Summer League First Impressions

[MedellinHeel]

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.

Not naive at all. Its the truth. 

I know first hand as a slow unathletic short white guy. 

Plenty of slower unathletic guys in the NBA that can create their own shot ie Pierce, Dirk, Randolph, etc. 

When you have to play someone tight it gives the offensive player the advantage off the bounce. Creates much better lanes and angles. Frank is gonna have a filed day pump faking, hard jabbing, and spinning past people in the NBA. 

 

[TheRed]

Isn't Promethean Forerunner a Heat fan anyway?

I'm guessing this guy didn't read that pinned thread by Zod in here.

If you don't like Kaminsky, don't post here.

[CCU Norman]

Also from what I watched frank had a fugging quick release. That will help tremoundously. If you do a pick and pop and the defender gets out of position he can get that shot up before they can get to him. Idk if it was because I only watched the highlights but man it looked fast and smooth.

[RealBitsOfPanther]

I'll be the first to admit that when the Hornets took Kaminsky, I wasn't on board. I wanted Winslow, like a lot of you on this board. But the more I think about it, watch his game on YouTube and now this summer league game, I'm pulling for this guy. If he can get some boards and stretch the floor for Kemba and MKG to slash, then this might work. TLDR: didn't like the puck at first but ive grown to kind of like the pick and am now cautiously optimistic that he might pan out.

[TheRed]

 I like Frank, it's time to support the guy, he's a Hornet. I'm looking forward to seeing more from him.

[MedellinHeel]

I'll be the first to admit that when the Hornets took Kaminsky, I wasn't on board. I wanted Winslow, like a lot of you on this board. But the more I think about it, watch his game on YouTube and now this summer league game, I'm pulling for this guy. If he can get some boards and stretch the floor for Kemba and MKG to slash, then this might work. TLDR: didn't like the puck at first but ive grown to kind of like the pick and am now cautiously optimistic that he might pan out.

Some of you really undersell Frank. He is much more than some rebounding big that can simply stretch the floor. 

 

[teeray]

Didn't get around to watching until this morning.  Good write up JJ.  Here are some or my thoughts:

Kaminsky has a good skill foundation for success.  Meaning he has high basketball IQ, nice jumper, decent handle for a big, etc.  He just needs to keep building confidence and his body.  He is a little weak and got pushed underneath on rebounds and is a step slow on defense.  But just strength and confidence will go a long ways for him because he has the skill.  He isn't "raw" and can help from day 1.  Defense and rebounding will still be a bugaboo out of the gate which for a defensive minded coach may limit his minutes more than fans will probably like at first (I know he had 12 rebounds but he could have had several more and got pushed around a bit)

PJ is bigger.  And I am not sure that is a good thing.  Frankly, he looks overweight to me.  He has gained size and lost definition in his arms.  He didn't have any lift on his jumper.  I am worried about PJ.  He needs to be losing weight to have better lateral movement on defense and to have better rhythm and lift on his shot, and looks like he is going in opposite direction.  Personally I would like to see him lose 10-15 pounds.  Still had some good moments though.

Troy Daniels looked fine.  Missed some shots he will normally make.  Shot it poorly but for now will write it off as a one game anomaly.

Aaron Harrison was our best guard yesterday.  Took a couple bad shots but made several hustle plays and showed his explosiveness getting to the rim.  I think he is the type of versatile combo guard that should be considered as being signed as 3rd PG and SG.  I hope MJ gives him strong consideration for a roster spot.

That Qvale or whatever his name is also impressed me with his effort and hustle as well as some nice plays on defense.  Doesn't really matter because there is no spot for him on our roster.

[Jackofalltrades]

 I like Frank, it's time to support the guy, he's a Hornet. I'm looking forward to seeing more from him.

This. I didn't love the pick, but he's one of us now and I'm a fan. I didn't want Cam either, hopefully I'm just as wrong about Frank.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

For all the talk that Frank cannot get his shot off or he is too slow he got great seperation on his first shot with a simple shoulder fake step back. 

Also he shot that top of the key 3 like its a free throw. 

If he can take a rebound coast to coast for a finish he could be closer to Dirk Novitski than we are all ready to admit after one summer league game of course. 

 Saw enough from that game to show he is a natural mover for a 7 footer and could very well become a building block this franchise has been craving. His offense is there just constant coaching on the defense will make him wayy more than a Kelly Olenyck I keep thinking he would max out at earlier. 

 

[MedellinHeel]

^^ a simple shoulder fake hard dribble left step back jumper. 

thats only one move he has. he has plenty of getting off his on shot. 

 

[JJman Returns]

I feel like I am being called out for saying he struggles at getting open. Regardless of his age, he is still a rookie. Rookies will have weaknesses. They can be fixed. Kaminsky will get better at finding ways to get open but for now, his lack of speed hurts him. He has a quick release which is huge and he has above average handles for a big man, but he didn't do a great job creating separation off the ball. I think he is his best off screens. Either way I was extremely impressed by his versatility and rebounding ability. He will be a very good player I think.

[yasuhara2241]

Overall, I liked what I saw from Frank. It was what we were wanting and hoping out of Cody Zeller as a stretch 4. Also imagine how much the board would go crazy if Vonleh would have put up that type of game? I also was very impressed with Harrison, he just needs to work on his passing off the pick and roll/pop. PJ and Daniels didn't impress this first game. 

[JJman Returns]

Overall, I liked what I saw from Frank. It was what we were wanting and hoping out of Cody Zeller as a stretch 4. Also imagine how much the board would go crazy if Vonleh would have put up that type of game? I also was very impressed with Harrison, he just needs to work on his passing off the pick and roll/pop. PJ and Daniels didn't impress this first game. 

I thought they both looked good. I loved the confidence they had and Hairston really seemed to bulk up this offseason. They lobbed up too many threes imo but everyone does that in Summer League. I thought Hairston's form is still looking good. Hopefully he can become more consistent. 

[Proudiddy]

Summer league would be a lot more fun for me to watch as a Hornets fan if we didn't consistently field the shittiest roster each year.  We probably have the least NBA experience of all teams in the Orlando SL, and even if that isn't true, we definitely have the least talent cumulatively.   I'm so tired of watching scrubs like Wallace, Randleman, and Murphy trying to show everyone what they have at the expense of our actual roster guys. 

And although I think Harrison may have earned himself a roster spot here, he too is guilty of trying to take over at the expense of the easier/better play.   I have no idea how many times Harrison completely looked off Frank running the pick and roll, in favor of a bad shot he forced inside.  Thankfully, Harrison started hitting those shots and making the right decision down the stretch but, it's plays like that that kill our offense, both in SL and in the regular season. 

 

All that being said, man...   I'm really disappointed in PJ.  My belief in him has been based off of his natural scoring ability, shooting, and athleticism from college.  Those things combined usually make for an easy transition to the pros, scoring wise.  But, he does not look like the same player here.  He is great at creating shots, but they just aren't falling.  It's just weird...  He had moments last season, but I expected him to dominate this summer league with that pro experience under his belt now.  Maybe it's mental, but man, it is certainly discouraging so far. 

Also, Frank looks like a baller.  Credit to MJ on that one.   His presence makes a huge difference on the pick and roll... 

 

Now trade AL.