NBA Summer League Deep Dive with Sam Vecenie

Summary

The Athletic NBA Daily: NBA Summer League Deep Dive with Sam Bassini Release Date: July 13, 2025

Introduction In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni, the discussion is live from Las Vegas at the NBA Summer League. Special guest Sam Bassini joins the hosts along with regular contributor Alex Spears to provide an in-depth analysis of the Summer League performances, emerging talents, and team strategies.

Key Topics Discussed

LeBron James and the Lakers' Future [05:06]

Sam Bassini opens the discussion by addressing the ongoing speculation surrounding LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. He highlights the key questions circulating among fans and analysts:

"What's going to happen with LeBron? What's happening with the Lakers in general? How competitive are the Lakers right now?" ([05:06])

Bassini emphasizes the necessity for the Lakers to make strategic moves to remain title contenders. He warns of potential stagnation if the team fails to adapt, especially as they transition into the "Luca era."

Portland Trailblazers' Summer League Insights [05:54]

Alex Spears brings attention to the Portland Trailblazers' Summer League experience, noting the high energy despite low attendance:

"All of my Portland guys are texting me. They want to know what it's like in person... It was the loudest." ([05:54])

Bassini observes the team's offensive cohesion, particularly praising Yong Hanson's playmaking abilities:

"Yong has the ball at the top of the key. He's capable of making these passes... created an infectious offensive cohesion." ([07:06])

Trivia Segment Highlights [04:18 - 13:01]

The episode features a lively trivia segment where Sam Bassini and Alex Spears engage in a competitive quiz about various NBA teams and players. Key moments include:

• Portland Trailblazers Trivia:

  "Who was the last Blazers rookie to have 527 rebounds? It was Arvidas Sabonis." ([08:32])

• Charlotte Hornets Trivia:

  "Who was the last Hornet to record more than 116 steals in a season? Bonzi Wells." ([09:15])

• Dallas Mavericks Trivia:

  "How many dunks did Klay Thompson have this season? Sam guesses two, which is correct." ([18:10])

Despite several challenging questions, Sam Bassini emerges victorious in the trivia duel, showcasing his extensive NBA knowledge.

Player Analysis

Liam McNeely's Performance [10:30]

Bassini discusses Liam McNeely's return to health and his impact on the court:

"He's healthy now and has a healthy ankle... going for 22 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists." ([10:30])

He praises McNeely's development, particularly his enhanced ball-handling and versatility beyond being a floor spacer.

Reed Shepherd's Improvement [24:31]

Moving to team performances, Bassini highlights Reed Shepherd's standout play:

"He was totally on a different level... made some utterly ridiculous shots." ([24:31])

Shepherd's improved passing and decision-making skills are noted as significant factors in his increased confidence and performance.

Cody Williams and Tijon Salon's Growth [18:43]

Bassini evaluates second-year players Cody Williams and Tijon Salon:

"Cody Williams was always a guy you'd write off... seeing him look stronger and more confident." ([19:22])

For Salon, Bassini appreciates his confidence and shooting consistency, despite defensive lapses:

"He was out there just firing from three when he felt open... very willing to scratch and claw for spots." ([19:22])

Team Analysis

Washington Wizards [32:49]

Bassini expresses concerns over the Wizards' roster depth and player allocation:

"They have seven first-rounders from the last two drafts... a lot of guys fighting for the same roles." ([33:12])

He questions the team's ability to provide ample playing time and development opportunities for their young talents, citing issues with roster management and player roles.

Dallas Mavericks [17:03]

The Mavericks are scrutinized for their defensive struggles:

"Which Mavericks player had the most shot blocks this season? It was PJ Washington." ([22:53])

Bassini highlights the team's need for defensive reinforcements and better shot-blocking capabilities.

Cleveland Cavaliers [26:21]

Discussion turns to the Cavaliers' defensive history:

"Who was the last Cav other than LeBron and Evan Mobley to make an all-defensive team? Anderson Vera." ([27:26])

This revelation underscores the Cavaliers' ongoing efforts to bolster their defensive lineup through young talent.

Phoenix Suns [41:12]

The Suns' three-point shooting records are dissected:

"Devin Booker took 551 three-pointers this season... which was second most in franchise history." ([41:32])

Bassini and Spears delve into the implications of these statistics on the team's overall strategy and future performance.

Indiana Pacers [45:14]

The Pacers' shot-blocking and two-point shooting statistics are analyzed:

"Which Pacer had their shot blocked the most this season? Benedict Mathurin." ([45:27])

"Pascal Siakam took the most two-point shots... T.J. McConnell took the second most." ([45:37])

Importance of Summer League Performance [39:30]

Bassini discusses the significance of Summer League performances in securing NBA roster spots:

"Summer league games feel mostly meaningless. But there are a lot of guys trying to make an NBA roster... it's extremely important for those guys." ([39:30])

He emphasizes that while established players from overseas might benefit from their international success, Summer League remains a critical platform for undrafted and fringe players to showcase their abilities.

Conclusion Sam Bassini provides a comprehensive analysis of the NBA Summer League, highlighting emerging talents, team strategies, and the pivotal role of Summer League performances in shaping future NBA rosters. His insights, combined with the engaging trivia segment, offer listeners a deep dive into the current state and future prospects of professional basketball.

Notable Quotes

• "He's healthy now and has a healthy ankle... going for 22 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists." ([10:30])
• "Yong has the ball at the top of the key. He's capable of making these passes... created an infectious offensive cohesion." ([07:06])
• "Reed Shepherd was totally on a different level... made some utterly ridiculous shots." ([24:31])
• "Summer league games feel mostly meaningless. But there are a lot of guys trying to make an NBA roster... it's extremely important for those guys." ([39:30])

Insights and Conclusions

• LeBron and the Lakers: The future competitiveness of the Lakers hinges on strategic roster moves, especially as they transition into the Luca era.
• Portland Trailblazers: Emerging players like Yong Hanson are demonstrating significant offensive potential, indicating a promising future for the team.
• Player Development: Key rookies and sophomores like Liam McNeely and Reed Shepherd are showcasing substantial growth, essential for their long-term NBA prospects.
• Team Strategies: Teams like the Wizards and Mavericks face challenges in roster depth and defensive capabilities, necessitating focused strategies to optimize their lineup.
• Summer League Significance: While not all performances translate directly to the regular season, Summer League remains a crucial stage for player evaluation and roster decisions.

This episode offers a rich and engaging exploration of the NBA Summer League, providing valuable insights for both avid followers and casual fans seeking to understand the evolving dynamics of professional basketball.

Transcript

[Host 1]

Do you own a business that's ready to thrive? It's time to let Intuit QuickBooks take things like unpaid invoices and tracking expenses off your plate so that you can take things to the next level. Intuit QuickBooks is a powerful, AI driven all in one business solution that can help with day to day tasks like invoicing expenses and taxes. QuickBooks can help you unlock the growth of your business so that you can get back to enjoying your business. Manage and grow your business all in one place. Intuit QuickBooks your way to money get 90% off for 3 months limited time only. Terms and conditions apply. Money Movement Services are provided by Intuit Payments Incorporated, licensed as a MONEY Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

[Host 2]

As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM. This season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a 1500 dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code TheAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least $10. Place your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic. See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text hopeny467-369 In New York, call 1-800-next step in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 Massachusetts 1-800-bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico first bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Don't forget, if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a $1,500 first bet offer on your first wager.

[Host 1]

As a salesperson, the search for the right buyer or buying groups can feel like you're endlessly sifting through leads and hoping they're ready to buy. Thankfully, LinkedIn Sales Navigator is more than just a tool. It's your strategic style. Sales partner LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a sales intelligence platform that helps professionals effectively prospect and engage high value customers, drive higher revenue and increase sales performance. Sales Navigator helps you target the right buyers, surface key signals such as job changes or which accounts you should prioritize and shows you hidden allies that you can find those buyers that are most likely to convert. Whether you're looking for new clients or strengthening relationships of current accounts. LinkedIn Sales Navigator has new AI features designed to help sellers find the right people and get right to the right conversations, all at scale. Fueled by LinkedIn's 1 billion-member platform, Sales Navigator gives you the most up to date first party data enabling you to unlock conversations with the people that matter. Ready to get right to the right conversations? Try LinkedIn Sales Navigator now with a 60 day free trial at LinkedIn.com NBashow23. That's LinkedIn.com NBashow23 for a 60 day free trial. Terms and conditions apply. Welcome to the Saturday Slammin Jam here on the Athletic NBA Daily. On today's show, we are live in Las Vegas at summer league with our good friend Sam Bassini. We're going to talk about rookies, we're going to talk about sophomores and so much more. Before we get to that, Alex Spears also live in LA Las Vegas with us today which is what a joy to do this together in person. Like, can you believe this?

[Sam Bassini]

I love all of you. I love both of you. Except for one thing right now.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

You're making me miss.

[Host 1]

I know.

[Sam Bassini]

Cooper flag Riley Minix showdown.

[Alex Spears]

It is really the rally minutes.

[Sam Bassini]

Cooper flag show.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Let's be honest.

[Host 1]

That's right.

[Sam Bassini]

So I'm a little bit disappointed. But you know, what can we do? We only have the time windows that we have.

[Host 1]

It is horrific timing but we're gonna make it work. I'm going to throw to Alex to talk about how is Alex going to torture us today with trivia is the question. And it's going to be a little different.

[Alex Spears]

All right. Sam, you've been on the show a lot. We always do Andrew versus the beat. It always comes at the end of the show. This time is going to be a little different after every question we ask you.

[Sam Bassini]

This is great.

[Alex Spears]

We're going to do a mini Andrew versus the beat. I've come up with three questions about every single NBA team. 90 questions total. We're not going to do all of them, but you're going to pick any team.

[Sam Bassini]

What a psycho.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. No, no, normal. It's normal behavior.

[Sam Bassini]

No, you staring at me wide eyed, talking about trivia.

[Alex Spears]

You're going to get to pick a team after each question and we're going to do a mini Andrew versus the beat and then I'll add it up over the course of the great episode. Okay, so Andrew, start us off.

[Host 1]

Okay, so Sam, you've been in Vegas for a few days now. What are the most popular summer league conversations that are happening right now? What are the topics that people are touching on the most?

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, I feel like the LeBron thing has come up quite a bit, to be honest. Just what's going on with LeBron? What's going to happen there? Yep. What's happening with the Lakers in general? How competitive are the Lakers right now? Are they going to be able to, you know, field a team that is like genuinely capable of winning a title or. And to do that, they're going to have to improve. I think we all agree here, right. They're going to have to make moves to do that. But if they don't do that, or if they are incapable of doing that, or if they decide to wait until, you know, the Luca era begins in order to make their moves and hoard their assets to better position themselves for that era beginning. What happens with LeBron? Right. And I think that that is probably the question that I've gotten asked the most at this point. What about you guys?

[Alex Spears]

Al Hanson, Yong Hanson, Yang. Mostly because I'm from Portland. So all of my Portland, they're all texting me. They want to know what it's like in person. Because it was genuinely cool. Because it was probably the most empty the arena has been because it was the late game last night. But it was the loudest.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Like other than maybe that first Cooper game, definitely it was the loudest. And the fans were getting really into it. There's a point I forget the player on the other team, but basically started trying to scuffle with Hanson.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

And he instantly became a villain.

[Host 1]

It got loud, too.

[Sam Bassini]

I was in and out of that arena, literally with you the whole time that I was in that arena. So I saw like the first couple of passes from Yong.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

And then kind of went over to go see the Reed shepherd show. We'll talk about that, guys. Better believe.

[Host 1]

Yeah, Right.

[Sam Bassini]

Then came back in and kind of bounced back around here and there. It was fun. Like, I didn't love the way he defended, but I certainly loved the offense. I think that obviously Yong has this really infectious style of play where I really Think that. I think you saw it with like Rayon Repair more than anything. Right. And CD Sissoko to an extent. Like knowing that they were going to get fed off of their cuts.

[Alex Spears]

Right.

[Sam Bassini]

Like knowing that. Okay. Yong has the ball at the top of the key. He's actually looking and he's capable of making these passes.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

I think that that created like an infectious offensive cohesion almost that you don't see at summer league all that often.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, they. They did look surprisingly dominant for a summer league team. Like they were. I mean, they were killing the warriors, who aren't a great summer league team. But I do love. I know. I'll get over it. I do love the way they used him though, because I do feel like if you're going to go all in on someone like Hanson Young, you have to use him the way they used him.

[Sam Bassini]

Totally.

[Alex Spears]

Which is running the offense room. Okay. Pick a team, any team.

[Sam Bassini]

Go Portland Trailblazers.

[Alex Spears]

Great choice.

[Host 1]

Wow.

[Alex Spears]

Great choice. Okay. Would you like question one or two?

[Sam Bassini]

Two.

[Alex Spears]

Question number two. Donovan Clingan had 527 rebounds this season. Who was the last Blazers rookie to have that many rebounds?

[Sam Bassini]

To have that many rebounds. Okay, so probably not Scoot. Who would this be?

[Alex Spears]

That is correct. It was not scooped.

[Sam Bassini]

Chris Murray played a ton of minutes as a rookie.

[Host 1]

Chris Murray. Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Trying to think if there's one more that I can go back further because 500 is a lot. Actually 500 is a decent amount. Yeah, that's actually a good amount. Quite a few. Deandre Ayton.

[Alex Spears]

That is incorrect.

[Sam Bassini]

No, deandre Ayton wasn't a rookie. I'm an idiot.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, that's okay.

[Sam Bassini]

I'm an incredible idiot. Andrew just froze.

[Host 1]

LaMarcus.

[Alex Spears]

Nope. Further back. Arvidas Sabonis.

[Host 1]

Is it true? That's true.

[Alex Spears]

That is true.

[Sam Bassini]

Love it.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew. Tomani Kamara had 116 steals this season. Who was the last Blazer to record more than 116 steals in a season?

[Host 1]

Nick Batum.

[Alex Spears]

No, Sam.

[Sam Bassini]

Last blazer for 116 steel.

[Alex Spears]

116 steel.

[Sam Bassini]

That's like 1.2 steals. Yeah, that's gonna be.

[Alex Spears]

Doesn't have to be a rookie.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, Denny had to come close to that.

[Alex Spears]

It was Bonzi Wells. Okay, that brings us to the tiebreaker.

[Sam Bassini]

What is wrong with him?

[Alex Spears]

Sam.

[Host 1]

Bonzi Wells.

[Alex Spears]

Sam, how many dunks did Scoot Henderson have this season? You get to choose who answers first. Andrew.

[Sam Bassini]

Andrew can answer 17.

[Alex Spears]

Higher. Lower.

[Host 1]

Under.

[Alex Spears]

It was 11. Sam wins the first one. Back to our question. Oh, now, Sam, you've been. You've spent months.

[Host 1]

This is great.

[Alex Spears]

You've spent months watching film. You've been talking to teams and scouts, writing in the draft guide. This is the first time you've gotten to see these guys play in several months.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Has there been anything that surprised you already? Like maybe a guy who looks different physically or a guy shot that looks different? Anything like that?

[Sam Bassini]

I. I don't know that he looks different. I think that more than anything, it's just a reminder of what Liam McNeely was coming into the year.

[Host 1]

And.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, like early in the season at Connecticut, it's just a reminder that he's healthy now and has a healthy ankle more than anything. Because if you remember, he hurt his ankle right around late December, early January in Connecticut, and we didn't get to see his fullest athleticism. It really hindered his jump shot as well. He comes out and goes for 22, 11 and six assists. He's a great rebounder. We've known that throughout his high school career. He's an incredible competitor. I would say Liam is probably my answer here, if only just because it was great. It's not like, new information. I do think that the year at Connecticut, this year where he had to play point guard a little bit more often and play on the ball more than he's ever had to play in his career. Career.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Really kind of helped the ball skills more than anything. Like, I think it helped develop where his game is at and he's become a little bit more than just like the floor spacer. Right. That people thought he was. And, you know, this is why I had Liam, like, right around 20 or so. Like, I actually quite like Liam and I've always been a fan of his. Like, his competitive character is outstanding. He's a kid that just is going to work his balls off to be able to get to whatever level he can. So more than anything, what I was excited about was it was a reminder of what a healthy Liam McNeely looks like.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Did you see the videos of him.

[Alex Spears]

Talking to the refs, the mic'd up segments?

[Sam Bassini]

No.

[Alex Spears]

He kept saying, hey, Mr. Ref.

[Sam Bassini]

That's amazing.

[Host 1]

Hey, Mr. Ref.

[Sam Bassini]

Hello, sir.

[Host 1]

He said, hey, Mr. Ref. That's a big old boy down there.

[Alex Spears]

All right, Sam, choose a team.

[Sam Bassini]

Let's go. Charlotte Hornets.

[Alex Spears]

Wow. Great. I love this. The Hornets. Oh, do you want one or two?

[Sam Bassini]

One. Let's go.

[Alex Spears]

Hornets won 19 games this season.

[Sam Bassini]

Yep.

[Alex Spears]

Which was their lowest total since the Bobcats went 7:59 in the 2011-2012 season. Name one team that the 11:12 Bobcats beat.

[Sam Bassini]

Okay, so I have, like, a chance here?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, you got a chance.

[Sam Bassini]

Let's go with the Wizards.

[Alex Spears]

The Wizards. That is incorrect. Andrew. Who do the 1112 Bobcats beat?

[Host 1]

I feel like there's always, like these bad teams always beat a really good team.

[Alex Spears]

Interesting.

[Host 1]

I'm gonna say the Heat.

[Alex Spears]

Oh, no. We were looking for Milwaukee, New York, Toronto, Orlando, Golden State, or the New Orleans Hornets. All right, Andrew, there have been only three Hornets to attempt nine plus threes per game for an entire season. Lamelo Ball, Brandon Miller, both last season.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Alex Spears]

And this player who's the only other Hornet to ever attempt nine plus threes.

[Host 1]

Nine plus threes for a Charlotte Hornets.

[Alex Spears]

Getting them up per game.

[Sam Bassini]

We want to mention that is a.

[Host 1]

Lot of threes per game.

[Alex Spears]

There's a lot of threes.

[Host 1]

Who would this be, Lamelo?

[Alex Spears]

Brandon Miller. And this player.

[Host 1]

This doesn't include the. The Bobcats era.

[Alex Spears]

Sure, if you want to.

[Host 1]

Okay, so that does not. That means that it does not include the Bobcats era.

[Sam Bassini]

Gosh.

[Host 1]

Who would this be? This is absurd.

[Alex Spears]

Any guesses, Andrew? We don't have editing on this.

[Host 1]

Terry Rozier.

[Alex Spears]

Terry Rozier.

[Sam Bassini]

Honestly, it's a good answer.

[Alex Spears]

Very good guess. Yeah, it's wrong, but it was a very good guess.

[Sam Bassini]

My name was Kemba Walker.

[Alex Spears]

Kemba Walker. Another good guess. It was Devonte Graham. Which means we go to sudden death again. All right, Andrew, you get first dibs on this.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Alex Spears]

How many triple doubles did Lamelo Ball have this season? Season. You get to choose who answers first, Sam or you.

[Host 1]

Oh, wow. 7.

[Alex Spears]

Would you like to hire?

[Host 1]

That's way too much.

[Sam Bassini]

I'll go under. Just because he didn't play enough games.

[Alex Spears]

It was zero. All right, Sam, you're up. Two zero, and back to questions.

[Host 1]

Why did I say seven?

[Alex Spears]

I don't know.

[Host 1]

Why in the world did I say seven? Okay, Sam, recording right now. You mentioned it already during Cooper Flag's second game here at Summer league happening right behind us here at Thomas and Mack. Flag is one of the most hyped prospects in recent years, and pretty much everyone is expecting his game to immediately translate. So what are some areas of his game that you could see him potentially struggling with as a rookie?

[Sam Bassini]

Oh, just the jumper. Right. Being able to get into his pull ups consistently. Given that he is a guy that has, like a bit of a funky release coming out, like he's cleaned it up. He's worked to clean it up. So certainly, you know exceptionally well since the time that he was A junior at Mont or really? Yes, since he was a sophomore at Montburg more than anything. But I think that's the place where he could be a guy that's like a little bit inefficient early on. But I'm gonna be honest, guys, like, I thought he had no problems getting to his spots. Really?

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

In that first game, he just missed shots at the end of the day. So, like, I'm not that worried about guys that come in and just miss shots. Right. Like it happens sometimes. Like Reed shepherd, you know, missed some shots yesterday as well. But it is what it is, you know what I mean? Like, he is, I think Cooper is going to be a real shooter at some point.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

He's also 18. Like, we need to remember that a little bit. Like, he's, I think, the youngest player here at summer league and he's still, you know, going to take some time, I think, to play on this level a little bit. And like, Cooper is a guy that thrives more with not chaos that summer league is. Right. Like, chaos can be good for some guys, chaos can be bad for some players. Like Con Knippel is not a guy that plays in chaos. Right. Like, he is a sturdy, intelligent, high level basketball player in five on five settings that are organized. Right. Or that are organized. Cooper, I think can do a little bit of both because he's so effective in transition particularly. But yeah, I'm not surprised that he didn't come out and shoot wildly. Well in his first game. It happens.

[Host 1]

Yeah. This is a Trey Johnson environment.

[Sam Bassini]

This is a Trey Johnson environment. Man, I love Trey, though.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

I mean, I've said publicly, like the last day before the draft, I tried to move Trey up to three.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

I just love Trey Johnson. Like he's a worker, though. That's the big thing for me. Like, you know, people see him, you know, he's a very laid back dude, just like a very calm, cool, collected dude. But that guy's a savage worker in the gym. I'm like a big believer in him being able to figure it out. I mean, I know that he didn't intentionally throw it off Common's leg last night is incredible.

[Host 1]

If you haven't seen it, you have to watch it.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah. Someone asked him about it and he said no, he's trying to hit like a wraparound and it hit Common's leg. But that's.

[Host 1]

That is the most disappointing thing I've ever heard. Maybe.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, sorry.

[Alex Spears]

He didn't need to say it.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah. I mean, he should have just been.

[Host 1]

Like, no, listen, whoever asked him did. Did the whole world the disservice because I think that we all just need to believe it.

[Sam Bassini]

I was gonna, like, call his agent and be like, hey, like, did he do this on purpose? And he didn't answer it. So, like, I needed to know. I needed to know, Andrew.

[Host 1]

I. Did he do this? I did not need to know purposely. I don't know. This is like. This is a kid finding out that, like, Santa Claus isn't real. You know, like, I just can't do it.

[Alex Spears]

You mentioned Cooper's percentages, and I was talking to Andrew about this yesterday. Owen Phillips from the F5 did an analysis looking at summer league stats correlated to rookie season stats.

[Sam Bassini]

Sure.

[Alex Spears]

And there's like no correlation between the percentages at all. But one of the things that there is a correlation between is three point attempts.

[Sam Bassini]

Sure.

[Alex Spears]

Like, the fact that Cooper's getting them up is encouraging.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, totally.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, pick a team.

[Sam Bassini]

We will go with the Dallas Mavericks.

[Alex Spears]

One or two?

[Sam Bassini]

Two.

[Alex Spears]

Which Maverick had his shot blocked the most this season?

[Sam Bassini]

Kessler Edwards.

[Alex Spears]

Kessler Edwards.

[Sam Bassini]

No.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew.

[Host 1]

Jaden Hardy.

[Alex Spears]

Also no Andrew. Kyrie made the most shots for the Mavs season.

[Sam Bassini]

Was the answer Daniel Gafford.

[Alex Spears]

Oh, sorry. It was PJ Washington.

[Host 1]

Oh.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew needed to know.

[Host 1]

Yeah, me too. I was like, wait a minute, you.

[Alex Spears]

Guys didn't deserve these.

[Sam Bassini]

Gafford, like, made too many shots. I was like, it can't be Gafford, even though he does this sometimes.

[Alex Spears]

But like, yeah, Kyrie made the most shots for the Mavs this season. Andrew, who made the second most shots for the Mavs? Ooh, just made shots.

[Host 1]

Just made shots.

[Alex Spears]

Kyrie's number one.

[Host 1]

Huh?

[Alex Spears]

Who was number two? Who could it be?

[Host 1]

Yikes. Is it Gafford?

[Alex Spears]

It's not Gafford. Sam, my answer is Luka. It's Najee Marshall.

[Sam Bassini]

Okay.

[Host 1]

No.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, for the third straight time, we are going to the sudden death question. Sam, you get first dibs on this.

[Sam Bassini]

Sure.

[Alex Spears]

How many dunks did Klay Thompson have this season? You have to choose who answers first.

[Sam Bassini]

I will give a number.

[Alex Spears]

Okay.

[Sam Bassini]

I will say two.

[Alex Spears]

Two. Ding, ding, ding. We don't even have to go to Andrew.

[Host 1]

That is absolutely. I'm getting just destroyed.

[Alex Spears]

Sam is now up 3 to 0. Back to our questions on Friday. Sam, we got a matchup between the Jazz.

[Sam Bassini]

He's like an old time newscaster.

[Host 1]

I know. This is incredible.

[Sam Bassini]

Right now.

[Alex Spears]

Stop talking. Stop talking. We got a match between the Jazz and the Hornets featuring two second year players who did not have great rookie Seasons. Cody Williams and Tijon Salon both played great in that game. For each of those players, what are you hoping to see in year two that would give you more confidence about their long term outlook?

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, so I watched the entirety of the second half of that game and like a little bit of the first half. So I thought Cody was a monster in that second half. Yeah, like, he looked like a confident player, which more than anything, to me that's what I would want to see from Cody Williams for sure. That in the strength. Because to me, Cody Williams was always a guy that you were going to basically write off. As far as first year, he was just like physically not capable of playing in the NBA.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Last year and him having the terrible year that he had, I was in no way, like surprised. I think it was probably a little bit worse than I thought it would be, to be honest. But like, I didn't expect him to play well. Right. So given that seeing him come out here look a little bit stronger, look like he's put on just like a little bit more strength through his chest, through his arms, through his core, being able to like accept contact a little bit better even just from younger guys. Right. Maybe not necessarily the NBA level of physicality that he's going to see. That was probably the biggest thing that I was looking forward to from Cody Williams and I was very, very excited to see that good from him. Salon. I thought Salon played okay. I know the numbers say he played like pretty well. Honestly, again, I liked the confidence, I think more than anything. I thought that he particularly, even more than Cody on some level, had like a very discouraging season. Yeah, probably. Yeah, I like the confidence. I like that he was out there just firing from three when he felt like he was open. He is a kid that's never lacked that confidence, really. He has always been somebody that's willing to go and like kind of fight and battle and scratch and claw for spots. I mean, I don't know that I saw much more in terms of like he's always just been like a play finisher. Right, right. It was just good to see him go in and knock down shots, I guess, and playing the way that he did. I thought he missed some defensive stuff as well, which was. I mean, that game was like defense, you know, not only not optional, but like, you know, absolutely in no way, shape or form desired. Yeah, it felt like. So, yeah, you know, it's hard to like really sit here and complain in that way. But yeah, no, I thought that Salon looked okay.

[Alex Spears]

Great answer.

[Sam Bassini]

Team okay, so we will go with the Utah Jazz.

[Alex Spears]

The Utah Jazz, 1 or 2?

[Sam Bassini]

2.

[Alex Spears]

There have been five Jazz players who have taken at least 500 threes in a season. Keonte, George, Laurie, Markkanen, Donovan, Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson, and this player.

[Sam Bassini]

500 threes in a season is a lot attempts.

[Host 1]

It is a lot of attempts.

[Alex Spears]

Didn't have to make them.

[Sam Bassini]

That is. I'm just like trying to do math in my head. That is a lot of attempts.

[Alex Spears]

That's a lot of attempts. I'm trying to do the math. I can't even do it. Let me make sure this guy plays.

[Sam Bassini]

Six and a half attempts a game. Okay. Man, I don't think this guy took that many attempts, though, is the problem.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, I'm letting you know now this is an unfair question, but go ahead, give it a shot.

[Sam Bassini]

I mean, my, My first name that came to mind is Royce o'. Neill.

[Alex Spears]

That's a good question. Or no, it's. No, it's not. It's a good answer. It's not the right answer, but it is a good answer. And also I just realized it is a good question. So, Andrew, who would you guess?

[Host 1]

Who are the other. Where you say the other guys real quick again, you know who they are.

[Alex Spears]

Keante, George, Markkanen, Donovan, Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson. This guy.

[Host 1]

Joe Ingalls.

[Alex Spears]

No, starts with a J.

[Sam Bassini]

That's a good answer.

[Alex Spears]

Jay Crowder.

[Host 1]

Jay Crowder.

[Alex Spears]

Jay Crowder. Andrew, who led the Jazz in total assists this season?

[Host 1]

Oh, in total assists this season. Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

You shouldn't have made that sound.

[Host 1]

Collier.

[Alex Spears]

It was Isaiah Collier. Andrew gets on the board finally.

[Sam Bassini]

That's my fault for picking one. I had the choice. Yeah, you got the answer.

[Alex Spears]

All right, back to questions.

[Host 1]

Andrew, back to questions. So, okay, the best thing that you can hear about your team here in summer league is that you have a second year player that's quote unquote, too good for summer league.

[Sam Bassini]

Sure.

[Host 1]

Do you have some examples of second year guys this year that are too good for summer league?

[Sam Bassini]

Reed Shepherd. Last night was laughable, guys.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Like I went in for the second half.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

And I was like kind of with some of the Rockets guys. And I was sitting behind or standing behind Fred Van Vliet. I mean, the level to which he's thinking the game differently than everybody else out here in terms of his passing, in terms of his decision making, the confidence to go out and make plays.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

It's just totally different.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

The hand eye coordination. I thought he was more physical at the point of attack and like being willing to Disrupt guys. Like, that was last year the most disappointing thing about Reed. Like, it just felt like he didn't meet the like, physical standard that you have to meet to be willing to like absorb confidence, contact at the point of attack defensively. Right. And I think that's probably why at the end of the day, like, Eme didn't feel great about playing him. Right. So the willingness to do that. I think he had like four steals and three blocks or something absurd in that game. But then just the confidence, like to come out in the third quarter and just drop 15 like it was nothing. And like truly made some utterly ridiculous shots in that third quarter. Reed. And again, like he had four assists, three assists or something. He could add 10.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Very easily. It's just the. He made more high level passes in terms of seeing the court. It, like cross corner kick outs, like little wraparounds to the wing, like up from underneath the basket. Like it was, it was absurd. Like he just looked like he was totally on a different level than the other point guards.

[Alex Spears]

What are your expectations for how the Rockets are going to use him this season?

[Sam Bassini]

I expect him to be the backup point guard this, this year behind fred and play 15 to 20 minutes a night. And if he does that, I would imagine that they will look into moving Fred next summer.

[Alex Spears]

Okay.

[Sam Bassini]

But you know, he has to prove it in the regular season at this point, like he is. He came into summer league last year and was great. He was phenomenal. I thought he was one of the best players here last year. And then it didn't translate to the regular season because he wasn't quite ready for the physicality yet. This year he needs to continue to get stronger. Needs to embrace that physicality, that willingness to, you know, take bumps and actually absorb them and play with that aggression because the skill level's there, like we all know.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Elite level shooter, elite level passer, elite level playmaker. It's all there. It's just going to be whether or not he can play there physically.

[Host 1]

Yep.

[Alex Spears]

It's a great answer. Anyone else? Anyone else?

[Sam Bassini]

A.J. mitchell, I mean, just looks awesome. Like I'm just playing.

[Host 1]

Little pandering here, little pandering here.

[Sam Bassini]

That's okay. I can't believe AJ Mitchell said, still playing honestly, like he's done enough at this point.

[Host 1]

I wonder if he'll play today. Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Like I, I will say some of the passing reads for AJ like, haven't been great. So I can see a world where they go. Okay. It might be valuable for him to continue to get reps just to see those things.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

But also I. I'd imagine they want to continue to let topic get even more reps.

[Host 1]

Right.

[Sam Bassini]

To run the show. So it'll be kind of a moving target, I think.

[Alex Spears]

All right, Sam, pick a team. Any team, except the ones you've picked.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah. Let's go with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

[Alex Spears]

Oh, the Cleveland Cavaliers tricked you that time. Andrew, you're going to start this time.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Alex Spears]

One or two?

[Host 1]

Number one.

[Alex Spears]

Question number one. The Cavs won 64 games this season, their most wins in franchise history since the 0809 season. Now, during that season, three players averaged over a block per game. LeBron, Zydruna Celgauskas, and this player.

[Host 1]

Oh my.

[Alex Spears]

0809 Cavaliers.

[Host 1]

0809 Cavaliers. Was Ben Wallace on that team?

[Alex Spears]

Andrew's on the board. Okay. This could be our first good one on the board.

[Sam Bassini]

He got one last time.

[Alex Spears]

No, but I mean, like you guys actually got one of the normal questions, right? All right, Sam. Evan Mobley made all defensive first team this season.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Who was the last CAV, other than LeBron, to make an all defensive team?

[Host 1]

Ooh.

[Sam Bassini]

I mean, Evan Mobley.

[Alex Spears]

Well, okay. Okay. Other than him as well. I thought that was implied, but yes, other than Evan Mobley and LeBron, who was the last Cav to make an all defense team?

[Sam Bassini]

Okay, let's think this through a little bit.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

So great Cavaliers defenders. No, no, no. Oh, man, that'd be a stupid answer if it's wrong. I think we're gonna have to go pretty far back, to be honest.

[Alex Spears]

Really? How far back, really? Do you want me to tell you how long they've been a franchise?

[Sam Bassini]

I mean, my. The name that came to my mind immediately was Alonzo G. Okay.

[Host 1]

Wow.

[Sam Bassini]

Because he was really good in some of the bad Cavs years, but I don't think that's right. There's just no way he made an all defense team. Oh, man. Huh. I mean, is this Il Gauskis?

[Alex Spears]

It is not. And that means Andrew wins, where it is now 3 to 2. The answer was, you know, no. Anderson Vera.

[Sam Bassini]

Oh, yeah, he did. That's right.

[Alex Spears]

That same. The 0809 season.

[Host 1]

Andy v. Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Okay.

[Host 1]

Wow.

[Alex Spears]

Was that the first time I didn't have to go to the tiebreaker question? I believe that's correct. How nice.

[Sam Bassini]

I just want to take a look at the Alonzo G. Nice ball reference.

[Alex Spears]

I did just look at it just to make sure. You did sound a little confident.

[Sam Bassini]

No, I didn't sound confident at all. No. Didn't even get any votes?

[Alex Spears]

Damn.

[Host 1]

Are you a business owner looking to grow your business? You did what most dream of doing start your own business. And now you're faced with the reality of how to make your small business run smoothly. Intuit QuickBooks can help QuickBooks is a powerful, AI driven all in one business solution. That means those day to day tasks, invoicing, expenses, taxes can be done effortlessly. But here's where it gets really good. You don't need to hire a team of analysts to find growth opportunities hiding in your business data. QuickBooks can help with cash flow optimization, profit and loss analysis. It helps you see how your business is doing and uncover new ways to be more profitable. QuickBooks can help you unlock the growth of your business so that you can get back to enjoying your business. Manage and grow your business all in one place. Intuit QuickBooks your way to money get 90% off for 3 months limited time only. Terms and conditions apply. Money Movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Incorporated, licensed as a MONEY Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. I don't know about you guys, but when it gets to be dinner time, my kids are chanting chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets. And you know what? There's one reason that I can feel good about saying yes. Because Butcherbox makes it easy to mix things up with high quality, responsible sourced proteins that are full of flavor and not fillers. From kid friendly favorites to dinner worthy cuts, that's something for everyone at the table. Butcherbox delivers better meat and seafood straight to your door, including 100% grass fed beef, free range, organic chicken, pork raised, crate free and wild caught seafood. All Butcherbox proteins are sourced from partners who meet strict animal welfare and sustainability standards. That means no antibiotics or added hormones ever. Whether you're feeding a growing family or trying to eat clean without the stress, ButcherBox offers curated or fully customizable plans that fit your schedule, your preferences. When our customized box gets to our door, we're always super excited to load up the fridge because we know that we're going to eat really good salmon. We're going to have really great beef in the fridge. We're going to have chicken too that our kids are all going to enjoy and that my wife and I are going to enjoy as well. It's all so flavorful and delicious and just nice to have on hand. And as a certified B Corp. ButcherBox is committed to high standards from how the animals are raised to how their team supports workers and reduces environmental impact. Plus, every box ships free always and includes member only perks like recipe inspirations, tips and exclusive deals to help you make the most of every meal. Right now Butcherbox is offering our listeners 20 off their first box and free protein for a year. Go to butcherbox.com athletic mba to get this limited time offer and free shipping always. That's ButcherBox.com Athletic MBA don't forget to use our link so that they know that we sent you.

[Ad Reader]

A hotel might have a bar, a resort, a spa. But if you want it all, dining pools, gaming clubs, shows. It takes more than the boardwalk. It takes a village. It takes a borgata where the best meals meet the hottest tables, where one pool leads to the next, room service, bottle service, every service. It takes nothing short of a village to make your stay. So we built one. Visit theborgata.com to learn more. Must be 21 or over. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler.

[Alex Spears]

Damn SAM. The Wizards have one of the deepest summer league rosters in terms of first round talent. They had seven first rounders from the last two drafts play in their first summer league game against the Suns. And that's not even counting Cam Whitmore. Can you believe that? Now last time we talked to you, we asked you about how all these Brooklyn Nets first rounders are going to fit together. What are your thoughts on this current collection of Wizards first rounders and how they might fit together?

[Sam Bassini]

Okay, so I just want to note here from the jump. Yes, it felt fairly concerning to me that essentially the Wizards like regular season roster, outside of like Middleton and CJ McCollum, both of them are very good.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Both of whom like we don't know if they're going to be there the whole year.

[Alex Spears]

Right, right, right, right.

[Sam Bassini]

And Marcus Smart, I guess we don't know if he'll be there, you know, the whole year past, a few days from now, who knows. Right. And Corey Kispert went out and lost by 20 to a Suns summer league team that I mean look like Ryan Dunn played great.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Kobe Braya looked awesome for a rookie.

[Alex Spears]

He was like very good.

[Sam Bassini]

He looked great cutting and doing everything but like Khalif battle played 14 minutes. You know, he's, I don't even know if he's like a yearly guy.

[Alex Spears]

It's not a stacked roster.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah. Like maybe Boogie Ellis is a year early guy at some point. I don't think Moses would be yearly guy at some point. Like it's, it's not, not the best group with the sun. Right. It felt worrisome to me that that happened and I think more than anything. What I'm worried about is just the collection of talent all being kind of stacked onto the wing. Yeah, a little bit.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Like, you have Keyshawn George and Trey Johnson. Both of them played great yesterday.

[Host 1]

Keyshawn was awesome.

[Sam Bassini]

No notes, like, no. No concerns. Like, they played awesome yesterday. You have Will Riley, just very skinny. This year is probably going to be, you know, G League year for him, in all honesty. You have Kim Whitmore, who, you know, you just mentioned he's definitely going to come in and expect to play.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

It's a lot of guys kind of fighting for the same roles and then, oh, by the way, like, Chris Middleton's going to play. Corey Kisper's going to play.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Right. So you have a lot of these dudes, like AJ Johnson. I know people want to, like, try and say that he can be a point guard. He's not a point guard. Like, he's an off guard more than anything. So there's just not a lot of room there for everybody. So I'm worried that they're going to be able to get everybody the kind of action that they want to get them. I mean, I asked. I can't remember if I asked you this question yesterday or not, but, like, they drafted Jameer Watkins, 40th overall this year.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

They currently have 17 players. Yeah. You on their roster right now. Right. What do you think Jamir Watkins ranks in terms of age on their roster right now?

[Host 1]

Oh, gosh.

[Alex Spears]

Great trivia.

[Host 1]

It's a great trivia question that I was very.

[Alex Spears]

Sam's taken over.

[Sam Bassini]

This is my trivia section now.

[Host 1]

Very unprepared for. I don't know much about Jamir Watkins at all, so I have no point of reference as to where he'd be. I don't know. He's the fifth.

[Sam Bassini]

He is the sixth oldest player.

[Host 1]

Wow.

[Sam Bassini]

On the Washington Wizards right now, behind. I think it's like Marcus Smart Middleton. Smart Middleton, CJ McCollum, Rashawn Holmes and Corey Kisper.

[Host 1]

Kisper. Yeah. Wow.

[Sam Bassini]

Like, he's older than all and he's just drafted. Yeah. And he was just drafted. Unreal. Yeah. So that's. That. That's. I think the way this all fits together is reason for concern. But, like, you know, I guess Dylan Jones is another wing, theoretically, that, you know, they have to worry about, but theoretically. Yeah. Sorry, guys.

[Host 1]

But no, no, no, we're good.

[Alex Spears]

We're good.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah. It just kind of is what it is. And then they even, like, went out and got like, Jonathan Pierre is like a sneaky interesting two way guy, like potential guy that I kind of liked coming into the year. Like and he's a wing, like more of like a 3, 4 than a, you know, true wing. But yeah, it's just interesting to me me that they have this many bodies on the roster.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. Pick a team.

[Sam Bassini]

Okay. We will go with the Wizards.

[Alex Spears]

The Washington. Man, I'm so glad I did all 30 teams cuz I was thinking like maybe I just don't have to do the last couple and you've gone.

[Sam Bassini]

We're zooming.

[Alex Spears]

You've been doing all of the lower teams, the U and the w. Okay, question 1 or 2?

[Sam Bassini]

2.

[Alex Spears]

Alex Sars. 165 free throw attempts as a rookie was the most for a Wizards rookie since. What player.

[Sam Bassini]

The most for a Wizards rookie? I mean, that's like not a lot of free throw attempts. It's like two per game. Yeah, I honestly am like a little bit staggered that Bob Carrington didn't beat that.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, you should be staggered.

[Host 1]

You should be staggered.

[Sam Bassini]

I mean, I don't think it's Kissbert.

[Alex Spears]

Is it like bub only had 85?

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah. Yeah. He's not a guy in how many total games?

[Alex Spears]

82.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, he played every game last year.

[Host 1]

That's what I thought.

[Sam Bassini]

Oh, man.

[Host 1]

Yikes.

[Alex Spears]

I mean, any guesses, Sam?

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, I'm like trying to dig in. I mean, is this. No. Is this like Andre Blatch?

[Alex Spears]

Wow. No, but thank you for bringing his name up. It's just good to hear his name.

[Host 1]

Shout out to Andre Blatch.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew, any guesses?

[Host 1]

John Wallace.

[Alex Spears]

It's John Wall. It's John Wall.

[Sam Bassini]

That was an easy one. That was an easy one.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, Andrew, you can shut this one down if you can get this one.

[Sam Bassini]

Honestly, like, I'm stunned that Beal didn't do it.

[Alex Spears]

It was very close. Beal was like.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, Andrew. Jordan Pool's 242 free throws made were the most by any wizard since what player? Jordan Poole. 242 free throws since.

[Host 1]

Beal. I don't know.

[Alex Spears]

No. Sam, you can force overtime.

[Sam Bassini]

242 since John Wall.

[Alex Spears]

No. Chris Staps Porzingis. Andrew, you've tied it up.

[Sam Bassini]

Okay.

[Alex Spears]

Now, unfortunately, we didn't get to go to one of my favorite sudden death, which was how many blocks did Manute bowl have as a Rookie? Which was 397.

[Sam Bassini]

What?

[Alex Spears]

Because Alex Saar had 101, which was the second most in Wizards history for a rookie.

[Host 1]

397 is.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. Okay.

[Host 1]

That rocks. Okay, Sam. So summer league games feel mostly meaningless. But there are a lot of guys that are trying to make an NBA roster.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Saw one of them in the casino today. Darius Bazley. Shout Darius Bazley. How important is it that those guys play well here in order to make a roster?

[Sam Bassini]

I. I mean, extremely.

[Alex Spears]

I. I would say, like the games themselves matter. Like how they play in there. Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

I mean, look, like, I think that it depends on the circumstance that you're kind of coming from a little bit.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Like if you're a player that like has had a successful run over in Europe. Right, Right. And you're here just to try and prove yourself, I think that at the end of the day, like, your successful run in Europe is probably going to be weighed a little bit more.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

In all honesty.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that was part of the question. Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

But you know, at the same token, teams want to see how you come and perform, like in front of myriad scouts. Right. Like even, you know, a lot of these guys that are here, you know, not on two ways. Not on, you know, non guaranteed deals with teams. Right. Or not on E10s or whatever.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

They're coming here not just to impress their team, but to try and impress other teams. They're coming here to try and impress teams in Europe. Like I was literally sitting with the GM of a Euroleague team last night and like you're sitting there like talking about guys that are here at summer league. Right. So it's definitely important, I think like 100% important for those guys. But it does depend a little bit on the circumstance that they're coming from.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

And if they have in any way, shape or form established themselves within professional basketball to this point in their careers.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. Okay. Sam, pick a team.

[Sam Bassini]

Okay.

[Host 2]

Any team.

[Sam Bassini]

Phoenix Suns.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. So we are now. It's just. So you guys, update three. Three Andrew versus.

[Sam Bassini]

I'm just proud of us that we've gotten through now seven questions.

[Host 1]

I know, I know.

[Alex Spears]

It's very good. One or two?

[Sam Bassini]

One.

[Alex Spears]

Devin Booker took 551 three pointers this season. That is the second most three point attempts in Suns franchise history.

[Sam Bassini]

Sure.

[Alex Spears]

Which Suns player took the most three injuries in a single season with 631?

[Sam Bassini]

Let's just go nuts and start naming names. We're just gonna start naming names.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, let's do it. Dragon Bender. Is that where you're going?

[Sam Bassini]

Dan Marley.

[Alex Spears]

Dan Marley. It's a name. It's wrong. It's a name. Andrew.

[Host 1]

Cam Johnson.

[Alex Spears]

No. Quentin Richardson. Q. Rich.

[Sam Bassini]

We want to look at the Dan Marley.

[Host 1]

He's ahead of his time.

[Alex Spears]

He was ahead of time.

[Host 1]

Wow.

[Alex Spears]

Are you questioning me?

[Sam Bassini]

No. I know. I just wanted to look. Dan, marley, you got the 500. I feel okay about that. Oh, yeah, That's a good guess.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. Sam. This isn't for you, Andrew.

[Sam Bassini]

It's for Andrew. Sam, just denying me.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew. This was the worst defensive season for the sun since the 2018-19 season. Who led the Suns in total blocks during the 1819 season?

[Host 1]

1819 Suns.

[Alex Spears]

1819 sons.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Alex Spears]

So this is the year before the bubble Suns, even though they didn't make the bubble. But you remember.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, you remember.

[Alex Spears]

You remember.

[Host 1]

I mean, we remember. It's not Ayton.

[Alex Spears]

It's not Sam. You could steal it right here.

[Sam Bassini]

I don't think this guy's still there. Marquis, Chris.

[Alex Spears]

No, it was Rashawn Holmes.

[Sam Bassini]

Yeah, fair enough.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, here we go. Tiebreaker.

[Sam Bassini]

We're just naming names here. Andrew, just name and names.

[Alex Spears]

Sam, you'll get first dibs.

[Host 1]

As long as I get a name that makes some kind of sense, I feel okay. All right.

[Alex Spears]

All right. Sam, how many dunks did Bol bowl have this season? Choose who answers first.

[Sam Bassini]

Andrew answers first.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew, bowl. Bobo dunks. You've seen him. He's pretty tall.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he's tall. How about 16?

[Alex Spears]

16 higher over that number he had 10, which means Andrew has taken the lead, is now four to three.

[Sam Bassini]

It's a nightmare.

[Alex Spears]

Back to the question.

[Sam Bassini]

This is for both of us.

[Host 1]

It's just sprinkled in throughout.

[Alex Spears]

It's just like, hey, guys, we're trying to do an interview right here. Most people seem to not take summer league results all that seriously for the top prospects, but sometimes it's hard not to get wrapped up in a particularly good or bad game.

[Sam Bassini]

Sure.

[Alex Spears]

Can you think of any examples from the past where prospect's a play in summer league made you immediately start questioning your ranking of them?

[Host 1]

No, Never. Never ever.

[Alex Spears]

Never ever.

[Sam Bassini]

No.

[Alex Spears]

They came in, you're like, oh, I wish I had known that.

[Sam Bassini]

No, not really. Like, I don't know. Like, it's just not NBA basketball. It's kind of the easiest way to phrase it. Like, it. It's such chaos. Guys like this. These guys come in.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

And they're, like, getting to know their teammates. Like, they have no idea who any of these. Like, how any of these guys play for the most part. Like, unless they've. Like, unless it's the Wizards roster where, like, they're all going to play together for the most part. Like, that's kind of what was A little bit disconcerting to me last night, right, about that Suns game. But like, yeah, you know, you just look, for instance, at the Phoenix Suns, right? Like Yuri Collins, Moses Wood, C.J. huntley, Boogie, Ellis Khalif Battle. Like, none of those guys are going to be on the Sun's roster. Maybe some of those guys, guys are on the G League team.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

But like, I don't know that these guys are going to be two ways even for the Suns, right? So maybe C.J. huntley. I think Huntley is signed to a two way. Honestly. But like, it's just not real life.

[Host 1]

What about where a guy has played really well that other people were down on, but you were high on him? You're like, see?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. You ever do that? You ever strut around the concourse at the Thomas and Max Center? Hey, did you see that guy?

[Sam Bassini]

Not really. Strutter?

[Alex Spears]

No.

[Sam Bassini]

As you guys know. Yeah, I mean, like, not really. Not really, I think is the answer.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. Okay. Well, in that case, pick a team.

[Sam Bassini]

Let's go with the Indiana Pacers.

[Alex Spears]

Indiana Pacers. Andrew, question one or two?

[Host 1]

Number one.

[Alex Spears]

Which Pacer had their shot blocked the most this season?

[Host 1]

H. Seakam.

[Alex Spears]

No.

[Sam Bassini]

Miles Turner. No.

[Alex Spears]

Benedict Matherin.

[Host 1]

Oh, that also makes sense.

[Alex Spears]

It makes a ton of sense.

[Host 1]

So much sense.

[Alex Spears]

That's one of the easier ones. Okay, Sam. Pascal Siakam took the most two point shots for the Pacers this season. Who took the second most two point shots for the Pacers this season?

[Sam Bassini]

So stop and think here.

[Alex Spears]

Let's do it. Stop and think about the Pacers made the NBA Finals.

[Sam Bassini]

I. I am still going to go. Miles Turner.

[Alex Spears]

That is incorrect. Andrew, you could steal it right here.

[Host 1]

I was completely distracted by these kids waving behind us. Didn't hear the question.

[Alex Spears]

I'm not going to repeat it.

[Sam Bassini]

It's amazing.

[Host 1]

Pascal Siakam. I don't know what the question was.

[Alex Spears]

Nope, he was in the question, which is really embarrassing. It was T.J. mcConnell.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah, that makes sense.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, question.

[Host 1]

I don't know.

[Alex Spears]

We.

[Host 1]

We need to move on to the Lightning round because we got to wrap up here.

[Alex Spears]

Okay.

[Host 1]

Last.

[Alex Spears]

Last one. How many minutes did Jalil Okafor play for the Pacers this season?

[Host 1]

How did you do that?

[Sam Bassini]

I will give the number 24.

[Host 1]

24 total minutes? Yeah. Over.

[Alex Spears]

Nope, it was three. Okay, so we are tied going into Lightning Round. All right, Lightning round. Sam, based on who you are most excited to see play in Vegas, what would be your dream matchup between two summer league teams this summer if you were building the schedule it's hard because.

[Sam Bassini]

So many guys have been hurt. Right. I would love to see Vijay. I loved Vijay's first game.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Just the confidence, the aggression that he came out with.

[Host 1]

So sad about vj. Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Like my big thing with him has always been the ability to get to his pull up and to actually like shoot full ups.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Seeing him take as many of those as he did I thought was really exciting and really impressive. So probably Vijay and Cooper just given that Dylan is not playing.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, it's a good one.

[Host 1]

So if you had to place a bet on a non Cooper flag player to win rookie of the year, who would it be?

[Sam Bassini]

It's probably Trey Johnson. If only because I think he's going.

[Host 1]

To score a lot of points, have so much opportunity. Yeah, Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

I think the answer would be Trajan Hanson to me.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, Sam, last question. What is more likely Hanson young ceiling is 70 of Nikola Jokic or current Jokic is 70 of what Hanson Yang will become.

[Sam Bassini]

So here'd be my question.

[Alex Spears]

Huh?

[Sam Bassini]

Is 70 of Jokic an NBA player?

[Alex Spears]

Okay, we'll bump it up to whatever you want.

[Sam Bassini]

Probably. I think. Probably.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, probably.

[Host 1]

It depends on like what, what sliders are going down.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Right. Like.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Sam Bassini]

Is it. Is he like 70 of the defender Yokages? Because like I have some concerns.

[Host 1]

That's, that's the slider I was thinking about.

[Alex Spears]

I really turned this question on its head.

[Sam Bassini]

The former that he could be 70 of Jokic, but are we talking like 45 year old jokers? Like could be 70 of Hanson Young at some point?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, it's a good question. Okay, I'm, I'm going to cut this off and you guys are tied. So we're going to do one final question.

[Host 1]

Okay?

[Alex Spears]

Okay. And Samuel get first dibs. Are you ready?

[Sam Bassini]

I'm ready.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. How many dunks did Doug McDermott have this season?

[Sam Bassini]

Zero.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew, would you like to go higher? Lower?

[Host 1]

Higher.

[Alex Spears]

It was one. Which means Andrew wins the week. Andrew versus the beat five to four. A crushing loss for Save his feet.

[Sam Bassini]

What a disaster.

[Host 1]

Thank you. Thank you to Sam Bassini for joining us here on the Saturday Slam a jam here live in Las Vegas at Thomas and Mack here at NBA Summer League. We appreciate you guys listening. Be sure to leave us a five star review on Apple podcasts. We'd very much appreciate that. Comment on the YouTube channel like and subscribe. We will talk to you guys again in two weeks.

[Paige Desorbo]

Hey, this is Paige Desorbo from Giggly Squad and this episode is sponsored by Nordstrom. The Nordstrom anniversary Sale is on now. It's a big deal with new arrivals on sale for a limited time. You can save up to 33% on brands like Ugg, All Saints, Charlotte, Tilbury, Steve Madden, Bobby Brown and more. Plus stock up on the once a year beauty exclusives for from winning brands. The best deals go fast in stores [e-mail] prices go up. August 4th this is Paige, the co host of Giggly Squad. I use Uber Eats for everything and I feel like people forget that you can truly order anything, especially living in New York City. It's why I love it. You can get Chinese food at any time of night, but it's not just for food. I order from CVS all the time. I'm always ordering from the grocery store and if a friend stops over I have to order champagne. I also have this thing that whenever I travel, if I'm ever in a hotel room, I never feel like I'm missing something because I'll just Uber Eats it. The amount of times I've had to uber eats hair items like hairspray, deodorant, you name it, I've ordered it on Uber Eats. You can get grocery alcohol everyday essentials in addition to restaurants and food you love. So in other words, get almost every anything with Uber Eats. Order now for alcohol you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details.

[Alex Spears]

If you're alignment in charge of keeping the lights on, Grainger understands that you go to great lengths and sometimes heights to ensure the power is always flowing. Which is why you can count on Grainger for professional grade products and next day delivery so you have everything you need to get the job done. Call 1-800-granger clickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.