The top three selections of the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr., made their appearances in the NBA Summer League, both making highlights and showing shortcomings.
Banchero displayed great ability to launch offense by himself in the Orlando Magic. By exploiting his solid skills, size, power and athleticism, he can drop good numbers in his rookie season.
Holmgren was considered to be a future Defensive Player of the Year and he was performing excellently denying shots for the Oklahoma City Thunder in some of the games. However, he was also dominated by undrafted Kenneth Lofton Jr. in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Smith Jr. is the best 3-point shooter of the three, but unlike the other two, he lacks the ability to create his own shots. That's why his role in the Houston Rockets is limited because he often has to wait for Jalen Green or others to feed him on the offensive end.
Paolo Banchero (#5) of the Orlando Magic posts up in the NBA Summer League game against the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 7, 2022. /CFP
Chet Holmgren (R) of the Oklahoma City Thunder blocks a shot by Aleem Ford (L) of the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 11, 2022. /CFP
Jabari Smith Jr. (#1) of the Houston Rockets shoots in the NBA Summer League game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 11, 2022. /CFP
Host: Li Xiang
Guest: Matthew Watson
Cover designer: Feng Yuan
Chief editor: Chen Ran
Supervisor: Zhang Shilei
(Cover: (L-R) Paolo Banchero of Orlando Magic, Chet Holmgren of Oklahoma City Thunder and Jabari Smith Jr. of Houston Rockets pose for a photo. /CFP)