369 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: Way Too Early 2021-22 NBA Power Rankings: Nets ahead of defending champion Bucks; Suns above Lakers

https://www.cbssport...s-above-lakers/

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: NBA Power Rankings, way-too-early edition: Where the Milwaukee Bucks and every team stand for 2021-22

https://www.espn.com...m-stand-2021-22

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: 2021 NBA Free Agency Primer

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: Kyle Lowry free agency update: Pelicans open up space to pursue star; Lakers, Heat also interested, per report

https://www.cbssport...ted-per-report/

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: NBA free agency 2021: The players, teams and decisions that matter most this offseason

https://www.espn.com...-most-offseason

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: 2021 NBA free agency primer: Point guards to play musical chairs, the Knicks have cap space!

https://www.cbssport...have-cap-space/

[BSLMikeLowe]

Kawhi Leonard has declined his option with the Clippers for next season and will be a UFA, even though there's no timetable yet on when he'll be ready to play after ACL surgery.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Chris Paul also declined his option, worth $44m, for next season.

[Mike B]

Kawhi Leonard has declined his option with the Clippers for next season and will be a UFA, even though there's no timetable yet on when he'll be ready to play after ACL surgery.

This feels like Kawhi to the Knicks.

[Mike B]

Chris Paul also declined his option, worth $44m, for next season.

I could also see him in NY, but not for 44 M.  Maybe 2 years for $60 to 65 M.

 

Still too much for CP3 at this point in his career.

[JordanKough]

This feels like Kawhi to the Knicks.

 

He was always going to make more money opting out even if he stayed. I think it was somewhat assumed he would opt out (as a Clippers fan). I'll be devastated if he does end up leaving though. 

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: NBA free agency winners and losers: Heat make power moves; Lakers defense takes a hit; Knicks go sideways

https://www.cbssport...ks-go-sideways/

[Mike B]

CBS Sports: NBA free agency winners and losers: Heat make power moves; Lakers defense takes a hit; Knicks go sideways

https://www.cbssport...ks-go-sideways/

The Lakers seem to be trying to put the band back together.  The problem with trying to recreate the magic 2 years later, is that the old players are now 2 years older.

[BSLMikeLowe]

The Lakers seem to be trying to put the band back together.  The problem with trying to recreate the magic 2 years later, is that the old players are now 2 years older.

Of all the players they reunited with, I think only Howard was on the bubble title team. But if nothing else, the Lakers can save money this season by having team meals during Denny’s Senior Special hours.

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: NBA free agency 2021: Live updates, trade rumors, news as Bulls land DeRozan, Carmelo joins LeBron's Lakers

https://www.cbssport...d-derozan/live/

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: NBA free agency winners and losers: Lakers defense takes hit; Heat make power moves; Bulls go all-in

https://www.cbssport...ulls-go-all-in/

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: NBA free agency 2021: Live updates, rumors, news as Hornets sign Kelly Oubre Jr.; Kemba Walker joins Knicks

https://www.cbssport...ns-knicks/live/

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: The Winners and Losers of the 2021 NBA Offseason (So Far)

[BSLJalonDixon]

BSL: Four Intriguing NBA Summer League Opener Storylines

https://baltimorespo...ner-storylines/

[BSLJalonDixon]

Top-4 2021 NBA Draft Picks Show Out in Summer League Debuts

When it comes to Summer League play, everyone knows that the main attraction is seeing the latest NBA Lottery picks in action. Well quite a few of them made their Summer League debuts, but of course the headliners were dominated by the guys taken with the first four picks in the 2021 NBA Draft.

 

The group of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley were atop Mock Drafts and Big Boards all season and now they get to prove why they were the consensus top 3. Then there is Scottie Barnes who was the first odd domino to fall, causing a significant ripple effect throughout the rest of the Lottery.

 

In this breakdown we are going to take a look at how all four of these guys performed in their Summer League debuts and deduce some potential takeaways regarding their fits on the main roster and how they may project when the real games start.

 

Starting with the No.1 overall pick in Cade Cunningham who had a solid outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In spite of the Pistons losing 72-76, Cunningham showed off a little bit of everything in his arsenal. Cunningham was second on the team with 12 points along with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

 

He did not shoot the ball relatively well though, going 5-of-17 from the floor and 2-of-7 from three. This was obviously not the most impressive debut of the day, but Cunningham’s well rounded stat line does show signs of his potential to be a stud two-way player at the next level.

 

 

When it comes to his fit on the Detroit Pistons, he projects well as an initiator and primary ball handler on offense. Cunningham has the chance to be a high IQ facilitator on a Pistons team that has an interesting mix of shooters like Saddiq Bey and the newly acquired Kelly Olynyk along with slashers like Jerami Grant and Killian Hayes. He also rebounds well for the position which should play well in the transition game. But most importantly he is a team first guy who ramps it up when need be.

 

For those who forgot, at Oklahoma State last season Cunningham was the definition of a second half player as he averaged 14 of his 20 points per game in the second half. This is because he puts a significant emphasis on getting others involved early and often. Some can view this as a net negative for a prospect that was considered to be a unanimous No.1 pick, but for a Pistons team in need of structure, Cunningham’s style fits perfectly.

 

Cunningham has all the tools to average 20 points in the league. Nonetheless, my guess is that he will hover around 16 points a game along with about six rebounds and five assists. Solid stat line for a guy who plays at his own pace and is surrounded by guys who are more than willing to score the basketball in his place.

 

Next up is Jalen Green with the Rockets and he surely turned some heads with his debut. 23 points, five rebounds and two assists while shooting 50% from the floor. Green was impressive in his tough shot making and even more so, he only committed one turnover in 30 minutes which is really impressive considering how much he had the ball in his hands.

 

Between the play of Green, rookie guard Josh Christopher (13 points) and sophomore forward Kenyon Martin Jr., Houston took the Cavaliers down, 84-76. This may not be a hot take by any stretch, but Green has the chance to average 20+ points right out of the gate. Summer League does not prove much, but this may just be a precursor of things to come.

 

 

Expect this Houston Rockets team to play very little defense but work hard to race opposing teams to 140 points. Between Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood, the Rockets could be one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the league this year. My prediction is by season’s end this will be a top-5 scoring offense with at least three guys averaging 20+ and five or six guys averaging double figures.

 

Not sure if they will win many games in a tough Western Conference, but Green will have his fair share of ESPN Top-10 highlight plays to help keep the Rockets relevant in the media. Green is currently my frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year.

 

Then there is big man Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers who showed all the defensive upside we expect out of a top-3 center prospect. Despite doing so in a losing effort, Mobley scored 12 points along with five rebounds and three blocks in 28 minutes. The stat line does not look crazy, but the film tells a better story.

 

Mobley showed off his ability to switch on defense, make defensive reads, rim protect and be a reliable help defender. For those who worry about his fit with Jarrett Allen, the offensive fit is still a question but they without question seem like the shot blocking match made in heaven to man the Cleveland Cavaliers interior defense.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRuoXejR1m4

 

On the offensive side of the ball, Mobley still has some work to do in terms of being a high-volume shooter. But with his physical frame he will be able to get a handful of easy baskets off of lobs and even some second chance points if he is active on the glass.

 

On a team with Allen and Larry Nance Jr. he will not need to lead this team in rebounding, but he will need to adopt a rebounders mentality. I do not see the Cavaliers becoming a “feed the post team” with Collin Sexton leading the charge at point guard. So, he will have to do a lot of dirty work to get his points and be a focal point on the defense as opposed to on offense.

 

Mobley will not have the flashiest stat line this season but in terms of his defensive capabilities, his presence will be felt right away. My prediction is that he will average about 12-15 points, six or seven rebounds and nearly a block and a half. Not the most eye-popping numbers but surely effective for a center and surely better than last year’s No.3 pick James Wiseman who the jury is still out on.

 

Then lastly is Scottie Barnes with the Toronto Raptors who was one of the biggest enigmas of this draft but is quickly starting to silence the doubters. In the Raptors 89-79 victory over the New York Knicks, Barnes had the only double-double of this group. He finished the night with 18 points, ten rebounds and five assists along with two steals and a block.

 

Barnes only hit one three-pointer but what stands out more than anything is that he took 18 shots which was second behind only Obi Toppin (21 shot attempts). This kind of aggressive offensive play style was pretty repressed during his time at Florida State, but in his first pro game he surely gave Toronto fans a glimpse of what could be a bright future. It will be interesting to see how Raptors head coach Nick Nurse will utilize Barnes in a lineup already filled with rangy wings in Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YctRlHb3sI

 

There have been rumblings by draft experts saying that Toronto should experiment with him as a 6-foot-9 point guard. Especially considering the departure of Kyle Lowry, it actually does not sound like the craziest idea. The league is moving more and more towards size at the guard positions. From big guards like Lonzo Ball to point forwards LeBron James and Ben Simmons, tall guards with large wingspans are starting to form an interesting niche group of their own within the NBA.

 

Now of course the most important things at the guard position are having range and solid ball handling. Barnes may not have the creative handle of Stephen Curry or Kyrie Irving, but he dribbles the ball well for a big guy and he is a good passer. The key to unlocking “Point Scottie” will be that three-point shot. The belief in his shot is still TBD and with that leaves a lot to be desired from your starting point guard.

 

Nonetheless, Barnes should be a beast defensively as part of a three-wing trio and he is joining one of the best developmental staffs in the NBA which should give Raptors fans some optimism in relation to the whole shooting problem. My prediction is that he will average about 14-15 points, eight rebounds and at least a block and/or steal a game.

 

All four of these guys had impressive debuts in their own way. If these performances are any indication of what we should expect from these guys in their rookie seasons, this top portion of the 2020 NBA Draft may actually live up to all the hype that it had built up over the last year or so. Should be an interesting Rookie of the Year race.