The final of the 2014 Summer League was between the Sacramento Kings and the Houston Rockets. Fortunately, for the Kings, Ben McLemore awoke from his slumber and nailed a three to give the Kings the lead, which helped them to close out the game and win 77-68.
Coming into the final, both teams had reasonable form.
The Kings had beaten the Washington Wizards, who had the tournament MVP Glen Rice Jr in their semifinal, while the Rockets defeated the Charlotte Hornets in their semifinal. The Kings were led throughout this year’s Summer League by second-year players Ray McCallum and the fore-mentioned McLemore, while the Rockets best players in this year’s Summer League were second year player’s Isaiah Canaan, Donatas Motiejunas and Rookie Nick Johnson.
The standout player in the final was Sacramento Kings point guard Ray McCallum.
McCallum has really improved his jump shot from last year and he has a lot more confidence in his offense. McCallum entered the NBA as a pass-first point guard where teams would sag off him and allow him to shoot. If he is able to transfer his Summer League form through to the NBA regular season, teams will pay him more respect on the offensive end.
McCallum was matched to some point by Isaiah Canaan, the Rockets combo guard, who has a lot of confidence and was seen as the best closer in the Summer League. He didn’t quite match McCallum who finished with 29 points, but still ended the game scoring 15 points.
Disappointingly for the Kings, their first-round draft pick from last year in McClemore hasn’t progressed and still struggles with his all-round game when his shot isn’t falling.
The success of the Sacramento Kings in the Summer League is probably their only highlight on the horizon, as their NBA roster looks a complete mess.