NBA Summer League 2014: Breaking Down How Top Rookies Have Fared in Orlando
Summer League is all about the rooks.
Yes, the annual preseason showcase can provide a fun glimpse at under-the-radar players trying to make a squad or second-year standouts poised for a breakout (hello there, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope), but the opportunity to get a look at the newly drafted youngsters is the biggest draw.
It's early, but let's take a look at how some of the top ones are faring so far in Orlando.
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Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers
Nerlens Noel was playing his first organized basketball game in 18 months, but it sure didn't look like it.
In his long-awaited debut, the man with the best hair in Orlando poured in 19 points to go with with two rebounds, three assists, four steals and a block. He looked quick and explosive, as evidenced by two of his early buckets:
Outside of the four turnovers and five personal fouls (it was his first professional game, we'll forgive him), there wasn't much not to like.
Defensively, he resembled the same player we saw for 24 games at Kentucky. He used his quickness to defend the pick-and-roll on the perimeter and his amalgam of length and athleticism to protect the rim.
The pleasant surprise, though, was his versatile offensive game. He had a couple of dunks, he had a lefty finish out of the post, he had a floater, he scored off the bounce and he made some nice passes. Perhaps most impressively, the 52.9 percent collegiate free-throw shooter knocked down all seven of his attempts from the charity stripe.
"I was nervous at the beginning, but I seemed to play a little better when I'm anxious," Noel told reporters, via ESPN's Michael Wallace.
It's important not to start jumping to any conclusions, but this was about as well as the youngster's debut could have gone.
Aaron Gordon, PF, Orlando Magic
So far, it's exactly what we were expecting from Aaron Gordon: extremely raw on offense, but scintillating on defense.
Through two games, the No. 4 overall pick has scored 16 points. He is shooting 38.9 percent from the field (7-of-18) and has inexplicably launched four three-pointers, missing all of them. Moreover, much like during his Arizona days, he has knocked down just two of his six free-throw attempts.
This particular sequence, via Basketball Insiders' Nate Duncan, summed up his start:
On the other side of the court, however, Gordon has flashed his gaudy athleticism and defensive potential. During a win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, he provided one of the best plays of the day at the expense of fellow rookie K.J. McDaniels:
He followed it up Monday with a less flashy, but still impressive steal and fast-break layup:
Gordon—it's pronounced Gor-Don—is a long way away from being polished offensively, but even though he doesn't turn 19 until September, it's evident he has the physical tools to make a defensive impact for the Magic right away.
Marcus Smart, PG/SG, Boston Celtics
One of the major knocks on Marcus Smart coming out of Oklahoma State was his inconsistent jump shot, and he has done little to quell those concerns.
In two games, Smart is averaging 10.5 points on an anemic 21.7 percent shooting (5-of-23). He has knocked down just one of his 10 three-point attempts.
Still, as he told reporters, via the Boston Celtics' official Twitter feed, he isn't too concerned:
Moreover, despite the early struggles, Smart has found other ways to contribute. He is averaging 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals, and his typical intensity on the defensive side of the ball hasn't wavered.
NBADraftBlog.com's Ed Isaacson put it simply, while also praising another rookie point guard:
Who knows if Smart will ever be truly efficient from the outside, but that was never why he was drafted so high. It's encouraging to see him engaged and aggressive even with the jump shot not falling.
Note: Stats courtesy of NBA.com and last updated before games on Tuesday, July 8.
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