I'll start off by saying I rate guys tough but fair. I know it's just summer league and their chemistry is next to nothing but that's not a huge "excuse" for me. Many guys have kicked *** in SL and there's no reason our guys couldn't either.
Burke looks clearly better. Way better defensively which is huge. Calmer, in control and clearly more comfortable running things. His lack of athleticism/size still concerns me but I like the development I've seen so far. His shots didn't fall but he didn't exactly have a cast of offensive studs out there with him. Overall, I'd rate him a B-/C+. Defensively, I'd give him an A- but offensively, his shooting and inability to do whatever he wants on the court vs. SL guys concerns me.
Gobert looked good. How good was he really considering the competition, I don't know. But I'd be surprised if he didn't play virtually every game he's healthy and get at least 11 minutes a game this year. To me, a lot of that will depend on Kanter and how well he buys in. Early on though, if Rudy continues to look strong in camp and in pre-season, I'm playing Gobert about 12-16 minutes a night in two 6-8 minute increments, if I'm Quin. If he plays solidly, maybe he can play more or dare I say it, supplant Kanter in the starting lineup if the latter looks lazy in defense. That doesn't mean he would be a 30 minute/night starter. But perhaps he could play as much as 24 minutes if things fall right. I doubt it though and expect more like 12-14 minutes per. Overall, I'd give him a B+. He still needs to go up quickly and aggressively as soon as he gets that ball within three feet of the rim. He's too long not to. His free throw shooting is also obviously a concern but his form is very good imo which leaves me hopeful.
I'm crazy about Hood. Admittedly, I have no idea how he did on defense in the SL. My eyes tend to wander. But offensively, he was our best player imo. The game two 7/10 was scary. But so was his obvious ability to drive to the hoop and score from within seven feet in multiple ways. I was impressed. I said in another thread that the way he drives, stops at about seven feet out, pivots, and makes a move (he has a few different ones), all so quickly and confidently, reminds me a ton of Richard Hamilton. Different sizes and physiques, yes, but that hard plant, pivot, spin move is almost identical to Rip. I know the league's going against this but I'd actually love to see us march out a big lineup of Exum, Hood, Novak, Booker, Gobert some this year. Overall, I'd rate Hood an A- and I only say an A- because I have no idea how he was on defense. Maybe he deserves higher.
And Mr. Exum. Honestly, I don't know what to think. Once we won the coin flip with Boston, I texted PKM and told him I wanted Exum (who I thought would be there) and Early. And now that we have the former, I'm excited. But his shooting worries me. Really worries me. I do have confidence that Quin, and as an extension of him, his staff, will work with the kid on his shooting (he seems too loose in his shot as if he almost flips it up imo) but right now, it's a monstrous concern to me. The form isn't Ronnie Brewer bad but Ronnie at least seemed to set up well on his shots. Exum just sort of awkwardly tosses or flips them up. I'm excited, don't get me wrong. But if this seems to be a major issue this year, we need to literally throw 1M+ at Engelland next off-season. Whatever it takes to be honest. We can't wait two or three seasons for the kid to be 21-22 to try to get an "expert" to work with him. We need someone as soon as possible. But we'll see how the season progresses. Either way, his quickness, speed, length, iq, passing, rebounding (for his position), and defensive potential has me very excited. But his shooting's a major work in progress as is his body. He's lean which wouldn't worry me so much if he seemed to absorb contact or play through it confidently. He did so at times but not often in SL. I think two to three years of consistent lifting with trainers (Grover still?) will help him a ton here but even if he gets stronger, he needs to play stronger. I'd give him a B-/C+ here just like Burke but for different reasons. His pros and cons have already been mentioned. I'd like to give him a B because he hasn't played so much lately from what we know but man, his shooting from everywhere on the court (FT included), conditioning, and semi-lack of physicality/aggressiveness to a lesser degree are all concerns. Again, I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt but against SL guys, he should've had more "moments."
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