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Clippers Summer League: 5 takeaways from Orlando

By Pete D. Camarillo

Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Branden Dawson (22) warms up before game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Branden Dawson (22) warms up before game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brice Johnson (North Carolina) walks off stage after being selected as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brice Johnson (North Carolina) walks off stage after being selected as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Brice Johnson needs work

The Clippers drafted Brice Johnson at No. 25 overall, with the hopes that he could contribute immediately. Unfortunately, the UNC product may need more work.

In his first outing, Johnson said he played one of the worst games of his life. He finished with six rebounds and six points versus the Heat in game one. Johnson also racked up eight turnovers against the Knicks in their fourth Summer League contest. The rookie also finished the Orlando Summer League with a 1-for-13 shooting effort during a last place game versus the Knicks. However, Johnson came back with some flashes of potential over the week.

The former Tarheel scored 23 points in back-to-back games and scored nineteen points.  For the entire Orlando Summer League, Johnson averaged 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. He also racked up lots of highlights for media and NBA scouts.

Head coach Doc Rivers addressed Johnson’s play via NBATV.

"“’You’re going to have bad games,’” Rivers said he said to Johnson. “That’s one of the things I teach my guys all the time – you’ve got to be willing to go 0-for-40 to be a good basketball player, and go out there and play. No one’s mad at you for missing. I’m mad at you for thinking about the missing.”"

Clearly, the jury is still out on Johnson. Los Angeles knew they were getting an athletic forward. Regardless, Johnson will need to adapt to the speed of the game and limit those turnovers for a consistent role on the Clippers in the regular season.

Next: Branden Dawson Update

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