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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Celtics veterans raved about new Rockets guard JD Davison
Celtics guard Derrick White on JD Davison: 'The way he manipulates the defense in the pick-and-roll is really high-level. Playing against him a lot in training camp, he was a hard guard.' Rockets guard JD Davison, who recently signed with Houston on a two-way deal, has played only sparingly in the NBA since being drafted in the 2022 second round. He's flourished in the NBA G League, where Davison won Most Valuable Player (MVP) last season while playing for the Maine Celtics (Boston affiliate). But based on the roster strength of the 2024 NBA champions, the 22-year-old never got an extended opportunity at the highest level. Yet, in practices and training camp appearances with the Celtics, the 6-foot-3 point guard clearly did enough to turn heads. 'You could tell he took it to another level in training camp,' All-Star guard Jaylen Brown told SB Nation's CelticsBlog. 'I think he's been able to learn from our guys, going against Payton [Pritchard], going against Jrue [Holiday], and Derrick [White].' 'He's gotten so much better, and that's credit to him. He's developed at a high rate.' Brown is far from alone in that assessment. From that same CelticsBlog story, published in April 2025, here's what some of his veteran Celtics teammates had to say. Al Horford: JD is a really good passer, and he has a really good feel for the game, especially when he's playing pick-and-roll. He's a real guard. He's able to kind of manipulate the defense. And then his ability to get to the basket, he's really explosive. ... When you come in here as a young player, or a guy that's trying to be on this team, you understand that you have to put in the work. And I think JD gets it. Derrick White: JD is probably our best lob thrower, just the way he manipulates the defense in the pick-and-roll is really high-level. Playing against him a lot in training camp, he was a hard guard. Jrue Holiday: You can tell anytime he comes back (from the G League), and we throw him out there — he's so comfortable. He fits right in. ... He's definitely going to be a really good NBA player. Horford told CelticsBlog that he views Davison's most NBA-ready skills as his playmaking and ability to get to the rim. 'He feels like Davison has grown increasingly comfortable with the parent club and that he's continued to commit to the everyday grind — lifting, his shooting times, and everything else that goes into getting better,' Noa Dalzell wrote of Horford. Davison was only available because Boston had to waive him this offseason in order to get underneath the second apron of the NBA's luxury tax. Yet, despite all that praise, it's far from a given that Davison will play with the Rockets. Houston has a deep roster and expects to contend for the 2025-26 NBA championship, and the plan is to give second-year guard Reed Sheppard every opportunity to be the backup point guard behind Fred VanVleet. As the No. 3 overall draft pick from the 2024 first round, Sheppard has significant pedigree and perceived upside. But if the Kentucky product underwhelms in training camp or early in the season, Davison and veteran Aaron Holiday are useful insurance policies for head coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone. Among qualifying G League players last season, Davison ranked second in scoring (25.1 points) and fourth in assists (7.5) on a per-game basis. More: Rockets sign JD Davison, Isaiah Crawford to two-way contracts
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Biggest Charlotte Hornets overreactions from 2025 NBA Summer League
The post Biggest Charlotte Hornets overreactions from 2025 NBA Summer League appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Charlotte Hornets are off to a perfect start at the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, going 3-0 with gritty wins over the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks. While the Summer League isn't always predictive of NBA success, it does offer a sneak peek at what might be – and fans have already started crafting their overreactions accordingly. Heading into the 2025 NBA offseason, the Charlotte Hornets had a clear objective – surround their young core with enough talent and stability to finally crawl out of the Eastern Conference basement. The Hornets selected four rookies in the 2025 NBA Draft, and all of them got their first opportunity to prove themselves during their summer league debuts. From KJ Simpson's burst scoring to Tidjane Salaun's all-around flashes, to Ryan Kalkbrenner's defensive dominance, the Hornets' 2025 rookie class has turned heads. But before we crown the next All-Rookie team, let's break down the early performances, followed by some good old-fashioned overreactions. KJ Simpson is the Hornets' future starting point guard Stats: 19 pts vs PHI, 21 pts vs UTH, 18 pts + 7 ast vs DAL He's been electric, averaging 19 points and five-plus assists per game while controlling pace and showing poise in late-game moments. Could he overtake Tre Mann or Vasilije Micić for backup duties this season? Don't be shocked if he plays real minutes by December. Tidjane Salaun will be a 2-way problem right away Stats: 16 pts vs PHI, 20 pts vs UTH, 6 pts vs DAL He's looking like a future star. His physicality, switchability, and shot mechanics have all popped. His stats don't jump off the page yet, but if you watched the games, his instincts scream 'future starter.' Overreaction? Maybe. But he looks like a mini-Pascal Siakam in motion. Ryan Kalkbrenner is the Hornets' defensive anchor Stats: 7 pts vs PHI (Game-saving block at the buzzer), 10 pts vs UTH, 9 pts vs DAL He's turning 'potential' into tangible defensive moments. Hornets might stash him as interior insurance all season. He's already had two games with multiple blocks and a game-winning swat. Kalkbrenner may not be flashy, but his positional awareness and shot deterrence are NBA-ready. Could he steal backup center minutes? Charlotte might already be debating it internally. Liam McNeeley is the most NBA-ready rookie on the roster Stats: 14 pts vs PHI, 22 pts vs UTH McNeeley has vaulted from rookie sleeper to instant impact, and could lead to real bench minutes right out of the gate. Efficient from deep, confident off the dribble, and calm in big moments — McNeeley has looked like a polished pro. He might not have the highest ceiling, but if Charlotte needs a floor-spacing wing off the bench, he's got the best case among the rookies. 'Yeah, it's been a while since I played my last game,' McNeeley said. 'The last game didn't go the way I wanted it to. Basketball is my favorite thing to do, so this was a blast.' Sion James is Herb Jones-lite Stats: 3 pts vs PHI, 8 pts vs UTH Viewed as defense-first glue, but these rotations show Charlotte's bench identity evolving – he'll need to prove he can swing games, too. The defense is real. The hustle is real. And the confidence is growing. Sion James might not crack the Hornets' rotation this season, but in a vacuum, he's looked like someone every playoff team would love to stash on the bench. It's early, but the vibes are elite. Kon Knueppel could be the best shooter on the roster Stats: 5 pts vs UTH, 16 pts vs DAL One double-double and he's now a rookie must-watch. If that's his floor, he might cement a rotation spot. He's hit multiple threes in all three games and looks automatic in rhythm. If Charlotte needs a sniper off the bench, Knueppel could become their go-to floor spacer. Final thoughts: Real optimism or summer mirage? Yes, it's Summer League. Yes, we've seen multiple players dominate in July before vanishing in October. But the Hornets have real cause for optimism, these aren't just raw athletes; they're smart, skilled, and role-ready prospects. If these games were any indication, the Hornets' rookie class is stealing headlines: KJ is orchestrating, McNeeley is dominant off the bench, Knueppel is rebounding and shooting, and Kalkbrenner is blocking buzzer-beaters. It's hype heaven, but remember, this is July, not December. Still… Charlotte's young core is giving us just enough reasons to dream. With the coaching staff experimenting with various combinations, the chemistry already forming between Simpson, Salaun, and McNeeley bodes well. The Summer League crown doesn't mean much, but for the Hornets, one of the NBA's youngest teams, it's about building belief. So far, mission accomplished. Related: Hornets add forward with Charles Lee ties on 2-way contract Related: LaMelo Ball gets major advice from Baron Davis
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Don't become fat' – Yang Hansen credits NBA journey to father's tough love and a troubled past
Yang Hansen. Image via: AFP Yang Hansen's journey to the NBA hasn't followed a typical path. At just 20 years old, the 7-foot-1 Chinese center has gone from being an overweight teenager in Zibo to becoming the Portland Trail Blazers' most surprising Summer League breakout. But the roots of his basketball story aren't built on early trophies or flashy mixtapes. They begin with a simple, blunt piece of advice from his father, as he specifically told the young Hansen to lose some weight. Yang Hansen says NBA dream began with father's tough love and a past he had to outgrow Long before Hansen became a first-round NBA Draft pick, 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies before being traded to Portland, his life was off track. He struggled in school, had no clear goals, and described himself as 'a little bit of a fat boy.' It was his father who pushed him toward sports, not out of ambition, but concern. 'My father told me to try some sports… My father told me: 'Don't become fat,'' Hansen recalled in an interview with The Washington Post. It was indeed a life-changing moment for Hansen. He picked up a basketball, started grinding in the gym, and never looked back. It started as a fight against weight, but it turned into a mission. Fast forward to Summer League 2025, and Hansen is now being dubbed 'Baby Jokic' by some fans and media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo With averages of 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game, he's turned doubters into believers. Yang Hansen finds joy in the NBA Hansen might be raw, but he's got vision, touch, and surprising court IQ. Portland coach Chauncey Billups praised his passing and called him 'a great connector.' His Summer League coach Ronnie Burrell highlighted Hansen's joy, noting how relaxed and playful he's been with teammates, especially during his John Cena 'you can't see me' celebration, which won him dinner from teammate Andrew Carr. Off the court, Hansen continues to lean on the wisdom of Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming. The Hall of Famer gave him parting advice before his move to the U.S.: 'Enjoy your food, enjoy your drinks, enjoy your sleep and enjoy everything.' Still, Hansen knows he has a long way to go. His defense needs polish, and his physical conditioning isn't quite NBA-ready. But he's taking it one step at a time. 'Be positive no matter where you go. Be happy, and try to have fun with everyone,' he said. Yang Hansen FAQs How did Yang Hansen start playing basketball? A: His father urged him to lose weight and try sports. That advice sparked his path to the NBA. Why is Yang Hansen compared to Nikola Jokic? A: His passing, vision, and all-around game as a 7'1" center earned him the 'Baby Jokic' nickname. What advice did Yao Ming give Yang Hansen? A: Yao told him to enjoy food, sleep, and life, reminding him to stay balanced and positive in the NBA. Also Read: Dwyane Wade reveals real reason why Los Angeles Lakers won't part ways with LeBron James despite swirling rumors Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Summer League Day 5: Johnny Furphy's legendary dunk, Kyle Filipowski, Jazz put on a show
We're into the second phase of Summer League, with a lot of the stars done, but not all. And those stars showed out on Monday. Johnny Furphy's legendary dunk This whole game was fun. The Bulls and the Pacers combined for the most entertaining game of the Summer League so far. Advertisement However, it was the Pacers' Johnny Furphy who stole the show with a legendary dunk. Poor Noa Essengue is about to be a meme. To be fair, Essengue scored 21 points, while Matas Buzelis showed why he is too good to still be playing in Summer League, scoring 28 points. It wasn't just those buckets; it was that the Bulls were getting theirs with flair in an up-and-down, fast-paced game. —Kurt Helin Spurs and Jazz put on a show The matchup between the Spurs and Jazz ended up being one of the best games of Summer League so far. Kyle Filipowski dominated early and often, knocking down three triples in the first four minutes of the game and finishing with 35 points, 11 rebounds and five three-pointers. He had a layup to give Utah a late lead before Dylan Harper tied it up to force overtime, and Filipowski also had a dunk with two seconds left in overtime to tie the game before Riley Minix nailed the game-winning shot at the buzzer. Filipowski has been fantastic through Summer League in both Utah and Las Vegas, and it wouldn't be shocking if they opted to shut him down for the remainder of the summer. With John Collins now in Los Angeles, Filipowski should be a key contributor for the Jazz this season. John Tonje made his Summer League debut for Utah and finished with 16 points and four three-pointers. The 24-year-old rookie shined at Wisconsin last season and could be an NBA-ready scoring option for the Jazz this year, though the amount of depth Utah has will make it difficult for him to earn minutes. Advertisement Carter Bryant continued to play high-level defense, and Dylan Harper was solid despite not being quite as good as he was against Dallas, but David Jones-Garcia was the star once again. He dropped 28 points in the win, which was his fifth-straight game scoring at least 20 points this summer. The only time he didn't reach 20, he finished with 18 points. Jones-Garcia has certainly played his way into at least a two-way contract, especially if he keeps this up. —Noah Rubin Other notes from Summer League • Kel'el Ware responds after Spoelstra's criticism. In his first game at the Las Vegas Summer League, Miami's promising young big man Kel'el Ware was uninspiring, scoring 10 points with six boards and kind of coasting through the game (it's a concerning sign when a guy who got so much run as a rookie does not dominate in Summer League). The next day, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra showed up at Summer League practice and had some pointed words for Ware: Advertisement "A big part of this is he has to really embrace and improve his professionalism, his consistency, his approach every single day. He has to get better with that. It's learning how to become a pro. I understand it. He was 20 last year, and he's 21. We have bigger expectations... "The professionalism and consistency has to improve, and it is. Our standards are not going to change, and our expectations and how fast we want that to improve for him are not going to change. But he has to get better at it, he has to take ownership of it, and the other stuff will come along with that." Ware got the message. He was much more intense and focused against the Cavaliers on Sunday, scoring 21 points on 8-of-14 shots, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. On Sunday, Ware had another strong game with 21 points and 15 boards against Boston. —Helin • Kon Knueppel looks better. Kon Knueppel struggled in his Summer League debut on Friday and then sat out on Saturday. However, he was finally able to get things going against the Mavericks. He made an impact in a variety of ways, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three three-pointers. He was solid on defense, created shots for his teammates and had a double-double after not recording one during his lone season at Duke. Oh yeah, and he can shoot too. —Rubin • Așa Newell's 3-point shot. Asa Newell hit four three-pointers on Sunday, which was an encouraging sign for his development. Deep-range shooting will be a huge swing skill for his future in the NBA. Advertisement On Monday, he only hit one, but it was clear the defense respected his shot. Early in the first quarter, he got his defender to jump on a pump fake, which set up a strong drive to the basket and a pair of free throws. Newell doesn't need to be an elite stretch big for the Hawks; they have Kristaps Porzingis for that. However, if he can at least space the floor enough for the defense to respect his shot, Trae Young and Jalen Johnson won't have any issues getting to the rim when Newell is in the game. Newell's lone shot from deep came late in the game to tie things up at 99, and he followed that up with a Euro step layup in transition to give Atlanta the lead. He finished with 14 points and six rebounds in the overtime victory. —Rubin • The highs and lows of Kobe Bufkin. Sure, there were plenty of mistakes, especially early, but Kobe Bufkin still had some positive aspects to his performance. He scored a game-high 25 points, including five of Atlanta's seven in overtime. However, he turned it over nine times and committed seven fouls. Yikes. Not what you want to see out of a first-round pick entering his third season. Bufkin would probably benefit from some extra games this summer. —Rubin Advertisement • Kennedy Chandler looking good. Kennedy Chandler continued to shine for the Rockets. He finished with 22 points, seven assists, and three steals and is now averaging 19 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game this summer. He had the ball in his hands a little extra with Reed Sheppard shut down for the rest of Summer League. Whether or not it's with Houston, Chandler has made a case to earn a two-way contract next season. —Rubin
NBC Sports
15-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NBA Summer League Day 5: Johnny Furphy's legendary dunk, Kyle Filipowski, Jazz put on a show
We're into the second phase of Summer League, with a lot of the stars done, but not all. And those stars showed out on Monday. Johnny Furphy's legendary dunk This whole game was fun. The Bulls and the Pacers combined for the most entertaining game of the Summer League so far. However, it was the Pacers' Johnny Furphy who stole the show with a legendary dunk. JOHNNY FURPHY MY GOODNESS 🤯🤯 Poor Noa Essengue is about to be a meme. 😵 To be fair, Essengue scored 21 points, while Matas Buzelis showed why he is too good to still be playing in Summer League, scoring 28 points. It wasn't just those buckets; it was that the Bulls were getting theirs with flair in an up-and-down, fast-paced game. —Kurt Helin SHOWTIME FROM YUKI & THE BULLS 🔥 CHI leads in the 4th... #NBA2KSummerLeague on ESPNU Spurs and Jazz put on a show The matchup between the Spurs and Jazz ended up being one of the best games of Summer League so far. Kyle Filipowski dominated early and often, knocking down three triples in the first four minutes of the game and finishing with 35 points, 11 rebounds and five three-pointers. He had a layup to give Utah a late lead before Dylan Harper tied it up to force overtime, and Filipowski also had a dunk with two seconds left in overtime to tie the game before Riley Minix nailed the game-winning shot at the buzzer. RILEY MINIX BUZZER BEATER FOR THE WIN 🚨 Spurs win a THRILLER in Vegas! Filipowski has been fantastic through Summer League in both Utah and Las Vegas, and it wouldn't be shocking if they opted to shut him down for the remainder of the summer. With John Collins now in Los Angeles, Filipowski should be a key contributor for the Jazz this season. Kyle Filipowski keeps his #NBA2KSummerLeague hot streak going 🔥 Jazz/Spurs is underway on NBA TV! John Tonje made his Summer League debut for Utah and finished with 16 points and four three-pointers. The 24-year-old rookie shined at Wisconsin last season and could be an NBA-ready scoring option for the Jazz this year, though the amount of depth Utah has will make it difficult for him to earn minutes. Carter Bryant continued to play high-level defense, and Dylan Harper was solid despite not being quite as good as he was against Dallas, but David Jones-Garcia was the star once again. He dropped 28 points in the win, which was his fifth-straight game scoring at least 20 points this summer. The only time he didn't reach 20, he finished with 18 points. Jones-Garcia has certainly played his way into at least a two-way contract, especially if he keeps this up. —Noah Rubin DAVID JONES BREAKING ANKLES IN SL!!! Other notes from Summer League • Kel'el Ware responds after Spoelstra's criticism. In his first game at the Las Vegas Summer League, Miami's promising young big man Kel'el Ware was uninspiring, scoring 10 points with six boards and kind of coasting through the game (it's a concerning sign when a guy who got so much run as a rookie does not dominate in Summer League). The next day, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra showed up at Summer League practice and had some pointed words for Ware: 'A big part of this is he has to really embrace and improve his professionalism, his consistency, his approach every single day. He has to get better with that. It's learning how to become a pro. I understand it. He was 20 last year, and he's 21. We have bigger expectations... 'The professionalism and consistency has to improve, and it is. Our standards are not going to change, and our expectations and how fast we want that to improve for him are not going to change. But he has to get better at it, he has to take ownership of it, and the other stuff will come along with that.' Ware got the message. He was much more intense and focused against the Cavaliers on Sunday, scoring 21 points on 8-of-14 shots, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. On Sunday, Ware had another strong game with 21 points and 15 boards against Boston. —Helin Blocks, dunks, triples, lobs, intensity, you name it… Kel'el was showing it all tonight • Kon Knueppel looks better. Kon Knueppel struggled in his Summer League debut on Friday and then sat out on Saturday. However, he was finally able to get things going against the Mavericks. He made an impact in a variety of ways, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three three-pointers. He was solid on defense, created shots for his teammates and had a double-double after not recording one during his lone season at Duke. Oh yeah, and he can shoot too. —Rubin catch & shoot kon 😮💨 #NBASummer • Așa Newell's 3-point shot. Asa Newell hit four three-pointers on Sunday, which was an encouraging sign for his development. Deep-range shooting will be a huge swing skill for his future in the NBA. On Monday, he only hit one, but it was clear the defense respected his shot. Early in the first quarter, he got his defender to jump on a pump fake, which set up a strong drive to the basket and a pair of free throws. Newell doesn't need to be an elite stretch big for the Hawks; they have Kristaps Porzingis for that. However, if he can at least space the floor enough for the defense to respect his shot, Trae Young and Jalen Johnson won't have any issues getting to the rim when Newell is in the game. Newell's lone shot from deep came late in the game to tie things up at 99, and he followed that up with a Euro step layup in transition to give Atlanta the lead. He finished with 14 points and six rebounds in the overtime victory. —Rubin Asa Newell slow step in transition • The highs and lows of Kobe Bufkin. Sure, there were plenty of mistakes, especially early, but Kobe Bufkin still had some positive aspects to his performance. He scored a game-high 25 points, including five of Atlanta's seven in overtime. However, he turned it over nine times and committed seven fouls. Yikes. Not what you want to see out of a first-round pick entering his third season. Bufkin would probably benefit from some extra games this summer. —Rubin • Kennedy Chandler looking good. Kennedy Chandler continued to shine for the Rockets. He finished with 22 points, seven assists, and three steals and is now averaging 19 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game this summer. He had the ball in his hands a little extra with Reed Sheppard shut down for the rest of Summer League. Whether or not it's with Houston, Chandler has made a case to earn a two-way contract next season. —Rubin Aggressive drive from Kennedy Chandler for the and-1 😤 Hawks vs Rockets #NBA2KSummerLeague play is on NBA TV!
