NBA Summer League: Warriors take on Lakers looking for their first win in Vegas play

In their first game of NBA Summer League, the Warriors lost in heart breaking fashion. Even after putting 7’6” Mamadou Ndiaye on the inbounder—trying to block the pass—the Warriors still fell at the buzzer as Jonathon Simmons made a last second layup.

1.) It’s Summer League and none of this matters.

2.) Nice shot.

Pat McCaw was a bright spot on the Warriors’ team in the game, as he shot the ball with authority and dominated his (former hometown) court.

In an atmosphere dominated by rumors, partying, and shiny flash lights, the basketball so far at Summer League has been horrendous. I feel like I’m watching a group of people who are each trying to blow their shots in a series of amplified manners. Oh, you missed that layup?? Well, check this out! I’m not throwing shade at the Warriors, more just commenting on the level of play that we’ve been forced to watch up til this point in the week in Vegas.

After the game, the other night, Jarron Collins and Pat McCaw spoke to us assembled media members and addressed the reality.

I asked Jarron about Kuzmic.

“Yeah, big Kuz. Obviously, I’ve worked with him in the past. It was good to see him out there, banging with them. Getting rebounds and what not. It’s always good to see Kuz out there.”

About Pat McCaw, Collins said, “Obviously he’s a very young player, he has great length, he has a great feel for the game. He can shoot the basketball, you know, three and D guy. But he has the ability to put the ball down on the floor and play make a little bit. So, his skills will continue to develop and we’ll continue to work with him, and the confidence is already there for a talented young man.”

Pat himself then addressed the media, and reflected on his first professional game. I wanted to see how he envisioned himself fitting in with the Warriors, alongside Durant, Curry, Green, and Klay.

“I think just continuing to work,” he said in regards to my question asking how he’d fit amongst such superstars. “I’m always going to play with that chip on my shoulder. Nothing has ever been given to me, so, I love to work, I love to get better. Just gonna go out there and play my game, but be a teammate, and play the right way.”

Will any player outside of McCaw make next season’s Warriors team? Tonight’s game might hold some of the answers.