Hoops Habit
Fansided

2017 NBA Summer League: 5 biggest disappointments

By Max Holm

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls blocks the shot against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 Summer League on July 11, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls blocks the shot against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 Summer League on July 11, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Markelle Fultz #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on from the bench as his team takes on the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 103-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Markelle Fultz #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on from the bench as his team takes on the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 103-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Injuries to lottery picks

This was arguably the biggest disappointment of 2017 NBA Summer League. The fact that injuries to lottery picks isn’t number one is a true testament to how poor the next subject is.

Rookies typically don’t play every game their team is in, even with a good bill of health. We saw that with Lonzo Ball, De’Aaron Fox and others. However, they still got out there a decent amount. We got to see where they are at presently. That didn’t happen for some of the other guys selected in the lottery, unfortunately.

Markelle Fultz was held to two games in Salt Lake City and about a half of basketball in Las Vegas. He showed glimpses of his talent, but it was a mighty small sample size. Frank Ntilikina and Malik Monk didn’t even play a single minute. In addition, Jonathan Isaac, who had injury concerns before the draft, averaged less than 19 minutes per game over three contests in Orlando.

Whether rookies should play much if at all in Summer League is one thing, but under the precedent that they do, it’s a shame for everyone, especially the fans, that so many weren’t able to play many minutes.