Summer League 2. Warriors vs. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. Bronny and Knecht vs Beekman and Spencer
Let's jump to conclusions
The master Summer League post index has links to all the game previews and reports, and the full Summer League schedule.
This post includes:
Live Reactions to Game 1
Schedule
Rosters
Players to Watch thumbnails
Apricot’s Live Reactions to Game 1
First, the Bronny vs Kings B Squad
Bronny checks in to a round of 75% cheers and 25% boos. Only the best analytics for you
I was there for Bronny’s first pro bucket. Looked competent. I think he’s missed 4 jumpers though. Has to keep his rep
Bronny and Knecht looked adequate, if you were already assuming Bronny can’t hit jumpers. Bronny is actually pretty disruptive in the passing lanes.
Also looking at Castleton to try to compare him to Post in a few days. Similar size and game.
Keep in mind these are teams with very little practice and also this is the B-team SAC summer league. Every serious prospect or pro is playing on the A team in front of the home fans in SAC.
As advertised, Blake Hinson can score. Antoine Davis and Hinson get into a pretty fun scoring duel. Knecht gets a three shot in his face and tries to go right back with a step back. Clank.
Blake Hinson with the comradely move of putting up the premature three when Tommy Kuhse shoots. (Kuhse was a Saint Mary’s alum.)
Hinson again with a three, guy is automatic in this shambly scrimmage. He also has 4 fouls but that shows commitment I guess?? Recall that Hinson was worked out by GSW and in our Tourney.
Now the Good Guys vs our Heat friends
Super defender Beek [Reece Beekman] immediately breaks up a fast break.
Pelle Larsson launches a runner that nearly goes into the upper deck. Pat Spencer stones Pelle next time. Next shot airball. I think in three shots he has not come within two feet of the basket literally.
And Beek with nice outlet on the break. From what I saw at Virginia he was actually good running the break. Will love to see him showcase that part of his game.
Next play. REECE WITH THE DUNK. I believe he screamed in my direction WHO’S TOO SHORT NOW
It’s about 75% full in the lower bowl
I thought Beek looked good. Pat looked like he was trying playing PG out of his comfort zone. Now site cult hero Vescovi in.
Almost the entire MIA lineup on court is from the Tourney: Larsson, Johnson, Pullin, Stevens.
Plowden got up so high for a dunk it looked like he had enough time to switch hands.
Dubs testing the new MIA guy Ware at the basket and he is blocking everything. Ware Offense looks rough but still. Actually Spencer I think the only guy to get one by Ware
YES BEEK THREE
Beek makes great decisions everywhere. Maybe one drive into a big was misguided. But pushes the pace productively.
I don’t know what Beek’s +/- is but the Summer Dubs look like chaos without him on.
GP2 hanging out in the courtside corner. Of course, he’s hugging people
Good vision by Pat Spencer, one really nice pass back on a break. But also a number of dribbles and passes that got deflected.
Plowden showing off a big package, scoring with three ball, floater, dunk.
But Thompson becoming the crowd favorite.
MY GUY BEEK WITH THE BUZZER BEATER THREE. As it went down he turned to my section and yelled Who says I have no jumper?!
Beek’s not supposed to have a deep shot, it was a big knock on him coming out of college
Haha Pat went up looking like it was massive dunk time but Pelle fouls him. Pat hanging in there defending Pullin. MIA getting bigs switched onto Pat and attacking him.
Plowden getting walked off after smacking knees. Was having the scoring game of his life….
Pat with the And 1 dunk. Beek with the chest bump celebration.
Ooooo missed the And 1. Crowd still buzzing.
Beek with the first bad pass I remember. But it bounces to Pat and he cashes it. Pat then with the strip of Ware then throws it off him out of bounds. That should be all for the two ways.
Even the GSW B team is playing kind of basic Warriors offense without Pat or Beek. Last play had some strong side action then reverse to a delay split cut. Pretty good for barely any practice.
Update from Perks: Daeqwon Plowden was all smiles at his post game presser after a big game. Said his injury was just a minor knock and doesn’t expect to have it hamper him moving forward. Likes his fit with the Warriors and is looking to state his case as a versatile 3&D wing.
Schedule
California Classic Summer League, July 6-7 & 9
Saturday, July 6
Kings vs. Lakers | 1:30 p.m.
Warriors vs. Heat | 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 7
Kings vs. Heat | 1:30 p.m.
Warriors vs. Lakers | 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 10
Battle of NorCal: Warriors vs. Kings | 7 p.m.
Note: also USA vs Canada MBB, friendly game
Las Vegas Summer League, July 12-22
Sat 7/13/24. Phoenix at Golden State, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM, ESPN2
Sun 7/14/24. Chicago at Golden State, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, ESPN2
Wed 7/17/24. Golden State at Cleveland, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, NBA TV
Fri 7/19/24. Golden State at Oklahoma City, 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM, NBA TV
Summer League Roster
Players to Watch
Current Warriors
These guys are already on the GSW roster.
Brandin Podziemski. 2023 #19 pick. Says he wants to play to practice being an on-ball point guard. I assume he won’t play much.
Johnson: Brandin Podziemski says "scoring the ball more" and defense has been his main offseason focus. Steve Kerr has encouraged him to shoot more 3s.
Podziemski and Jackson-Davis are part of USA Select who are scrimmaging the USA Olympic Men’s Basketball team, so they will be away Jul 5 - 8. Podz plans to play in the Jul 10 CA Classic and at least two games in Las Vegas. I assume TJD has the same schedule.
Trayce Jackson-Davis. 2023 #57 pick.
I assume he won’t play much. See Podziemski notes above.
Gui Santos. 2022 #55 pick.
Local cult hero for his aggressive, wild, and charismatic play with the Warriors. He was under contract in Brazil for multiple years, but came over to play on the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G-League, and made it to the All-Star Weekend G-League Next Up Game.
He might get some run. Staff may want to see if Gui can dominate Summer League.
However, Gui is with the Brazilian Olympic team during the CA Classic dates so if he plays, it will probably be in Las Vegas.
Quinten Post. 2024 #52 pick.
Johnson: Quinten Post has a minor left leg injury he’s getting over from a pre-draft workout. Post doesn’t know if he’ll be able to play in the California Classic but “really hopes” to play in the Las Vegas Summer League
Quinten Post is the most accomplished Stretch 5 in the second round of the Draft. The offense at Boston College often ran through Post at the high or low post with numerous off-ball cutters, so I think Post would fit in quickly in the Kerrball system. He also is a legit 7-0 in socks who was #2 in blocks in the ACC so there is rim protection there. Did I mention he shot a stunning 43.1% and 42.6% 3P in his last two years? That’s over 170 3PA. His career FT% is 80.1%, so that shooting looks real. The big question is whether he’s athletic enough to stay on the court. Let’s see if he can hang with the highly athletic (if disorganized) players of Summer League.
Reece Beekman. Undrafted in 2024, joined on a two-way.
I rather dismissively called him too small in the DNHQ Draft Tourney Group C. But he’s definitely worth a shot to see if he can play bigger than his size. At least in college, his wingspan allowed him to be a plus defender (ACC Defensive Player of the Year, TWICE). The dream would be that he develops into a point of attack defender like GP2 but healthy and someone who can really run an offense well.
Pat Spencer. May be auditioning to keep his two-way contract with GSW or at least catch on with another team.
Lindy Waters III. Traded from OKC for 2024 #52 pick. New, but as he’s already a three-year NBA pro, MDJ says he WON’T play Summer League.
Usman Garuba.
There were reports that Garuba was headed back to Real Madrid, but Garuba said he hadn’t decided. As of Jul 4, he still had not signed with anyone yet, hoping to get back to the NBA.
GSW had an extended look at Garuba in the G-League and also had him on a minimum at the end of the season, and did not give him much playing time.
I haven’t found a direct confirmation, but we can infer that GSW did not extend a qualifying offer and Garuba is now an unrestricted free agent.
He is definitely not playing on the GSW Summer League teams. In fact he’s currently playing for the Spain Olympic team.
Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Too old for summer league.
Anthony Vereen is an Assistant Coach with GSW and he is serving as SL head coach.
The Santa Cruz Guys
These guys were on the Santa Cruz Warriors last year, and are fighting for a two-way contract (or more).
Yuri Collins. 6-0 but he can play. Pass-first with 5+ assists per game, shoots 39.7% 3P. (G-League stats)
Did not play Game 1, due to Coach Vereen wanting to alternate players between games, to give each one more run in each game
Jackson Rowe. 6-7 wing who shoots 6+ 3PA per game and hit 35.6% of them. (G-League stats)
Jimmy Whitt. I admit I know little about Jimmy. Only played 22 of the 31 games.
The other guys
Mantas Rubstavicius, NZ Breakers
6'6 G/F, 43% 3P, 81% FT in NBL, really fast in transition, super quick release from deep, high arching shot. - OriiBeruu
Did not play Game 1, due to Coach Vereen wanting to alternate players between games, to give each one more run in each game
Had pre-draft workout with GSW.
Allen Flanigan, Ole Missreportedly not with the team anymore, no reason given.
Santiago Vescovi, Tennessee
I don’t know why this guy became a site cult favorite, but he has no chance of getting a two-way with GSW. He might work himself onto a G-League team, or if he goes crazy, maybe a two-way with another team.
Played for U Tennessee. Undrafted in 2024
A bit more about Tennessee records he set:
Vescovi started the most games in Vols history with 144, but that isn't the only record he set. He also is the program-record holder with 212 steals. He's the lone player in program history to record more than 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals.
He ranks No. 2 with made 3-pointers with 325. He is one of two players to make more than 100 3-pointers in season after making 102 as a junior in the 2021-22 season.
The 6-foot-3 guard is eighth in assists with 453 and 10th in 3-point percentage with 37.2%..
Had pre-draft workout with GSW.
Kevin Knox II, Rip City Remix2018 #9 pick by NYK. It never worked out for him, and he’s bounced around four teams in six years playing 306 games. He’s still grinding. I hope things come together for him.Update: Donta Scott is replacing former No. 9 overall pick Kevin Knox on the Warriors' summer league team, the team announces. Knox out with a strained calf.
Marques Bolden, Charlotte Hornets
Played in 18 NBA games across 5 years, played in the G-League. Grinding, trying to make his dream com true.
Played really solid ball and outclassed first round pick Kel’el Ware in Game 1.
Daeqwon Plowden, Osceola Magic
Played for Bowling Green University. Undrafted in 2022
Now he’s 25 years old, he’s bounced around the G-League, most recently for ORL.
He was on fire in Game 1 and maybe will get some more attention. He had a nasty knee bump that has unknown effect on his availability. I would guess he’ll sit Game 2.
Ethan Thompson, Osos de Manatí
Scorching hot shooting in Game 1.
Played for Oregon State. Undrafted in 2021.
Now he’s 25 years old. He’s played G-League for CHI and Capitanes de Ciudad de México and now plays in the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation.
Roman Sorkin, Maccabi Tel Aviv
OriiBeruu: 16/6 in 23mpg in Maccabi, 41% 3P, 6'10 PF/C, 3&D center
Christian Terrell, Lahti Basketball*. 27 y.o.
Played for UC Santa Barbara, then Sacramento State.
Undrafted in 2021, he played in the G-League for SAC. Now playing in Finland.
Only playing in the CA Classic.
Lakers
Maxwell Lewis, 2023 #40. Appeared in 34 games last season with LAL.
Colin Castleton, 2023 undrafted, two way contract. Played 16 games for LAL.
Blake Hinson, Pitt. 2024 undrafted, two way contract. Scouted at our Draft Tourney.
Bronny James, USC. 2024 #55. ESPN will probably devote two cameras just for Bronny.
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee. 2024 #17.
Tommy Kuhse, played college locally with Saint Mary’s College of California. Played a year in SAS G-League, in Europe since then.
I am sold on ETHAN THOMPSON. Another 20+ PPG night, in 27 mins PT, while shooting 54-40-100, grabbing 11 REBS/4 OR, dishing 4 assists, AND, getting 3 steals...I like him...
Explain 1 Mystery. Season 1, Episode 1. What happened to Andrew Wiggins? Reader's Digest Version.
What we know. Baseline Wiggins is a super talent inside a stoic, quite, emotionally hidden introvert. We know he has had some personal "non-basketball related" issues off the court starting in 2022-23 when he only played 37 games. Statistically, we saw a drop in production in 2023-24. Although he only played 37 games in 2022-23, his numbers that year were in line with his All-Star season. Statistically speaking, the giant "THUD" we heard happened in 2023-24.
There are two mysteries. One is the "THUD". "Dude, what happened?" The other, which we often overlook, is WTF happened in 2021-22? Wiggins became '2-way Wiggs' and DubNation was freaking out because he was actually smiling! Who was that man? He was a revelation.
The popular opinion is that the "Thud" was the result of Wiggins being Wiggins, reverting to his old unemotional uninvolved self and that the All-Star Wiggs was the product of the supremacy of the Warriors' organizational basketball culture.
Problems. I think we have to rule out "off-the-court" issues because Wiggs only played 37 games in 2022-23 due to those issues, yet statistically, in those 37 games, produced numbers equal to his All-Star season. I also believe the "Thud" of 2023-24 fell well beyond "Baseline Wiggs" - which for better or worse - is still a pretty damn good player. This begs the question, what was different between 2022-23 & 2023-24? Finally, if the Warriors' superior basketball culture was the reason for 2-way Wiggs, All-Star Wiggs, in 2021-22, why did it not work in 2023-24?
Here is an alternative theory. It starts in the locker room in Boston in 2022, Jordan Poole and Wiggins are doused in champagne yelling, "I'm gonna get a bag, you're gonna get a bag!" Now to be clear, I am not suggesting money plays any part. Especially for Wiggins because, unlike Poole, he doesn't have enough room in his house for the money he has already made in the NBA. What I want folks to consider is the friendship on display in that moment between those two utterly opposite human beings. Wiggins: quiet, stoic, emotionally hidden. Poole: brash, outgoing, irrationally and annoyingly self-confident. If you can wrap your brain around that relationship, you may solve the mystery.
Hypothetical scenario. You work in a business with your girlfriend. The business is real happy with her work, it seems like she will be an important part of the 'team' moving forward. One day, another employee, one who had been with the business for a long time, punches your girlfriend in the face. Who knows, maybe she stole her chicken Caesar salad out of the break room fridge. Regardless, rather than being punished, the perpetrator not only doesn't get punished, but receives Employee of the Month for past work done. Your girlfriend then gets a promise for a 1000% raise in 1 year and that seems to be compensation to make up for what will be one long uncomfortable year with everyone working together. Everyone knows that the perpetrator is in the last year of their own contract and there is a chance that that person may be gone soon - which to you and your girlfriend is a dream come true. Instead, the business owners and GM turn a blind eye, fire your girlfriend before her raise takes effect and promotes the perpetrator to be your new supervisor with a new 4-yr contract.
Welcome to Andrew Wiggins' world.
I am pretty sure that almost everyone has had a job working for some A-holes and can admit to not feeling particularly committed or invested in their own work. We tend to forget that these are people like everyone else and they have relationships and feelings and life events and JOBS. And driving to an arena and putting on a uniform and shooting a basketball is a job. And if I am Andrew Wiggins, BFF with Jordan Poole, regardless of the golden history, the sweet magic of the Warrior's culture prior, since 'The Punch' and 'The Way it was Handled', I could give a rat's ass about the Golden State Warriors.
That may sound a little strong, especially for a guy who is getting paid $25mil a year. But we have to look at the Andrew Wiggins that we saw for years, many years, many many years if you live in Minnesota, and the Andrew Wiggins we saw on the bench, smiling and laughing next to Jordan Poole on the bench.
So, the theory is this: it wasn't the Warriors' culture that brought the best out of Wiggins. It was his relationship with Poole. Imagine Wiggins as a pimped out Jaguar, but with a dead battery. For better or worse, Wiggins seems to be the type of person that needs an accelerator, an outside agent to activate him, a jump start to get the engine to turn over, a personal relationship that gave him permission, or the security, to engage emotionally in his job. It's like Wiggins got into the slip-stream that was Jordan Poole's gregarious and irrational self-confidence, and slingshotted his way to the checkered flag, pulling the GS Warriors to a Championship Ricky Bobby style.
When I think about Wiggins, I don't think of all the negative things about his game on the court. I think of him smiling. You need Ocean's Eleven to unlock All-Star Wiggs and I believe Jordan Poole was Danny Ocean. I believe Jordan Poole played a greater role in our 2021-22 Chip than we tend to believe. I believe Jordan Poole's greatest assist was his friendship with Andrew Wiggins and it was Jordan Poole, not the vaunted Warriors' culture, that gave Wiggins the permission to let his freak flag fly and play to the level of his natural abilities.
On July 6th, 2023, Jordan Poole was traded to the Washington Whatevs.
On July 8th, 2023, Draymond Green signed a new 4-yr deal.
What happened to Wiggins in 2023-24?
Who knows? All I can say for sure is I am hankering for a Scooby snack.
Scooby-DooBee-Doo