Introduction
The NBA Summer League is the place for basketball fans this time of year! With top draft picks, rising stars, and new faces all taking the court, there’s never a dull moment. But with so many games happening at once, it can be tough to keep up with who’s dominating and who’s falling behind. That’s where we come in – join us as we break down the scores and highlight some of the players who stood out (and maybe even a few who struggled) in this year’s Summer League action!
What is the NBA Summer League?
The nba summer league scores is an annual event that takes place after the NBA Draft. It is a showcase for the league’s newest players, as well as a chance for veterans and hopefuls to make their case for a roster spot. Each team plays four games, and the standings are reset after each round. The Orlando Summer League runs from July 1-5, while the Las Vegas Summer League runs from July 6-17.
In recent years, the Summer League has become increasingly popular, with ticket prices and TV ratings rising accordingly. This is due in large part to the fact that many of the league’s top young stars choose to participate in the event. In 2017, such stars included Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons, and Jayson Tatum.
The games are generally more low-scoring than their regular season counterparts, as both defense and shooting tend to be rusty. Nevertheless, they are often thrilling affairs, providing plenty of highlights and insight into which players might make an impact once the real games begin.
Standouts from the Summer League
The NBA Summer League is always an exciting time for basketball fans. This year’s edition did not disappoint, with plenty of storylines and performances to keep us entertained.
Some of the standouts from the Summer League include:
Zion Williamson: The No. 1 overall pick lived up to the hype in his first taste of NBA action. Williamson was absolutely dominant at times, averaging 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting an efficient 71.4 percent from the field. He also showed off his incredible athleticism and explosiveness, which should make him a highlight-reel favourite for years to come.
Ja Morant: The second overall pick also impressed in his Summer League debut, averaging 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 50.0 per cent from the field. Morant showcased his electric playmaking ability and has already drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook. If he can continue to develop his jump shot, he has a chance to be a truly special player in this league.
Rui Hachimura: The No. 9 overall pick had a strong showing in Las Vegas, averaging 19.6 points and 6..8 rebounds while shooting 53 per cent from the field.. Hachimura was very efficient with his scoring and also showed that he could contribute on the glass despite being just 6-foot-8.. He should be able to provide instant offence for the Washington Wizards this season and could be a nice building block for the future.
Struggling Players in the Summer League
The NBA Summer League is a great opportunity for young players to showcase their skills in front of a national audience. However, it can also be a very humbling experience for every player that stands out and looks like a future star, plenty of others struggle and look lost on the court.
One player who struggled mightily was De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings. Fox was the 5th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft but he looked anything but a future star in Las Vegas. He averaged just 4 points and 2 assists per game while shooting an abysmal 27% from the field. Fox will likely have a much better rookie season once he adjusts to the NBA game, but his Summer League performance was certainly a disappointment.
Another player who struggled was Josh Jackson of the Phoenix Suns. Jackson, the 4th overall pick in this year’s draft, averaged just 9 points and 3 rebounds per game while shooting an ugly 33% from the field. Jackson has all the physical tools to be a very good player, but he still has a lot of work to do on his jump shot and overall offensive game. He’ll need to make major strides during his rookie season if he wants to live up to his lofty draft position.
What does this mean for the upcoming NBA season?
The NBA Summer League is a great way to get a first look at the rookies and some of the younger players on each team. While the games don’t count towards the regular season record, they are still important for players to get experience against NBA-level competition.
For the upcoming NBA season, the Summer League scores give us a good indication of which players and teams are ready to compete and which ones are still trying to figure things out. The San Antonio Spurs looked like the most polished team in the Summer League, while the New York Knicks struggled mightily.
As far as individual players go, Zion Williamson was the clear standout for the Pelicans. He showed off his impressive athleticism and scoring ability and it looks like he’s going to be a force in the league for years to come. For the Knicks, RJ Barrett had a solid showing, but Kevin Knox struggled with his shot. Overall, it was a mixed bag for New York.
Looking at these results, it seems like the Spurs are going to be one of the top teams in the league again this year, while the Knicks may have some work to do if they want to compete for a playoff spot.
Conclusion
The NBA Summer League produces some of the most exciting basketball fans have seen all season. Breaking down the scores helps to determine who made an impact and who struggled in these games. It’s clear from this analysis that several players stood out among their peers, as well as teams that had successful runs during the summer league. With new faces coming into the NBA next season, it will be interesting to see how they fare against their veteran opponents and if any of them can make a similar impact like those highlighted here.
