Hornets guard KJ Simpson is embracing his function as the first initiator on Charlotte’s summer time league staff after lacking his rookie summer time league final 12 months, writes Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer.
The Hornets’ roster is loaded with guards, and Simpson is conscious needing to develop into extra constant along with his offense if he needs to discover a function with the staff this 12 months.
“I do know I’m a method higher shooter and method higher environment friendly scorer than I used to be through the season,” Simpson says. “Simply being extra environment friendly, taking higher photographs and higher determination making, that may at all times enhance.”
Simpson additionally is aware of that he’s bought to be a pest defensively if he needs to earn his place on the court docket. One participant he’s trying to for inspiration in that search is the Pacers’ T.J. McConnell, whose recreation tape he has been expecting inspiration, together with McConnell’s tendency to choose up full-court defensively.
“T.J. is an effective instance that he simply goes on the market coronary heart over peak, and I simply need to go on the market and show I can do the identical factor at that very same stage.”
We’ve got extra from across the Southeast division:
- After being referred to as out by Warmth head coach Erik Spoelstra for his lackluster Summer time League begin and general strategy, second-year massive man Kel’el Ware responded in a significant method on Sunday night, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Ware ended his fourth Summer time League recreation with 21 factors, 9 rebounds, and three blocks whereas taking pictures 2-3 from three, although Jackson notes that extra remains to be wanted by way of consideration to element on the defensive glass and transition protection. “He’s the coach and he has that belief in me and he needs to see me be the most effective I might be,” Ware stated after the sport. “So I took it as motivation.” Summer time League coach Eric Glass appreciated what he noticed, saying, “When he is available in with that focus and that depth, the remainder of his recreation blossoms. He has that potential and we need to see him do it once more tomorrow.”
- Jacob Toppin is hoping to construct off a robust begin to Summer time League with the Hawks, writes Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Structure. Toppin’s pace and athleticism with the ball has stood out throughout his play, and Summer time League coach Bryan Bailey has observed. “Clearly, his dimension, his size and talent to shoot the ball,” Bailey stated. “We even noticed (Friday) within the recreation, simply within the fourth quarter, he can push the ball. He can dribble. So we bought him as a weapon in transition. Simply hold creating these issues.” The Hawks have a roster loaded with athletic wings, however Toppin is aware of what he must do to show himself definitely worth the funding. “On the defensive finish, being a menace, having the ability to guard one among 4, protecting guys in entrance,” he stated. “Offensively, being that athletic wing who’s going to run the ground area, make open photographs and stuff like that.”
- Shedding within the first spherical for a second consecutive 12 months helped persuade Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley that extra assist was wanted, not simply on the roster, however on the teaching employees as effectively, writes Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. That led the staff to rent God Shammgod and former Bucks’ assistant Joe Prunty. “What they convey is expertise,” Mosley stated. “They bring about a stage of participant relationship that they’ve developed over time all through being within the league all these years. For our employees, they proceed that connectivity that we’ve.” Mosley has labored with each coaches earlier than, Shammgod in Dallas and Prunty in Cleveland, and he’s excited for what the 2 can carry to the staff. “Sham, extra on the teaching facet, having the ability to dissect among the offense, the person motion and performs of men,” Mosley stated. “Joe’s going to be tasked extra with the offensive focus, offensive move of the best way wherein we’re taking part in.”
