Simonovic - Today v Mavs - Summer League

[playthrough2001]

Man does this guy look like a new man. He has to be 25-30 pounds heavier but he’s in great shape. He looks like a NBA player now. He had 27 points and 13 boards in 29 minutes. Throw in an assist, a steal and three blocks. He moves really well and has a decent handle for his size. I realize Summer League competition is watered down, but what I saw today is encouraging. You can tell he’s put in a lot of hard work. I think he sees real minutes this season.

Terry was as advertised. He’s a long, willing defender that can really pass the ball. He had 6 turnovers but I attribute that to the rag tag nature of these games. The first shot that was attempted on him, he blocked.

Bulls won 100-99.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Denzel Valentine was a Summer League stud.

 

[playthrough2001]

Denzel Valentine was a Summer League stud.

I understand the context but I also see the vast improvement in the player year over year.
Valentine being a summer league stud really has no relevance here unless you’re suggesting the whole format is useless for evaluation of young NBA hopefuls.

Maybe this game was a mirage, but you should check him out and see what you think.

 

[Chicagosports89]

They could really use simonovic being decent because they are still super thin at 4/5

 

[Enasic]

Would be nice if Marko could produce and play some real minutes. Anything the bulls get from him is bonus.

 

[Axl Rose]

Denzel Valentine was a Summer League stud.

and Derrick Rose shot like 20%.

I do however hope it translates for Marko as him giving us something would be a major boost.

 

[playthrough2001]

From The Athletic this morning:

“Simonović carried the Bulls to a 100-99 overtime victory over Dallas on Friday in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He scored 27 points and had 13 rebounds. In the final four minutes of regulation and overtime, he scored eight points with two rebounds, one steal and one block.

“Marko saved the day,” Terry said.

This is how the team’s 2020 second-round pick announced his presence. After a lesson-filled debut last year in Summer League, Simonović vowed to be better this go-round. In the days leading up to Friday, he reported being more comfortable going into his second season and more understanding of the NBA game. Simonović remained in Europe for one season after the Bulls selected him at No. 44 in 2020, and he logged only 35 minutes over nine NBA contests as a rookie. The lion’s share of his experience came in the G League.

Simonović entered summer play, however, as one of several Bulls worth watching. He added weight since the season ended, swelling to 240 pounds after coming into last season at 215 pounds. Bulls Summer League coach John Bryant said Simonović showed improved hands and read-and-react ability throughout the team’s summer practices. Bryant was not surprised to see how well Simonović performed.”

Regarding Terry:

“Terry’s versatility was as good as advertised. His passing popped in the first five minutes as he found cutters and open shooters in the corner with superb vision and pinpoint passes. He also routinely orchestrated pick-and-roll sets, looking comfortable and in control as he navigated and manipulated the defense. But as Terry searched for teammates, he passed on shots. His first attempt to score didn’t come until the 8:45 mark of the second quarter, when he drove into the lane and drew free throws. His first aggressive shot attempt came with 9:32 to play. The bulk of his offense came in transition, where his length and acrobatic contortions allow him finishing angles, and on free throws.”

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I understand the context but I also see the vast improvement in the player year over year.
Valentine being a summer league stud really has no relevance here unless you’re suggesting the whole format is useless for evaluation of young NBA hopefuls.

Maybe this game was a mirage, but you should check him out and see what you think.

I actually caught his game winner and I thought his move was good. Didn’t really check out his size bc I was in a bar when it was on. Him playing well is like finding a $20 in your coat pocket when winter rolls around again. I’m just saying, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[Icculus]

Summer League aces are the Bulls' version of Bears Training Camp heroes, especially the undrafted WR who has a couple of receptions in a preseason game that fans hype up ridiculously.

 

[playthrough2001]

Summer League aces are the Bulls' version of Bears Training Camp heroes, especially the undrafted WR who has a couple of receptions in a preseason game that fans hype up ridiculously.

He averaged 17 and 10 in the G League last year and added 3 assists per game. The staff had a development plan for him that included improving his nutrition, filling out his frame and getting stronger. You might want to take a look at this guy with your own eyes before suggesting I’m “hyping him up ridiculously.”
Also, I stated what he did might be a mirage but his performance was encouraging.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Marko did not carry over his success to the next game. Welp

 

[playthrough2001]

Marko did not carry over his success to the next game. Welp

He was fairly invisible in games two and three. He played a pretty good game today.

On the other hand, Terry has improved every time out and put together a real nice game today. He filled up the stat sheet and they won.

 

[playthrough2001]

In the 5th game Simonovic had 26 points, eight boards, one block and one steal. The Bulls are 4-1.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Not Marko related, but RIP to Dalen Terry's hamstring which he apparently injured in the finale. The first in what I'm sure will be many injuries on the Bulls roster this season as we stroll our way to another 1st round exit.

 

[knoxville7]

Not Marko related, but RIP to Dalen Terry's hamstring which he apparently injured in the finale. The first in what I'm sure will be many injuries on the Bulls roster this season as we stroll our way to another 1st round exit.

 

[clonetrooper264]

It's like MJ says in Spiderman...if you set your expectations low you can't be disappointed.

 

[Enasic]

I don’t think expecting a first round exit is even setting the expectations that low. Setting them low would be to say the team will go through a bunch of injuries and miss the playoffs. A first round playoff exit is a fair and reasonable prediction. There’s no reason to believe they’ll advance past that and I could envision a scenario where they miss the playoffs. Although, I think they will make it

 

[clonetrooper264]

I don’t think expecting a first round exit is even setting the expectations that low. Setting them low would be to say the team will go through a bunch of injuries and miss the playoffs. A first round playoff exit is a fair and reasonable prediction. There’s no reason to believe they’ll advance past that and I could envision a scenario where they miss the playoffs. Although, I think they will make it

Actually you're right, since they traded their 1sts away, missing the playoffs is a worse outcome.

 

[Enasic]

Actually you're right, since they traded their 1sts away, missing the playoffs is a worse outcome.

I think next year it’s top 4 protected? So if they land in the top of the lottery then that could be a win? I don’t foresee that happening though unless the entire team ended up injured

 

[clonetrooper264]

I think next year it’s top 4 protected? So if they land in the top of the lottery then that could be a win? I don’t foresee that happening though unless the entire team ended up injured

I think this team has far too much talent to finish in the bottom 4 of the league unless both Zach and Demar are out the entire season. They'd really have to luck into a top 4 pick if they missed the playoffs. Missing the playoffs is certainly possible with the right injuries, but most likely that pick conveys to Orlando.