SL Game 3: MIA vs. DAL | 2:00pm CST on ESPN2

[Chicagojk]

10 turnovers and 34% shooting at half. Alex Sarr is looking at that and saying "Not bad"

[KillerLeft]

OMax looked 10x better in last year's summer league. So much so we were thinking how many minutes he'd get in the regular season.

I don't think this year's roster and scheme helps Omax look good at all.

Everything people say about Hardy (that I disagree with) is true of O-Max. They're allowing (asking?) him to play a role on offense for which he's not currently suited. His path to NBA minutes is on the defensive end, and he needs to be in the corner, ready to shoot or cut backdoor occasionally, on offense. 

Having said that, summer league doesn't really allow for almost anyone to look good on offense. He's so clearly a defender with difference-making potential I am not deterred by his showing this summer in the slightest. It might mean he doesn't get into games as soon as we hope, but I don't think it says much about his long-term trajectory.

[Mavs2021]

I wonder whether it´s illegal for an NBA team to "strong-arm" some European teams. I think Gortman and Ajinca are by far the smartest players on this team and why not try to get Gortman a deal with Ajinca´s team in France for next season. They are a mid-table with few true ambitions besides not getting relegated. Could be a useful developmental set-up. S

[Mavs2021]

From a personality standpoint Risacher reminds me of Dirk. He´s clearly not comfortable with the language yet, seems more of an introvert, but smart. From all the picks in this weak class, I think he has the best chance to be something "special".

[KillerLeft]

From a personality standpoint Risacher reminds me of Dirk. He´s clearly not comfortable with the language yet, seems more of an introvert, but smart. From all the picks in this weak class, I think he has the best chance to be something "special".

I like him more than most, but I also like Reed Sheppard.

[SleepingHero]

From a personality standpoint Risacher reminds me of Dirk. He´s clearly not comfortable with the language yet, seems more of an introvert, but smart. From all the picks in this weak class, I think he has the best chance to be something "special".

DIRK????

How could you make such a comparison?

Why not Andrea Bargnani?

[SleepingHero]

OMax flubs the layup but Lawson makes a great outlet pass anf he gets a dunk.

Then Lawson hits another 3!!!

Lawson redemption arc???

[SleepingHero]

Dereck Lively is a gift man. Watching him autograph every kids stuff brings warmness to my heart.

[Chicagojk]

Omax just lacks feel on offense and defense. I don’t think his defense has been great in this summer league. Just don’t think he is going to force playing time early next year. I had hopes he would. A lot to like from him but he is going to need some more time. He will get some chances next year but don’t think he is where the team hopes he would be in year 2.

He fits what we are looking for. The realized version is just not there yet.

[Mavs2021]

I love Ajinca´s basketball IQ. He´s always in the right spots, making smart cuts, good 1on1 defense, but also always alert to the overall situation, surveying the court.

[SleepingHero]

Alex Fudge is a gamer. The team looks a lot better with him on the court vs. Lawson.

[KillerLeft]

O-Max just prevented a 7-footer from getting a shot up after catching in the paint and followed that up by forcing a corner shooter to give up the ball, mid-shooting motion, AFTER biting on a pump fake.

People who aren’t impressed by his defense are telling us more about what they see than what they’re watching, imho. It’s all right there in front of us.

[SleepingHero]

O-Max just prevented a 7-footer from getting a shot up after catching in the paint and followed that up by forcing a corner shooter to give up the ball, mid-shooting motion, AFTER biting on a pump fake.

People who aren’t impressed by his defense are telling us more about what they see than what they’re watching, imho. It’s all right there in front of us.

HE WILL BE THE RECKONING OF THE LEAGUE

[SleepingHero]

HOOLLLLYYYYY SHIT WHAT A DUNK

[KillerLeft]

HOOLLLLYYYYY SHIT WHAT A DUNK

Lawson was low man. Shocking.

[Chicagojk]

O-Max just prevented a 7-footer from getting a shot up after catching in the paint and followed that up by forcing a corner shooter to give up the ball, mid-shooting motion, AFTER biting on a pump fake.

People who aren’t impressed by his defense are telling us more about what they see than what they’re watching, imho. It’s all right there in front of us.

I don’t know if this is meant for me, but whatever.  Omax is good mirroring already.  In games like this, you want to see elite defenders gets steals, blocks, deflections etc.  Omax is not getting those. That is all I am saying.  With his build and length, he should be getting a lot more of those plays.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Miami may have a nice find in Ware. He's always at the front of the rim.

[KillerLeft]

O-Max is very unable to generate offense off the dribble. That's plain to see. Like I said the other day, he's pretty good at getting downhill with the ball for his size, because he has a good first step and (haven't seen this mentioned) a damn good left hand (better than some of the guards on this roster). He has no plan to finish once he gets to the paint though, at least against defenders as big and long as himself.

Don't care, because it will be years before he's in a role that requires that in Dallas, if ever. Can he shoot open shots? Tough to tell from summer league.

[KillerLeft]

I don’t know if this is meant for me, but whatever.  Omax is good mirroring already.  In games like this, you want to see elite defenders gets steals, blocks, deflections etc.  Omax is not getting those. That is all I am saying.  With his build and length, he should be getting a lot more of those plays.

Not intended for anyone, specifically - I only skim game threads. 

I disagree with you, that's all. What "you want to see" is not really what I'm monitoring, actually, but I have seen TONS of long-armed deflections from O-Max in these three games, so far. He affects soooo many possessions. 

The thing people don't notice as much as I wish they would is when an action is overtly designed for a specific player to get the ball in an area to create a shot, but then he PASSES, rather than even attempt that shot. When people judge the quality of a defender, they tend to only monitor times when their man puts shots up, but that's like only caring about the endgame in chess.

[Chicagojk]

Hey I may be having a too critical eye for Omax but that just tells you my expectations of the player he could be. He is slow to react to a lot of things both on offense and defense. Small things bother me. For instance, On an inbounds pass when he is going to the ball he is not quick and decisive making it a hard pass. I noticed this last year when he was the target when a ball was being rotated. Just either slow reaction or not decisive. Or on breaks he sort of gallops when a sprint would lead to him filling a lane. Small things like that. It may not mean much separately but it does matter when playing real games. He just needs more time on the floor. His slow reaction really doesn’t allow him to use all his length and athleticism as a huge advantage.