Malik Beasley has developed gradually over his first two NBA seasons. The former Florida State one-and-done only played in 85 games over those two seasons combined. That said, he did see a spike in opportunity in 2017-18, as he played in 62 games compared to just 23 his rookie season. Beasley always had the size and frame to play in the NBA. At 6’5″, he is rarely overmatched physically by NBA guards. The thing holding Beasley back, other than the loaded guard group ahead of him, has been offensive efficiency. He still has some ways to go, but Saturday night’s…
Author: Josh Gutbrod
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Theo Pinson was a fan-favorite during his days as a North Carolina Tar Heel. His passing, defense and athleticism wowed fans as he made winning play after winning play. Despite his success at UNC, Pinson went undrafted in last month’s NBA Draft before ending up on the Brooklyn Nets’ Summer League roster. The biggest questions surrounding Pinson’s game were about his scoring ability at the NBA level. Against Oklahoma City today, he took his first crack at answering some of the questions. Taking the Next Step Pinson only averaged double figures once at UNC, putting up 10.3 ppg during…
The Atlanta Hawks showed improvement, but remain winless in four NBA Summer League games so far. The team went 0-3 in the Utah Summer League before dropping its first game in Vegas earlier today. Trae Young and company played better, and more cohesively, but the New York Knicks proved too much. Led by a combination of experience and youthful talent, the Knicks turned in an impressive NBA Summer League debut that ended in a 91-89 victory. Young, Collins Show Budding Chemistry The Atlanta Hawks probably do not care too much about winning during NBA Summer League. While no one…
Conference and divisional rivals Denver and Minnesota met each other for what became a drudgingly low scoring affair Friday night. Despite the low score, the game was not void of excitement. Denver outscored Minnesota in each of the first three quarters, taking a 62-41 lead into the fourth quarter. Minnesota then held Denver to just eight points in the fourth while exploding for 28 points themselves. Despite the roaring comeback, Denver was able to hang on for a one-point win 70-69. Young Vets Lead the Way for Denver Even a little experience can go a long way. NBA and…
Duke Blue Devils are scattered all across the NBA. One of college basketball’s historically elite programs, Duke turns out more NBA players than almost anyone. Regardless of position, team, or era, Duke players have left their mark on the NBA. The current rookie class has not one or two but five Blue Devils looking to make their claims to NBA fame. Two of those players, Utah’s Grayson Allen and Portland’s Gary Trent Jr., met in a fast-paced summer clash that was full of excitement. There were several impressive dunks, plenty of physical play, and even one ejection (from an incident…
The Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder battled it out in Friday night in what was one of the most competitive games of the summer thus far. Second-year pro Malik Monk shouldered the offensive load for Charlotte. Oklahoma City was led by a furious frontcourt assault. The game was close throughout, with the widest point differential in a quarter being only 6 points. Ultimately, it was the Hornets who got the win in the 88-87 inter-conference match-up. Monk Takes Charge Malik Monk was primarily overshadowed during his first year in Charlotte. Stuck behind a plethora of veteran guards and…
Atlanta’s rough start to the summer continued with a third-straight loss, this time coming at the hands of the Utah Jazz. The Hawks, showing more fight than in their first two NBA Summer League games, cut a ten-point halftime deficit to five, but were unable to overtake the Jazz in time to get the victory. Rookie Trae Young’s poor shooting continued, and the frustration boiled over as the point guard got into a scuffle with Utah’s Grayson Allen in the second half. To no one’s surprise, Allen’s “pesky” defense initiated the extracurriculars leading to Young’s retaliatory shove. Neither of the…
The LeBron James era is not starting off how many thought it would in Los Angeles. While the long-term prospects of the franchise remain bright, the short-term has gotten a bit dicey. The free agent moves around James have been questioned, the Golden State Warriors pulled a power move with the signing of DeMarcus Cousins, and now the franchise’s young point guard, Lonzo Ball, is involved in yet another distraction. The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly believe that the recent injury report regarding Lonzo Ball was leaked by members of Ball’s camp. The leak allegedly kept Ball out of trade talks…
The Memphis Grizzlies Summer League team is off to a solid start. The team managed to hang on for a 95-92 victory over the Utah Jazz Tuesday night to advance to 2-0 in the NBA Summer League. The Jazz, who defeated San Antonio in their first game, dropped to 1-1 on the summer. Despite the loss, the Jazz have just as much to take away from the match-up as the Grizz. The team was down 19 at halftime, but outscored Memphis in both the third and fourth quarters to close the final deficit to three. Balance Key for Grizzlies…
The first game jitters seem to have stuck around for Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks fell by a wide margin to the San Antonio Spurs in both teams’ second Summer League appearance. The game was actually a larger blow out than the 103-81 final score. The Spurs, led by several of the players that led the team’s G-League affiliate to a G-League title in 2017, were up by 27 with a minute still remaining in the first half of action. Experience Prevails for the Spurs As crazy as it is to think about, the San Antonio…