Chicago vs Toronto Raptors LIVE ON ESPN 4K | NBA 2K26 Summer League | NBA LIVE | NBA TODAY
His eyes in his face. Head at the rim. Smitty. Elevation. That’s not bad. Pretty used to jump like that in high school. Yeah, he did. He said, “Hello, Rim. How are you tonight?” Can we call that dunk face? Did you see that? Oh my goodness. Yes, man. Chicago, get stops. Get out and run. You get a lot of those plays, Chris. Future is bright for one. Modest Spazellis. He’s got nine points. Team with 29 on the board and they’re down by eight with four minutes to go here in the second. Down by eight. Wide turnovers because of the Raptors pressure. This zone has been confusing the Raptors for most of the day. Not there though. An off and one. No, an offensive foul on Mo. [Music] James Wade want to take a look at this one. That’s why I was a bit confused when he said he used his arm on the way up. All right, there’s a challenge on the play. We’ll take a look at that when we come back. You have a UTI at 30,000 ft. Good thing you can chat with an Amazon One medical provider from anywhere. 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Right hand. It didn’t push off. He smacked him in the face. It looks inadvertent from that angle. It does. It does, guys. And you know, at our league, inadvertent, accidental. Anything above the shoulders is normally a violation. Check it out again. To me, that’s a basketball play. If you’re going up, it’s excessive challenge. There’s a margin of contact to the face. Toronto has an opportunity to challenge one more time for the game. So, okay. So, it is an and one and they’ll head to the charity strike. So, not an offensive. No. So, Momo at the charity strike after the bucket counts and we resume action. They’re trying to figure this out. Yeah. So, they’re saying no foul shot and the basket counts. Are we sure? I mean, wait. They counted the basket. Okay. So they there’s no offensive foul, but he didn’t get fouled. 10-point game. 340 to go in the second quarter. And an offensive foul. Clear as day. That one goes against Who’s in the mix though? It looks like it went against ball shrew. Offensive foul. Walter spinning inside. The defense is there. Popla. So he commits the offensive foul but has the great defensive play to make up for it. Kamora pocket pass. Aldridge and it stays here. I mean they’re getting deflections. They’re sliding their feet. They’re drawing offensive fouls. The Raptors are creating havoc the Bulls right now. 11 seconds on the shot clock for the Bulls to try to get a shot up. And they struggle to get it in bounds. Kamura’s got to make something happen. Puts up the three back rim. Martin able to control it. Mo looking inside for Walter and it’s a foul on Kymore. That’s a good job by Walters. Understood he had a smaller defender and went right down to the post. Jacobe Walter 64 took advantage of his size for sure. And Walter having a good start to this one. Seven points but had the first bucket of the game and has made an impact. 6’4 versus 5’8. Is he 5’8? I think he’s there. Okay. We had this conversation with Maris yesterday, right? About him. You didn’t think he was 5’7. Cmore is a little taller. Shed kicking it out to Martin. Pelis challenges, but Martin with the lefty floater over the outstretched hand. Another turnover. So, the Bulls have committed 16 turnovers that have led to 19 points for the Raptors. Almost half their points coming off turnovers. There’s just an excellent job from a several guys with the Raptors, but it’s led by Jamal Shed for me. Walter defended by a sing. The Bulls out of that zone going manto man and a sing comes up with the steal. The rookie ahead to Freeman Liberty looking for the end one. He’ll have to earn him. He tried to do that little dance to will that ball in. Yeah, he was trying. I mean, he hung up in the air. couldn’t get it to fall. Good kick ahead to Liberty. They spent last season with the Windy City Windy City Bulls. Their one year in the NBA with Toronto. They played 22 games with the Raptors the previous season. Has a good size for a point guard. 6’4 190. Played 34 minutes a game. Averaged 20 in the G- League. But he’s kind of one of those guys that has that production in the G- League, trying to earn that way, make it translate into the NBA. What a nice job out here today for the Chicago Bulls. If you look at eight points as a rebounds played, a very nice control game. The Bulls need more offense. They’re down by 10. Two minutes to go here in the first half. They’re back in the zone. Walter attacking. Mobile kicks it out in the corner. Cashing out his battle. O with the tape. Can’t get it to fall. Shed saves it and the Raptors once again they have numbers in transition. Walter pulls up bottom of the rim. How fighting inside for the board. Yuki trying to get it away. is all over the place. Alter from the corner short. Kamura going the other way. Bazel for three. Over the hand. Shamsh with the board. One minute to go here in the first half. Walter loses it. Freeman Liberty on the break. He loses it the other way. Yeah, that’s that’s the maturity. That’s the next step for a lot of these guys. Slow down, read the next play. One mindset for a lot of these guys is to go score, but you had another guy running on the wing. Make the easy play. So action. They started running the play before the ball was ready to be inbounded. Bzelis gets it in the corner. Looking for the dribble handoff action. Offensive foul. Looks like it’ll go against the rookie Aldridge. That’s plays made by the Raptors defenders. They are trying to blow up screens. any dribble handoff, any screens they’re trying to fight through with speed and strength. That’s where you got to back door. Use the pass. Use your IQ on the basketball side where you see a guy running that hard. Just back door. Mo double crossover. The pass inside too hot for Shamsh Battle. Nice soft touch. It’s the largest lead of the game. 15 for the Raptors. Freeman Liberty. Nice. Made it look easy. Kamora pushes shed. These two have had a lot of contact far away from the basket. Shed didn’t like that one at all. Had the little look at Yuki. Yuki just says, “I’m going to keep coming.” And we know Shed is going to keep coming. 8sec difference shot clock, game clock. So, the Bulls should be able to get another possession. Lawson going baseline. Ran out of real estate, but Battle gets it back and attacks. Freeman Liberty has nowhere to go with Lawson all over him. Finds Kamura. Pazellis in the corner. Beats the buzzer but can’t get the bucket. So the Toronto Raptors outscore the Chicago Bulls 27-9 in the second quarter. They forced 18 turnovers, led to 21 points, and have complete control of this one at the half. Freeman Liberty with 10 points for the Bulls. Battle right back at you with 10 for the Raptors. Here you leave today. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] And Toronto’s top pick is not playing tonight. But let’s get a little bit closer to University of South Carolina’s Colin Murray Bulls. Knocked away by Murray Bo in defense and physicality for sure. Those are the biggest things that I’m bringing to a team. Just like getting stops, that’s what keeps my energy high in games and stopping my competitor. My brother, he was the only basketball player in my family. Just watching him growing up really inspired me from a very young age to pursue basketball and take it seriously. My girlfriend’s Chloe Kits plays on the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball team and she’s been a big part of my growth, especially over the last year. She says she got me. She says she beat me. So, she’s taking that and running with it. She knows that I know that she not better than me. And as you got a chance to look at Colin, look at those numbers. SEC freshman first team 2025 SEC second team and of course last year 16 and8 shot 59% from the field. Ninth pick, Bright Time Future. Coming right back, the Raptors up 48- 33 on the Chicago Bulls. more for 2K26 NBA summer league. [Music] [Music] [Music] 2K26 Summer League here on the campus of UNLV in Las Vegas. Two gyms here, Thomas and Mac. We are in Cox Pavilion and it was an explosive second quarter for the Toronto Raptors. They took control to get this 15-point lead. outscored the Bulls 27-9 in that second quarter after being down by three after one Smitty turning defense into offense creating havoc. I mean speeding up the Chicago Bulls getting them to turn it over and we’re going to see a couple of these highlights where as you can see here’s the steel and then they are finishing these steals with buckets. I mean they haven’t really shot it well other than they’re getting a lot of layups because of the lot of turnovers. only four for 15 from the three-point line, but when you get easy bucket after easy bucket, 21 points off the turnover, basically that’s the game. Yeah, forcing, like you said, 18 turnovers, also 30 points in the paint. Really just an incredible second quarter by the Raptors. We saw them with that platoon substitution going to different guys to get the job done. But for Toronto Raptors, Tubby Smith, there you go. Sorry I had to cut you off. That’s my guy right there, Tubby. legend in Kentucky and a lot of other places. Yes. Most of Memphis, most of Georgia. So, Smitty, when I look at the Toronto Raptors and it’s a new era for them, right? Because Messiah Jerry was their president. They won a championship with him and they signed some guys with some contracts who they’re committed to now, but under new management. Yeah, I’m looking really looking forward to seeing Brandon England with this group. And Bazel trying to get a bucket to start the second half. Another shot is up and he is three. Two for 10 from the field. Battle bucket. He has played a solid game. Jameson Battle has 13 points, 10 in that first half. Leading the way for the Raptors. Young thought about the jumper and it’s an offensive foul. It’ll go against turnover number 19. Jamal Shed again doesn’t mind giving up his body on those screening rolls. He just gets up under your knee. They’re running him over. Should we keep track of offensive fouls drawn? Whether you’re taking charges or what we saw in that play that needs to be tracked, right? Get credit for that. You got it. Mo going upstairs and loses it. Castleton on the second chance. That’s a no-fly zone either. And it’s a shot clock violation. So even though there were attempts, they’re saying the ball never hit the rim. Scotty Barnes is saying he absolutely saw the ball hit the rim. So they’re resetting the shot clock to side out of bounds. Yes. Back to 10 seconds. Walter coming off the screen, initiates the offense, but they got to go quick. Shed going all the way out the half court spin. Nice touch and a put back. That’s good job by him. So, the Raptors continuing that momentum from the first half. They open up a 20point lead. All the vets loving what they’re seeing from the young players here at the 2K26 Summer League. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Raptors looking at their chart going forward and there’s something that stands out. They have three guys that are going to make 27 million or more. Yaka Purle as we discussed earlier he just got an extension right he’s making close to 20. So they have a financial commitment to Brandon Ingram, Emanuel Clifton, RJ Barrett, Scotty Barnes going forward, but under new management. What do you make of that situation? Well, I think right now is they have a lot of talent that’s movable talent, but also talent that they play well. Uh is there a situation where they can make some noise? You look at the Eastern Conference right now is this is a team in Toronto that could come on with the Brandon Ingram, we know how talented he is, and Scotty Barnes, if healthy, they could be in the playoffs and make some noise. They have size, they have versatility, and I think being able to sign Yakapurto, having that big, that stability down there on the block, it’s definitely going to help them. Well, I see a lot of those guys and I go, “Okay, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Daniel Quickley, almost have similar games or play on a similar place on the floor.” It is. And I and I think that’s where definitely the coaching staff is going to have to work that out. Um, Brandon Ingram so versatile. Scotty Barnes can play a lot of the four because people don’t realize his size. He’s tremendous with his size and he likes to bang. Obviously skilled at that size that he has. And once again, you can see right now the Raptors just having their way because of another turnover early, but they did miss that shot. Well, the Raptors building that lead. It’s now up to 18 after that bucket by the Bulls. There’ll be a foul inside. Had to give that up on mobile. Didn’t just give up that late. So, you said you predict the Raptors could potentially make the play. Yeah, I think so. I I really think so. I I like what they’ve done in this summer. You know, there are some teams now in the Eastern Conference because of injuries who can knock them down, you know, a spot or two. So, the Raptors is the team I think can be sniffed in the playoffs. And the Bulls forcing a turnover, but Walter gets it back. Castle tossing it up. Momo throwing it down. Freeman Liberty. Nice vet move there. Looks like a vet out there. Calm, cool, collective. That’s 14 points for the Bulls. Moving without the ball. Walter is met with verticality. As with the rejection, great timing. Oh, good move. Young gets some hang and hit. [Applause] Some life by the Bulls. Was that the left hand? The left hand’s alive. So, the Bulls back in the zone. Mo, another turnover. Here we go for the Bulls. Prim Liberty fouled on the way up. [Applause] So for the Bulls, they were stagnant for a full quarter, if not a quarter and a half offensively and they got it going here in the third quarter, giving the Raptors a taste of their own medicine. Nice block shot. Watch this crossover and then finish like three said with the left. Job by Jir Young. Freeman Liberty. You know, for a guard that’s a good score, just 66% from the charity. Like to see that number go up from someone who plays that guard. That’s surprising where he shoots the basketball. I honestly thought it was a mistake. I looked at that number and hesitated. But a big opportunity here for the Bulls. We’ve seen some amazing comebacks. They seem poised to potentially make that happen here, but you got to do it now in the these six minutes here in the third quarter. Yeah, they do. Got to, you know, before the quarter over over at least being able to cut to about nine or 10 to really have some momentum going into that fourth quarter. Well, something Billy Billy Donovan told us in the second quarter that he doesn’t necessarily need to see him score a lot. He’s two foots in, but what else he brings to the table? Battle kicking it out in the corner. Walter tossing it up and that foul will go inside on Bazel. Yeah, you saw a great pass and Bllis was out of position. Nothing he could do but foul. Love the roll and love the pass by Lawson. So Shamsh returned after an MCL tier and cut his season short. So good to see him back on the floor. Just 20 minutes in six games in the G- League last season. The youngest in the 2024 draft, just 19 years old out of Cameroon home country to Pascal Seakum, Joel Embiid. There’ve been some guys that have come from Cameroon. You said just 19. Wow. 611 231. again handling the pressure from Lawson. Doing a good job bringing the ball up the floor. But the steal by Lawson as they try to pass it back. Walter the reverse. Count it and one. I mean the theme for the Bulls is turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. You can just see right here they are just handy the Raptors and then their speed and their attention to detail to convert these turnovers into buckets. So take us behind that a little bit more in that possession on a dribble handoff like that. Is that on the big trying to make the pass or is that on It’s on both. I think Pella is one you got to hold your guy off and I think also the big he’s just not comfortable in making that type of play so you should just hold it. But I think Pazellis gives him a little bit more of a passing lane by being more physical and holding off his defender. Young the floater just too light. As takes a seat. So for the rookie, 19 minutes, five points, and one rebound. Those five points were came at the end of the first when he found his rhythm a little bit. Hasn’t really touched it a lot in this second half at all. A delay of game warning as they try to get this figured out and get the action started. Freeman Liberty going baseline for the bucket. He’s got 18 points really carrying this offense. An easy 18 as we watch him play. Walter to the left. No. Shamsh also. No. Pazellis in transition. Loses that one. And a foul on Pazellis. As you saw Lawson kind of create the AJ Lawson and Sher, they are everywhere. Oh, watch this. Good defense by Walter. And then there’s Lawson. He’s not giving up that space. That move there. Then they sub in Martin. The tween tween and the three is short. Lawson coraling the offensive rebound. Shamsh nice touch by the young man with a nice little baby little jumper hook. He’s got a bright future. Freeman Liberty. All types of contact from Ed on the floor. to be side out for the Bulls. They need someone else outside of Freeman Liberty to get it going. Yeah, they do. Finds Young going baseline on Martin. Bazel bucket takes the lid off. You see the relief in his face. Yeah, he’s like about time. Good job by Young getting it out to the corner to Pazellis. Battle the hook pass inside. Lawson right back at you. [Applause] Handling the pressure, attacking the rim. Count it. Three the easy way now. three the hard way. I like him. I want to see more of that. Him handling the basketball and see the pressure and him make a play for himself or somebody else. And he did that on this replay. Let’s watch it. Craig go through the contact and finish. So you asked coach Donovan a question. I want your opinion on your own question. Watching Bazel last summer league, regular season, now in summer league, what do you think’s the best position for him at the NBA level? You know, they play position as basketball right now is I love him at the three right now, but I think because of how the league is played, he can put on some a little bit more weight, he will be a nightmare as a power forward. Right now, until he puts some weight and more strength, he has to stay at the three. Still 20 years old. Yeah, that’s what’s scary. I think that season with the G- League Ignite and then coming into the NBA, it’s almost you forget how young a player like he is. Yeah, you do because he plays, you know, like he’s like 25, 26 years old. Just needs more reps and also find his niche in the NBA. And I think because he’s so skillful, he’s trying out different things. Bazel right on Q getting a rebound. He’s got the last six points for the Bulls. Nowhere to go. Popppler bailed out by Shamsh and he’s trying to plead his case that he was there. He’s like, I was there. He came ran into me. Let’s see it again, Smitty, because it does feel like he has a case. Goes up straight. He does, but he came down with the hands. He’s like the hit in the hip force my hands down. I I kind of feel him on his case. Okay. See the next generation of NBA stars at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Tickets going fast. Get yours now at NBAvents.com. Tomorrow stars today. Putting on a show here at the 2K26 Summer. And what was a 20point deficit is now down to 13. Lawson attacking. Too easy. It’s just too easy. As you can see, the Bulls coaching staff is just shaking their head. The Raptors are not going to make it easy for for them to drive and make buckets at all. Bazel couldn’t remain hot. Lawson attacking Pazellis. Three opportunities and gets it to fall. So, another delay a game warning. We’ve seen it on both ends of the floor. So, Kyle Moore checking back in for the Bulls. He provided the spark in the first half. Their first round pick looking to check in on the next dead ball. Kamora a crosscourt pass. Bazel pocket pick, but he’s looking to get it back. Lawson all over the floor. And I love AJ Lawson. Heburn. Thought about the tray. Gets it out to Lawson who nails the tray. He deserved that one. 20point lead again. 18 points for Lawson. A lot of hands from that burn on Cowboy. So, the offense has picked up here in the third quarter, and it’s been good passes leading to good shots. Lawson lighting it up for the Raptors. Tropic Fanfest is on at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the NBA 2K 26 summer league. And you see that fan section for Yuki Kawa. You know, in Japan, he was named the B-League MVP in 2024 for the Memphis Hustle, 12 points per game, eight assists, led the G-League in assist one year, but also led Japan in assist. So, he’s pretty consistent and getting his teammates involved. Grill the find inside a way too strong. Walter pushing it the other way. Raptors love to push the pace. Lawson so hot he could heat the sun up. Your leading scoreer so far. 21 points off the bench. Four for five from long range. Grill giving it right back. Oh, another turnover. As gets the steal, but then turns it right back over with the charge. Remember that’s the sec second youngest player in the draft. Just three days older than Cooper. So Smitty, we were talking about him getting involved in tonight’s action. Five points, two for five from the field, but seeing him be aggressive sign. Not just offensively, uh, but I think for him is just get active, trying to get rebounds, trying to make steals. He’s not getting a lot of touches, but he can do other things. And I like him that close out right there by him and kind of forced that turnover. Remember, he got a turnover here as well and and then turned it right back over. So, we’re seeing the aggressiveness pick up for As Love to see the Bulls put him in some pick and rolls. Right now, he’s just standing in the corner. is tough. I mean, unless somebody can penetrate and make a play and kick and get it to him, he’s not involved. If there’s a guy, he has the ball right now. Kamora travel called on the play. I don’t think he agrees with that one. Turnover count up to 26. Lawson looking to remain hot. Getting to the hole. A lot of contact on the way up. He’ll go to the free throw line to add to that count. I love his attention to drive it, shoot it on the catch. Makes quick decisions on the offensive end and on the defensive end. He’s relentless with his pressure. So AJ Lawson misses the free throw and for a guy that’s redot that’s a bit surprising. His two-way contract converted to a standard two-year deal in April. So one of those stories is a guy works hard on the two-way gets rewarded with a guaranteed contract for sure. And you can you can see why the way he’s playing, how he affects the games on on in both ends and just with his hustle and his a guy that’s making things happen by playing extremely hard and a brick at the basket. The Bulls frigid Cole Walter trying to go right at it. Sing Shamsh in trouble. Shed looking to bail him out. Pulls up for three. Block in. Mtors up by 24 now. Their largest lead of the game. Watch Lawson. Lawson’s defensive pressure. As way, that’s one of them. I haven’t got any flow or rhythm or touches. So, let me get one up. Lawson inflow in rhythm, but all air hustling for that board. The nice pass inside. Access denied by Shamshay, but they call him for a foul on the way up. I like him. David Moka will go to their charity strike. Most guys would give up on that play when a guy has already They review it, but here you go, Smitty. What do you say? I think that’s all ball. Yeah, they’re going to review it. I mean, Shamshay was adamant. Well, maybe that left hand down low with a little push. Didn’t see that. But up top it looked clean. Let’s see what the officials say in their verdict when we return. Love was nearly lost until Pizza Hut showed up. Go get her. Hi, I’m Peter. Looks like the meat lovers. Starting at $12.99, Pizza Hut is hooking everyone up with more of what they love. Choose from four large hut lovers pizzas like the new spicy Hawaiian lovers. Starting at $12.99 each. Order on the app. When you list on apartments.com, renters will start coming out of the woodwork. Great natural light. Single family home. Yes, please. Does it have a dishwasher? Look at these high ceilings. Wow. Spacious. Hardwood. But I got one question. Are utilities included? Apartments.com. A place to list a place. What can I get you today? I don’t know. Why is it so hard to find a job where I can help people? I always wanted a job where I can travel more. I want a job building rockets. Okay. A job that uses my people skills and a cheeseburger. I’m a creative person. I want to work somewhere creative. [Music] AJ Lawson 14 in the third in the game. Congratulations on him getting his two dealt to a fulltime guaranteed contract. You know, Smitty, in the month of April, he averaged 13 points per game, showing why here in Summer League, he might be graduating. I think the numbers don’t even tell the story. The deflections, the steals, the hustle. Yes, 22 points and four of six, four of six from the three-point range. He has six rebounds, but his energy is contagious. his will, his toughness. This is a challenge. Uh the ball was last touched by Chicago to Toronto get the ball with 27.5 on the game clock and 16 seconds on the shot clock. Uh Toronto have no more challenge for the rest of the game. Great challenge. Two for two on challenges. So just like that block at the rim, a good challenge. Back to AJ Lawson. Um, the Raptors have to be happy. You convert a guy from two-way contract to a standard two-year deal and it is paying off. Grill from the corner. The assist goes to Ky Moore. Round and round we go. There you go, sweetie. Ky Moore and shed been a battle all game. 15 seconds left here in the third quarter. Shed bump bump to the hole. Shamshay, he’s got a great touch. Good job by Shed. Korean Krill trying to go back to back, but it’s the Raptors with a 23point lead after three. And as we said, AJ Lawson taking full control. He’s got two steals. He’s made four threes. He had 14 in the third. 22 in the game. Raptors up by 23. [Music] Own a design studio. Win a really big design contract. Realize you’re more of a creative type than a finance type. Realize you got this. Use QuickBooks to get your cash flow flowing. Get live expert assistance to maximize your tax savings. I can help with that. Get back to doing what you love. Manage and grow your business all in one place into it. Quickbooks. Your way to money. Travel. It’s gone from being an adventure to a checklist. But the world is still full of wonder. You just need a better way to find it. Introducing Airbnb experiences. Master ramen with an award-winning chef. Dive into jazz with a renowned basist. Or see Notream with her. She helped restore it, by the way. Don’t just see a place, experience it. A large touchcreen keeps everyone happy. The Subaru Cross Track. Dog tested. Dog approved. [Music] [Music] the ball. We want to play a good defense and we want to pressure guys. That’s what we’re doing right now. And how big is your leadership? Because you’ve been around the franchise. You’ve got your deal now to come out here and play the way you’re playing tonight. I’m basically like a summer league vet, man. It’s my fifth year doing summer league. I try to help out the guys. Keep being a leader and lead by example. And what’s the best thing you can tell some of the young guys they need to work on so they can try to be on the roster when the regular season gets here? Just be you, defend, and play hard, man. We just care about effort and being a team guy. Keep doing what you do. For sure. I got you. Thank you. You know, a key that he said there, Smitty, was fifth year in summer league. And that’s what we’re seeing players having the ability as Martin the rookie nails that three, extending that lead to 26. But guys, we’re seeing them. Castleton’s another example of that. Number 11. Mo to Martin to Mo and Mo dunks. I mean, everybody’s excited. It’s all about defense right now for this Raptors team. As Oh no. But Spinny, back to that point of backto back alioops to Mobile. It’s turned into his own dunk contest. called Yuki was trying to guard mobile and that that’s not that’s not going to happen. Somebody had to help him. But summer league GLeague guys like that get to develop and get action on the floor as it’s an offensive foul on that pick by Castleton. I mean, this has been the story the whole game. 27 turnovers. I’m sorry, 28 turnovers leading to 34 points just with that is I mean and they’re up 30 and a half 34 points off of turnovers. But getting back to that point of so many players that we’ve seen now Lawson’s one of them. Castleton’s another one. Spent a couple of years believing that I deserve this opportunity in the NBA. Get rewarded with a two-way contract. Okay. and then it gets converted into a fullterm contract. We have a number of guys here that we’re seeing how that’s paid off for them. Yeah, discipline. I mean, he said it lost into 3D. I mean, just come out and work hard. He said he’s a fiveyear vet. He’s been out in summer league five years. Um, you can you can see has paid off for him. He’s playing with a smile over there with his teammates and they have set the tone right here on how they’re going to play right now. These vets watching, they have to be excited how these young guys will pick it up. Kamora kicking it out to the second round pick. And Freeman Liberty will head to the charity strike. And he’s another guy that kind of fits that bill. spent last season with the Windy City Bulls, but also played for the Raptors and trying to get that opportunity back the NBA full time. Yeah. Yes. I mean, he’s he’s definitely a guy who’s we know he can play. Just needs that opportunity. He’s played extremely well even though they’re down big. He has 18 points, has shot it well, had a great floor game. I love the way he’s played so far. Modest Bazel 15 points, four for 13 from the field, four rebounds, two for eight from long range. 836 to go. They’re down. I don’t know if we’re going to see him again. Let’s say he doesn’t step on the floor. What did you make of how he performed today? Well, he could have played better. We know we’ve seen him play better. Didn’t shoot it particularly well. I think because of the rhythm of the Raptors defense who took them out the rhythm, he couldn’t get in his, you know, to where he wanted to do. He couldn’t get comfortable. And that’s what teams do if they play defense like that. They disrupt your offense. You can see their spacing was bad because guys had to come up and help with the pressure, set picks, or guys that are not guards had to bring it up. So, it kind of took him out of his game. And I think for him, he should have been a guy as the vet talking a little bit more like Billy Donovan talked about and coming up getting the basketball, making some easy plays to relieve the pressure a little bit more. So, Josh Giddy’s situation with the Bulls, you heard Billy Donovan speak on how much he appreciated and liked what Josh Kiddy brought to the table. A restricted free agent now. So, he could theoretically play next season on his one-year deal, but then he would become an unrestricted free agent. We’ve seen that in this summer free agency where Misellis looks like he is going to check back into the game where guys are not finding a lot of offers out there in restricted free agency. So, do you think the Bulls will end up with Josh Giddy long? I think so. I mean, he plays so well. He fits with Billy Donovan and those guys want to do. They played fast. Um, he’s a big point guard. Him and Kobe White, I love that back court, per se. U, I like what they did the last 25 to 27 games. They looked like a team after the trade deadline that was just playing with all cylinders and playing at I think to their potential and how they want to play and they they had some funs and they were they were they had a lot of chemistry and to that point that you made Kobe White in a similar situation as Josh Giddy in the sense that yes he could play next season on that one-year contract but how much do you think it is that their situation is the market right because of the second apron and teams not willing to to spend money or not having the money to offer players like that because for Giddy for a Kobe White they’re looking for 2530 million each. Yeah, it is. And you said it. You you start off that second part where they just don’t have the money in the cap space to do it. We know that Josh Giddy traded for Alex Caruso and it seemed like a deal that worked out for both teams. Giddy getting able to spread his wings like Mo has in this game. Another alley throw down. His third alleyoop caught here in the fourth quarter. Raptors spreading their wings, flying away from the Bulls. And it’s Mo who’s showing us maybe he’s graduating from Southern League. 15 points here in this blowout. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] And Smitty, I was joking, but this is the kind of player you see in the second year in summer league. You’re like, “Yep, he’s graduated.” But working inside on Castleton shuffled the feet before he could go off. Castleton with a good defense. I mean, he finished the top 13 among NBA rookies in rebounds, assists, and steals per game. Beautiful size. What do you mean? 67 about 220. Started 18 games. And in those games, he averaged 7.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and a steel. Does a little bit of everything. And, you know, childhood friend of Scotty Barnes, so that does help as well. Bazel versus Mo. Kind of the action we want to see here. Bazllis looking for the contact on the way up. Mo finds Martin and gets the assist. Good shot. Freeman Liberty. Oh, good pass around the horn. Calore maybe threw one too many. Freeman Liberty off. The Bulls just don’t have the same continuity. No. Out of rhythm for sure. Stick tuitiveness as the Raptors have in this one. Looking for a second body of the game. Whoa, Smitty. What was that? I mean, he shot out of a cannon. Castleton shot in the corner. So if you want to make an impression on a missed dunk, that’s how you do it. Elijah Martin, the rookie. Balis, trying to go right back at him and he goes down hard. Looks to be shaken up. That’s the last thing you want to see if you’re Billy Donovan or anyone else from the Bulls. Yes, good job seeing him get up. So, Bazellis will head to the charity strike. But Smitty, let’s get back to Martin a little bit. Multisport athlete, all state in football. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in Mississippi. We see that athleticism. that we can see. You said multi athlete or ding ding ding is football because he’s put together. I mean, what I do love is watching him, you know, at Florida, you know, before that Florida Atlantic had a great career, but last year with Florida just a perfect fit for them. Had a chance to win national championship. Um, I like him. He’s 6’2. He’s small, but he plays bigger. Great energy guy could have coming off the bench for him. You know, when the flight part of it, not his complete game, but the dunks we’ve seen today in his stature. Donovan Mitchell. Mhm. Great call. Battle. He drives the paint. Castleton kicks it back out to Battle in the corner and he stepped out of bounds. So for the Raptors, pretty impressive both offensively and defensively, but really a lot of that offense came from forcing turnovers. 38 points off of those forced turnovers. Right on Q. Smiles right on Q. I saw it coming, my friend. 31 turnovers by the Bulls. The Bulls coaching staff saw it coming too. Look at them. They look dejected over there. The way they’re turning it over. He trying to find Castleton up top, but he is fouled before he can go up at all. Looks like Herrera on the foul. I’ll I’ll give you this little heads up. The guy that committed that foul, Smitty Guerrera, he has some bounce himself. Okay. And a steal by Young going to his off hand for that finish. Heburn pulling up. Nice play. And the Raptors continue to light up the scoreboard and light it up on defense. Martin looking like a defensive back. Battle to Lawson. A rare miss. Another steel. Lawson. Another three. Maybe he’s lost his rhythm. Yeah, they’re up 99 to 62. I thought you were going to say they were up 99 points. Thought that’s where you were going with that. No. 37. Oh, yeah. 37 turnovers, the Bulls. Well, it it’s 33, so you’re not that far off. I think we’re averaging a turnover per minute. Yeah, which is pretty hard to do. Well, Smitty, in case you’ve lost interest in this game, I think we got a lot more action coming, you No, I’m I’m enjoying this because I like the way both teams, even though they’re up or down 37, they’re still playing hard. Well, on ESPN 2 tonight, you get to see the Blazers and Warriors. And tomorrow, check out the action. Number one overall pick. Hooper Flag potentially playing number two overall pick Dylan Harper, the Charlotte Hornets, and they have the third and fourth picks in the draft, Philadelphia 76ers. But VJ Edgecom Canipple for the Hornets at 6:30 Eastern on ESPN 2 and the Lakers and Pelicans. That one set to take tip off at 8:30 Eastern. Jeremiah Fear is an interesting player to watch. Seventh pick in the draft. Looked good in his debut for the explosive young fell can get his own shot. He’s quick. He’s a competitor. I I love that pick for the New Orleans Pelicans. um pairing him up with the guards and wings they already have and Deontay Murray once he’s come back he’s healthy. So in Sing comes back into the game he’s got five points and as we close this one out I guess that’s someone to pay attention to right Smitty because two for seven from the field the draft pick for the Bulls you kind of want to see him get some shots up. I mean, he was two for five in the first quarter. It is. I mean, you watch him. I mean, he’s 6’8 with his standing reach measured at 91 at the combines. And he’s one of those guys that got to put on some weight, but this is upside for him. Second youngest prospect, like you said, in the 2025 class. But I I like him. I mean, I mean, it’s going to take some time. He’s not one of those guys that’s going to make an impact, you know, I think this season, but down the road. Well, ice cold shooting misses that free throw. But to your point, a lot of professional experience played for France and Paris, Germany for two years, been a pro essentially since 2021, turned a pro at 15 years ago. Good defensive play right there. But I guess Martin said, “Well, better offense.” Yeah, Martin 23 years old. He’s got five years and about 15 pounds on him. S cutting back door but couldn’t get that one. You know, when the comp I heard for him, Pascal Seakum as he sits down now, they’re saying that he has a lot of the tools. You know, Siakum came from the Raptors organization. It’ be interesting to see if he can develop into that kind of player. Be nice for the Bulls if he does. Yes, for sure. That’s a guy that’s an allstar champion champion and got his team to the championship this year along with Tyrese Hallebertton and others Martin continuing to impress that is an obvious goalending taking that off the glass everybody for the Raptors pick up it looks like if you want to hit the floor you got to pick up full court and Maka he struggled to score inside the paint. Waka’s gotten some good looks. One for five all around the basket. All around the basket. Yeah, great looks. I think for him is going a little bit too much finesse. Try to go up with a little bit more power. Try to go through people. So, you made your prediction for the Raptors next year. You said, “Hey, Chris, I think they’re going to make the playoffs.” Any prediction for the Bulls? I Let’s do this. Let’s assume that Kobe White and Josh Giddy are in the full. Yeah, is still there. Let’s Let’s just go with the current roster that they have now. You know, I think I I think they’ll be hovering around playing with a possibility of the playoffs. It’s so interesting seeing their roster, their salary cap space. You look at not this summer, but the summer after. You see teams with 150 180 million on the books. The Bulls 52. So, not only could they absorb contracts, they could pay their guys and still have money to go after a free agent to try to tr get guys via trade. Interesting situation for the Chicago Bulls. Not interesting seeing where they are on this scoreboard right now. Getting absolutely smacked by the Toronto Raptors. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] Chicago Bulls depth chart as it stands today. I seeing Zack Collins backing up Buchellis Ao Dumu, Kobe White, Josh Giddy, Kevin Herder. Now looking at that roster, what do you think? You know, I love it. I mean, um, I like they have some young players. I like acquiring Isaac Aore. Obviously, gave up Lonzo Ball, but he’s a guy that can come out and defend. Um, I I I I really think, you know, that team that we see in that roster could be fighting for a play in possibly possibly playoffs. I guess when I see that roster, I think front court help a little bit. You know, like the Pistons have beef stew. They need one or two guys like that. They do. Is kind of like the all the long guy down there that you can see is going to create some havoc. And right now it’s all having for the Raptors over the Bulls. Impressive for Toronto and the way they came out defended from the start and closing it out doing the same. And in the Eastern Conference overall, Smitty though, it does seem like it’s wide open. Gurier going up for the dunk and landing on his back. Hope he’s okay. Quebec native. Seems to be good. Check it out against me. He seemed like Yeah. Body on the back end, but who do you like in the Eastern Conference as a team that you feel like could be true contenders that maybe surprise some? Let’s let’s go that route. Your biggest surprise. I think biggest surprise, let me think about it. Let’s go or maybe biggest turnaround. I’m thinking team. I’m trying to send it your way. Who’s this? Going to say the Atlanta Hawks. Oh, no. The Hawks did an unbelievable job. I think 76ers. I mean, it’s not surprising. They got one of the top two or three best players in this game when he’s healthy and at his game. And Joel Embiid, Kyres, Maxi, PJ Essome, Paul George. I mean, they have talent. So if they’re healthy, you they have the guy that could be one or two best players in the East. I think the Bucks is going to be better. Obviously not having Dame Lillard, but you have some other guys that they will try to fill in, but and and you know, don’t count out the Orlando Magic. I think it’s going to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference as 3D shakes his head and he’s agreeing. I I was just sitting there listening guys. Both of those teams, the Hawks and the Magic, I think they made a lot of moves. Yep. That could be very interesting in the Eastern Conference. You know what’s really interesting right now in this gym, as you can hear the crowd, it’s a 44 point game, right? Mhm. That’s the the difference on the scoreboard. And every time something happens, you hear a buzz. This gym has the ready for the next game feeling in it. And you’re going to have Reed Shepard picking a draft from last year. Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers next three. That’s what it feels like this energy that the arena is ready for. Yeah, it is. I mean, I I I think Chris, I think um you want to get a chance to see all these top players and obviously Reed Shepard, I’m looking forward to seeing the Houston Rockets and the Clippers. U going back to Eastern Conference. I didn’t mention them because they’re there. The Detroit Pistons. Oh, no. that you and your New York Knicks. Well, no, I was saying the turnaround team those those teams those teams after last season it’s expected that they’re going to be there as we read some of the Yeah. So, um some of the Raptors are leaving passing by the table. Well, you know, something we talk about in summer league that’s just a beautiful thing to see is guys that one graduate from summer league like Brady Dick. We had his games, but Emanuel Quickley is a player as you know 3D when I covered local sports in DC. I I conducted his first professional interview right when he was uh 15 years old. Like I kind of coached him through it like this is what it’s this is what it’s going to be for you. and now seeing him as a professional get his contract extension. It’s a it’s a beautiful thing to see for players like Great point. And he’s a young leader now by getting that contract. So, the franchise believes in him. So, I think Toronto is another one of those teams that’s going to surprise people. Yes. Yes. Smitty predicted it. He said, “I think the Toronto Raptors are a team that can make the playoffs and make some noise in the Eastern Conference.” I am intrigued to see what Brandon Ingram brings to the table, how he’ll fit in because they needed late game scoring and that’s a guy that can get a bucket that really, you know, has some injuries and a weird situation in New Orleans. Hasn’t produced like we know he can. Late game scoring, middle of game scoring, early morning scoring, first quarter scoring, he can score at any time. Well, there’s been some trouble scoring inside. outside everywhere for the Bulls. Not so much for the Raptors. So, with 130 to go, this really is the first game that we’ve had, Smitty, that’s gotten out of hand. It is. I mean, we had a terrific game yesterday at Buzzer beater. you have some of these games and um you still got to evaluate if you’re these GMs and executives fans are watching still got to play to the end and I like both teams are doing that. my at the charity stripe. Four years at Ruckers, then led the Big 10 in blocks. Some solid defense here still by the Raptors despite the lead that they have. You see what we call fullcourt pressure, but also the chemistry, the personality in the DNA of an organization. Yeah. And I think coach Wade has done a nice job. James Wade over there coaching this summer league team. Um engage with the players. You can see each player coming off the court talking to him. Nice job by him. And what’s interesting is now I doubt that we get there, but we’re approaching a summer league record. The most points scored in a summer league game, 120 points happened three times. The Heat last year, I’m pretty sure I had that game. The Memphis Grizzlies in 2022. And then we got to go back to the Denver Nuggets in 2007. Pretty sure you didn’t have that game. [Laughter] You probably had our production team did though. Yes, they did. And they remember it. But I I don’t think the Raptors, you think they’re going to get five more points here? We’re in Vegas. You can make that kind of prediction. No. The biggest margin of victory, 50 points, was that Miami team that I mentioned. No, a different team actually in 2012. So Miami on the record books twice. Yeah, they’re holding the ball. So, they’re not getting some of these guys are not going to hold the ball. All right, so no score. Oh, looks like they’ll go to the charity strip. So, here’s the thing, Smitty. Should someone alert them that they can set the record, right, and get another possession? It’s not happening. Chris Miles said, “You need to get the record.” Not happening. So, from the first two days here of summer league so far, who’s impressed you most? I just had one game, but I would say um I love the way AJ Lawson came out and played. Very, very disruptive. Um very, very engaged. Like you said, you talked about him this two-way deal being converted into a two-year deal. I I just love that those type of stories. We understand the lottery picks and obviously I love the way Pierers played the other day, but this is a story I love to see from a guy like AJ Lawson. Lawson five years playing in the summer and now he’s rewarded. So, a foul called on that play and you can hear the crowd like, “Hey, we’re ready for the show of the next game against some potential competitive basketball with the Clippers and the Rockets in our night cap here in Cox Pavilion.” 13 seconds left. Looking forward to that. Reed Shepard, um, extremely good shooter. didn’t get a chance to play with the Rockets because of so much talent, but asked to go down to the G- League, play well. So, looking forward to seeing him because he can be a key for the Rockets next year. Shooting is always a premium. How many fouls do you think we’ve seen in this game? Take a guess. 45 57 way under there, my friend. And the Raptors, they used a 27-9 second quarter run to take control of this game. And as Smitty said, AJ Lawson 22 points off the bench. Jonathan Mo also with an incredible performance.
Chicago vs
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