NBA Summer League 2024: Hot Takes on Sarr, Clingan, McCain, More from Day 5 Results
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVJuly 17, 2024
Plenty of promising young rookies were on display during NBA Summer League action on Tuesday. Below, we'll break down some of the notable performances from across the league and the fan and pundit reaction to them.
Alexandre Sarr and Donovan Clingan
This was not a banner night for the No. 2 overall pick, Alexandre Sarr, who finished with no points but did have nine rebounds, three blocks and three assists in the Washington Wizards 82-80 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Still, an 0-for-15 shooting night from the floor—yes, you read that right—is brutal, and for good measure he missed both free-throw attempts. Folks on social media had some raised eyebrows after that showing:
As for Donovan Clingan, Portland's big man was a touch more efficient from the floor, finishing 3-of-10 with eight points. More importantly, he was a beast on defense, posting 13 rebounds and a whopping five blocks.
That earned him some well-deserved plaudits:
Clingan is walking into an odd situation in Portland, with Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III already on the depth chart at center. Playing time could be tough to come by unless the team trades one of the two veterans ahead of him. though it's hard to imagine the Blazers picked him No. 7 overall just to let him marinate on the bench for an entire season.
Jared McCain and Rob Dillingham
The Philadelphia 76ers first-rounder had a strong night on Tuesday, finishing with 21 points and seven rebounds in a 92-90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Sixers have to be feeling good about the McCain selection thus far this summer. He looks like he could legitimately earn himself some minutes off the bench this season.
Dillingham, meanwhile, had a solid night, with 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds. That earned him some love on the socials, though his 3-for-10 shooting night wasn't ignored:
NBA @NBARob Dillingham with a look-away dish on the break to Leonard Miller for the flush 🤝😤<br><br>Miller has 19p, 10r on ESPN2 | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA2KSummerLeague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA2KSummerLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/uvnlDkFFBX">pic.twitter.com/uvnlDkFFBX</a>
Torus Washington @TorusWRob Dillingham has been getting locked up during this summer league. Just got shut down off the dribble in the clutch against the 76ers <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummerLeague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummerLeague</a>
The Wolves have a ready-made contender, so it was surprising to see them make a splash and move up the draft board to take Dillingham at No. 8. He's shown flashes this summer of the potential they clearly saw on tape, but he's undoubtedly a major work in progress.
Ron Holland II
The No. 5 overall pick had himself a night, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists, though he shot just 7-of-20 from the floor.
Still, it was a strong game in the 85-77 win over the Chicago Bulls, and folks on social media were liking what they saw:
The Pistons have a ton of young players who are going to need minutes to thrive, and Holland is one of them. He's a project, but the vision behind the pick was a bit more evident on Tuesday night.
Tidjane Salaün
The Charlotte Hornets rookie had himself a night, finishing with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in an 80-66 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
He was the best French lottery pick in action on Tuesday night, that much was certain:
DukePanthersHornets @FanOfHomeStateTidjane Salaun is 18 years old and already a good rebounder. Tells me he going to become an elite rebounder.<br><br>That kid was crashing the glass after every shot even when he was at the 3-point line. <br><br>10 points and 10 rebounds night! <br><br>Effort and Energy!
The Hornets haven't had much hope in quite some time. Perhaps a young core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Salaün will change that.