NBA Summer League: 5 Takeaways From Week One

Several Sophomores Are Set For Breakout Years

The NBA Summer League is always a chance for second-year players to apply the experience from a rookie year and put their skills on display. So far, the participating members of the 2014 NBA Draft class have not disappointed.

Aaron Gordon, Forward, Orlando Magic: 

Perhaps the most impressive NBA sophomore has been Orlando forward Aaron Gordon. The former No. 4 overall pick absolutely dominated his competition in the Orlando Summer League on his way to averaging around 22 points, 12 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 steals and 2.0 three-balls per game.

His jumper, which was his biggest knock coming out of college, looks much improved – he shot 50 percent from downtown – and he looks comfortable both spotting up and pulling up off the dribble.

Defensively, he’s been the scrappy ball stopper that the Magic were anticipating, and he’s excelled on the boards as well. His dominant all-around performance lived up to the billing of a top-4 pick, and Magic fans should be ecstatic about their up-and-coming team.

Look for Aaron Gordon to have a big year.

Jordan Clarkson, G, Los Angeles Lakers:

Clarkson was arguably the biggest rookie surprise last season. Despite being drafted at No. 46 overall, the rookie earned First Team All-Rookie honors and started over 30 games for the Lakers.

By the end of the regular season, Clarkson was regularly putting up big numbers, and it’s translated into a big start in Las Vegas. Through two games, Clarkson has been hands down the best player for the Lakers while averaging 21 points on 48 percent shooting with 1.5 steals to boot.

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His best moments came in transition with his elite athleticism, showing a level of aggressiveness that Los Angeles fans should be excited about. His unique blend of size, explosiveness and advanced handles make him an extremely difficult guard for smaller defenders.

Analytically, Clarkson has been one of the top performers in Las Vegas with a stout 27.0 Player Efficiency Rating and a 57 percent true shooting percentage. His efficiency so far has been a remarkable improvement from his rookie year, and it looks like he’s starting to take his mental game to the next level.

With Clarkson sharing the backcourt with the No. 2 overall pick in D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers have one of the most dynamic young duos in the NBA.

Marcus Smart, G, Boston Celtics 

While Smart was one of the top rookies last season, he’s shown significant improvement through three Summer League performances. For one thing he’s finally healthy, and he’s shown an improved ability to get into the lane to score, draw fouls and dish to his teammates.

Smart was arguably the top player in Utah while averaging 24 points, 7.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. More encouragingly, he was able to get into the lane and draw fouls – he averaged six free throw attempts per game – which is something the Celtics’ offense desperately needs.

In his first appearance in Las Vegas, Smart sustained his solid play with a 19-point, 3-steal performance in a winning effort against the Trail Blazers. He showed glimpses of an excellent midrange game, but did shoot a disconcerting 4-for-11 from downtown.

While Celtics fans should be pleased with Smart’s play this summer, he still needs to become a more consistent outside shooter–though he’s shown flashes of solid three-point shooting–and continue to get into the paint in the regular season. If his improvement sticks, he will has a chance to be an impact player in Boston.

Zach LaVine, G, Minnesota Timberwolves 

LaVine is one of the most electrifying young players in basketball, and he’s taken his game to the next level in Las Vegas.

In the Timberwolves’ Summer League opener against the Lakers, LaVine dictated the game from start to finish as he nailed shots from downtown and threw down insane dunks for a game-leading 24-point performance. In his second game, LaVine was just as impressive putting up 20 points and nine boards in a losing effort against the Bulls.

LaVine showed improvement as his rookie season went along, but the reigning slam dunk champion still needs to become a more versatile scoring threat. He’s shooting 42 percent from three-point land in Las Vegas, and if he can become a consistent weapon from behind the arc, he will be one of the most difficult guards in the NBA.

With a young core of LaVine, Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Ricky Rubio and Shabazz Muhammed, the Timberwolves have arguably the top young core in the NBA.

Next: The No. 1 Overall Pick