Sixers beat OkC in the first summer league game tonight by 10 points, but it wasn't that close. Ricky Council IV scored 29, 19 of them in the 4th quarter allowing the Sixers to run away with a close game. Council was bombing contested 3s in the 4th. McCain had an off shooting night, but scored 15, mostly on drives. Bona had two monster dunks and one more fairly normal dunk for all his FGs.
Good to see Council dominating here. He is a player that could continue to make a leap and establish himself in the rotation this year. He should dominate this competition and he's off to a good start. If you are looking for someone to step up this year, keep your eye on him and not the 19 year old rookie.
If Council can shoot close to NBA average on 3-pointers he's a good NBA rotation player at the minimum. He defends, rebounds, and is physically tough around the basket. And he's a 100% effort guy, too. It was great seeing him get scorching hot last night, although his shot didn't have textbook form. He hit two step-backs and two of the shots were well outside the line. Honestly, "the rookie", McCain, was equally impressive in his own way, running the point effectively and attacking the basket with an array of scoop shots and reverses.
Nurse is very slow to gain confidence in younger players (similar to Doc), though, so a young guy has to really stand out to earn time. The players Morey signs to vet minimum contracts will very likely get Council and McCain's minutes this year I'm afraid. I guess we'll see...
I would imagine Nick Nurse is involved in the building of this team and he has his style of play. Sixers attempted to go out and get more physical and that didn't work out the way they thought it would.
Sixers are building a team for the current NBA.
I don't subscribe to ALL PHLY (though I'm inching towards it as they continue to add more stuff including Salisbury on Phillies) but before the paywall obscured it I gather Neubeck was dismissive of both the CW that the Sixers need more of a PF and that there actually would be one to get in today's NBA if they did.
It would be great to find a league minimum guy who could be in the rotation, cost nothing and adds early 20s energy and drive.
Well, he (Council) followed that game up with a clunker today. Oh well. McCain had an OK box score, I only watched the 4th quarter but he did have a pretty huge miss with under a minute to go. Down 2, he made a nice pump fake that had his defender fly by him for a WIDE open 3, but he was long with it.
I’m interested to see how Justin edwards does, looks like he had a decent game today after a quiet first game
I watched the game--Edwards was OK, at best needs a couple of years of G-league. No handle, no play-making. Good defense, average shot at best. He's a project, I don't think he can play this season.
Bona deal...4 yrs, $8M
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/181265379121868805453
I hear music on the team plane this year will be supplied by "The Bridge" on SiriusXM...
All players will get a free Jitterbug Flip phone...
Sketchers will be the official "off-court" shoe...
Free medicare seminars at the practice facility...
Most are one year deals.
The bigger issue is whether they'll start using their draft picks instead of trading them for veterans.
They used both of their picks this year.
they are not building towards the future...they are building to surround Embiid with a team that can win a championship.
