Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The first day of Las Vegas Summer League kicked off Friday with an absolutely loaded slate that not only gave NBA lovers everywhere some competitive action, but also a glimpse of the league’s very bright future.
All of the top-four selections from this year’s draft class suited up in Sin City and took over the Thomas and Mack Center. Scoot Henderson and Amen Thompson faced off in the battle of the top rookie guards before Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller had the marquee matchup of the night as the top two picks from the draft.
Here’s what NBA Twitter had to say about an exciting night of summer hoops.
Victor Wembanyama Welcomed to the NBA
One of the most hyped prospects in NBA history and certainly of this generation, Wembanyama’s Summer League debut was more anticipated than a “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” double feature.
But it probably didn’t go exactly as he and the rest of the basketball world envisioned.
The No. 1 overall pick didn’t necessarily have a bad game, but it was a much weaker outing than everyone was expecting. He finished with just nine points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and five blocks.
He even had his “Welcome to the NBA” moment in the third quarter when Kai Jones dunked over him, a play that shocked the crowd at the Thomas and Mack Center as the 7-foot-5 alien looked a bit human.
With how impatient Twitter is, it took a moment to give the rookie star a hard time.
The Athletic @TheAthletic
KAI JONES 🤯
A reminder that Victor Wembanyama is 7-foot-5.
🎥 @NBA | #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/Tv3yeJmAG8
-_- @datscrazyyyy
Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller tonight pic.twitter.com/HeCWyigbaQ
Ryan @RyanWilkies
The commentators when Victor Wembanyama dribbles it once and puts up a brick pic.twitter.com/5SP46yEyTN
reece @coolguyreece
Chet Holmgren’s Summer League debut:
23 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 6 BLK
78% from the field
Victor Wembanyama’s Summer League debut:
9 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 5 BLK
15% from the field
That’s all I’m gonna say. 🫣 pic.twitter.com/PTz01UJDuO
Keke’s New Boo 😏 @Less_HumbleTeej
Brandon Miller and Victor Wembanyama in Taiwan pic.twitter.com/r7ooznfNGp
💫 @ReavesWrld__
All that Victor Wembanyama hype for him to go to score 5 points & go 1/9 in a sold out crowd pic.twitter.com/OIjyb91Ylu
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Best way I can describe Victor Wembanyama’s summer league debut is that it was uncomfortable to watch. But I’ll buy any Wemby stock being sold tonight.
Truth Takes @truthsportakes
Victor Wembanyama after having to score vs Nba players pic.twitter.com/4nymm3AJtx
roukshiesty @BeenHim10
Brandon Miller vs Victor Wembanyama tonight pic.twitter.com/Jry4axwk9b
Dan Campbell @DanCampbellGOAT
Adam Silver watching Victor Wembanyama dunked on
*it wasn’t on the script* pic.twitter.com/4yrGjqezLc
Wembanyama will get another crack at it Sunday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Scoot Henderson Injured After Hot Start
One of the most heralded players in this year’s draft class, Henderson showed up and showed out early in his Summer League debut against the Houston Rockets.
Henderson, who was taken No. 3 overall by the Trail Blazers, came out to send a message, being uber-aggressive in the early moments of the matchup. He had 13 of his 15 points in the opening quarter and ended the game with five rebounds, six assists and a steal in 21 minutes of action.
Unfortunately, his night ended prematurely after he injured his soldier late in the third quarter and would not return. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported that he’s set to undergo an MRI but the organization is optimistic that it isn’t anything serious.
But while he was on the floor, he had NBA Twitter feeling optimistic about Portland’s future even with the imminent departure of superstar guard Damian Lillard, who has requested a trade to the Miami Heat.
NBA @NBA
Scoot Henderson steps back for his first bucket!
Watch the No. 3 pick’s #NBA2KSummerLeague debut LIVE on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/XdMor7tsua
Reece @reecec1102
Hornets fans seeing Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller play in Summer League pic.twitter.com/GssZ1Scadj
Israel @iohandles
Scoot Henderson’s generationalpic.twitter.com/XNLh7kPFAH
Krysten Peek @krystenpeek
After watching one half of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, I think the Blazers will be just fine parting ways with Dame.
Molly Morrison @mollyhannahm
if your name is scoot henderson you logically have to be talented and famous. if not then what’s the point
A🦁 @itsYDG2
Damian Lillard to Scoot Henderson before he gets traded pic.twitter.com/EpMPsBQBeu
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Scoot Henderson sees the game in slow-motion. He’s going to be so freaking good.
TZY @fahshohim
Hornets really took Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson pic.twitter.com/uFeNWdMwc7
Roosh @RooshWilliams
I think Blazers fans are gonna forget about Dame overnight now that they’ve got Scoot Henderson. He looks phenomenal.
Ty Jäger @TheTyJager
Scoot Henderson impressed early on. He’s gonna be an elite two-way guard. Portland is going to be fine at the point guard even without Dame.
Buzz @BuzzOnTap
I’d love to have a back court of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Blazers need to sell of Dame and start building around those kids.
While it’s still unclear whether Henderson will be able to suit up, Portland is in action again Sunday night against Wembanyama and the Spurs.
Amen Thompson Stuffing the Stat Sheet in Debut
Facing off against Henderson in a matchup of the top two guard prospects from the draft, Thompson held his own against his more touted counterpart by doing a little bit of everything in the Rockets win.
Thompson, 20, finished with 16 points to go along with four rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals as he did absolutely everything on both ends of the floor.
Even with Fred VanVleet set to take over as the Rockets’ starting point guard, Thompson looks like he’s not far off from being ready to take the keys and lead the Rockets into the future with their bevy of young talent.
But much like Henderson, Thompson also was plagued by an injury, leaving the game with an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter and not returning to the game.
Nonetheless, Twitter was hyping up the older Thompson twin in his debut on an NBA stage.
ESPN @espn
Amen Thompson’s vision is ELITE 🥽 pic.twitter.com/8W6SOqaPq4
Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan @NekiasNBA
ALSO.
I do not think Amen Thompson will start to begin the regular season but I do not know how long that can remain the case lol
Bradeaux @BradeauxNBA
Amen Thompson was literally everywhere tonight…
He moved like a 6’7″ Russell Westbrook offensively and finished with 7 stock’s defensively..
I’ve never quite seen anything like it. pic.twitter.com/cEN0W1Hui4
V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ @Vator_H_Town
If you ain’t watching Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe vs Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore tonight I don’t know if you a real hoops fan. pic.twitter.com/vhnhVTIYDB
ᵂᴵᴸᴸ @BiasedHouston
“That Amen Thompson kid might be coming for my job real soon.” pic.twitter.com/BSTW5zUZxL
Roosh @RooshWilliams
Game One SL Thoughts:
1. Amen Thompson looks exactly as advertised. Serious cause for excitement in Houston
2. Tari Eason continues to be an impact player who contributes to winning
3. Jabari came alive in the 3Q. That’s the version of his game I wanna see a lot of this season
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
I get it: FVV is great. But I just hate that Houston’s blocked Amen Thompson’s path to the starting point guard spot for either three years, barring a trade
If he’s healthy, Thompson will have a chance to go up against his brother Ausar and the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. night.
Markquis Nowell has “IT”
The star of the NCAA Tournament back in March, Markquis Nowell brought some of that madness magic to Sin City, balling out in his summer league debut with the Toronto Raptors in their matchup against the Chicago Bulls.
On a night, where all eyes were on the team’s lottery pick Gradey Dick, Nowell stole the show, dropping a game-high 17 points to go along with four rebounds, five assists and three steals in an electric performance.
Nowell is on a two-way deal with the Raptors but has gotten off on the right foot if he wants to earn a shot with the full roster at some point during the year.
Even as the smallest player on the court, Nowell managed to play bigger than anybody else on the floor. And it had Raptors Twitter excited for what he can potentially become.
RaptorsUpdates @RapsUpdates
“I expect to win. Win five games, and we come home with a trophy. Win Summer League MVP…. A successful trip would be us winning and me getting my contract bumped up (from two-way to full roster).”
– Markquis Nowell pic.twitter.com/45rV2dl5oE
Overtime @overtime
Markquis Nowell with an IMPRESSIVE Summer League debut 👀
17 PTS
6/12 FG
4/6 3PM
4 REB
5 AST
3 STL pic.twitter.com/326RnSascK
Sahal Abdi @sahalabdi_
It’s official.
Markquis Nowell… pic.twitter.com/9TS2AI42Rp
. @GTJGotNext
Markquis Nowell and Moses Brown in summer leaguepic.twitter.com/xhpvSakqsl
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Markquis Nowell showed glimpses of his leadership in his Summer League debut with the Raptors. He notched 17 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and as the game went on he felt more free to dictate the pace. Nowell has it! #WetheNorth #NBASummerLeague
J @__TopCat
“you sure Markquis Nowell’s game can translate to the NBA?”pic.twitter.com/Jc1L1xYKPM
Blake Murphy @BlakeMurphyODC
In the time before he earns a call-up, Markquis Nowell is going to be the greatest G League player of all time.
🎙 @6ixIn6
Watching Markquis Nowell play for my team in a summer league game brought me more joy than all of last season combined
D. Scott Fritchen @DScottFritchen
The NBA is going to quickly realize Markquis Nowell has “it.”
Oren Weisfeld @OrenWeisfeld
Well, it didn’t take Markquis Nowell very long to become a fan favourite. Not a bad start to his Raptors career!
Nowell and Toronto play Sunday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Bleacher Report – https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10081949-nba-summer-league-2023-hot-takes-about-top-players-from-day-1-las-vegas-results
