Okafor Leads Top Performers From Day 1 Of Utah Summer League
KAREEM COPELAND, AP Sports Writer
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Top performers from Day 1 of Utah Jazz Summer League:
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76ers center Jahlil Okafor: The No. 3 overall pick of the 2015 draft started off slow, but finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in his NBA debut. He was fluid in the post during the second half and showed touch on his jumpers.
"His heart is so pure that he probably pressed," 76ers summer league coach Billy Lange said. "Once he settled in in the third quarter and we started drawing plays up for him ... I thought he did really, really well."
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Spurs guard Dairis Bertans: The Latvian rookie scored a team-high 19 points and knocked down 5 of 8 3-point baskets. He also handed out three assists and grabbed two rebounds. Bertans tossed the game-winning alley-oop to Livio Jean-Charles, giving the Spurs a two-point lead with 8.2 seconds left.
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Celtics guard Marcus Smart: The No. 6 pick of the 2014 draft looks stronger and he didn't hesitate to bully his way into the paint over and over again. He finished with 26 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals.
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Jazz guard Dante Exum: The No. 5 pick from last year's draft was more aggressive than he was as a rookie — something coach Quin Snyder encouraged last season. Exum finished with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists before having to be helped off with a sprained left ankle. Exum will be evaluated Tuesday.
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Jazz guard Rodney Hood: The No. 23 pick of the 2014 draft showed a little bit of everything Monday. His all-around game was smooth, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists and two steals. He consistently made plays on every level.
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