LAS VEGAS – The LA Clippers lottery picks from the NBA Draft made their debut on Friday night as the 2018 NBA Summer League hit the 112 degree weather of Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Game 1 for LA was a 77-71 loss at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, but it was a valiant effort by a Clippers team that was playing their first game together against a team that just wrapped up four games in the California Classic up in Sacramento.
Shai Gilgeous Alexander finished his first game as a Clipper with 13 points, two rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. Although he struggled shooting for the night, going just 5-for-19 from the field and 1-of-5 from beyond the arc in 27 minutes of action, the 11th overall pick in the draft looked very poised, focused, and aware of the different situations on the floor. He got a few unlucky bounces on some floaters around the rim and was even forced to take some shots late in the shot clock, but he was still happy with the team's first game together.
“I feel like I got to my spots and got the shots that I usually do make,” said Gilgeous-Alexander after the game. “[Have to] get used to the physicality. Those shots change when it's a stronger and more athletic defender. Just getting used to that will be the next thing for me, and once that happens, I'll be good.
“I think we played pretty well together. Jerome played pretty good today, he hit a couple big shots for us going down the stretch. I feel like we played good together.”
One thing Gilgeous-Alexander admits was evident to him after the game is the physicality of the game, and said playing through that will be something he saw that he needs to get better at right away.
“Playing through the contact is the biggest one, definitely. The physicality of the pro-game is obviously different from college and getting used to that will be something I need to get better at.”
It was only one game, but Gilgeous-Alexander's length already sticks out. His counterpart, Josh Magette, finished with seven fouls in just under 28 minutes of action. Shai's 6-foot-6 frame towers over most point guards, his length alone makes him an intriguing defensive prospect, and at just 19 years of age, he's sure to grow a bit more too.
Meanwhile, combo guard Jerome Robinson finished with 12 points, one rebound, and two assists on 5-for-10 shooting in 25 minutes of action. He knocked down a pair of three-pointers, leading the team in that category. The 13th overall pick had a decent all-around game, and displayed some solid defense as well, something that he's been knocked for in the pre-draft process.
“I thought we did well for our first game offensively and defensively,” said Robinson after the game. “It was our first game, it was their fourth so they're gelled, they know how to play with each other. Getting that first one under our belt, being able to compete and almost come out with a win is something that you can look at as a good thing. I obviously want to get the win in the end.”
A lot of Robinson's actions in the opener came off of down screens, with him playing a bit of a Rip Hamilton role, in a sense. He knows that's not the only way he can get involved in the offense, and plans to attack more aggressively next game.
“They know I can do multiple things and just coming off screens like that is something that I can do,” said Robinson. “Coming off those screens, I still have the option to put the ball on the floor and make plays. Those were just some sets that we worked on at practice.
“I think I could've been more aggressive going to the basket, drawing some fouls. There were a lot of whistles blown during the game and I think I didn't take advantage of that. I missed a couple threes, but moving on to the next one is something you have do.”
Second year guard/forward Sindarius Thornwell led the way in scoring with 18 points while also adding 7 rebounds, 2 assists, two blocks, and a steal in 31 minutes of action.
Next up for the LA Clippers Summer League squad will be the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night at 8 PM PST at the Cox Pavilion.
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