10 Things We Learned from 2016 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas shouldn't stay there when it's as thrilling as the final game of the summer league experience.
The championship contest between the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves turned into a slugfest down the stretch Monday night. Tyus Jones and Denzel Valentine exchanged blows until Valentine answered a banked-in overtime three-pointer from Xavier Silas with a turnaround jumper that preserved Chicago's undefeated record and gave it the title, 84-82.
It was an unforgettable finish...except that many NBA fans probably won't be able to tell you who won by the time the regular season begins in late October.
They will, however, remember these 10 emerging storylines from our time on the Strip.
Bobby Portis Is Ready to Thrive
Every once in a while, a sophomore emerges who clearly doesn't belong on the Las Vegas stage.
Bobby Portis shouldered hefty responsibilities on each end of the floor and refused to succumb to the pressure. The Chicago Bulls power forward looked fantastic in small doses during his rookie season. But his chiseled frame—he wasn't out of shape before, though it seems like he's replaced some fat with muscle—and all-around skill have him poised to compete for Most Improved Player in 2016-17.
During the championship game, Portis recorded 26 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and four steals while shooting 11-of-21 from the field and 4-of-7 from downtown. He kept showing off his improved speed as he darted around the court, arriving to rebounds quicker than anyone else and constantly getting open on both the perimeter and the interior.
And this was nothing new.
"I've always been a big-time rebounder," Portis told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune before Monday night's contest. "I'm trying to be a complete player."
That's exactly what he's been throughout his time in Vegas:
| 7/9 vs BOS | 17 (7-of-12) | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 7/10 vs PHI | 8 (4-of-12) | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 7/12 vs SAS | 18 (9-of-16) | 8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 7/14 vs DAL | 19 (9-of-13) | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 7/16 vs WAS | 17 (6-of-14) | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7/17 vs CLE | 16 (5-of-16) | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7/18 vs MIN | 26 (11-of-21) | 10 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Average | 17.4 | 9.4 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.9 |
Joakim Noah has left the Windy City for the Big Apple. Pau Gasol has signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have both come to town, which means the need for a floor-spacing big is even more dire.
Portis should receive every opportunity to take over as the Bulls' next frontcourt stud. So far, it seems like he plans on doing exactly that.
Minnesota Adds Another Promising Name to List of Young Talent
Karl-Anthony Towns. Andrew Wiggins. Zach LaVine. Kris Dunn. Ricky Rubio. Tyus Jones. Shabazz Muhammad. Gorgui Dieng. Nemanja Bjelica.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are overflowing with young talent and potential stars. But is it time to add another name to that list?
Heading into Monday's championship game, Adreian Payne was averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.9 blocks in Las Vegas. He'd shown off an improved mid-range jumper and better instincts as he moved around the court and opportunistically inserted himself in the action.
After a disappointing first season in Minnesota, it looked like he was finally making some progress.
But Monday, he took yet another step.
Though he couldn't lead the Wolves past Chicago, he thrived as an individual, getting off to a hot start and finishing with 22 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block while shooting 7-of-16 from the field. His range extended beyond the arc with a trio of treys, and his rebounding chops allowed him to end plenty of the opposition's possessions before hitting an outlet for a quick transition opportunity.
Right now, it's unlikely he gets much run during the regular season. Minnesota is a candidate to get its many guards and wings on the floor simultaneously with small-ball lineups. Its bigger lineups will feature Towns, Dieng and Bjelica before Payne gets on the floor.
But this was still an important experience for a guy who should now have the confidence that he belongs against NBA-caliber competition. If injuries plague Minnesota or head coach Tom Thibodeau wants a little extra frontcourt depth, Payne's name could be called.
Hello, Ben Simmons
The 2016 NBA draft's No. 1 pick didn't take long to justify his selection. From his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers through his last summer appearance, Ben Simmons thrived as a creative facilitator who was never afraid to make flashy feeds.
All the typical summer-league caveats apply, but it's tough to watch this and not think of an oversized Hall of Fame point guard named Magic Johnson. Yes, we're going there.
Simmons has a long developmental road to travel if justifying that ultra-lofty comparison, and he'll need to continue working on his shaky jumper.
But the Sixers' potential superstar made the most of his first opportunities. Even his averages of 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists don't fully capture the excitement he brought to the hardwood, or the ease with which he led the offensive show.
"You see flashes of why he was No. 1 with his ability to pass the ball, his athleticism, his size, his aggression," Lloyd Pierce, a Philadelphia assistant who served as the team's head coach in Las Vegas, told Keith Pompey of Philly.com. "So we are encouraged. I think everybody is excited. The results and the performance are not what we are looking at."
Simmons' quest to lead the Sixers back into the playoffs begins in earnest at the end of October, but he's already reinvigorated this downtrodden franchise with excitement. Until the regular season begins, every fan can head over to YouTube and watch endless highlights of his no-look passes, crosscourt dimes and around-the-head assists.
Brandon Ingram Has Superstar Potential
Brandon Ingram's performance in five appearances for the Los Angeles Lakers won't blow anyone away. He averaged just 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 41.2 percent from the field.
But it was easy to see superstar potential bubbling forth whenever he touched the rock. Though Ingram is inconsistent—that shouldn't be shocking for any rookie—his length (7'3" wingspan) and skill make it possible for him to complete plays other prospects can only dream of.
Take a peek at this spin move that set up a fadeaway jumper:
Let your jaw drop as you watch an 18-year-old use a perfect hesitation move and then explode at the basket:
Look at him leave his defender in the dust with a reverse pivot and then showcase a motor that allows him to successfully follow his own miss:
Before summer league, we knew Ingram had superstar potential. But it's still special to watch him go to work and prove why his offensive ceiling reaches the clouds.
Kay Felder Is Legit
"He plays so much like Boston's Isaiah Thomas, you'd swear they were twins," Terry Pluto wrote about Kay Felder for the Plain Dealer. "They are both quick and can make medium-range jumpers. They have a variety of running floaters near the rim. Both are left-handed."
The Cleveland Cavaliers bought a second-round pick (No. 54 overall) from the Atlanta Hawks and used it to select the 5'9" point guard out of Oakland; they aren't regretting the decision thus far.
Felder looked like an offensive stud in Sin City, averaging 15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 42.0 percent from the field. He nearly led Cleveland into the championship game, but even when coming up short (pun intended), he left behind a laundry list of highlights that featured his impressive mid-range shooting and finishing ability:
According to NBA Math's total points added, Felder was a slight negative on defense during his junior season at Oakland, but Buddy Hield and Denzel Valentine were the nation's only players who added more offensive value.
It's easy to see why, and the diminutive floor general should have done enough to keep strutting his stuff as a legitimate member of the defending champions' backcourt rotation when games actually matter.
Denver Nuggets Have Young Talent Galore
Gary Harris proved he was too good for this stage with just one outing, dropping an efficient 22 points and looking the part of a vastly improved junior. The same held true for second-year point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, whose mid-range game and impressive vision let him get the better of Minnesota's Kris Dunn in a head-to-head matchup.
But that wasn't it for the Denver Nuggets.
Jamal Murray averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the field. The rookie showed almost every scoring skill imaginable, though he'll have to cut back on gunner tendencies when playing with the big league squad.
Fellow rookie Juancho Hernangomez was similarly impressive, thriving on the interior and creating his own perimeter looks en route to 10.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest.
Had Malik Beasley, the No. 19 pick of the 2016 NBA draft, suited up in a single game, this potential depth chart might look even scarier as an up-and-coming Western Conference threat:
| Emmanuel Mudiay | Gary Harris | Danilo Gallinari | Kenneth Faried | Nikola Jokic |
| Jamal Murray | Will Barton | Wilson Chandler | Juancho Hernangomez | Jusuf Nurkic |
| Jameer Nelson | Malik Beasley | JaKarr Sampson | Darrell Arthur | Joffrey Lauvergne |
D'Angelo Russell Is Ready to Break Out
As Matt Moore wrote for CBSSports.com, D'Angelo Russell lived up to expectations during his second summer-league experience:
"D'Angelo Russell is doing what he's supposed to. There's a certain amount of pressure on second-year guys in summer league to take over. They're the only players with actual NBA star power and experience at the event, so they're supposed to deliver a level that is higher than the rookies and players on the outside trying to get into the NBA.
If you don't, it's a sign that maybe you're still not quite ready for minutes in the NBA, though we've seen plenty of players struggle in summer league and then thrive the next year once a role is established.
D'Angelo Russell is not having that problem.
"
The second-year guard averaged 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 47.7 percent from the field. He took and made big shots, looked in control at all times and continued the breakout that began down the stretch of his rookie season.
Ingram will draw most of the L.A. hype during the 2016-17 campaign, and attention will surely be reserved for Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Luol Deng, Julius Randle and Timofey Mozgov. But Russell has the talent necessary to become the best player on this rebuilding squad and appears to be progressing nicely.
Thon Maker Is Closer Than Expected
"I am always thinking just have all the skill sets down," Milwaukee's Thon Maker told ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk. "You never know when you will use them. Like Draymond Green, they use him both offensively and defensively in many situations. I have to be better so that my team can use me."
There's still plenty of room for growth, but Maker already has more skill than expected. Anyone who was ready to witness a raw, D-League prospect look overmatched instead saw a young big man with boundless reserves of energy and all kinds of talent.
Maker's passing left much to be desired, and he often called his own number at inopportune times. He also struggled to keep fouls under control and was bullied by stronger players with more developed frames. But the Bucks will gladly live with all of that, so long as he continues to impress with help defense, instinctual positioning, ball-handling skills, developing jumper and glass-eating habits. After all, he averaged 14.2 points and 9.6 rebounds while impacting the game with countless hustle plays.
Don't be surprised when Maker finds a way to make some noise as a rookie, especially on the defensive end.
Trey Lyles Is Prepared to Contribute
What more could you have wanted to see from Trey Lyles in Las Vegas after he'd produced big numbers in three Salt Lake City (summer league) outings?
The Utah Jazz power forward flashed nearly every skill imaginable against the Washington Wizards on July 9, finishing with 28 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals while knocking down perimeter jumpers and attacking the basket to draw whistles. Three nights later, he exploded against the Portland Trail Blazers, highlighted by five triples and a tip-in at the overtime buzzer:
Lyles only needed two Vegas showings to prove he was ready for a sophomore leap.
"The team's main objective for summer leagues in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, however, was to test second-year power forward Trey Lyles," Jody Genessy wrote for the Deseret News. "They wanted to see him respond as a leader, a high-usage scorer, a playmaker and a three-point shooter from around the arc and just the corner."
Utah will scale back Lyles' role during the regular season, as he'll compete for minutes at the 4 with established starter Derrick Favors and newly acquired Boris Diaw. But the Jazz shouldn't hesitate before handing over significant run and counting on him in important situations.
Phoenix's Backcourt Should Be Deadly
Eric Bledsoe, when healthy, is one of the league's better point guards. Brandon Knight has moments of brilliance, though he's far too inconsistent to earn the same designation.
The two veterans give the Phoenix Suns a solid backcourt, but two youngsters are poised to make the unit even better.
Devin Booker, who emerged after the 2015 All-Star break, only needed two appearances to flaunt his shooting ability and potential stardom before Phoenix rested him for the remainder of the Las Vegas adventure. The second-year shooting guard averaged 26.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists, leaving little doubt he was one of the best players in the field.
"I think he's the best player playing in this thing right now," Phoenix center Alan Williams told ESPN.com's Jovan Buha. "You can call me biased, but I think a lot of people would agree."
Tyler Ulis didn't earn such lofty praise, but the 5'9" rookie still impressed by throwing up 14.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game. A 5-of-21 shooting slump during his final contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves depressed his numbers, but his aggressiveness and vision looked strong enough that he should earn serious minutes in the desert.
We'll leave you with this:
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @fromal09.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball-Reference.com or NBA Math.
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