fanboys arguing with me.

This SL, he's not the featured star, just another player. And our non-draftees play PG, as they should have last SL. So now he fits right in.

 

[Natebishop3]

[TWEET]489191087286648832[/TWEET]

 

[jlprk]

I'll tell you another thing about CJ. CJ is a naturally good defender. Barton and Robinson are also underrated defenders. We were getting transition points like we never get with the regular team.

Aldridge and Batum are deadheads. I know Batum zips around like an aimless fly, leading the league in mileage, but I see far more energy from Robinson, Barton, and Freeland than from Aldridge and Batum. This is why I like constant roster change. Out with the old, in with the new. Bring back Bob!

And I think they were talking to him on defense, giving him instructions, but he played much better defense and he deserves great credit. It's clear to me he realized this is his biggest weakness and decided to work hard on improving that aspect. I wish Aldridge could make the same kind of effort to improve defensively.

Aldridge is SO overrated. Lazy. I like energy and action, and from a PF, being a bully near the hoop.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Oh, okay. Cool. As for McCollum, last SL he was the featured star, as shooter and PG. Coming from LeHigh, he failed at both.

This SL, he's not the featured star, just another player. And our non-draftees play PG, as they should have last SL. So now he fits right in.

I agree with you about not featuring him as a PG and how it has helped. I said that last year right after the draft (And I was a fan of the pick)

But I would not say he failed at both last year in summer league. Google his name for Las Vegas summer league 2013 and you will see he was considered one of the shining stars during the event. Not saying he played that great, but he obviously did not play that bad.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Hey, I love CJ and he should make the rotation. But last year he was very inefficient and very much out of shape. He was gassed by the middle of the 3rd each game. The new wrinkle is his defense seems to be really good. Any of you coaches out there confirm how well he is playing D?

I agree with you about not featuring him as a PG and how it has helped. I said that last year right after the draft (And I was a fan of the pick)

But I would not say he failed at both last year in summer league. Google his name for Las Vegas summer league 2013 and you will see he was considered one of the shining stars during the event. Not saying he played that great, but he obviously did not play that bad.