Milwaukee Bucks: 5 takeaways from 2018 NBA Summer League
1. Donte DiVinvenzo’s debut was disappointing
The top headline for the Bucks in Las Vegas was the debut of first round pick Donte DiVincenzo, one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament and an early pick for one of his draft class’s largest personalities.
Yet a right groin strain kept the Villanova alum out of the first three games in Vegas, and precaution limited him to just a few minutes in each of the team’s tournament games. In the Bucks’ win over the San Antonio Spurs last week, DiVincenzo shot 0-of-3 from the field, and he followed that up with an 0-of-5 showing against the Sixers.
Donte DiVincenzo with an airball 3 on a catch-and-shoot. He's tried 3 treys in summer league and all have been short. Two have been airballs. Rusty.
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) July 15, 2018
That is not to say that “The Big Ragu” was completely ineffective. DiVincenzo was able to show off his speed on the court, one of his best traits, and was active on defense with four total steals in just 27 total minutes. Although he scored just one total point, overall he was +6 during his minutes.
Nothing about his play in Vegas should give the Bucks or their fans any worry about DiVincenzo. He came in nursing an injury, and in Summer League that means all information gathered is of just a small amount of use. All of the excitement and expectation based on his play in college and performance in workouts should hold much more weight.
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Even so, this summer was supposed to be about DiVincenzo, and everyone interested was disappointed by the outcome. With training camp just around the corner, the Bucks will be hoping for more from their rookie right round pick soon. Until then, highlights of Christian Wood throwing down dunks will have to sustain fans of Milwaukee basketball.