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2023 NBA Summer Leagues (Caleb & RHJ)

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NickRU714

Heisman Winner
Aug 18, 2009
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Oklahoma City had their first game Monday night in Salt Lake City.
Caleb took a DNP - Coach's Decision

Mentioned in another thread but OKC is a young team with a lot of young players of higher priority than Caleb.
Hopefully some of the players with guaranteed spots stop playing at some point (for example Tre Mann and Chet). That would hopefully free up time for Caleb to get a shot.
 
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Paul plucking Caleb out of nowheresville and him making a 10 day is just out of this world player ID
 
OKC game 2 - Caleb got in the game
They scored 86pts - looks like it was an awful game all-around for OKC.

8:26min (lowest on the team for those who played)
0pts (0-2, 0-1 from 3)
1 reb
1 ast
1 block
1 PF
-10 +/- (most of the team was negative)

Not sure if there is a replay available anywhere.
 
RUsojo said:
Paul plucking Caleb out of nowheresville and him making a 10 day is just out of this world player ID
Click to expand...
Tom Cruise What GIF
 
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www.yardbarker.com

Caleb McConnell shines in second NBA Summer League game

In his second NBA Summer League appearance on Thursday night, former Rutgers star Caleb McConnell had a standout performance. He played to his strengths in being very active on the defensive end and making winning plays in the 100-91 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Philadelphia 76ers.
www.yardbarker.com
 
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Watched some of the Raptors game and still looks like Ron doesn't value strength and conditioning - in the weight room. I kno he's strong. But he still has that flabby non weight room body, and his vertical and lateral quickness hasn’t improved
 
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Harper looked solid as he always did here. He blows up screens with his strength and is a complete player. He’s a true 3 and played better than the lottery pick against the Bulls. Of course that kid should still be a Sophomore so I’m sure he’ll be fine but Ron had the highest +/- at +8 and continues to do it all just as he did for us here at RU. We were lucky to have him here.
 
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Thunder signed Keyontae Johnson to a 2-way contract. That's one off the board for Caleb.

 
Looks like Caleb had another DNP today.
Hopefully it’s just a rotation thing and getting other players some time.

Interesting to note, Ivy League phenom Tosan Evbuomwan got a DNP - Coaches Decision for the Pistons first Summer League game. I’ve never actually seen him play. Maybe I’ll record their next game and see if he gets in.
 
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Also, while Caleb looked really good - remember it’s still just Summer League.

The first rule of Summer League is completely overreact to Summer League.
He still has a long way to go to even get a 2-way contract.
 
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NickRU714 said:
Looks like Caleb had another DNP today.
Hopefully it’s just a rotation thing and getting other players some time.

Interesting to note, Ivy League phenom Tosan Evbuomwan got a DNP - Coaches Decision for the Pistons first Summer League game. I’ve never actually seen him play. Maybe I’ll record their next game and see if he gets in.
Click to expand...

He didn’t play because a bunch of the regular guys were there for their one cameo game. My knowledge of these contracts is very limited but I assumed that guys on the Thunder roster with a salary next to their name are locked in (I.e. they already have a contract). Maybe someone who follows the NBA can clarify more.

www.espn.com

Oklahoma City Thunder 2023-24 NBA Roster - ESPN

Explore the 2023-24 Oklahoma City Thunder NBA roster on ESPN. Includes full details on point guards, shooting guards, power forwards, small forwards and centers.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
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PSAL_Hoops said:
He didn’t play because a bunch of the regular guys were there for their one cameo game. My knowledge of these contracts is very limited but I assumed that guys on the Thunder roster with a salary next to their name are locked in (I.e. they already have a contract). Maybe someone who follows the NBA can clarify more.

www.espn.com

Oklahoma City Thunder 2023-24 NBA Roster - ESPN

Explore the 2023-24 Oklahoma City Thunder NBA roster on ESPN. Includes full details on point guards, shooting guards, power forwards, small forwards and centers.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...

I don't know wtf Thunder are doing.
They have approx 45 guys under contract currently and 75 draft picks in the next 2 years (note 1st round draft picks come with a guaranteed contract so they literally can't keep all the picks/players).

They will have to cut or trade some of these guys by the season starts.
Active roster is only 15 plus 3 two-way contracts. One 2-way is already accounted for.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/cap/
 
Not a good 1st quarter for RHJ.
Badly missed a wide open corner 3.
Just forced a contested step back 3 with the clock running out and again ball missed.

Nowell is playing well.
Don't know how much it'll translate out of Summer League as a 5'8" PG but he's making plays (though all his teammates are missing a lot of shots).
 
Got a chance to watch the rest of RHJ from Sunday against Cleveland.
Not a good rest of the game. A lot of missed shots.
I think he ended up 3-10 (1-5 from 3). A lot of uncontrolled fadeaway shots that weren't close.

Watched Caleb last night against Houston.
Most of the OKC "starters" took the game off because they have another game tonight.
Caleb got a lot of time.
Up and down game.
Defense he was great. Very active - blocks, deflections, rebounds.
All the usual impact you would expect.

However, he was basically a nothing on the other end.
3-11 overall. Had a nice layup through contact but then missed the FT for the 3 point play.
Missed a couple close shots. Had a turnaround fadeway from the sideline blocked.

There was an interesting back to back plays in the 2nd quarter that shows how college defense is different from pro.
Caleb was his usual great on ball defense. But then they put him in a pick and the screener stepped back for an open 3.
Back to back 3pt shots over Caleb as he was trying to recover on the switch and get to the screener.
Pro offense is way ahead of college offense and actively works to beat the defense.
 
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NickRU714 said:
Got a chance to watch the rest of RHJ from Sunday against Cleveland.
Not a good rest of the game. A lot of missed shots.
I think he ended up 3-10 (1-5 from 3). A lot of uncontrolled fadeaway shots that weren't close.

Watched Caleb last night against Houston.
Most of the OKC "starters" took the game off because they have another game tonight.
Caleb got a lot of time.
Up and down game.
Defense he was great. Very active - blocks, deflections, rebounds.
All the usual impact you would expect.

However, he was basically a nothing on the other end.
3-11 overall. Had a nice layup through contact but then missed the FT for the 3 point play.
Missed a couple close shots. Had a turnaround fadeway from the sideline blocked.

There was an interesting back to back plays in the 2nd quarter that shows how college defense is different from pro.
Caleb was his usual great on ball defense. But then they put him in a pick and the screener stepped back for an open 3.
Back to back 3pt shots over Caleb as he was trying to recover on the switch and get to the screener.
Pro offense is way ahead of college offense and actively works to beat the defense.
Click to expand...

That may be true but he’s looked really good overall on defense in this pre-season. He’s stood out on that end as a clear star. It’s going to come down to whether or not the Thunder sees more value in having a guy who would rank top 5-7ish defensive players on your roster on 2 way vs having your 20th guy be a lot better than Caleb at offense but still worse than 15-18 others on the roster at both offense and defense.
 
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NickRU714 said:
There was an interesting back to back plays in the 2nd quarter that shows how college defense is different from pro.
Caleb was his usual great on ball defense. But then they put him in a pick and the screener stepped back for an open 3.
Back to back 3pt shots over Caleb as he was trying to recover on the switch and get to the screener.
Pro offense is way ahead of college offense and actively works to beat the defense.
Click to expand...
Caleb's 6'5" height with a 6'7" wingspan hurts there too - long arms contesting shots are huge in the NBA
 
MiloTalon13 said:
Caleb's 6'5" height with a 6'7" wingspan hurts there too - long arms contesting shots are huge in the NBA
Click to expand...

For the upcoming decision, his measurables probably aren’t that much of a factor. That stuff is mostly for assessing long term draft potential in an unproven kid. Caleb isn’t in that category. He pretty much is what he is - a specialist. And no matter what happens he’s already succeeded in making it known that he’s capable of being just as much a defensive star at the next level as he was in college. He doesn’t have the potential to be even an average offensive NBA player, but then, for his role, his limitations on offense won’t be nearly as important as they were at Rutgers. Remember he would likely check in with a surrounding cast of offensive studs.

Bottom line is if the Thunder think both KJ Williams and Jared Butler (those are probably his biggest competition right?) have long term star potential, they’ll probably take them both to retain them in the system. If not looking to take a gamble on that with either of them, Caleb’s probably in good shape. Odds of him contributing are probably higher on a one year contract in my opinion.
 
Caleb missed a few bunnies probably due to nerves. On top of his well rounded stat sheet he should of have 4-8 more points than produced.

Lotta chatter on twitter of OKC Fans wanting him on the 2-way.
 
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PSAL_Hoops said:
For the upcoming decision, his measurables probably aren’t that much of a factor. That stuff is mostly for assessing long term draft potential in an unproven kid. Caleb isn’t in that category. He pretty much is what he is - a specialist. And no matter what happens he’s already succeeded in making it known that he’s capable of being just as much a defensive star at the next level as he was in college. He doesn’t have the potential to be even an average offensive NBA player, but then, for his role, his limitations on offense won’t be nearly as important as they were at Rutgers. Remember he would likely check in with a surrounding cast of offensive studs.

Bottom line is if the Thunder think both KJ Williams and Jared Butler (those are probably his biggest competition right?) have long term star potential, they’ll probably take them both to retain them in the system. If not looking to take a gamble on that with either of them, Caleb’s probably in good shape. Odds of him contributing are probably higher on a one year contract in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I was saying his measurables are a factor every time someone makes a shot over him. They matter more than just for unproven guys.
Every time he's rotating or closing out a shooter, he lacks the length to bother guys as much as someone longer.

It's amazing what a great defender he is given that 6'5", 6'7" wingspan.
 
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MiloTalon13 said:
I was saying his measurables are a factor every time someone makes a shot over him. They matter more than just for unproven guys.
Every time he's rotating or closing out a shooter, he lacks the length to bother guys as much as someone longer.

It's amazing what a great defender he is given that 6'5", 6'7" wingspan.
Click to expand...
Was there an official measurement somewhere that put him at 6-5? If so, I don't see it posted online anywhere.
 
Didn’t see the game, but despite Caleb’s quiet stat line last night it seems he played smart in his 13 minutes. No shot attempts but his lack of offense clearly didn’t hurt the team as he had the second highest +/- on the team at +14. 4 rebounds, 2 assists, no turnovers. His situation is different from others. His defense can be viewed as an asset over time if his presence on the court doesn’t stall an offense.

Oh yeah - of the guys in contention for the 2 ways, only him and Jared Butler got in the game.
 
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PSAL_Hoops said:
Didn’t see the game, but despite Caleb’s quiet stat line last night it seems he played smart in his 13 minutes. No shot attempts but his lack of offense clearly didn’t hurt the team as he had the second highest +/- on the team at +14. 4 rebounds, 2 assists, no turnovers. His situation is different from others. His defense can be viewed as an asset over time if his presence on the court doesn’t stall an offense.

Oh yeah - of the guys in contention for the 2 ways, only him and Jared Butler got in the game.
Click to expand...
A lot of the two ways won’t be settled until teams see who is available after summer league.
 
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