Summer League Film Breakdowns: The Top 6
Some quick feedback and film analysis from the highly-touted draft prospects that played in Las Vegas
Summer League 2022 was incredibly fun. So many young players showed out — from highly-touted rookies to second-year pros, undrafted free agents to surprise second-rounders. The previews we saw into what these stallions can do will help shape the rest of the offseason and perhaps be evident on an NBA floor this winter.
Our intent was to write and show the film on all of the prospects in the top-ten. Injuries reared their ugly head and robbed us of that opportunity. Shaedon Sharpe and Dyson Daniels didn’t make it through one full game before getting shut down due to injury. Jeremy Sochan never got to Las Vegas after a bout of COVID and a hamstring issue. Johnny Davis even tweaked his ankle at the end of the week.
Still, the top six were on full display in Las Vegas and we got a great look into what each will bring to the table for their franchise over the next four years. To be honest, all six looked great — showing elite flashes in several areas and justifying the order at the top of the draft.
We’ll break down the film clips (mostly positive clips) in our segments below, then give one area of improvement for each prospect between now and the start of the regular season based on what they showed at Summer League and their overall body of work pre-draft.
#1 - Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Two games.
That’s all Paolo Banchero got to play before the Orlando Magic decided to shut him down for the summer. The dominance that Banchero displayed in those two games was outstanding. Offensively, he showed that he’s ready for a major role in the offense and will be Orlando’s top option of attack.
Playing through Banchero yielded a lot of great results for the Magic, albeit with a slowed-down, heliocentric style of play. Banchero was physical in commanding mismatches, then decisive in punishing them. He does so at the basket, from the mid post, the elbows, and the top of the key. He shot 50% from 3-point range, was good on-ball and off-ball, and got to the free throw line a staggering 10 times per game.
Worries about Banchero’s defense appeared a little overzealous. While the Magic committed to playing him more at the 5 this summer — and it’s still unclear if he’ll play there a lot in the regular season — he doesn’t have a natural position to guard. What Banchero showed was that, if engaged, he’s very active and able to do enough to keep guys in front or contest shots.
Overall, this was a superstar-making showcase from Banchero. His game-winning assist against the Kings was one of many solid passes he had throughout the week, and the combination of playmaking and scoring he has in the half-court has potential to the highest degree.
Area of Improvement: Proactive playmaking
Banchero is going to be zeroed in on quite a bit as a rookie, especially considering he figures to be the top option in Orlando on offense from day one. Double teams, shrunk floors, extra attention… they’ll all find Paolo. His eight-turnover game against Sacramento is proof that for all his great playmaking prowess he can still be a half-step late at times to make a kick. The best superstars are the ones who make those reads and passes before or just as the defense makes a rotation, not afterward. The rest of Paolo’s game is incredibly polished and mature for his age, and the defense is going to be fine.