Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks - Summer League
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 90 - 91 L
Sasser, Jenkins, Holland, Klintman, Smith
Emphasize again how good of off the ball movers Trajan Langdon got in this draft
Klintman and Holland are very good with their cutting and both could be very good as OREB as wing/forwards
Not a critique of the organization or front office or anything at all (just an observation) but man…..this SL roster REALLY drops off after the first five
Most do but feel like other teams have 1 or 2 guys coming off the bench that contribute a little
HOLLAND with a really nice multiple effort iso defensive possession on first possession of the game vs Washington (tough mid range shot is simply made)
4:50 2nd he has another really nice one where he shows the defensive hand activity (this is off a better closeout from Klintman earlier in the possession - see below)
I can’t help but watch this and think about the defensive impact he and Ausar could have together on the wing
Has given up a couple left hand straight line drives to left handers here in the 3rd
Nice cut in transition and then soft touch off the backboard
Another mid post isolation in this one, goes against the smaller Kolek and has good elevation on the jumper but misses
Would have liked to see him find a way to get closer to the rim considering the matchup but I do like him trying things out in this area of the floor in SL
3:20 1st is where I think his biggest (or most immediate) growth needs to come after watching SL games
Nice ATO iso possession from free throw line
Completely blows by the primary defender
Not able to figure out the finish with the verticality contest from the helping big
GREAT adjustment finish late in the 2nd
Has another REALLY tough one late in the 4th
Great hustle play late in the quarter to put pressure on a transition finish (and it is missed)
Really nice lift to the wing off the PnR between Jenkins-Smith and comfortably knocks down the C&S 3PA
Love seeing the weakside rotation as low man
Was late on one earlier in the 2nd quarter and then a handful of minutes later he steps in and gets the charge
As inefficient as the shooting has been…..he has done an awesome job keeping the turnovers low (does have a couple rough ones in the 2nd half of this one)
USE HIM AS A SCREEN AND SHORT ROLL GUY……I like it (would hope he see it from Ausar during the season also)
Got him to the FT line
8:40 4th is the EXACT type of drives I think we could see from him early in his career
Follows it up with a transition run out (nice outlet pass by Smith)
Love attacking the OREBs at end of the game but just misses the little putback short
SMITH showing an impact again in this game early with his energy and effort
Showed a nice left hand finish as well
Playing physical, especially on the boards vs these Knicks bigs
SASSER gets really good separation with that step back when he is going to his left
He’s now controlling the ball and operating ball screens and you can kind of tell the difference in mentality where he’s looking to get a shot for himself where Jenkins seemed to be looking to breakdown the defense and kick
7:30 3rd - good C&S 3PA opportunity from the corner and he turns it down
As much as he wants to get shots up I do not understand why he does not take these
He can absolutely heat up and score the basketball though, we know this and have seen it
He really found his way to the free throw line in this one
KLINTMAN with a couple rough defensive possessions in the 1st quarter
Gives up a backdoor to Dadiet
Gives up another here in the 3rd, this is something I am sure they are showing him on film and he can improve come season
Gives up a 3rd one and these aren’t just playing aggressive in passing lanes, they are ball watching the driver
Hate to keep harping on it but gives up another one ATO late in the 4th
Tough time staying in front of the ball including a corner closeout on Dadiet
I believe in the shooting and off the ball movement and seeing how good the passing has been I think the defensive end is truly what determines how quickly he gets on the court at the NBA level
Really love his confidence shooting with a close contest
The handle is just really high and loose right now, has to tighten that up to at least be able to attack closeouts
The passing has just been awesome
Has some highlight worthy ones but also just the simple swing-swing one more type that keep the ball moving
JENKINS is truly fun to watch navigate ball screens defensively
I really like him looking to drive and kick here midway through the 2nd quarter
He has a real gear that he can go to that is impressive
ESTRADA is probably the one “other guy” from this game that has caught my eye a little bit
Not like a two way guy but makes sense to keep on the MCC
McCoy probably deserves a bit of love for making a couple shots here in the 2nd half as well
Knicks
Kolek, Washington, Baugh, Dadiet, Hukporti
KOLEK is so on point running these ball screens and reading the defense
Running the show and throwing pinpoint passes
The decisiveness, anticipation and accuracy of his passes are really impressive
He has a RIDICULOUS secondary defender navigation dribble before finding Washington in the corner
He is going to really struggle defensively at the point of attack
Going to have to rely on GREAT hands in terms of digs and deflections
Hasn’t found the 3P range in SL, that will be huge for him in the league to shoot similar to what we saw his last couple of years in college
Scoring some BIG buckets late after struggling from the field all game long
WASHINGTON just getting buckets early in the game
Making some really difficult shots and then has a dime to his big as I type this
Transition chase down block, love the energy he is playing with
Goodness, he can LIGHT IT UP
JOKUBAITIS looks good running the ball screens as well
Has a little “wiggle” to his handle and then finishes at the rim
Putting some real pressure on the defense as he continues to get to his left hand
HUKPORTI has some real intrigue as a play finishing, rim running, rim protecting and energy big that eventually gives a team 10-15 MPG
Has a pretty good iso defensive possession vs Holland in a cross match in transition
DADIET has had very little impact in the first half
Not surprising, pre draft the evaluation was that it would take him a little while to figure things out
The one thing that has stood out is the timing of his off the ball cuts
Really like what Bobi has showed in summer league. Interested to see his growth over the season. Do think he can crack the rotation if the roster stays the same. His ability to attack close outs and hit teammates on the move is what can separate him from someone like Stew.