MillionDollarCam

Not every player has to be an elite defender to be successful as long as they play within the system, Graham did that. And combo guards are the new stretch four, everyone wants one because they have shown to be successful, the best one in the NBA played a big role in the Bucks winning a championship (Jrue Holiday). Additionally, Graham’s minutes would obviously come with the second unit. The same minutes he got last year with Bouknight taking Monk’s minutes. If you are comfortable with Bouknight getting all of the minutes Graham had last year (especially after what you saw today) then there’s not a whole lot more to discuss. Keeping Graham simply would have allowed the Hornets to replace Rozier next year. Instead, we’ll be looking for a new backup PG and a starting/backup SG depending on how Bouknight plays this year.

Since when is Graham a backup PG? He was a combo guard averaging 16PPG over the past two seasons. If Bouknight isn’t able to fill that gap this year then the second unit will struggle and it will be the same old story.

The point is we could have both if we decided to go to into the tax.

I’m obviously not since I didn’t say that. Oubre wasn’t a bad signing, Devonte at 12M wouldn’t have been either. And to call Devonte a PG is a disservice to him. You are paying 12M for a combo guard. A player who can play multiple positions and a player who would inherit Rozier’s starting spot after he is sure to walk next year. Not to mention if LaMelo goes down again at any point then we are now effectively fuged, I can’t be the only one that notices him still messing with his wrist. We put a lot of eggs in the Bouknight basket and if he can’t handle it as soon as we though he could then our second unit will struggle.

You do realize we are paying a back up SF (Oubre) 12M/12.6M per year, right? If you are going to pay a back up 12M per year you might as well make it a player at the most important position on the basketball court. Not to mention, having Graham help the young second unit along that is sure to consist of Bouknight and Jones would be very beneficial. As Kupchak stated, we aren’t good enough to reach for needs, right now this team needs basketball players. The only reason Devonte is gone is because he wants to start.

Averages through 2 games: 13 PPG (50% FG, 50% 3P, 100% FT) 3.5 RPG (2 ORPG) 1 APG 2 SPG 1 TOPG Only Bouknight (15) is averaging more PPG than Gelo.

Just be our Duncan Robinson. That’s all we need from him.

He’s already signed a contract with the Hornets so at the very worst I think he’ll be with the swarm. Going to be some interesting decisions as I suspect LiAngelo, Carton, Carey, Richards, Iwundu, and Martin will be fighting for the last few spots. Three of those guys will probably make it, three probably won’t.

Back at it again tomorrow. Hornets vs. Kings at 6:00PM on NBA TV (ESPN App)

All in all not a bad effort against a lot of former NBA players and G-Leaguers. PG - We struggled here… Riller doesn’t look to be much more than a G-League player and overall his ability to control the game is poor. Bouknight can definitely fill in at at the PG spot when needed and honestly it would be fun to see him play with LiAngelo. Carton is an intriguing player and though he may not make the final roster I think he’ll definitely be with the Swarm. It would have been nice to see if Joel Berry fared better than Riller and Carton. SG - Bouknight can do it all, if he knocks down the three ball consistently then he’ll be a star in the NBA. LiAngelo Ball deserves a spot on the final roster, guys like Redick and Crawford have made a living out of being a sharpshooter, going 5 for 8 from three in your first organized basketball competition in years is impressive. Scottie Lewis is athletic and brings a lot of energy but he’ll need to show that he can shoot the ball, right now he reminds me a lot of the Martin brothers. I suspect Kenny Williams will get a shot later to see if he can make the Swarm. SF - Xavier Sneed is the only true SF on the roster and he is simply put, not a good basketball player. PF - Kai Jones is going to be a force, his athleticism will allow him to play right away. Kulboka showed some talent but he’ll need to mature in the G League to get used to the American game, one impressive note is that he was somehow a +18. I believe JT Thor was added to the roster but he may not have played since he just started practicing a day ago. C - Nick Richards and Vernon Carey settled in okay but neither showed the footwork that is needed to be a back to the basket type center in the NBA. DNP - Joel Berry, Kenny Williams, Denzel Mahoney, Cam McGriff, JT Thor Injured: Nate Darling Bouknight - 19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks Ball - 16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals Jones - 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block Carey - 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist Richards - 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist Carton - 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal Riller - 7 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists Kulboka - 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals Lewis - 2 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block Sneed - 0 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

Blazers are fools for the poo they pulled bringing all those former NBA players.

Gelo can definitely hoop.

Gelo can definitely hoop.

Grant Riller and Sneed are hard to watch. Riller just doesn’t have good handles and his court vision is poor.

Xavier Sneed is bad at basketball…

Would have to assume Thor isn’t getting minutes since he just started practicing a day ago.

Agreed. And with LaMelo he can just hang out in the paint and catch lobs.

Hornets down 42-34 at half. Kai Jones and James Bouknight leading the way. Jones - 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block Bouknight - 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block Not a whole lot going on from anyone else.

Bouknight and Jones are both going to be really solid. Bouknight has some Lillard in his game. He was compared to Devin Booker a bit but he’s a much better iso player and distributor of the ball.

Well… it’s easy to tell which team has a bunch of former NBA players on it.

Nick Richards looks like Bambi on ice. Footwork is terrible.

Down 21-17 after 1. Bouknight leading the way with 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block

Bouknight can do a little bit of everything. I also think DJ Carton is going to be a steal. His ability to push the pace is going to helpful.

Full Roster Guards - James Bouknight, Grant Riller, Scottie Lewis, D.J. Carton, Kenny Williams, Joel Berry Forwards - JT Thor, LiAngelo Ball, Arnoldas Kulboka, Xavier Sneed, Denzel Mahoney, Cameron McGriff, Centers - Vernon Carey, Kai Jones, Nick Richards Joel Berry replaces Nate Darling who will not compete due to an injury. The Blazers are treating the summer league like the NBA Playoffs, their roster is below: Guards - Emmanuel Mudiay, Antonio Blakeney, Kobi Simmons, Jordan Crawford, CJ Elleby, Milton Doyle Forwards - Nassir Little, Michael Beasley, Greg Brown, George King, Erik McCree, Mark Vital, Trendon Watford Centers - Kenneth Faried, Kaleb Wesson

Also on the ESPN app, just have to login with your cable provider.