Summer League First Impressions

[JJman Returns]

Frank Kaminsky - Looked very good. He ran the floor a little slow and looked weak defensively. I think he has just been coached poorly on defense. He'll never be a rim protector or a lockdown defender, but he'll become a fine defensive player working with a guy like Clifford. I think his rebounding ability has been sold short. He is excellent at boxing out and can rebound on either side of the ball. Offensively he loves the three from the top of the key. He is not great at getting open but he is solid off screens. I think Kaminsky will be ready to start this season. 

PJ Hairston - Looked like a man among boys. He has bulked up and looks very confident. He has maintained his three point stroke and looks good attacking the lane, rather he pulls up or tries to finish. He looks like he will be an excellent scorer off the bench and may even be starter material one day. -- Remember I am usually very harsh on Hairston

Troy Daniels - Showed versatility offensively. He shot the ball well and scored inside. I didn't really see much wrong with his defense. 

Aaron Harrison - Probably played harder then anyone on the court today. He consistently made plays for the ball and managed to swipe the ball out of his opponent's hands multiple times. I really hope he makes the team. 

Brian Qvale - I personally thought he looked solid. He has terrible hands when it comes to catching passes, but he plays physically and looked like a capable rim protector. Definitely a tenacious rebounder. I wouldn't hate to see him signed to a reserve role. He'd barely get to play, but maybe he could be turn into a role player eventually. 

Jonathan Wallace - Sucks ass. I've never seen a more moronic play then the 8 second violation he committed. I saw it coming from the second he got the ball from Kaminsky. Not to mention he wasted 15 seconds on the final possession doing pointless dribble moves. There is no place for a selfish, stupid PG in the NBA. 

Thoughts? And remember these are just first impressions. 

[Carl Spackler]

PJ's performance was largely panned compared to Aaron's. I'm a PJ fan but if Aaron can do more for us than PJ, I'm all for Aaron. And Frank was Beast Mode in the second half today. 

[CCU Norman]

Can anyone put up highlights of that game? Or a place to find highlights? YouTube doesn't have them yet

[carpanfan96]

Highlights of the game and Kaminsky are up. On the nba summerleague page. Can't link since I'm on my phone.

[Biggdaddi1022]

Frank Kaminsky - Looked very good. He ran the floor a little slow and looked weak defensively. I think he has just been poorly coached poorly on defense. He'll never be a rim protector or a lockdown defender, but he'll become a fine defensive player working with a guy like Clifford. I think his rebounding ability has been sold short. He is excellent at boxing out and can rebound on either side of the ball. Offensively he loves the three from the top of the key. He is not great at getting open but he is solid off screens. I think Kaminsky will be ready to start this season. 

PJ Hairston - Looked like a man among boys. He has bulked up and looks very confident. He has maintained his three point stroke and looks good attacking the lane, rather he pulls up or tries to finish. He looks like he will be an excellent scorer off the bench and may even be starter material one day. -- Remember I am usually very harsh on Hairston

Troy Daniels - Showed versatility offensively. He shot the ball well and scored inside. I didn't really see much wrong with his defense. 

Aaron Harrison - Probably played harder then anyone on the court today. He consistently made plays for the ball and was swiping the ball out of his opponent's hands. I really hope he makes the team. 

Brian Qvale - I personally thought he looked solid. He has terrible hands when it comes to catching passes, but he plays physically and looked like a capable rim protector. He was a tenacious rebounder. I wouldn't hate to see him signed to a reserve role. He'd barely get to play, but maybe he could be turn into a role player eventually. 

Jonathan Wallace - Sucks ass. I've never seen a more moronic play then the 8 second violation he committed. I saw it coming from the second he got the ball from Kaminsky. Not to mention he wasted 15 seconds on the final possession doing pointless dribble moves. There is no place for a selfish, stupid PG in the NBA. 

Thoughts? And remember these are just first impressions. 

where was craft?

[zacka77ack]

where was craft?

Out with a toe injury.

[Biggdaddi1022]

Out with a toe injury.

thanks

[MedellinHeel]

Frank can get open just fine. Has a array of moves to use in that regard. 

 

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

The game is on from 10pm est

[cbarrier90]

IMO unless there's a no-name guy that really breaks out during a game, the critiques should be only for guys that have a real chance to make the squad. That's Frank, PJ, Troy, Harrison, and maybe Craft (spent time at the beginning of last season with the Warriors and in the d-league.)

Nothing against the other guys, but they are just camp fodder, especially for a team with as many veterans as this final roster will have.

[JJman Returns]

IMO unless there's a no-name guy that really breaks out during a game, the critiques should be only for guys that have a real chance to make the squad. That's Frank, PJ, Troy, Harrison, and maybe Craft (spent time at the beginning of last season with the Warriors and in the d-league.)

Nothing against the other guys, but they are just camp fodder, especially for a team with as many veterans as this final roster will have.

Pretty much what I did. I only did Wallace to call him out for how bad he played. Qvale was someone who I was personally impressed by. Craft did not play. 

[cbarrier90]

I only did Wallace to call him out for how bad he played.

Hahahaha!

Watching the replay now and...yikes!

[MedellinHeel]

Not from what I saw too. Frank is a little slow. Getting open by his own accord is not his strength -- never has been.

One doesnt need to be quick to create space or get a decent shot off. Unless you are just talking about straight line driving. 

All one needs to do is understand how to use pump fakes, hesitation, jab steps, spin moves, step backs, body positioning, momentum etc. Frank has a very good handle for a 7fter so it just makes it much more easier for him coupled with how close people have to play him due to his shooting. 

 

 

 

[Wundrbread33]

That's a little naive to state. One definitely needs some type quickness to create space or openings. Pump fakes, spin moves, step backs, etc can only get you so far at this level. Athletic defenders like Leonard, Whiteside, Green, Butler, LBJ, Monroe, Aldridge, Howard, and D.Jordan would smother Frank.

Kaminsky has a good handle. That'll translate just fine but he needs to develop some form of agility to compensate for the elite athletes who will be up on his grill. It's one thing to shoot over a 6'3"-6'6" forward or guard, it's another thing when you've got a 6'7"-6'11" forward or center who can move twice as fast you.

Yes and no. 

I personally think people underestimate Frank's ability to move. He is no Anthony Davis, but he understands how to move his long legs to get open/gain position. His ball handling will give him an advantage against those his size, and his size gives him an advantage over a smaller cover. 

A step back jumper by a 7 footer is nearly impossible to block. Ask Dirk or Aldridge about that.

Frank looked like the most nimble of the big men in the game he was in, for what it's worth.