Summer League Recap: Cavs 99, Spurs 90
2022-07-09The Summer League Cavs defeated the Spurs 99-90 in a game the starters dominated whenever they were on the court. Here’s some instant reaction to the win…
1. Game MVP: RJ Nembhard
RJ Nembhard Jr. displayed his elite abilities as he led the Cavs to a Summer League W against the Spurs 🔥
20 points
5 rebounds
5 assists
1 steal8-of-18 FG
2-of-3 3PT
2-of-3 FTpic.twitter.com/6HqebAPj5B— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationCP) July 8, 2022
The former TCU Horned Frog (Riff Ram Bah Zoo!) product controlled the game in his 28 minutes on the court with a 20/5/5 statline on efficient shooting, adding a steal and a +14 plus/minus to boot. He was absolutely rock solid and the starters looked great under his command. It’s going to be interesting to see how far he can take the Summer League squad, he seems to have an air of confidence and maturity to his approach.
2. Ochai Agbaji: He’s Real and He’s Spectacular
The lottery pick rookie did exactly what was expected of him, launching nine threes and making four en route to a 16 point, three rebound, two assist debut. The Cavs were able to post a +17 plus/minus in the 33 minutes he was on the court. The debut couldn’t really have gone better.
Ochai Agbaji knocks down the stepback jumper in the corner 🔥
Watch Now on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/FxRSmfJVr1
— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2022
The thing that stood out about his game was his fearlessness and comfort. He knew what he was doing, he knows his role, and he executed to near perfection. The only quibble might be his dribble game limitations or his lack of rebounding or stocks, but it’s unfair to really expect those things from him since he’s never been those things at Kansas. Let the Kyle Korver/JJ Redick/Danny Green comparisons rain down from the heavens!
3. Surprises of the night: Luke Travers and Amar Sylla
The Summer League Cavs had two elite role player performances of the night: the 56th pick Luke Travers of the Perth Wildcats and the 20 year old from Senegal Amar Sylla. With both players, their defense can only be described as elite. They’re both very long, very fast, very strong, and very smart. Travers posted six stocks, five rebounds, three assists, zero turnovers, and a +17 plus/minus. The only area of the game he didn’t impact was scoring the ball, but it really wasn’t necessary for this game. Hopefully he gains more confidence and shows his scoring/playmaking arsenal. If he does, the Cavs may actually have to think twice about stashing him overseas.
🇦🇺 @luke_travers made his Vegas Summer League debut and did a bit of everything as the Cavs defeated the Spurs 99-90. 🔥 @cavs #NBA
📊 6 PTS | 5 REB | 3 AST | 5 BLK | 2 STL pic.twitter.com/y4btpUmbsX
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) July 8, 2022
Sylla was equally as impressive. He was a perfect 7-7 from the field with 19 points, eight rebounds, two stocks, and a +17 plus/minus as well. He showed excellent patience and touch, never getting rushed by the defense. His footwork was impressive, usually young bigs in Summer League travel over and over again but not Sylla. He’s an undersized center who hasn’t shown the range to shoot on the perimeter, but he was 5-5 from the free throw line and a creative finisher. His athleticism and intelligence really stands out on perimeter defense. He can guard anyone 1-5. The next step for both Travers and Sylla for the next game is consistency, can they do it again? Stay tuned…
4. Isaiah Mobley with a solid start
Evan Mobley’s brother Isaiah Mobley had a rock solid performance with eight rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a team-high +19 plus/minus. His shooting was off, but he did drain a three. What stands out about Isaiah Mobley is how strong he is, he won’t be moved off his spot. He’s also long and smart, really knows the game and his role. The next step for him is finding his comfort scoring, but he’s off to an excellent start in the NBA.
5. Bench hero: Cam Young
Bench guard Cam Young was the only bench player to post a positive plus/minus in his 20 minutes. He showed some nice scoring flashes and didn’t turn the ball over. That’s a win all day.
6. Quick notes on the Spurs
Rookie Blake Wesley looked like the best player on the court for the Spurs. He showed scoring, shooting, and passing ability on offense. It looks like he’s benefiting a ton from NBA spacing as opposed to college. Josh Primo was a close second, showing off his shooting range. Rookie Malaki Branham had an uneven performance, at times too shy to shoot and too passive on defense. He did finally find his ground as a scorer as the game went along, but did not record an assist. Branham looked every bit a 19 year old who’s going to need time to find his footing.
7. Next up, Nuggets
The Cavs will get back at it again on Sunday evening, taking on the Summer League Nuggets at 7PM Eastern time, and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPNU, GO CAVS!
live thread up for tonight’s game
WAS HOPING CAVS WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT ELLIS ALSO
they did, apparently didn’t like what they saw enough :(
Keon Ellis is balling in SL >>>>>
Looks like Delly is trying to get back in the NBA. He’s auditioning for the Kings.
The Mike Brown link…
he is only 31. his career peaked really early.
I’d take him back as an end of the bench guy, but I’m not sure we have the spots.
Travers era rolls on:
Denver at 4:00 Sunday.
Charlette at 2:00 Wednesday.
Detroit 2:30 Thursday.
Unassigned games on Sat and Sun. I think this is some kind of seeded playoff. I think there will be some kind of championship medals or something starting this year.
I think you might be listing PDT times? Cavs play 7pm EDT today
thanks for the correction. (can use the three hours to warm up!)
Mullet mania continues.
Tari Eason outplaying Dieng, Chet, and Jabari!!! Eason Agenda still going strong!
I’m sad the Cavs passed on him. He had great efficient production in college and he has a perfect NBA build. His 3 point shot looks weird but he clearly has good touch. He can handle the ball a bit and he’s all over the place on defense. Idk maybe he didn’t interview well. Don’t understand why he fell to 17.
I can see why scouts were skittish about him, he plays undisciplined at times and makes bad decisions.
But his effort, athleticism, and natural talent seems to more than make up for it.
I think Hollinger summed it up best when he said that Eason does a ton right, but it never seemed to help his team and while he thought it was overblown, it was hard to see where his play contributed to winning basketball.
As long as he plays next to guards that know what they’re doing, he’s very helpful. It’s when he tries to take over a game, he gets reckless and bad.
yeah buddie!
SO WHAT ARE THE ODDS –% ‘S THAT SEXTON RESIGNS WITH THE CAVS—FOR HOW MUCH —HOW LONG —THOUGHTS// OPINIONS
2/30 ? No one will offer him much, the Cavs will offer 3 / 45 and he will counter with 2/30 so he can have another crack at being a FA in two years. Best for everyone that way.
Either the QO or something like a two year deal seems most likely to me. And due to the luxury tax. Cavs highly unlikely to offer more than $15mill/ year (if even that).
I think the QO comes out to $7.5M. If no one else makes an offer and Sexton decides to play hard ball and “bet on himself”, he can do 1 / 7.5 and be an UFA and hope to get more than 15/yr soon. But that is risky, and 2 / 30 ain’t bad.
As far as “betting on yourself” goes, a recent example is Baker M before the 2021 season. Not sure he would do that again.
it’s nearly 9m, so I think there’s a good chance he plays on the QO and that the Cavs wouldn’t be upset about it cuz they’d still have his Bird rights.
OK, I was talking from memory.
all good, only reason why i brought it up is because it’s a large enough amount that the Cavs wouldn’t actually mind if he played under it, esp if they’re confident in Dan’s willingness to spend if Sexton pops off this year.
They won’t give a shit about the tax if Sexton proves himself and commands a 30m dollar per year contract because the Cavs make a deep playoff run.
that would be great!
Wait wouldn’t he be UFA after the QO?
Oh never mind. Still RFA.
He would be a UFA, but Cleveland would stil have Bird rights, meaning they could offer him a larger contract than any other team IIRC
Ah well that would end up being a max so essentially delaying the inevitable.
even if it’s less than max, they can still do 5 years instead of 4, and offer slightly more per year.
kind of funny to say “Bird rights” about Sexton.
99% he resigns, 50/50 on whether it’s a QO or short term deal.
JASON –AGREE SAD NO DIOP—THINK HE WOULD HAVE DOMINATED
BUCKAROO—SHOOT LIKE THE ‘LOGO”—HUSTLE LIKE ” HONDO ” —HAIR LIKE ” PISTOL PETE ‘ —-CORN HUSK ALL THE HANDS FOR TREATMENT
Thanks for the recap, everyone! And pisting the highlights. Alas, I could not watch it. A nice debut on several levels.
1. Agbaji as advertised (I am calling that a good thing). Can shoot (4/9 from deep). Nice off ball cutting & defensive tools. Not as much of a threat off the bounce (though did make a step back triple from the corner).
2. Nembhard. I was firmly in camp “what do we see in this guy?” I got an answer.
3. Mobley, Travers, & Sylla.
Still sad no Diop.
But I think he will make his way to the league soon enough. We have Lopez until then.
But Travers has the makings of a guy who can contribute.
good point — a year or two of Lopez, by which time hopefully Diop will be a monster!
CLF//NATE AND MIKEO—THANKS FOR THE PLAYER ‘EVALUATION —-MIKEO ” CATCH AND SHOOT UNTIL YOUR FINGERS BLEED “—MEMORY LANE FOR ME —GROWING UP I WOULD BE OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER SHOOTING SO LONG MY FIGERS WOULD ACTUALLY CRACK OPEN AND BACK THEN I COULDN’T GET………” MORE BEER PLEASE ——-LEGALLY ” :-)
NOMAD bro.. you rub some tallow in those winter finger cracks ? were you jerry west or havlicek ? also, you wear those black zipper boots over your chuck taylors in the snow ?
yeah baby! “the good old days”: shoveling off the court so we could play in the cold!! regular time outs for everyone to cross arms + put your fingers in your armpits until they thawed out.
Great cap Chris!
I think we are all liking what we are seeing. The 2022 Cavs draft is looking better by the minute.
Thanks Raoul!
Nice recap Chris!
Arch thanks!!! Good seeing you around again!
Lots of fun and a great cap. The Cavs top 6 were very skilled. Liked what I saw. Ochai is an outstanding cutter and the Cavs can really use that. He needs to work on movement shooting and getting more lift and practice shooting from the legs when he’s not in the corner. He looked not nearly as comfortable from the top and the wing, though he buried a top of key dagger to put a nail in the Summer Spurs’ coffin. Make this dude watch Jr Smith tape and practice getting his legs under him. Luke Travers was everywhere.… Read more »
Thanks Nate, I do have concerns about Nembhard’s outlook but good start nonetheless.
Also, Blake Wesley looked nice. If he can shoot in the NBA, he’ll be a very interesting player. Really like a lot of guys on that Spurs team, but they’re gonna suck this year. All worth it if they fall into the French Durant, though.
I watched a fair few highlights of Travers from the NBL right after the draft. He was scrappy, and liked to get out on the break. But I was more impressed with him yesterday than I thought he’d be. (Caveat: summer league) He really looks to find guys in the paint or going to the hoop, and has a pretty good eye for passing. I can see why some in the Cavs FO like his potential as a stash guy. If he can somehow improve his shot, I can envision him playing NBA minutes. He certainly plays hard, and can… Read more »
THANS CLF—WHAT IS YOUR// EVERYONE’S TAKE ON OSBORNE—-STATS LOOKED DECENT ??
Osborne’s defense left a lot to be desired.
Thanks Chris. Haven’t been able to watch much recently.
Great news about the top performers. From what I saw of Travers here in the Australian playoffs, he looked ready to take the step. His court vision caught a lot of attention. A little surprised of the stash talk, but you never know how someone’s game will translate to the big show. Happy for him.
Thank you as always Simmo!
Really watchable game.Solid performances,Dug seeing the Aussie mullet man.Nice recap.
nickname coined: AussieMullet