Summer League roundup for Franz, Chaundee and Iggy
Never really paid attention to Summer League, but with so many UM guys... well, I had it on mostly in the background while doing other stuff. Some of the games were really fun and some great performances.
Anyway, Franz had a lot of minutes as expected, but only played in four games. Suggs was clearly the star rookie on the team. Franz had a terrible first outing going 0/6 from three. He was solid otherwise and made impacts in various parts of the game, like at UM. Zeke Thomas (though he did say some wacky shit) did call out Franz as the standout player for the Magic in the game that he called, something about always knowing where to be and what was going on. He did have some deer in the headlights moments with the ball in his hands, and his hesitancy from 3 continued. 69% from 2 was nice.
21 MPG, 13/29 FG (45%), 2/13 3FG (15%), 8 PPG, 4 RPG, 1 APG, 1 SPG
Iggy also played for the Magic SL team, usually in the second unit, but he carried himself like someone with pro experience. His shot deserted him for a game or two (0 for 7 ouch), but he seemed like a bigger meaner version of the guy at UM who could more often than not get a bucket. Not sure he'll stick to a roster but he's still only 22.
18 MPG, 14/35 FG (40%), 5/15 3FG (33%), 9 PPG, 3 RPG, 1 APG, 1 SPG
Teske was the third UM player on the Magic SL team... but didn't do very well. I saw he had a nasty fall in one of the early games and that may have limited his performance/PT.
Chaundee got a lot of run for the Lakers and was really solid, shoe blowout notwithstanding. His hustle was on full display and his jumper was working. He got into trouble driving a few times and was over aggressive on D but seems like Lakers fans are excited about signing him to a 2-way.
16 MPG, 16/33 FG (49%), 4/12 3FG (33%), 8 PPG
Zavier played on the Lakers too, got decent minutes most games, and he looked like himself, in control, good defense, though not much shows up in the box score.
That's really about it AFAIK. Charles Matthews didn't do much on the Sixers SL team, neither did Mike Smith on the Bucks. I thought D Walt was playing on the Wizards this summer but didn't see him at all. Anyway, I think that's pretty much all the basketball for another 2 months, time to refocus on football
August 18th, 2021 at 12:18 AM ^
Walton and Poole were originally listed on rosters but didn't end up playing.
August 18th, 2021 at 12:29 AM ^
I know he didn't play for MICH but Luka Garza had the performance of the summer league and if he continues to develop he's going to be the steal of the draft.
Excited for the Pistons future.
August 18th, 2021 at 12:48 AM ^
That's good news! How'd he look defensively?
August 18th, 2021 at 1:25 AM ^
Slow. He’ll be in the G league this year which is fine.
August 18th, 2021 at 8:15 AM ^
Yes he wasnt present on D outside of blocking out to get the rebound. His shot is smooth, and he will certainly have a place in the NBA.
August 18th, 2021 at 8:25 AM ^
I watched basically every second that I could of the summer league games.
Garza's defense improved game over game. He looked very slow in the first game, letting post guys get past him that really should not have.
Near the end, he was moving his feet MUCH better; people were not getting by him nearly as easy.
Defense is 99.99 percent effort, and he certainly has the ability to be a good defender as the years go on. He has already shown that he has the passion to be a great player through his work ethic and trimming like 30 lbs off his frame.
He'll be fine. He will likely never be a great defender, but he doesn't need to be.
August 18th, 2021 at 8:46 AM ^
Good observation, and youre correct. It looked like he was conserving energy on D his first few games, and really picked it up later.
August 18th, 2021 at 5:45 AM ^
He was signed to a 2-way deal, so he can develop with the Cruise.
August 18th, 2021 at 9:36 AM ^
I have to think that being taught defense from someone other than Fran McCaffrey will help as well
August 18th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
I watched one half of a Pistons summer league game and it was enough to get me excited for their future. They had Hayes and Cunningham on the court together and their ball movement was slick. They're going to be a fun duo for us to watch for many years to come. Also, I was really impressed with Saddiq Bey. Love what they're building.
Casey said they're striving for individual development from their young core with an eye on the playoffs this year. Next year they free up some cap space and can't start going big game hunting for some veterans. Hopefully, when that time comes they don't ruin everything by signing the wrong guys again. Weaver seems to be doing a great job so far.
August 18th, 2021 at 10:52 AM ^
I have a feeling Hayes won’t be on the team past this year. He isn’t a good shooter which means he has to be the primary ball handler. Cade’s biggest upside is as a playmaker/passer, so he should be the primary ball handler. Those two don’t add up, so I see the Pistons getting whatever they can get for Hayes and giving the keys to Cunningham
August 18th, 2021 at 12:43 PM ^
In Hayes defense he was waylaid by Covid so he didn't get summer league the year before, and Covid screwed up a lot of good training time afterwards, then last year he got hurt and didn't play much. He's young; hopefully next year he will blossom.
August 18th, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
Saban Lee took a major step too; he'll be a contributor.
August 18th, 2021 at 8:37 AM ^
I know he didnt go to UM but Cade Cunningham will be an allstar for the Pistons. He was fun to watch in his limited time. Hes ready now, where guys like Franz still need some development.
August 18th, 2021 at 10:29 AM ^
Cade’s J has adjusted to the longer 3 point line. As he gets more comfortable he will kill on the pick and roll, passing and scoring. I was pleasantly surprised to see that we have the 6th most first round draft picks all time at 28 and the most of B1G schools.
August 18th, 2021 at 9:05 AM ^
I am really going to miss Chaundee coming off the bench, wish we had him for more than one season.
August 18th, 2021 at 9:20 AM ^
Thanks for putting this together. I'd been struggling to follow the summer league.
August 18th, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
No problem! I had the time, thought I'd share. I'm a Knicks fan, so Summer League was a lot of fun for us
August 18th, 2021 at 9:37 AM ^
@umichbball had some good coverage
August 18th, 2021 at 5:32 PM ^
Zavier Simpson, the best hooker in the game.
August 18th, 2021 at 9:52 AM ^
I loved seeing Franz's growth through his games. He looked more confident as the games went on. He was moving off ball well and making great cuts to the basket. Definitely needs to work on his 3s and I'd love to see Orlando put the ball in his hands more, but I kinda doubt they will given how many talented young guards they have
August 18th, 2021 at 1:31 PM ^
Count me among those who love him and wish him wild success, but also feel there's a chance that he doesn't thrive in the NBA. A matter of being more aggressive, making that aggression routine.
August 18th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
I had forgotten that Charles Matthews was on the Sixers team....and I'm a 76ers fan.
I haven't heard him mentioned once anywhere.
August 18th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
I believe Walton is with the Kings.
August 18th, 2021 at 11:28 AM ^
He didn't play summer league ball - don't know why though.
August 18th, 2021 at 10:08 AM ^
Apologies if this is too much of a tangent, but do any resident Magic (or very serious NBA) fans know how Mo Wagner is expected to slot in on the ORL roster this year? Fair shot to play some, or is he just relegated to being an end of the bench stiff at this point?
August 18th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
Not a magic fan, but Mo would probably be a bench mob guy. He’s gets you points, but his defense is so horrid that you can’t keep him out very long because he either gives up easy buckets or fouls.
August 18th, 2021 at 3:24 PM ^
Don't really follow them either, but it seems like the Magic are going to try and develop a bunch of young guys/get guys minutes to see who can be part of a core they can build around, or otherwise develop them as tradeable assets.
The Magic have a talent-less roster, so there will be minutes available. I would guess that by signing Moe after drafting Franz he'll get role minutes on a bad team to maintain some of his value, as well as to support and acclimatize Franz
August 18th, 2021 at 12:52 PM ^
I am overall happy with Detroit's summer league performance. I'm most disappointed we did not get to see Livers, made for the NBA, shot and his defense.