What are your thoughts on Michigan BBall players in the NBA Summer League?
Here are mine:
Charles - DNP, injured
Isiah - DNP, injured
Simpson - hasn't played a ton, but not much impact when he's seen time. He did have the one nice Sky Hook! Thought I'd see him bust ass, especially defensively, with incredible effort when he got playing time, but, I didn't really see that. We know he's not NBA level in terms of being able to hit the open shot consistently or being able to create enough off the dribble, so I suspect Simpson either plays in the G-League or heads off to Europe, which is a life changing experience.
Brown - has played solid with I think three double digit games including the Pistons game tonight - enough to get signed by the Lakers; physically, Brown has an NBA body. He provides good energy, wants to take the ball to the basket. His defense could improve.
Iggy - has played around 15 min per game I believe, and has had some mixed results. Defensively, he really struggles against the dribble and to close out. Offensively, he is streaky...seems to have no impact at times just going through the motions, and, then, at other times, wants to take control and drives strong to the basket for a nice play. He also has range, but Iggy is a true tweener. I think he floats between the G-League and the 14-15th man on the bench, which is basically what he's been doing. Wonder if Iggy would just be better off going to Europe for a nice career.
Teske - Jon is in better shape and can run up-and-down the floor, which I thought he might struggle to do. In the games I watched, he showed solid fundamentals and decent play. His size is something you can't teach. More G-league development and strength training will be beneficial. In time, he can be a serviceable back-up for teams with traditional centers.
Franz - Not starting off like a Lottery Top 10 pick. Really struggling offensively to shoot the basketball from deep. In the NBA, you have to hit open shots, or you won't last long, which is why Nik Stauskas never made it. Franz shooting form is still an issue, and, unless it changes, I think he'll continue to struggle. Franz has had some nice drives over the NBA Summer League games. We know "Aggressive Franz" is a difference maker. I think the more Franz drives the ball, and gets into the stat sheet that way, the less pressure he'll feel when he shoots the outside shot. Defensively, his on-ball defense needs some work, and he'll need to get a lot stronger. Lottery pick expectations are not helpful here, but Franz is a smart player. I just think it'll take awhile.
Here are mine:
Charles - DNP, injured
Isiah - DNP, injured
Simpson - hasn't played a ton, but not much impact when he's seen time. He did have the one nice Sky Hook! Thought I'd see him bust ass, especially defensively, with incredible effort when he got playing time, but, I didn't really see that. We know he's not NBA level in terms of being able to hit the open shot consistently or being able to create enough off the dribble, so I suspect Simpson either plays in the G-League or heads off to Europe, which is a life changing experience.
Brown - has played solid with I think three double digit games including the Pistons game tonight - enough to get signed by the Lakers; physically, Brown has an NBA body. He provides good energy, wants to take the ball to the basket. His defense could improve.
Iggy - has played around 15 min per game I believe, and has had some mixed results. Defensively, he really struggles against the dribble and to close out. Offensively, he is streaky...seems to have no impact at times just going through the motions, and, then, at other times, wants to take control and drives strong to the basket for a nice play. He also has range, but Iggy is a true tweener. I think he floats between the G-League and the 14-15th man on the bench, which is basically what he's been doing. Wonder if Iggy would just be better off going to Europe for a nice career.
Teske - Jon is in better shape and can run up-and-down the floor, which I thought he might struggle to do. In the games I watched, he showed solid fundamentals and decent play. His size is something you can't teach. More G-league development and strength training will be beneficial. In time, he can be a serviceable back-up for teams with traditional centers.
Franz - Not starting off like a Lottery Top 10 pick. Really struggling offensively to shoot the basketball from deep. In the NBA, you have to hit open shots, or you won't last long, which is why Nik Stauskas never made it. Franz shooting form is still an issue, and, unless it changes, I think he'll continue to struggle. Franz has had some nice drives over the NBA Summer League games. We know "Aggressive Franz" is a difference maker. I think the more Franz drives the ball, and gets into the stat sheet that way, the less pressure he'll feel when he shoots the outside shot. Defensively, his on-ball defense needs some work, and he'll need to get a lot stronger. Lottery pick expectations are not helpful here, but Franz is a smart player. I just think it'll take awhile.
