ClutchFans Game Thread: Blazers @ Rockets - Vegas Summer League 7/7/2023

Cam saying Amen is like Ben Simmons ... the curse is set.

Amen saying "I don't think he's that good" with a straight face when Feigen said Detroit has a good young guard, too. Feigen said he was talking about Ivey and not his brother and Amen was like "Oh, Ivey? He's good."

 

Stop whining.

 

Huff blocked a lot of shots.

 

@DeBeards @TimDuncanDonaut

Robbed of Jalen’s SL
Robbed of Ahmen’s SL

 

Amen has a funky looking shot, but if it works it works...with all this speed it should Phi Slama Jama NBA style, just run everybody out of the gym...

 

So many mixed emotions tonight. Jabari obviously had an up and down game, but his athletic limitations were on full display and I’m not sure his shot will ever be elite. Tari is who I knew he was …our starting 4. Amen looked like a revelation and his defense, playmaking, etc is as advertised (unfortunately so was Scoot). Cam is gonna need some time in the G-league. The raw power and talent were there, but he’s got to learn how to play team basketball. It felt like Sharpe was the best player on the court a lot of the time.

The big thing I’m pondering is if I should cancel my flight to Vegas now that Amen is out. It’s not clear how many more games Jabari or Tari will play.

 

If you're gonna go to summer league, you always wanna go day 1. The rosters just get worse and worse after that every year. One sprained pinky toe and you're out. I've never gone to a day past the first 3 days.

 

That was awesome. Hits the game winner and then immediately runs to dap KMJ, who I wish we still had (although the roster would be even more crowded than it is already).

Amen looked amazing. I hope he’s okay.

 

Getting to the FT line is a big deal for Smith. Great players get to the line. I'm not sure he earned all the FT today like a superstar does, but he got there, and that is a lesson for him in its own right. Create Action. And you can get to the line for easy points. Do that in year two and I'm happy. The game just comes easier when you do that.

 

I have seen enough. Tari is Deputy Franchse Player.

 

Tari does the same thing and gets all the love. I also saw both of them make a couple of passes. Both will come around at some point. Cam played a fantastic first game. The defense will be crazy with him, Tari, and Amen on the floor at the same time. He hustled more than anyone tonight.

 

This is what I saw tonight:

Amen - He is the real deal. Going to be a great defensive player, incredible passing and court vision, played under control except a few ill-advised drives, ugly shot and still a work in progress.

Tari - Played his normal game. Hustled, shot well, very good on defense. Still needs to work on the tunnel vision.

Jabari - Played really lazy defense the first half. Looks like he needs to get a bucket or two to get ramped up on both sides of the court. I was disappointed that his upper body looked the same as last year, but I’m no expert. If he wants to be the leader then he needs to come into the game with the same energy he had in the second half.

Cam - Super impressed with his hustle. He was all over the court, diving for balls, etc. Showed a decent 3 pt shot when open which should improve. Played very good defense and rebounded well. Same tunnel vision as Tari, but did see him defer to the corner or on top twice. I predicted he would start in the G-League, but I’m not so sure now.

Huff - Was disappointed and don’t think he’s going to earn that 2 way contract. Very slow feet. Did block shots. He does understand the game and gets open, but either was shaky, because of the situation or because he has terrible hands like Garuba.

I think KPJ is trade fodder at the deadline. Amen is going to be a superstar. Both Portland and Houston are going to have incredible backcourts with Amen, Jaylen, Scoot and Sharpe.

 

Wemby makes vaginal delivery difficult, maybe it is bc of birth canal issues.

 

Love It!!!!!!!

 

I would agree with you if we could make one edit: "but [Jabari's] athletic limitations were on full display and I’m not sure his 3-point shot will ever be elite."

He's a 20-year-old that now looks like a legit 6-11 forward. While some have questioned his weight training, it looks like he's added some weight/definition to his upper body. His legs will just take time. You can only go so fast without risking injury.

To me, Smith's constantly straining to shoot from distance. But from 15 to 18 feet, he's got steady mechanics. Interested to see him continue to grow and expand his offensive game. It has to help his confidence to have played so much better in the second half. Thank you, Portland for sending him to the line so frequently.