SALT LAKE CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder lost 102-92 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday in Game 1 of the Salt Lake City Summer League. Here are three takeaways from the game.
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Processing and Promises by Ajay Mitchell and Dillon Jones
Sweaty hands, anxious decisions, general nervousness — these are normal symptoms for players stepping onto the big stage for the first time, and for a moment, it seemed like Ajay Mitchell was no exception in his Thunder debut.
Philadelphia's pressure defense stretched from one end of the court to the other, right up to the Oklahoma City jerseys, but it was unusual given the atmosphere. The Sixers didn't seem too concerned with how Dillon Jones or Mitchell would hold up in the pick-and-roll.
For at least a few minutes, Mitchell looked rushed, starting his dribble early but stumbling, then once he settled, the spot was his.
Mitchell made a number of dump-down passes and got to the baseline before making a play. His shots, only being taken from his position, began to fall. He finished with 14 points and four assists on 6-of-10 shooting. He had four turnovers after two in the first quarter.
Jones also made good reads early on. His timing and decisions to make passes seemed second nature. It was as if Larry Johnson had been living the life of a point guard in his body.
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“For two rookies, I thought they did a good job of leading the team in those game phases, and they did that regardless of the outcome,” coach Cam Woods said.
And yet, as the first half drew to a close, Jones looked angry at himself, as if he wanted to get into scoring positions but couldn't, as if he didn't create enough situations for his teammates to score.
“He's a guy who, like the rest of our team, holds himself to very high standards and competes at a very high level,” Woods said of Jones. “The reason I respect him and a lot of the guys on our team is because they're really caring people.”
Jones finished with nine points (4-of-11), 10 rebounds, seven assists and five turnovers.
His guard background comes into play at times, when he uses his off-hand to throw a hook pass to the opposite wing while dribbling, or slips in a short roll pass that gives his team its best chance ever, or unleashes a lob pass that shouldn't have been thrown.
Jones reads too quickly; his passes often fall into unprepared hands for what feels like differential processing; and on rare occasions, it seems as though the teacher wants students to rush through and pronounce the words aloud.
As Monday progressed, Jones proved to be flawed as a ball-handler — he miscalculated an outlet pass, threw one just out of reach — but with every other read, he confirmed what he'd thought entering summer league.
“The way I see the game is reflected at this level,” Jones said. “The way I rebound is reflected at this level. I think once the game calms down a little bit, I'll sell it more.”
“My job is to make sure my effort is there. I have to play a different role. Now I have the ball in my hands. Who knows if that's my role or not. So it's all about making sure my effort is there. That's all I want to make sure of.”
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A relaxing day with Ousmane Dieng
The Thunder have just one lottery pick on their summer league roster.
Two years removed from being drafted, he was named G League Finals MVP and is just entering a crucial third year, Ousmane Dieng remains a very important variable for the Thunder.
His third season, which could change his and the Thunder's trajectory, acts as a pendulum of sorts. If the silver ball swings left, it raises the idea that Dieng could be a rotational power forward on a team that only approves background checks for key decision-makers these days. If the opposite ball soars into the air, it shakes up Dieng's status as a developing 21-year-old on a championship-contender team.
The start of summer league play on Monday seemed like the perfect opportunity for Dieng to stand out as the team's most experienced player.
Dieng's teammates put him in good positions — Jones put him on a short roll early in the second half, and Mitchell found him in the first half for a clear lob pass to everyone but the defense — but Dieng didn't jump out every time he had the ball.
He shot just 3 of 14 on Monday, his many early pick-and-roll opportunities were thwarted and the long range and smooth speed that have been his strengths for most of his G League games just didn't work out for him on Monday.
“His goals are the same as everybody else's — to come here, compete, contribute to the team and have some good days,” coach Cam Woods said.
“What's interesting is that you have a guy like him, he's in his third year, you have a rookie who has the same goals, but it just goes to show how important those things are no matter where you are in your career.”
Dieng will have a chance to prove that his appearance on Monday was an exception, but his debut in Salt Lake City did little to satisfy the expectations of those hoping he would be part of the Thunder rotation.
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Adam Flagler's Green Light
There's a reason Cam Woods trusts Adam Flagler.
Flagler was in the net for much of last season on his way to a G League title, shooting 39.8% from 3-point range on 7.2 attempts, good enough to eventually prompt the Thunder to change his contract to a two-way.
Monday's game was a 48-minute trust fall.
First, Flagler tried a catch-and-shoot from the hash marks, then, threatened by a rotating defense, quickly drained a 3-pointer through a small gap. In the end, it all worked out.
Flagler made 6 of 14 3-pointers and scored a team-high 18 points.
The catch-and-shoot, the transition, the pull-up threes — Flagler did enough to make the Delta Center ring finally fall in love with him.
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OKC Thunder Salt Lake City Summer League Schedule
All times are Central Standard Timee
- Monday: 76ers 102, Thunder 92
- Tuesday: vs. Utah Jazz, 8 p.m. (ESPN2, 98.1 FM)
- Wednesday: vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 6 p.m. (NBATV, 98.1 FM)