The NBA Draft was in June, but the rookies and second year players have already been in game action once the calendar turned to July. Three former Duke men’s basketball players were participating in the NBA Summer League in Orlando.
Guard Nolan Smith started one game for the Boston Celtics. That came on July 7th. He went 2-for-3 from the field for four points. That was the only game that he played.
The Plumlee brothers dominated in Orlando.
Mason started all five games he played for the Brooklyn Nets under new head coach Jason Kidd. The Nets were excited about how he played, though they were a little concerned about the turnovers.
On July 7th, he went 3-for-5 form the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line for ten points. He hauled in 14 rebounds. However, he committed five turnovers. On the following day, he went a perfect 8-for-8 from the field and 7-of-11 from the free throw line for 23 points. He hauled in nine rebounds, but committed four turnovers.
On July 10th, Mason went 1-for-4 form the field and 2-for-4 from the free throw line for four points. He hauled in two rebounds, but also committed two turnovers. The following day, he went 3-for-8 from the field for six points. He hauled in five rebounds. He committed two turnovers. In his final summer league game on July 12th, he went 7-for-23 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free throw line for 23 points. He hauled in five rebounds and dished out five assists. He committed four turnovers.
Miles started all four games he played for the Indiana Pacers.
On July 7th, he went 4-for-10 from the field and made 1-of-2 free throws for nine points. He hauled in nine rebounds, dished out three assists, and had two steals. He also blocked six shots, a summer league record. On the next day, he went 7-for-13 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line for a total of 16 points. He also hauled in 15 rebounds and blocked four shots.
On July 9th, Miles went 3-for-4 form the field and 3-for-4 from the free throw line for nine points. He hauled in seven rebounds, blocked a shot, and had two steals. In his final summer league game on July 11th, he went 3-for-6 from the field and missed his only free throw. He scored six points and hauled in seven rebounds, while blocking a shot.
