Players to watch during LA Clippers Summer League
As fans reach the dog days of the NBA offseason, the need to satisfy their desire to watch NBA basketball reaches critical status. For LA Clippers fans, considering that their ball club came up short during this past season’s play-in round, their thirst for turning on their television set and watching their hometown team step foot onto the court has resulted in a frustratingly long wait.
Nevertheless, with the Summer League officially kicking off, fans from around the NBA will be given a glimpse into their squad’s future.
Although LA figures to be firmly entrenched in the championship mix with the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and the newly signed John Wall, several players on their Summer League squad will be aiming to make an impact in their summer showcase, with the hopes of earning substantial minutes in the regular season.
With 14 NBA newbies plastered to their Summer League roster, Clipper fans will be forced to rewind the tape on their college days in order to refresh their memory of what they bring to the table. As their Summer League tour officially kicks off on July 9th, we’ll dive in and give you the rundown on which players you should keep an eye on.
Brandon Boston Jr.
For most of Brandon Boston Jr.’s rookie season, the former second-round draft pick languished toward the end of LA’s bench. But, as the perpetual and consistent injury bug began plaguing his team, coach Ty Lue ushered his rookie into the line of fire.
At times, Boston appeared lost on the court. In other instances, he was ostensibly overwhelmed. Still, despite his incredibly slender frame, Boston had his moments.
With an incredibly depleted roster, Boston placed his Clipper teammates on his back as he pushed them over the winning finish line against the Boston Celtics during a midseason game. Boston was unstoppable on the night, scoring 27 points, while picking the pockets of numerous Celtics players, resulting in four steals.
As one of the few players on LA’s Summer League roster with meaningful NBA minutes under his belt, Boston should shine. The former Kentucky Wildcat is slithery as he makes his way to the basket and unrelenting on the defensive end. Also, Boston’s ability to create his shot against elite-level competition in the NBA should be accentuated against his Summer League rivals.
Boston should stand out in comparison to his Clipper peers. While it’s unlikely that he plays a significant role during the regular season, coach Ty Lue knows that the now second-year player is capable of contributing if need be.