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SALT LAKE CITY — Three thoughts on the Jazz's 86-75 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers from KSL.com's Utah Jazz beat writer, Andy Larsen.
1. Lyles vs. Simmons matchup
Perhaps the premier matchup of the Utah Jazz Summer League happened in the Huntsman Center Thursday night, as Trey Lyles and Ben Simmons were matched up against each other. Interestingly, both succeeded and struggled in their own ways.
Simmons only scored six points on the night, but that significantly understates his influence on the game. The Jazz's strategy was to back off of Simmons, taking advantage of his reluctance to take jump shots, but Simmons used that space to find passing lanes for others. He picked up six assists and would have had a lot more had the Jazz not sent player to the free-throw line, or his teammates missed wide open shots.
First half dimes from @BenSimmons25#SummerSixershttps://t.co/c6ZF6Wz6HA — Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) July 8, 2016
He also showed off an excellent handle with several highlight-reel plays.
He'll struggle more in the NBA in finding open guys and keeping the ball, but if the Sixers really do plan on playing him at point guard, or keeping the ball in his hands primarily, they could have some real success. Whether or not he becomes a superstar depends on the development of his jumpshot and driving ability, though.
Lyles (and Tibor Pleiss, switching as necessary) did a pretty good job on Simmons defensively, better than his game one Celtics opponents. Lyles was clearly excited for the matchup (he told us after the game that they had played against one another in high school), and it showed with his best defensive focus of the league.
Lyles probably tried to do too much on offense, though, taking it to Simmons and then struggling against the No. 1 pick's size and quickness. Lyles ended up shooting 4-17 for the night, though he did get to the line 12 times. With a better bench this season, Lyles will often be the fourth option: he'll undoubtedly recognize that and take better shots next to Joe Johnson, Alec Burks, Boris Diaw and company.
2. Joel Bolomboy hasn't shown much of anything yet
One big question for this summer league was whether or not Joel Bolomboy could earn himself a spot on the eventual 15-man roster. With a great showing, he could have played himself on the roster and forced the Jazz to make a hard decision about Pleiss' guaranteed contract.
Alas, he hasn't been good. He's scored 11 total points (on 3-11 shooting), and picked up 8 total rebounds in his 44 minutes of play so far. He hasn't shown the thirst for the ball on the glass that was a go-to skill in college, and hasn't had much of a chance to flash his great athleticism in a positive way. His jumpshot hasn't really been falling, either.
His two best plays have been in post-up situations, but it's hard to imagine that being something he does in the modern NBA at all. He's now a -39 through three games, partially because his team defense isn't stacking up.
Coach Johnnie Bryant emphasized that there are at least 5 summer league games in Vegas left for Bolomboy to become more comfortable with professional basketball. For those games, the pressure will be on, or else Bolomboy will probably have to decide between signing a D-League contract or moving overseas.
3. Summer league moves to the Huntsman Center
It's a little bit unusual for a 3-game tournament to move locations during the course of less than a week, but it was made necessary by an event at Vivint Arena that was booked before the Jazz's scheduled plans to restart a summer league in Salt Lake City.
Huntsman was fine, though I think players generally liked playing in a real NBA arena better. Bryant, a star here at the University of Utah, noted that it was weird to approach the scorer's table and not check into the game, as he did for three seasons in a Utes uniform.
Next year, though, the entire summer league may take place at Huntsman. Arena renovations may be well underway by that point, and if they are, then the Jazz will have to play it at Huntsman once again. Jazz officials have already spoken to Huntsman about the possibility, I'm told.
