Utah Jazz Vs Charlotte Hornets LIVE ON ESPN 4K | NBA 2K26 Summer League | NBA LIVE | NBA TODAY
You want your first impression? holiday. Yeah. Another That’s Welcome back to Sports Center. Have you guys ever done this? Here we go. You’re beautiful. Hallelujah. It’s because Chuck looking good. Yeah, I had a great day. I had a lot of fun. You look fantastic. I have Thank you so much. But I think it’s great. stupid. I thought Happy birthday. Stateenior top three. Shadow. Heat. Don’t see the announce at Harbor Freight. You can afford it. Only one place it all Please support. Final perfect. Are you hallelujah? Thank you. You see everybody? 26 Las Vegas. Jazz, NCAA champ Florida starring Mark Hester, Seth Greenberg, David Menan will join us in just a bit. Welcome to Courtside game two for us here inside of the Thomas and Max Center. Charlotte had four picks in the top 34 a couple of weeks ago at the draft and the guy they took at number four from Duke Kanib. Conan big time shot maker 67 shot 40% from the three-point line 14 points a game plays off of two feet. He’s got some toughness. A terrific cutter, very good passer, but an elite shot maker. His ability to attack the basket, play off the two feet and play through contact, as you see right there, is a thing that I think really separates him. Does a good job of using his body, creating a bump to create that separation. It’s going to be fun to watch. One of two first round picks for Charlotte, one of two dookie rookies as well, uh, for Charlotte. and Coniple just a moment ago spoke with our Dave McMen. Last night was a spectacle seeing this arena packed for your college teammate Cooper Flag. What are you anticipating for your first game in the Las Vegas summer league? Yeah, I mean hopefully uh we’re going to play together, play hard, and come out with a win. And when you we saw you on draft night, the canipples run deep. Uh how do you anticipate your siblings living vicariously through your early stages of your NBA career? Um they’ll they’ll enjoy it for sure. Um but they got they got some games of their own to focus on so hopefully they do that. Okay. And you got one to focus on here. So go enjoy it. Nice to meet you. Back to you guys. All right, Dave. Thanks a lot. Kipple about to make his summer league debut for the Utah Jazz. Walter Clayton Jr. He was clutch all NCAA tournament long and in the Salt Lake City summer league. He was clutch as well. Yeah, that’s who he is. I mean, no moment is too big for him. Two 30-point games in the NCAA tournament, averaged 23. Big shot after Big Shot. Great leadership skills. Older, started at Iona, played for Rick Patino, transferred obviously to play for Todd Golden at Florida. But that dude is a winning competitive player. We highlight Walter Clayton Jr. who was the number 18 pick because the number five pick, Ace Bailey, unable to go today. the rookie out of Ruckers injured during the Salt Lake City Summer Games. Hip flexor is what they’re calling it. So, unfortunately, we don’t get to see Ace Bailey at the start. We told you about two Dookies in the starting lineup. Seion James, early second round pick for incredible competitor and great leader. Uh, a guy that they handed him the ball about 10 games into the season. Did a great job. I think this is going to be a really fun game to watch. Uh, Ryan Cockbringer, four time defensive player of the year in the Big East. The last guy that did that, Patrick Ewing, but he’s a sevenfooter that can shoot it, pass it, and really defend. And it’ll be K Brener and Philippowski to jump center. And we are underway with our second summer league game. Two teams rebuilding, lots of youth, lots of good draft choices, and getting to see most of them absent of Ace Bailey here this afternoon. KJ Simpson, who’s on a two-way contract, the ball handler now for the Hornets. Canipple in traffic, able to get square, got fouled. We’ll see him at the line. He’s more than just a three-point shooter. He does a good job of attacking, close outs, and playing off two feet. He didn’t that time. That was Duke on Duke Crime because he went right at Kyle Philipowski who had a terrific rookie season for the Utah Jazz. He did nine points, six rebounds, and in the finale of the Salt Lake Summer League, Kyle Filipki had 18 points, 15 rebounds. But Kenibbo a lot of folks I mean basketball hoop heads certainly know all about him but he thrived in the shadow of Cooper flag at Duke. Yeah. I don’t think you know like to me Kadipple is just a winning basketball player. Uh and like thriving I think what he did he embraced the experience at Duke. He embraced the opportunity. I don’t think he came in thinking one and done. I thought he came in thinking I’m going to work my tail off and try to get better and help us win. And that’s exactly what he did. Tell you one thing he didn’t do at Duke was miss free throws. and he missed one here in his first summer league free throw. Split the pairs just underway. Got a good look from the corner. Three-pointer is missed by Elijah Harkness. Hartless a two-way contract player. Fouled down low on Philippowski on a very deep pass for Kreer. Philipowski. Uh that’s a second foul if I’m not mistaken. But Cochr you’re going to watch Cochr he’s going to play all over the floor. How about how would it like to coach this team? Yeah, this year’s Duke players. We don’t count Philipski in that lap, but you’re going to get to see Malawatch a little bit later on as well. Get to play for the Phoenix Suns and we get a couple of them here on the same team. Sean James and Keniple. How about the tricky side out of bounds play right there. Well played and well done. Philipowski against Kriner. We get some good big on big here early and that’s a nice move. You know, Philip Powaskowski dropped in the draft a year ago, but his footwork and his offensive skill set is pretty unique. Simpson nets a three for Charlotte. Missed nine consecutive postseasons. Getting free that time. Isaiah Collier right to the rim. Yeah, terrific pass by Philipowski. Good front cut. Long three for Salon missed. We’re going to have a little taste of this game. Casty, he’s starting out early this way. Cody Williams got to watch his brother Jaylen win an NBA championship a couple of weeks ago. Topside three. Good start for Kyle Filipowski. Back down jumper, turnaround, great pass off the cut and then knocks down a deep three. We know he could pass. We know he could screen. He’s a decent three-point shooter as well. Defense is what they’re looking for him. And right now he’s got Crener on the other end. Simpson off the switch. Got KJ Simpson. Nice basketball player. to Colorado. Just a a good solid player. Can shoot it. Can play start. Pretty physical defender. Got good uh Buffalo’s representation here in the summer league game with Cody Williams and KJ Simpson. He got a little stronger too. Stronger playing on with a good base and showing think about the skill set he’s shown just in the first two minutes of this this game. Showing us the full bag. He’s got seven points early. Salon with a good move and passes it around the horn. Seion James first look at Summerland. Going to chase down the loose ball. Salon a native of France missing that time inside. Walter Clayton Jr. a little wide that time on his first three-point attempt. Well, that shot clock’s not going to get below. Exactly what I was thinking. Isaiah Kier, one year at USC. He’s got a big physical body that can play the contact. But Kyle Filpowski, what a great start right here. Well, there’s the tide out of bounds play in the lob, but Philpowski steps out. Little pocket pass, knocks down that three. That first play we missed. And then watch him right here. plays the contact, keeps his chin on the rim, just a versatile offensive player for a sevenfooter. The first play of the game for Charlotte, a little back screen in the lob. Obviously, that wasn’t in the film session as they prepared for this game. Yes. And they do a lot of summer league film session, but that might not have been, but Philipowski, uh, you mentioned it dropped down to 32 for the Utah Jazz. Played 72 games, got 27 starts last year for Utah. And Isaiah Collier, as you mentioned as well, had a sneaky good season. Had his name up with John Stockton and some rookie assist records in year number one. Tell you what he can do. He can sit down in the stance and guard the ball. And he’s strong enough when he drives it, he can punish the defense. 446 assists last year for Isaiah Collier. That broke that John Stockton record. No one’s touching John’s career record. Seion James couldn’t hang on. Turns it over to Utah. Out to a good start here. First quarter, summer league game number one for both teams. Kier started 46 games for the Jazz last year, which only won 17. Had the worst record in the NBA. The nipple in stride. No good. in a heavy pace first quarter. First open three. Let it fly. Cody Williams not able to convert on that end. Can blocked by Philippowski. Doing it all in quarter one. Out of bounds. Collier last to touch. Charlotte ball. A little Duke on Duke crime one more time. a really good job of Philip Powowski getting a good angle, contesting it at the rim. Philipowski is a very complete player. I thought I thought he got a bad rap the last year he had at Duke. I he you know, again, he young player had to grow up. More pressure on him. I thought he’s handled his transition to the NBA really well. Corner three beating the shot clock horn KJ Simpson. Really good extra pass by Canipple. Understanding the clock. Answered on the other end by Cody Williams. Two guys, Simpson and Williams, didn’t shoot great three ball last year, but looking smooth here early in summerly. Haul Brener spins right by Clayton for the bucket. Very good footworker. I mean, really well coached at Kraton. You mentioned the four-time Big East defensive player of the year. was the Naymith defensive player of the year. Won the Kareem Abdul Jabbar award as well. Five years at Kraton. Ball goes out of bounds. We’ll stay with Utah will bring us to our first time out. Kyle Philipowski, seven points and a couple of that big fell that’s got really good footwork. Watch him work to the middle. Little bit of a mismatch. Bam. Lays it in. We got a bunch of sevenfooters put on a show. NBA 2K26 Summer League is proudly sponsored by NBA 2K26, rated E for everyone. model. Tied at 13. Early stages. Second game of the fourth. Thomas and Max Center. First of two in a row here on ESPN. We’ll have Washington and Phoenix a little bit later on. Portland Golden State to cap our night on ESPN 2. Late night hoops from Vegas. Tried to nutmeg Coniple that time. Got a hand on it. Turn. Get our first look at Liam McNeely. Another rookie out of Yukon for the Hornets. Drafted with the 29th selection with the Aqua headband on. Another Montver Academy graduate. That’s right. It’s hard to have a summer league game without a Montver guy. You’re right about that. And one for KJ Simpson. You know, quietly down the stretch of the season. KJ Simpson playing with LaMelo Ball down the stretch. Played well together. KJ Simpson’s a complete offensive player. Can shoot it, physical body, can get to the rim. You talk about Lee McNeely. Lee McN has a really good package. He He is really skilled. Didn’t shoot the ball great at Yukon, but has the potential to be a big big time three-point shooter. Built with a little bit of injury last year as well in the middle of uh that season in stores. Three-point play. KJ Simpson giving Charlotte the lead. Missing from the wing and McNeely will lead the break. down low. You find C reer there. It’s almost an automatic two. Really good decision right there. Utah took it right out of the bucket. Got down court quickly and they had to fouls to keep him from the easy deuce. Both teams are just attacking in transition. I mean just advance pass, attack, get to the rim. Kyle Filipowski seven-point game to open up this summer league. Two free throws coming for Philippowski who had 30 points, 18 boards, five assists in a win over Portland last year. The only Jazz rookie to have a 30 and 15 game. As we remind you, summer league action continues here in Vegas. NBA TV, ESPN, the ESPN app tonight, Clippers and Houston 10:00 Eastern on ESPN TV and three games tomorrow starting at 3:30 Eastern. Cavs, Bucks, Pacers, Thunder. Sacramento will take on Chicago. We got a chance to see OKC yesterday in their summer league debut. Colola Topic had a nice finish to that ball game. He plays with really good pace, doesn’t he? Never gets sped up. Physical driver, good decision maker. Nipple pops out for three. missing. That’ll lead the break, but Jaden Springer, who’s one of the veterans on this Utah summer league team, didn’t finish. And Tan Salon with the dunk. I like that Kiple’s impacting the game. He hasn’t made a shot yet, but he’s in there game defensively. Made some nice passes, made some good decisions. Got good length out there on the perimeter right now, shading Isaiah Kier. Simpson gets a hand on the ball, gets the steal. McNeely twisting, foul, gets the shot to fall. How about Simpson just making right the right play. 50/50 ball. Kappa comes up with it. Head up. Doing a good job running the floor. And then McNeely playing a little bit to contact. Good cut. Good finish. Big East Freshman of the Year. Third team all Big East. One season at Yukon. We’re going to have some postale changes from Charlotte. 29th pick in the draft by the Hornets. Reshaping the club after three consecutive years over 55 losses. Three-point play by McNeely and the biggest lead here in the opening quarter for the Hornets. Philipowski going to step into a three. Thomaso in the game for the first time. Offense Clayton passes it up and takes the dime. McNeely is going to turn it over. Filiposski So and that’ll bring us to a timeout here with Utah getting a couple back to back. Philip doing a good job of getting out in transition. Good cut right there. Extra pass. Good interior passing by the Jazz. Philipowski at the rim. Pick a moment. That’s crazy. pass. There we go. Good. Good defense. Started with your defense. You sometimes forget these guys are 18, 19 years of age. And like summer like, yeah, we’re here. I mean, it just happened so fast. The blink of an eye. You’re, you know, you’re sitting with Coach Hurley, you know, getting ready to go to Yukon. Next thing you know, you’re in Las Vegas. What you just said was exactly what I was thinking when I was watching that and listening to that. These guys, these young rookies a year ago, they were getting ready like for freshman orientation on campus and having like week three of summer workouts. Now, we’re in summer weeks so quickly now. One and done in college. Some opting not to go to college. Wait out a year internationally and then still young age here in Vegas and ready to go. There’s another Yukon Husky right there. So and a Florida Gator national champion Walter Clayton Jr. Can’t go under on him. I can tell you that much. That run he had in the NCAA tournament. Big shots, shots after shots. Well, we have a bunch of Montver Academy guys. Like we said, you can’t have a summer league game without having one of these guys. We had Ace Newell earlier, Cooper last night, Derek Queen yesterday, and now Liam McNeely getting his shot. Yeah, four first round draft choices. Uh, you know, four guys that uh I wouldn’t want to schedule that team, by the way. But, uh, Kevin Bo, I’ll say it again, he’s such a terrific coach. He could coach at any level. He could coach at the prep school, he could coach at college, he could coach in the NBA. He’s a terrific teacher. And he held those kids accountable. And that’s why they all had great freshman years. That’s why they all are now in the position they’re in today. McNeely one of four. Let’s The current play is under review for a potential flagrant foul. So, we will take a look at the potential flagrant that the officials will and get back to the story on McNeely, one of the four Mud grads picked in round one with all of those you saw in the picture there highlighted and all of them getting their shot here in Summer League this year. And now we get a little delay as we check out uh to see. I didn’t see it here live to the naked eye. We’ll get a look here on the replay on the screen. PJ Hall looked like he got contacted above the neck. Philippowski with the elbow apparently. I think it’s a basketball play. He’s just trying to get over the thing. I don’t think that’s a flavored foul. I think we saw worse in our first game. Much worse. I don’t understand whether they’ve come to us and just ask us our opinion and we can move on and get to the next play. Hey, it’s all part of the process. Well, there was contact. Yeah, that back line angle looked like it was below the chin, maybe even to the throat area. So, that angle and there’s a ton of looks here at summer league might be the most damning. Let’s take a look at this angle again. I don’t think there was any intent. I think he was try just using his arm bar to try to get through that screen and defensively. Now, it might have caught up a little high, but how do you create space to fight through a screen? You take the screen on your arm bar, which creates the space to get over and through the screen. Yep. And as the screener, that’s always what you’re going to say. And as the guy who got hit and kind of reach for that throw, you make it tougher for the officials to make the call here. Yeah. Two of the three officials still with the headsets on looking at the same angles that you’re looking at right now. Yeah, right there. You see he get he gets it probably right below the chin. Now, they have a review here in Vegas, but the officials on the floor are responsible for making the call because of the potential of it being a flagrant one or two. Right now we’re between flagrant one and play on. It looks like they finally rendered their decision. After review, it was determined that the contact did not meet the criteria for a flagrant foul. Therefore, it is a common foul and it will be Charlotte’s ball on the side. 14 on the shot clock. 138. Fantasy Ransom is our lead official here for this second game inside of Thomas and Mack. I’m two for two baby. Not really. Uh another look one more time. Yeah, I again I just think he’s trying to fight through the screen. I don’t think he had any intent whatsoever. Some changes while they were taking a look there. Utah subbing in Dane Goodwin. Offensive rebound and putback goes down for Jaylen Sims. had himself a good G-League season last year. PJ Hall in the game for Charlotte. New acquisition for them. He was with Denver. Ace miss first shot of the day is miss. Sims will bring it up for the summer league Hornets. Minutes ago here in the first quarter. Good offensive start. Late whistle call from behind the foul. Just joining us now, no Ace Bailey for the Utah Jazz as we take a look at this foul. Clayton swiping, trying to get a piece of the ball. Got a piece of the arm. Clayton’s got some shots up now. Ace Bailey dealing with the hip flexor injury. missed the final game at the Salt Lake City Summer League leading into Las Vegas. Free fan perks. That’s a win with NBA ID. Get exclusive merch deals, chances to meet NBA legends, and more all summer long. Join free now at nba.com/id or in the NBA app. Eight-point lead for the Hornets. Under a minute to go. Runner Clayton Good. He’s got a lot of different a lot a lot of game to his game in terms he’s got the runner, he’s got the three, he can play the contact, he can play start and he seems to have it all under control, too. He plays at a great pace. Catch BJ Hall finishing. And see James right there. Just a really good decision. Good little pocket pass. Drags two. Makes the pocket pass. Good catch by Hall. Paul played 19 games for the Nuggets last year. That guy’s a bucket right there. Over 3,000 points. He’s a college player. Went undrafted last year. Played summer league and scored 12 points per game in summer league. Had a good year in the G-League as well. Out to the corner for James. Final shot of the first quarter. for Utah down six. Splitting the double Springer. They won’t give him the shot. Foul before the shot. 1.9 to go. Side out of bounds for Utah. Looks like Ryan Caulker is going to check in for some defense here with 1.9 to go. Coach Chris Jet right on top of things. Brings the four-time defensive player of the year for the Big East in defensively. Veteran at the horn. Ace miss with the miss. Charlotte with 31 first quarter points. Good start for the Hornets. 11 points for Simpson to lead the Hornets here by six after one. for nearly There we go. Don’t grateful. Sorry. ever suited up for Duke. Yeah, I mean, you know, it’s an honor to to be a part of that, leave my mark there, and, you know, just seeing other guys come out there, too. You know, it’s a it’s just something special. you know, there’s just a lifelong um, you know, connection there. Having put your rookie season behind you, what’s your goal this year, you know, what have you been doing at summer league to put in the work to have it show in the regular season come the fall? Yeah, I think just, you know, keeping my keep keep developing my skills. I think I have a great skill set, but also my defense. That’s something I’ve I’ve prioritized this summer, just trying to block more shots, uh, guard the ball better, things like that. I appreciate it. We’ll see more of that defense today. Thanks, Kyle. Back to you, guys. Hi, Dave. Thanks a lot. You saw that graphic there with seven Dookies drafted in the last two years. Talk about stepping into shoes like John Shy. What a job he’s done as head coach. John’s a terrific He’s a great communicator. He’s a terrific coach. Uh he’s genuine and real. Uh he has a great connection, yet he holds this team really accountable. They play hard. They play a great style of basketball. He’s done just a magnificent seamless transition. It is John Sh’s program program right now with the coach K’s the matriarch, but it’s John Sh’s program. And like some folks will say, “Hey, it’s easy if you can get all the the best players in the country to come as a three-pointer goes down there.” But it’s also what we do in a short time. There’s there’s never a building process like you had in the old days. Look, look, it’s great that you can get great players. You get great players to trust each other, embrace roles, play for each other, uh, and play to win. That’s not that easy. As much static as around these players today, getting by in when you have that many good players back by M. Two in a row for a lead of McNeely. Turnover Utah. Pretty good start for this Charlotte Hornet summer league team. bunch of guys that can make shots. They’ll get to the free throw line, but Lee McNeely getting them going here in the second quarter. Start. You look at the shot preparation. Look at his footwork. Look at him show his hands right there. Boom. Shot ready. Step in. Step in. Three are good, please. And he knocks that thing down. And uh McNeely didn’t shoot a high percentage right there. Good shot preparation, but he’s a big time three-point shooter. He’s got a big physical body. He can play to contact some. He rebounds his position. you know, and he’s going to continue to get better. Uh he was coached really hard at Yukon, uh held accountable u and played hurt a great deal. He in the summer, he missed four weeks in the summer prior to the start of the school year with a little bit of an ankle injury and then he actually retweaked it during the course of the season, but he played through a great deal of pain and uh was a terrific teammate. And in some ways, this might even be more fun for him is playing off the ball constantly and his natural position being off ball and shooting like we’re seeing here. He had to do a lot for that Utah team that really was playing without a point guard this year. Ball goes out of bounds. It’ll stay with the Utah Jazz. Here’s McNeely. He was the second first round pick taken by Charlotte. Big East freshman of the year, 29th pick. As we pointed out, he was on that great Montver. He originally signed that Indiana coaching change. Danny Hurley was able to get him and and he fit the Yukon culture. There’s Walter Clayton getting a little warmed up and almost got the steal there and ends up in the hands of McNeely. So came away with it. Big body played at Yukon, went undrafted, been in the GLeague the last few years. Domo You can see Elijah Harkless get up there. That looked like an awkward fall. The number of Yukon players, you watch this play right here. It’s a lot pretty good. You know what? That’s pretty good job defensively being vertical. He’s come down with his hands, put him right on the chest. The number of the Yukon players in the NBA, what obviously Jim Calhoun is able to do and then what Dan Hurley is doing right now is absolutely incredible. Backto back national champs. All going to the NBA, most going to the NBA. And last year it’s Florida that got them right. Florida. Clayton got him with that comeback making back to back in streets one. He dribbled back out kind of like a Tyus Halbert type three. That’s a great point. That was in round two of the NCAA tournament, late three. And then Clayton had two of them against Texas Tech. I think that was the Sweet 16. He had a personal Walter Clayton 5 run to beat Texas Tech. And then in the national championship game against Houston had a late three that tied the game. And when you see him now, we can actually get a closeup. He he is so evenly killed when those games were on the line. All he did was you would think he was playing in the park or was playing like in the first five minutes of a guarantee game. I mean he was just so locked in, so focused. Didn’t overreact to anything. Just got to the next play and he did the same thing in the final four. See a little blood timeout right now as they work on the uniform with Ton Salon, Walter Clayton Jr. Two teams looking for youth, went hard in the draft. Getting to see all that here here in summer league in Las Vegas. Speaking more of Walter Clayton Jr. in the Gator run to the national championship. We told you about his exploits. Take a look at him here on film. I mean, think about different ways to dunk, taking the ball to the other side of the rim, step back threes. That’s the dribble out right there against Texas Tech right there. makes big big backto back plays and he’s got a big body remember he was a football player big time football player SEC recruit level football player and he’s got a toughness about him and a maturity about him but he’s so even keen in his game call barrelchested strong shoots it and the biggest thing at the next level getting used to and you might not see it here at summer league but that NBA pressure you you know, getting into see how he he reacts to that. He has been cool in summer league so far. Salt Lake City summer league Utah on their what was their home floor there at the Huntsman Center up in the uh hill a little bit. They went 3 and 0. Blew a big 18-point lead against Oklahoma City, but they were able to hang on to win. So, still getting some more blood off the court right in front of the Utah Jazz bench right now. and our delay will extend just a little bit while they work on that. That Florida team that he played on, they retained enough players coming into this season. Uh Florida’s going to be a really good basketball team that would maybe has a shot to do what Dukard did in terms of repeating. Coming up next, our quadruple header continues. Wizards taking on the Suns. Then the Trailblazers and Warriors will round out the night on ESPN 2. Todd Golden’s done a wonderful job down in Gainesville. All right, back after the delay. So looking to facilitate great footwork. Get a little snake back. put the defender on his back, step through. Double figures for Walter Clayton Jr. up to 10 as Salon draws the foul. We look at Tan Salon. Talk about him in a moment as we check out Clayton now reaching double figures. Watch this play by Clayton. Now you’re going to watch him get his dribble. Now you watch him put the defender in jail. Shot fakes, steps through with the off hand. I mean, that’s great footwork, great execution, and a great job of reading the defense. The key was playing off of two feet. The other key was put that defender that’s trailing him in jail by putting his body on him. He’s a terrific college player in two different locations and right off the start at Iona as well was the Max player of the year. Simpson missing a three and Utah on the comeback trail down five. Well, he’s so good at finding a spot no matter who’s in front of him works around it. Same play. Snakes. They’re in drop coverage. So, what does he do? He goes right at the big, snakes it back, gets to a soft spot, reads the defense, makes the right play. Jazz have scored the last eight. And that run comes to an end with Jaylen Sims scoring for the Hornets. Clayton doesn’t play like a guy at Sundis for the first time again. Four years in college, a maturity, a toughness, a poise. A Smith. How much of what Clayton did down the stretch turned him into a first round pick versus how he had played up into that? I a ton. Now, for people that watched him all season long, we saw that. I mean, J and I were s studio, how how is he not being talked about? But what he did in the NCAA tournament and the boys that he played with, the shots that he made under the situations that he made them, I think opened up a lot of eyes. Yeah. Locked it. That was the point. you guys had a sense of how good he was going to be and then he just did it on the grandest of stages. We did a college game day at at Florida and watching him practice and and his approach to practice but then very rare do practices come ends and he just came we were sitting there watching he came over us introduced himself like we didn’t know who he was and and thanked us for coming to practice. Yeah, it’s a maturity you only see every once in a while. There was a maturity about him. Sometimes the guys come over and say hello, but like having the poise to just say we really appreciate you coming and being here was it meant a lot to to to the PE to all of us uh watching practice. We enjoyed practice. Practice had a great energy to it. Late clock here for Utah. Collier’s pass inside gets batted out of bounds. Shot clock expires. It’ll be Charlotte basketball. Hornets up seven as we hit a timeout here in the second. break brothers. Hey bud, it’s your time. Your son is on a crisp and creamy Kit Kat break. Fore 8 back to Las Vegas. You can see the warm-up shirts the Utah Jazz are wearing here at Summer League. Yesterday we got the news that the uh the great Frank Leighton, who was the Utah Jazz head coach in the 80s, the only Utah Jazz coach of the year, uh was also a member of their front office when Stockton Malone were brought in. Passed away at the age of 93. Boy, what a man. Seth, I know you’ve known him for a long time. A great ambassador for the game of basketball at every level. Niagara guy, if I’m not mistaken, uh he was at Niagara when you you bound there. That’s correct. Yes. Uh, and I got to he introduced him through the five-star basketball camp. Well, so many of us obviously had an opportunity to rub shoulders with really legends of the game. His son Scott, obviously worked for the Knicks, also was an assistant coach of Fairley Dickinson at one time, which was my alma mater. And Frank Lady, one of the greatest banquet speakers in the history of banquet speaking. Very, very funny man, terrific coach, person that can really bring people together. I I’m not sure there’s anyone that didn’t like Frankly. I had the great fortune to work uh with Hubie Brown for a number of years over on ESPN radio and when you mentioned Niagara that was the way and he brought in Frank to I think it was the Atlanta Hawks where Huie was the head coach there and then of course uh the Jazz made their move from New Orleans to Utah and the number one on those shirting jerseys are important because they retired. And that was the very first number the Jazz retired for Frank Leighton who was their longtime head coach, president, general manager and sad to report passed away just a couple of days ago at the age of 93. Amazing ambassador for the game of basketball. Salon flashing underneath gets fouled down low. Tan Salon. This is year number two for the 69 French rookie. And you can see uh the body looks a little different. He looks like he’s put on some muscle and some weight as you often see from 18 years old to year number two in the NBA. Yeah, I’m not mistaken. I think that coach Leen was Brown’s college roommate. Correct on that one. A little assist. Who gave you that note? Stevie. is he knows everything. It’s it’s it’s unbelievable. He knows more about nothing than anyone I’ve ever been around in my life. Steve Leau stats. Just got to watch for the slight of hand. I think he was a former Vegas dealer, right? Yes, he was. Yes, he was. Maybe he could take me and teach me something. You know what he taught me? Don’t go. That’s the house usually wins. That’s the best part about calling summer league games or going as a fan is those are extra hours you don’t go. Yeah, but you do you do it in a way the last day you always build in a little window. I know. Uh reportedly allegedly. Allegedly. Salon was thinking about the long three. And it’s just a great setup here with all 30 teams being here, general managers, international basketball folk, and then all the fans who get to see some of their young heroes up close as Jaylen Sims able to put it in. My favorite part is the crossover between this building, Thomas and Max Center. You walk up to the top of the first pole and you get on the concourse where you may, you know, buy some food or refreshment. There’s the papa shop place and then you keep walking down. Next thing you know, you’re in this intimate Cox Pavilion where there’s another game going on. Oh yeah, another game going on. And I’ll tell you if if you walk up there, you’ll run to 8,000 people. If you’ve been around the game for a while, it’s like the final four. Yeah, it’s like the final four. You’re going to you’re going to get a chance to see people you haven’t seen in years have conversations. It’s the epicenter of basketball for 10 days. So, the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz, both teams trying to get out of the lottery, trying to rebuild. Let’s talk more about this Charlotte Hornets and what they’ve done so far in this off season. And it’s more than just the draft picks that you’re seeing here. Mark Williams ends up going to Phoenix. You got the draft picks we’re watching today, but Spencer Denwitty coming via free agency. Mason Plumbley not listed. Colin Ston was a big pickup for I think Colin Son’s a huge pickup for for Charlotte. And you if you look at this Charlotte team, I think they’ve really done some really good things. The Mills got to stay healthy. Colin Saxon, a big physical guard that can score, get to the rim. I thought that was huge. Brandon Miller had a monster season last year. 21 points a game and is only going to get better. That guy has a unique unique skill set. M they’re just pretty good player. They’ve got a good foundation now. They’ve got to stay healthy and then they’ve got to have someone in the front court. Whether it’s Plumbley, eventually Kbrer, they’ve got to find somewhere to fill that that five spot. But they’ve got a good foundation right now. Got to look at some of those outstanding Charlotte Hornets players and the big team taken in. Watching the younger guys that just got selected in the draft. That was intended for K Brener. Off target. Markless block by K Brener. Great job. Great run down by Krener getting back in the play. He is an experienced player. You can see him barking out the defensive plays. Five years. Nipples going to get called for the travel there. Nice job by Isaiah Kier. Let’s take a look at that Caulk Burner block. What a great rundown right here. Caulk Brener, he’s on the other side of the floor. Gets back in the play. Doesn’t quit on the play. Good contest. Running through the block right there. And he’s the last guy back. He fell down at the other end, but he doesn’t quit on the play. And that’s how you become full-time defensive player of the year. Second all time history. Points, rebounds, and block shots. done a nice job of late getting some NBA guys out of Kraton. He’s playing defensively like he wouldn’t would have he played a basically one man zone for them and his lone job is to get out of that paint right every 2.9 seconds. Yeah. Well, that’s the difference in the rules. That’s going to be the change here as he moves on to the NBA. Ryan called Brener. I also think you know for Charlotte should be interesting as we keep talking big picture here is with all the guards that have come in from the draft they have a lot of guards on the roster right now. So sometimes a good problem Jeff Peterson the GM will be working on right now loose ball foul against Charlotte. Let’s take a look at that depth chart. Kind of show you what that means. They didn’t resign Trey man for three years. LaMelo, Brandon Miller, you know, those guys are going to get healthy. Miles Bridges too. Sex and didn’t we? But then you Josh Green man. But isn’t that what the league is right now? The league is 66 67 68 position. This guy’s offensively and defensively. Good patience right there. Nick Smith Jr. Joshi Conetton also came over. So, lot to work on for a team in the rebuild. I think everyone’s looking at the new world of the NBA and how many positionless offense and defensive players can you have. Look what Indiana’s done. That’s a great point. and they have turned themselves well obviously into a legit contender one game away from winning a championship and it’s finding that right mix and that’s the hardest thing seeing Hallebertton go down obviously losing Turner uh it’s not a rebuild you’ve just got to find new pieces this lead right now here 11 points 13 points rather biggest of the game so far and Philipki cuts it to 10 how often do you you basically screen in for a sevenfooter for a wide open three and a good job of waiting on the screen and a great screen. Philipowski right now up to 13 points tied for the high in the game. Seion James patiently waits and scores. Could you see James like as a cornerback? Yes. Like just taking dudes out. Khan Kipple was mentioning like the first day he met Seon James in Durham, he was a little bit intimidated and then you know the ice broke and they became best of friends. Now here they are together both with the Charlotte Hornets both playing their first summer league game together. Great job Cochurn getting off to help and helping on that role. If you look at the right hand side of the screen, as we’re going to see come out going to break here, you’re going to see a screen in, right? A little flare screen in and you’re screening for a sevenfooter to step out and knock down a three. That’s the versatile skill set of Kyle Filipowski. Oh, look. I’m bottom. Summer League from Las Vegas. Here’s the draft recap for the Utah Jazz. Ace Bailey was there at five and Utah took him. He’s not playing tonight. Uh still dealing with a hip flexor. Walter Clayton Jr. at number 18. Doc John Tan out of Wisconsin also dealing with some injury. Not seeing him so far. T a big barrel physical guard. But I actually, you know, the interesting thing is Ace Bailey. Obviously, we’d love to see him play. He needs to get healthy. That’s the most important thing. Uh he is a versatile, skilled shot maker and he can find ways to create separation a lot of different ways. legitimate deep three-point range, has a little step back to his game. Uh just a really skilled, talented offensive player and you look at fivestar recruit and all all his accolades, but he’s going to be a terrific player for the shoot that team and you know how it came about. Hy, it is what it is, but he’s going to have an impact in Utah. Well, he’s sitting there at number five, uh Danny A, Austin, now the president of basketball operations. want to take the best guy available and he had eight points in the Salt Lake summer league opener. Bounced off of that with an 18 point performance. Simpson hits the three-pointer there and then did not play. It was initially said his groin soreness, hip flexor. Reason he is out and you saw him in his street clothes sitting on the Utah bench here in this opener in Las Vegas. and he seems engaged in the game, engaged with his teammates and I mean this is a new experience for him but he’s going to be a terrific player. How about the pass out of there offensive rebound kick out a clock runner to get the three and on this end Isaiah Kier knocking down a triple seven-point game coming down to the final minute of this first half. McNeely rebounds the miss three and Simpson has been on point so far here in the first half. 19 points, sharing the basketball with three assists, making good decisions and not chasing every anything. McNeely has been very solid as well, rebounding the ball, making some shots, attacking in transition. Going to lead the break up the floor for Charlotte. Simpson, as coach mentioned, 19 points and beingounded right now by Jaden Springer. Played with a couple of NBA organizations already in his career. Five to shoot. Salon really nice move to get free. Really good job of escape dribbling, back dribbling so he can go back at the defense again. And not sure he has a great handle, but he was smart enough to create some separation so he could go at him with some speed. He had a really good summer league last year and then struggled during the regular season. Foul at half court by Simpson, but Salon has come here in your number two. Let’s get a look at that pass from Clayton out to Kier. Good step through right there, Kier. That’s one thing he’s got to be able to do. And then Simpson, he’s just been on balance the whole game. Nice pass by McNeely. Tan Salon. How about that move right there? If you saw the beginning of that play, Castine was great because it’s a really good one-on-one defense and instead of trying to fight it, he just back dribbled a little bit to create some space to go at him the second time. It’s a good smart play. Part of that French connection was the number six pick last year. Lean in three. Philipowski wanted contact from Salon. And now Barks at the official to no avail. And that’ll bring us to halftime. That was impressive. 60 points in a summer league half for the Charlotte Hornets. Good start for the Hornets. 60-48 lead over Utah. We are at the half. Charlotte with a 29 second. There you go. yourself. I’m not You know that people Two times. Cooper flags are gone now. He does a little bit of everything. You saw all of that on display. I’m going to regroup. I’m going be all right. New feeling, new environment, new teammates. Let me just keep your arms off. One of the highlights of day one at summer league, Cooper Flag, making his summer league debut, the number one pick of the Dallas Mavericks. Seth Greenberg shows five for 21. But you heard Tim Leggler mentioning all the different things that Cooper Flag showed in his opening. Cooper Flag’s aim is defined on main and miss shots. Did he make shots the other day? I know he didn’t make shots, but what did he do? He impacted winning. Think about Cooper Flag yesterday, right? When the game was on the line, what does he do? Shot block. The game was on the line. What does he do? Push it. Make the right decision. So Cooper Flag, he’s going to impact the game a lot of different ways. You’re not going to put him in a small box. His impact on the impact on the game is his basketball IQ, his feel, and how many different ways he impacts winning. Rebounds the ball, can make plays, can’t make shots. his defensive range and the the rundown was absolutely incredible. So, forget about made and miss shots. We saw that with Yakonis. You talk about like Yakonis goes through three days in California. Can’t make a shot. 0 for 10 from the three-point line. Comes out to you today. All right. Sees a big basket. But you know what he did do? He played good winning basketball. And that’s what all you’re looking for right now in summer league. Only had a day and a half of summer league, but we’ll go big picture. And maybe it was the Cooper flag pass out at the end. Ryan Nimhard looked very impressive last night. What’s impressed you so far in a very short Ryan Nard? We always said one thing Ryan Nhard can do is he can run a team. He can run a team because he did that for his career at Gonzaga. We watched him in the combine and in the combine his team always got the offense. They shared the ball. The ball had energy. So to me and we get so excited about Cooper flag. To me it’s just the growth we’re going to see. Like Jeremiah Fear struggled the other day. I want to see his second game and what he learns from it. I thought that coach Bolster gave us great insight. It’s not the numbers. It’s more what are the other things that these guys are doing that they’re learning because there is a process to this. It just does you don’t just snap your fingers and these games are inconsequential. These are just part of the the learning process. Well, you mentioned Dallas’s second game. It’ll be against the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow afternoon 4 Eastern time on ESPN. These guys will still be shooting papa shot at 4 Eastern. These guys might be in the finals in a papa shot. You never know. Can they get 60 points in a half? That’s what Charlotte did. The moments that last forever go beyond what we see on the court. You are the finals MVP. These moments thought with the ball, a dream, and a relentless will to win. They’re the culmination of every effort put into the game since they first stepped on the court. All of those moments have led to this one. NBA 2K26. Ball over everything. Rated E for everyone. The Bush Guide. Cold and smooth survival skills. If you encounter one, Christ, please. Great. around the better.
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