Official 2019 Summer League Thread.

[west12]

Most of us do, but they atleast offered physical upside and raw games. Yabu is an scared bear in a china shop. So if you want to make that assessment, what does Yabu do better than them?

It is a fair question. And in my recollection the answer is: nothing. I think they're all just about equally bad.

But I thought it a worthwhile comparison because all three have/had some relatively unusual physical ability that, when viewed in the most optimistic light, made you think that they might develop into something. As others have posted, for Yabusele it is the size mobility combo. But all three looked equally lost in summer league games. I'm sure others could bring up more names to fit that bill.

Moreover, it seems like perfectly good draft strategy to take risks on players like that, especially with mid-round and later picks. If you strike gold, you look brilliant. It's just that the reality of them not working out is stark.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Just for reference, do you remember Jerome Moiso? Fab Melo?

Vitor Faverani!

 

[lovegtm]

Are the Celtics stuck with Strus for the year? He's been the least impressive of the guys out there so far who are actual basketball players, and not Yabus. I get the appeal in theory of 6-6 wings who can shoot, but he looks like a stiff. I suppose this really only affects Tacko.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Are the Celtics stuck with Strus for the year? He's been the least impressive of the guys out there so far who are actual basketball players, and not Yabus. I get the appeal in theory of 6-6 wings who can shoot, but he looks like a stiff. I suppose this really only affects Tacko.

I doubt it. 3&D wing is a role where a guy can progress from a 2-way deal to the NBA, though.

 

[mauf]

Guys, while I have some eyes on the thread: how close is too close vis-a-vis buying a house within walking distance to the in-laws? Like, how much should it matter if this house is otherwise the one (and we are otherwise struggling to find the right house)?

If you’re asking the question, you know the answer — it’s too close.

 

[bowiac]

Don't mean to sound like a buzzkill with all the Grant Williams love, and no doubt he can play, but he's still an undersized (short) PF with probably limited potential because of that

It's tough to find a good comparison for him. Being realistic, maybe an upside of like Larry Nance, and a downside of like, Julius Randle if the size issues prove to be too much defensively. He has more feel offensively than Nance, but it's tough to totally dismiss the size and wingspan limitations.

 

[Devizier]

I would be pretty stoked with Nance (junior) outcome if that’s what we get. Feels like Grant is smaller. Also, isn’t Nance more of an above the rim guy? I’m guessing you’re talking about general value rather than style. If we got Nance (senior) then watch out.

 

[bowiac]

Nance is bigger, yes, although I don't see him playing above the rim much despite that. I was thinking playing style as well - energy, shooting, passing. Nance can play a credible 5 while Williams probably cannot however. All the comps which occurred to me (Portis, Randle, Nance, Sullinger) were bigger, which is probably a bad sign if I'm being realistic.

I'm going through an old fogie phase right now of being obsessed with "feel" over measurables, so I'm gonna ignore all that though.

 

[Big John]

Last night's game vas Cleveland was a 5-6 point game until Waters went back in with around 5 minutes to go. He restored order.

https://youtu.be/ULboYDJkFSs

 

[Plantiers Wart]

Guys, while I have some eyes on the thread: how close is too close vis-a-vis buying a house within walking distance to the in-laws? Like, how much should it matter if this house is otherwise the one (and we are otherwise struggling to find the right house)?

My sister and her husband did this. They bought four houses down, but on a different street. Their daughter when young could get off the bus afterschool and go to grandma's. My sister can now check on them or help them as they've aged. And they never bother my brother in law. They don't stop in unannounced, he can go days and weeks without seeing them Works for them, but i guess the key is will in-laws respect boundaries.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Are the Celtics stuck with Strus for the year? He's been the least impressive of the guys out there so far who are actual basketball players, and not Yabus. I get the appeal in theory of 6-6 wings who can shoot, but he looks like a stiff. I suppose this really only affects Tacko.

Agreed. Only 2 summer league games, but Strus has shown nothing whatsoever. Waters, Edwards, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams all have shown well. So has Tacko. I'll be disappointed if we lose any of those guys in order to hold on to Strus, nevermind Yabu. Fuck the ballast. I'm converted.

 

[Bleedred]

The thing about Grant Williams is that he is incredibly strong. Watching him play last night, I was impressed by how he was able to stay in front of his player and when larger men tried to take him down in the post, he was pretty immovable given his strength. His footwork was good as well. If I'm not mistaken, at the basketball combine (or whatever they call it) he was by far the leader in doing bench press reps. It's funny, but my 17 year old son is a hoop junkie and has been a huge Tennessee fan ever since he was little. There's no reason or logic to it whatsoever (maybe he liked the orange color as a young kid; maybe he liked spelling Tennessee, who knows), but consequently, I watched about 20 Tennessee games last year (we have the SEC channel). Grant Williams always handled bigger guys with not a lot of problems, he was almost always composed, is a very unselfish player, good passer and a leader. He did all of this against an extremely competitive SEC. I don't know if it will translate to the NBA, but I'm definitely bullish on his prospects.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Are the Celtics stuck with Strus for the year? He's been the least impressive of the guys out there so far who are actual basketball players, and not Yabus. I get the appeal in theory of 6-6 wings who can shoot, but he looks like a stiff. I suppose this really only affects Tacko.

Tough crowd. Strus plays 15 minutes and he's already a stiff. Even though in these SL games, if a player isn't a guard, touches can be spotty.

There are two obvious things we can see about Strus. (1) He's got pretty good shot mechanics. (2) He plays with an incredible amount of energy. He's also a pretty good leaper (36.5 inches at the G League combine).

Agreed. Only 2 summer league games, but Strus has shown nothing whatsoever.

He didn't play the first game.

 

[Jimbodandy]

He didn't play the first game.

I know, but the others were great in both. Fine, I'll cool the jets on my contribution to "wtf Strus". I do wish that he didn't look so much like Nader out there.

 

[lovegtm]

Tough crowd. Strus plays 15 minutes and he's already a stiff. Even though in these SL games, if a player isn't a guard, touches can be spotty.

There are two obvious things we can see about Strus. (1) He's got pretty good shot mechanics. (2) He plays with an incredible amount of energy. He's also a pretty good leaper (36.5 inches at the G League combine).


He didn't play the first game.

It’s entirely possible that I’m projecting my Yabu (and residual Nader) resentment onto Strus.

 

[Mloaf71]

Nance is bigger, yes, although I don't see him playing above the rim much despite that. I was thinking playing style as well - energy, shooting, passing. Nance can play a credible 5 while Williams probably cannot however. All the comps which occurred to me (Portis, Randle, Nance, Sullinger) were bigger, which is probably a bad sign if I'm being realistic.

I'm going through an old fogie phase right now of being obsessed with "feel" over measurables, so I'm gonna ignore all that though.

Leon Powe?

 

[chilidawg]

Nance is bigger, yes, although I don't see him playing above the rim much despite that. I was thinking playing style as well - energy, shooting, passing. Nance can play a credible 5 while Williams probably cannot however. All the comps which occurred to me (Portis, Randle, Nance, Sullinger) were bigger, which is probably a bad sign if I'm being realistic.

I'm going through an old fogie phase right now of being obsessed with "feel" over measurables, so I'm gonna ignore all that though.

PJ Tucker seems like a good comp, similar size. Williams might be more polished offensively than Tucker when he came into the league.

 

[bowiac]

Tucker makes a lot of sense. I like that comp.

Powe really didn't ever pass the ball, which is one of Williams' best skills. Powe also never shot the three.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

PJ Tucker seems like a good comp, similar size. Williams might be more polished offensively than Tucker when he came into the league.

And it's not just their physical resemblence- their college career numbers are very similar, with PJ being the better rebounder, but Grant having a substantial edge blocking shots. Both were even their respective conference's POYs. PJ's solid college passing didn't really translate to a significant part of his game in the pros they way I hope Grant's will and I think there's more hope for optimism for Grant expanding his range early in his career, but other than that, PJ's a good template to look to.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/pj-tucker-1.html

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/grant-williams-1.html

 

[Spelunker]

Leon Powe?

Lou Roe?

<ducks>

 

[mauf]

Nance is bigger, yes, although I don't see him playing above the rim much despite that. I was thinking playing style as well - energy, shooting, passing. Nance can play a credible 5 while Williams probably cannot however. All the comps which occurred to me (Portis, Randle, Nance, Sullinger) were bigger, which is probably a bad sign if I'm being realistic.

I'm going through an old fogie phase right now of being obsessed with "feel" over measurables, so I'm gonna ignore all that though.

Williams strikes me as a high-floor, low-ceiling guy. A player with plus-plus strength who can shoot the rock and was an outstanding college player probably won’t fail to be a useful NBA player, but his lack of length and speed preclude him developing into more than a rotation guy.

 

[RoDaddy]

2 minutes to the Tacko Fall show

 

[DJnVa]

EDIT

 

[Sprowl]

Tacko tries another hook shot, but it rims out.

 

[DJnVa]

Can we get game full screen please?

Grant started tonight, Yabu did not.

 

[DJnVa]

Tacko slides over from weak side and blocks shot.

 

[djbayko]

Wow, what a bullshit offensive call.

 

[Sprowl]

Tacko can jump too! That was a NASA-worthy blocked shot.

 

[SoxinSeattle]

Tacko Blocko!

 

[DJnVa]

Ainge and Stevens in attendance. I expect Celtics to be a bit sloppy tonight with a back to back.

 

[DJnVa]

Arson gets hand off from Tacko, and converts the hoop and the harm.

 

[JohnnyTheBone]

Arson setting the place alight.

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

Edwards has a lightening fast trigger from deep.

 

[DJnVa]

PUT THE GAME ON FULL SCREEN. JESUS ESPN.

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

PUT THE GAME ON FULL SCREEN. JESUS ESPN.

If you have NBC Sports Boston, it's full screen.

 

[DJnVa]

Waters agreed to 2 way contract today. Ainge in his ear on the bench.

 

[DJnVa]

If you have NBC Sports Boston, it's full screen.

Not local, but thanks.

 

[djbayko]

PUT THE GAME ON FULL SCREEN. JESUS ESPN.

So annoying. No one needs to see Jackie.

 

[Sprowl]

The camera loves Tacko.

 

[Reverend]

So annoying. No one needs to see Jackie.

Whom you really couldn’t see in the camera angle they used most of the time anyway.

 

[TripleOT]

Denver had all kinds of trouble getting shots off with Tacko patrolling the lane.

Edwards heats up in a hurry.

 

[JohnnyTheBone]

That was a dirty dish from Dirty Waters.

 

[DJnVa]

Ainge liked it. He looks like he just played 18.

 

[DJnVa]

Whoever is sitting next to Stevens is rocking a Hornets tee shirt.

 

[djbayko]

Danny getting upset over foul calls in Summer League. LOL

 

[Sprowl]

Three point flops are the most persistent eyesore in the current game.

 

[scottyno]

Whoever is sitting next to Stevens is rocking a Hornets tee shirt.

Hornets assistant coach who played under brad at butler

 

[DJnVa]

Hornets assistant coach who played under brad at butler

Brad probably giving him heads up about Rozier.

 

[lovegtm]

Three point flops are the most persistent eyesore in the current game.

There's also no good reason 3 point fouls should be 3 shots. But preaching to the choir, and for whatever reason the league doesn't want to change it.

 

[DJnVa]

ESPN back to showing interview on screen, with wacked out angle wear you really can't even see the person being interviewed--you see a lot of the back of Doris Burke's head though.