Golden State Warriors: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

1. Patrick McCaw is more than just a defender

The star of the 2017 NBA Summer League for the Golden State Warriors was Patrick McCaw. Making the most of the extra playing time, McCaw averaged 20 points a game and assumed a leadership role. Seeing nearly twice as many minutes as the regular season, he was able to put all areas of his game on display.

While he is generally viewed as a defensive prospect, McCaw showed an ability to score and an aggressiveness to pair with it. McCaw displayed three-point shooting range as well as creative finishing ability. Interestingly, he played a lot of point guard, which will be unlikely during the regular season. However, the experience will only benefit him in the long run.

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In crunch time of games, it was Patrick McCaw who was handling and demanding the basketball.  He was clearly a step above the competition and his confidence conveyed that. For McCaw, this Summer League stint was not a proving ground, but a way to get him more court exposure.

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The Golden State Warriors and Patrick McCaw will undoubtedly benefit from this experience later in the season. McCaw started 20 games last year and earned the trust of the Warriors’ players and coaching staff. By gaining experience and avoiding injury, Patrick McCaw is ready for a bigger role in 2018.