NBA Summer League Schedule 2015: Dates, Times, TV Coverage Info and More
Weeks after the NBA Finals concluded, basketball has returned and graced us with its presence in a more raw, unfiltered form—summer league.
And while the action hasn't been as aesthetically pleasing as the championship-caliber showdown that left hoop heads salivating for more, watching some of the league's brightest young talents mature hasn't been a bad consolation prize.
With former lottery picks, fringe roster talents and undrafted hopefuls all attempting to make names for themselves in hopes of boosting their stock, the Orlando and Utah Summer Leagues have highlighted some of the league's most dynamic up-and-coming players.
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| Orlando | Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic (Blue) | 1 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| Orlando | Brooklyn Nets vs. Orlando Magic (White) | 3 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| Orlando | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies | 5 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| Utah | Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs | 7 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| Utah | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz | 9 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
Players to Watch
Aaron Gordon, PF, Orlando Magic (Blue)
Aaron Gordon's rookie season was interrupted due to a fracture in his left foot, but that pesky ailment is officially a thing of the past.
Throughout his first three appearances during summer league play, the athletic freak has flashed rapid development as a jump-shooter. Not only is he averaging an Orlando Summer League-best 21.7 points and 11.7 rebounds, but he's drilled 50 percent of his field-goal attempts and a handful of three-point looks.
"Last year there was a lot of being uncomfortable," Gordon said, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins. "This year I'm a lot more comfortable. So it's easy for me."
The Orlando Pinstriped Post's Evan Dunlap explained how Gordon's summer league production has spiked from a year ago:
For a guy who attempted just 48 threes (and made 13) in 47 games last season, Gordon's mechanics look awfully polished mere months after the season ended.
That's huge, too, because if Gordon can carry his success as a shooter over into the regular season, Orlando will be able to slot him in at either forward position. While he's far from evolving into a true stretch 4, that could be the ultimate goal.
"If he ends up being a legitimate threat from out to the NBA three-point line by the time real games start—something that's apparently a possibility now—we could be seeing a future All-Star blossoming before our eyes in Orlando," CBSSports.com's Sam Vecenie wrote.
Considering Gordon already has the raw physical tools to make opponents pay at the rim, a tighter handle could do wonders for his game. With the ability to pull up, catch-and-shoot or take defenders off the bounce, Gordon is steadily starting to validate his status as the No. 4 overall pick a year ago.
Jahlil Okafor, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Jahlil Okafor entered the NBA's summer league circuit with a polished, pro-ready skill, and he's put it to use already.
In two Utah Summer League contests, Okafor has imposed his will with his back to the basket, repeatedly muscling up smaller defenders as a way to obtain optimal position.
In a 74-71 loss Monday to the San Antonio Spurs, Okafor went for 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. He followed that performance up with 13 points, nine more boards and a steal in Tuesday's 76-62 win over the Boston Celtics.
"I think I got better than what I did yesterday," Okafor said following Tuesday's win, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey. "I was working on stuff the coaches asked of me, which was spacing the floor, rolling hard, trying to work better with [Furkan Aldemir] and building some chemistry. So I feel I got better today."
Matched up against a Utah Jazz (2-0) team loaded with long athletes capable of disrupting Okafor's flow, it will be crucial for the former Duke Blue Devil to get post touches early as a way to command attention, draw double-teams and ultimately free up space for shooters on the wings.
Kyle Anderson, SF, San Antonio Spurs
Kyle Anderson was billed a versatile new-age forward entering the 2014 NBA draft, and we're starting to see why during Utah Summer League play.
Anderson's etched out a niche over the past two games, averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 boards, marks which rank No. 4 overall among all participants in Utah.
He capped off Tuesday's effort against the Jazz with a game-high 25 points (8-of-14 shooting), eight rebounds, two dimes, a steal and a block.
A smooth up-and-under finish around the rim stood out:
Anderson bounced around between the Spurs and the D-League throughout last season, appearing in grand total of 33 games (including eight starts). Since he played an average of just 10.8 minutes in those contests, it would be unfair to try to glean much from such a small sample.
Unfortunately, the same may hold true next season as the Spurs gun for a title with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili back for one last run.
Unless an injury or two crop up, regular minutes are likely still a year or two away for Anderson. But his length, composure and ball-handling capabilities have all impressed to this point.
One more strong showing out in Salt Lake City can set the tone for more prosperity in Las Vegas and the months ahead.
All statistics courtesy of NBA.com unless noted otherwise.
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