We’re still roughly four months away from the start of the NBA season, which means that Summer League is no more than a tease at this point, but it’s a fun one at that.
For the first time, we’re getting to watch guys like Jamal Murray and Juancho Hernangomez suit up in a Nuggets uniform, and even though they’re not facing off against true NBA competition or coaching, we can learn a little something about their games — and yes, we can overreact, too.
For now, though, with two games in the books, let’s look back at the Nuggets’ performances and see what we can take away from the start of the 2016 NBA Summer League:
Gary Harris isn’t going anywhere
With the selection of Jamal Murray and the recruitment of Dwyane Wade, it’s understandable why some may have questioned the Nuggets’ faith in third-year shooting guard Gary Harris. And if Tim Connelly and Michael Malone’s relentless praise didn’t squash that sentiment, his play in one game at Summer League sure did.
In 33 minutes, Harris showed exactly why he’s a favorite of so many basketball fans, exploding for 22 points on eight-for-16 shooting and playing some fantastic defense. It was clear that he was on a different level than the rest of the Summer League competitors, and that’s why he’s likely to be one and done for the Nuggets.
With 20 pounds of muscle added to his frame and another offseason of training under his belt (his handle looks markedly improved), Harris is ready to be the Denver Nuggets starting shooting guard, both in the short and long term.
There won’t be a hometown surprise
If you were hoping Colorado’s own, Josh Scott, might shock the world and earn his way onto the Nuggets roster, think again. It was a long shot of all long shots to begin with, but now it looks to be all but impossible.
In two games, Scott has earned a grand total of six minutes on the court, and that came during garbage time against the Memphis Grizzlies.
And unless he starts getting more minutes soon, the chances of him sneaking his way onto one of the other 29 teams’ rosters seems to be slim to none, too.
While Scott has a lot of talent, those talents just don’t seem to fit with the modern-day NBA.
Jimmer Fredette is still fun to watch
What can I say … I’ve got Jimmermania.
I know he has limitations, and I know he’s yet to prove anything in the NBA, but man, the guy can light it up — in Summer league, to be fair, but still. In 26 minutes against the Grizzlies, Fredette scored 26 points, went 9-18 from the field and 4-8 from three. And some of those two pointers were just as impressive as his pull-up, off-the-dribble threes.
Now, does this mean he’s going to make the team? Probably not — the Nuggets are stacked at shooting guard and he’s really not a point guard — but I can’t say I wouldn’t be a little excited if he did. As a spark plug off the bench, a guy who can stretch the floor from seemingly unlimited range, I wouldn’t be surprised if Connelly and Malone took a flyer on Fredette.
Not to mention, he wouldn’t have to move. He’s been living in Denver all offseason.
Murray has a ways to go before he can play point
From the moment they drafted Murray, Connelly and Malone have been touting his ability to play point guard, but through two games at Summer League, that seems to be more of a long-term goal than a short one.
Right now, Murray is working with a one-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio, which is not great. And honestly, it’s even worse than the stats say.
When faced with ball pressure, Murray’s crumbled — literally. On more than one occasion he has not only lost the ball but fallen to the ground in an attempt to save his dribble.
The game looks to be moving too fast, which is understandable, but it’s not going to get any slower during real NBA action.
Now, this should be no indication of Murray’s long-term outlook. Remember, it’s Summer League; the kid is a month removed from draft night. But if you were expecting Murray to step in as the No. 2 option behind Emmanuel Mudiay at point guard, you may want to scale back your expectations.
It’s a shame Nikola Jokic isn’t part of the fun
While Gary Harris and Emmanuel Mudiay opted for another year of Summer League action, fellow young stud Nikola Jokic couldn’t do the same, as he was off in the Philippines winning MVP at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Much like Harris and Mudiay did in that first Summer League game, Jokic looks to have taken a major step this offseason, averaging 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Serbian national team.
We may not have been able to see the Nuggets’ young core on the court together in Summer League, but that just makes the start of the season all the more exciting.
