Summer Thoughts: Thunder 73, Magic 65
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Thunder beat the Magic 73-65 to go to 2-0 in summer league. Mitch McGary had 19, Semaj Christon was solid again, and Mario Hezonja is my new favorite player ever.
Here are five quick thoughts on the second game:
1. The Thunder’s roster isn’t all that intriguing right now. Man. It’s just not. These games are happening literally two feet in front of my face and I’m having a hard time staying interested. Watching Skinny Mitch play is intriguing because he’s clearly put in some work with his midrange, but with no Cameron Payne, it’s hard to get all that excited about Travis Bader and Frank Gaines.
2. Kevin Durant is still here. And Anthony Morrow and Dion Waiters joined him. It really is pretty great that Durant has not just spent one day, but now three at summer league. Maybe he doesn’t have much of a life outside of basketball, and you know what, good for him. He loves it, and wants to be around teammates and coaches as much as possible. It’s just very cool.
3. Mo Cheeks mentorin’. Cam Payne isn’t playing, but he’s learning plenty sitting next to Mo Cheeks on the end of the bench each game. Cheeks is talking to Payne constantly. Not as good as if Payne were playing, but it’s something.
4. Semaj Christon can play a little. Drafting Payne means Christon is destined to spend another year in the D-League (or maybe overseas), but the guy can absolutely play a little. He doesn’t have much of a jumper, but he can get to the rim and finish. He’s big, has long arms and plays decent-ish defense.
Christon won’t be joining the Thunder this year, but there is potential for him to be the third guard two years from now if D.J. Augustin leaves in free agency.
5. Dakari Johnson. He hasn’t really impressed me much thus far. He plods a bit, and doesn’t get off the floor with much explosiveness. He’s certainly big, and is active on the glass, but he just looks slow to me. He is a raw player and has a lot of room to grow, but outside of rebounding and being available for a dunk in the pick-and-roll, he’s got a long way to go.
