Vmart wrote:Knicks were going to choose Ntlikina because he is better than Smith. We will know very quickly why the Knicks picked him. Mills owned the pick because he went to scout him too and came away impressed. Cuban went to scout Ntlikina and he too came away impressed to the point where he wanted Ntlikina to choose Dallas over NY. The defense element is something everyone overlooks here. Everyone here sees a player score a lot and gets all excited. But we have see scorers with no defense and results just aren't there.

Nitty is not a highlight reel guy. He's a winning basketball type guy. Getting after it on D and playing a Team game. That's what Phil said they were targeting and if you even look at Dotson he's a similar player. Guys that do more than just score and can play more than one position.

Vmart wrote:Knicks were going to choose Ntlikina because he is better than Smith. We will know very quickly why the Knicks picked him. Mills owned the pick because he went to scout him too and came away impressed. Cuban went to scout Ntlikina and he too came away impressed to the point where he wanted Ntlikina to choose Dallas over NY. The defense element is something everyone overlooks here. Everyone here sees a player score a lot and gets all excited. But we have see scorers with no defense and results just aren't there.

NBA Vegas Summer League 2017 best and worst - Kevin Pelton
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NBA Vegas Summer League 2017 best and worst - Kevin Pelton
by Kevin Pelton on 2017-07-18 01:21:00 UTC (original: http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/19968699/nba-vegas-summer-league-2017-best-worst-kevin-pelton)

Which players have been most impressive so far at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas? Whose careers have gotten off to slow starts?

We're midway through NBA Summer League action, with the tournament portion of the competition beginning Wednesday. With each team having played three games -- and some of the big names already shut down for the remainder of the competition -- now is a good time to take a preliminary look at the most impressive (and most disappointing) players in Las Vegas.

Best rookies

1. Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks

The ninth pick of this year's draft, Smith has been the most impressive rookie so far in Las Vegas. Playing alongside more talent and in a better system than at North Carolina State, Smith has gotten where he's wanted on the court, finished creatively at the rim, drawn fouls and found open teammates.

Despite inconsistent outside shooting (5-of-14, 35.7 percent from 3), Smith has scored 55 points on 46 shooting possessions. He's also been active at the defensive end, a change from his low-energy style in college that left questions in the minds of scouts.

2. John Collins, Atlanta Hawks

After developing as a traditional post player at Wake Forest, Collins has to employ a new style to succeed in the NBA.

He's showed that ability this week, playing well as a center for the Hawks' summer league team. Collins has pulled down double-figure rebounds in all three games while shooting 60 percent from the field, highlighted by 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting against New Orleans.

3. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Mitchell's shot hasn't always gone down this summer -- he's shooting just 21-of-59 -- but when it has, he's been incredible. Mitchell dropped 37 points on the Memphis Grizzlies in an overtime loss Tuesday, making 14 free throws and adding eight steals.

Mitchell's defense has been the constant. He's shown All-Defensive potential as an individual and help defender, lifting him into this spot over more efficient scorers.

Honorable mention: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Kyle Kuzma, L.A Lakers; Frank Mason III, Sacramento Kings; Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics.

Most disappointing rookie
Zach Collins, Portland Trail Blazers

Playing in his hometown, Collins has gotten off to a slow start. He shot just 4-of-20 from the field in his first two games, and a bounceback effort Tuesday (four points and four rebounds in 11 minutes) was cut short by a quadriceps contusion.

Collins has been more promising as a rim protector, blocking six shots in three games.

Best NBA veterans
1. Brandon Ingram, L.A. Lakers

The Lakers shut down Ingram after he cramped up at the end of regulation of his one appearance in Las Vegas. They'd already seen enough. Ingram showed all the improvement the Lakers could hope for after his inefficient rookie campaign, playing with more strength and creating easy shot opportunities.

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Ingram's 26 points were more than he scored in any game during 2016-17.

2. DeAndre' Bembry, Atlanta Hawks

With Tim Hardaway Jr.'s departure, the Hawks have minutes open at shooting guard, and Bembry has made a strong case to claim them with his performance this week. He's scored 55 points in just 76 minutes -- 26.0 per 36 -- on 57.1 percent shooting, while also handing out 4.0 assists per game.

Perhaps most encouraging was Bembry hitting a pair of 3-pointers on Monday after attempting just one in his first two games.

3. Troy Williams, Houston Rockets

Signed by the Rockets last March after spending most of his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Williams has the potential to excel in Mike D'Antoni's system if he can become a 3-point threat. He's been accurate in this week's small sample, making 10 3-pointers in 26 attempts (38.5 percent).

Williams' athleticism allows him to get easy baskets in transition, padding his average of 25.7 ppg.

Honorable mention: Malik Beasley, Denver Nuggets; Yogi Ferrell, Dallas Mavericks; Bryn Forbes, San Antonio Spurs; Montrezl Harrell, LA Clippers; Wayne Selden, Memphis Grizzlies; Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors; Rashad Vaughn, Milwaukee Bucks.

Most disappointing NBA veterans
Chicago Bulls' veterans

The Bulls are the defending Summer League champions, and with several first-round picks on the roster they figured to be contenders to repeat. Instead, Chicago got smashed by a combined 36 points in its first two games before getting a win Tuesday.

Rookie Lauri Markkanen led the summer Bulls in that game, with Denzel Valentine the only veteran to suit up. He shot 6-of-21, improving his shooting percentage to 27.2 percent this week.

Though he played well defensively, Kris Dunn shot 3-of-12 in his only appearance and Cameron Payne didn't show much improvement from last year's frustrating sophomore season.

Best free agent
Brandon Paul, Cleveland Cavaliers

A veteran of the G League who played for Cleveland's affiliate in Canton last season, Paul has flashed a well-rounded game for a Cavaliers team that has gone 3-0 with just one roster player (second-year guard Kay Felder). He's averaged 17.4 points, 3.3 assists and an impressive 3.3 steals per 36 minutes.

In a year that lacks a single standout unsigned player, Paul tops the list.

Honorable mention: Alex Caruso, L.A. Lakers; Charles Cooke, Minnesota Timberwolves; Matt Costello, Minnesota Timberwolves; Jared Cunningham, Washington Wizards; Kennedy Meeks, Toronto Raptors.

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CrushAlot wrote:

Vmart wrote:Knicks were going to choose Ntlikina because he is better than Smith. We will know very quickly why the Knicks picked him. Mills owned the pick because he went to scout him too and came away impressed. Cuban went to scout Ntlikina and he too came away impressed to the point where he wanted Ntlikina to choose Dallas over NY. The defense element is something everyone overlooks here. Everyone here sees a player score a lot and gets all excited. But we have see scorers with no defense and results just aren't there.

It is just summer league but Pelton isn't a easy/lazy grader.

Ranking Ben Simmons, Kris Dunn and the absolute best rookies at summer league (2016) - NBA
by Kevin Pelton

Best rookies
1. Kris Dunn | Minnesota Timberwolves

Sadly, Dunn hasn't been a part of Minnesota's Cinderella tournament run because of a concussion he suffered during his second game. Before then, however, Dunn was far and away the most productive rookie in Vegas. He had 48 points in his two appearances and shot 18-of-29 (62.1 percent) on 2-point attempts, living in the paint.

Perhaps most intriguingly, Dunn showed the ability to coexist with another point guard (Tyus Jones; more on him later), suggesting the Timberwolves should consider playing him with Ricky Rubio at times.

2. Tyler Ulis | Phoenix Suns

While Phoenix drafted a pair of players in the lottery (Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss), there's no doubt second-round pick Ulis was their most impressive player over the past week and a half.

Ulis posted an impressive 3.45 assist-to-turnover ratio, setting up teammates while taking care of the ball. While he had a more difficult time finishing over bigger defenders (Ulis shot 43.5 percent on 2-point attempts), he compensated for his small stature on defense with nearly three steals per game.

3. Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets

Despite struggling to find the range from downtown (8-of-29, 27.6 percent), Murray looked a lot more like the current version of Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum than McCollum himself in his first summer league -- and that was after four years in college to Murray's one.

Murray isn't much of a playmaker out of the pick-and-roll -- he averaged just 2.4 assists per game -- but he's great at manipulating the defense to set up scoring opportunities. He made an even 50 percent of his 2-point attempts, many of them off the dribble.

Honorable mention: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics; Juancho Hernangomez, Denver Nuggets; Patrick McCaw, Golden State Warriors; Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers; Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Lakers

Just saying...

They Both look to have a lot of potential,I'm just hoping that 8th pick can final become special

fishmike wrote:

Welpee wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

Vmart wrote:Knicks were going to choose Ntlikina because he is better than Smith. We will know very quickly why the Knicks picked him. Mills owned the pick because he went to scout him too and came away impressed. Cuban went to scout Ntlikina and he too came away impressed to the point where he wanted Ntlikina to choose Dallas over NY. The defense element is something everyone overlooks here. Everyone here sees a player score a lot and gets all excited. But we have see scorers with no defense and results just aren't there.

It is just summer league but Pelton isn't a easy/lazy grader.

Ranking Ben Simmons, Kris Dunn and the absolute best rookies at summer league (2016) - NBA
by Kevin Pelton

Best rookies
1. Kris Dunn | Minnesota Timberwolves

Sadly, Dunn hasn't been a part of Minnesota's Cinderella tournament run because of a concussion he suffered during his second game. Before then, however, Dunn was far and away the most productive rookie in Vegas. He had 48 points in his two appearances and shot 18-of-29 (62.1 percent) on 2-point attempts, living in the paint.

Perhaps most intriguingly, Dunn showed the ability to coexist with another point guard (Tyus Jones; more on him later), suggesting the Timberwolves should consider playing him with Ricky Rubio at times.

2. Tyler Ulis | Phoenix Suns

While Phoenix drafted a pair of players in the lottery (Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss), there's no doubt second-round pick Ulis was their most impressive player over the past week and a half.

Ulis posted an impressive 3.45 assist-to-turnover ratio, setting up teammates while taking care of the ball. While he had a more difficult time finishing over bigger defenders (Ulis shot 43.5 percent on 2-point attempts), he compensated for his small stature on defense with nearly three steals per game.

3. Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets

Despite struggling to find the range from downtown (8-of-29, 27.6 percent), Murray looked a lot more like the current version of Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum than McCollum himself in his first summer league -- and that was after four years in college to Murray's one.

Murray isn't much of a playmaker out of the pick-and-roll -- he averaged just 2.4 assists per game -- but he's great at manipulating the defense to set up scoring opportunities. He made an even 50 percent of his 2-point attempts, many of them off the dribble.

Honorable mention: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics; Juancho Hernangomez, Denver Nuggets; Patrick McCaw, Golden State Warriors; Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers; Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Lakers

Just saying...

Kris Dunn will be a hell of an NBA before all is said and done. I think Dennis Smith is a great prospect. I like the Ntilinkina pick, especially with our recent overseas scouting history. I feel great about the pick. Who is the better pick wont show itself for years. I like the gamble on a winning team first defense first player.