SAN FRANCISCO — Every offseason, there are players who quickly prove they’re too good for Summer League ball. Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis each have a strong shot to become quick graduates, but it’ll take more than their performance Wednesday.
Podziemski and Jackson-Davis, Golden State’s two rookie standouts from last year, joined the Summer League action at the Chase Center to close out the Warriors’ California Classic. They returned from USA Select Team training to the Bay for one game and are expected to ship back out to Las Vegas for more Summer League play.
If they play to their capabilities, there may not be much of a point in them sopping up exhibition minutes.
Podziemski (15 points, four rebounds, four assists) and Jackson-Davis (11 points, six rebounds) didn’t dominate, but they did just enough to help the Warriors hold off a furious second-half rally from Sacramento. The Kings went on a 21-3 run to trim Golden State’s 21-point lead and tied the game with 25 seconds left, but a free throw from Podziemski finished Sacramento off, 91-90. Kevin Knox II supplied a team-high 21 points.
After the narrow escape victory, the Warriors hoisted Inaugural Mitch Richmond trophy — awarded to the winner of the Battle of NorCal Summer League game between the Warriors and Kings.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ win.
What more can Jackson-Davis do?
Trayce Jackson-Davis’ athleticism plays at the NBA level. Of course it was going to play in Summer League, too.
Everything Jackson-Davis does for the Warriors — protect the rim, finish lobs, set hard screens and switch defensively — he did against Summer Sacramento. The very first possession of the game, he springboarded for a put-back dunk on a missed 3. In the first five minutes alone, he notched four points, three boards and a steal.
Summer League should be an environment for Jackson-Davis to stretch his muscles, not flex them. Everyone knows he can play a rim-running role for the Warriors. He should play a more featured role in Summer League minutes, like other NBA-caliber players parachuting in.
Get Jackson-Davis some post touches — he dominated on the block at Indiana. Let him run the offense as a facilitator above the break or from the elbow. See what he can do. If it doesn’t work, it’s Summer League; the score doesn’t matter.
Summer work already showing for Podz
There’s one specific move that the best guards in the league have down pat, and it’s the same one Podziemski has been working on this summer. He brought it from the lab to the California Classic.
After a high pick-and-roll late in the first quarter, Podziemski felt his defender on his back. With a patient crab dribble, he kept him there as he waded horizontally across the paint. The defense collapsed and Podziemski kicked out to Ethan Thomas for an assist.
Podziemski started the game with a post move score over Keon Ellis. He dished a pocket pass for a Jackson-Davis slam. He sank a trey and clanked a couple ill-advised ones, drew a patented charge and air-balled a tough baseline jumper. He was imperfect, but mostly effective.
But that particular play stood out. It showed a natural progression Podziemski can have this year with the ball in his hands more often.
The goal for Podziemski in Summer League is to let him operate as the lead guard. The Warriors want to get him comfortable making decisions with the ball in his hands. They want him to shoot without hesitation while striking the balance of making the right play.
When Sacramento stormed back with a 21-3 second-half run, he struggled to calm Golden State’s offense down. When he and Jackson-Davis checked in with a two minutes left and a three-point lead, they didn’t take over. Instead, Podziemski let up an and-1 to tie the game while trying to take a charge. He got bailed out by a blocking foul at midcourt and sank one free throw to win it.
These reps are big for Podziemski, perhaps even more than Jackson-Davis. There’s a lot he can learn.
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Can Keon Ellis start?
Keon Ellis was the best player the Kings trotted out, and he looked like the best player on the floor overall.
Ellis emerged last year as a defensive stalwart in Sacramento’s back court, leapfrogging Davion Mitchell for minutes. He’s a stopper and did impressive work in matchups against Steph Curry.
His role on the Kings will be even more highlighted this year, now that they upgraded their roster with DeMar DeRozan. Around DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, defense and spot-up shooting will be at a premium.
Ellis, in theory, provides both. He’s probably what Sacramento needs in a starting lineup next to their star trio and Keegan Murray.
Against the Warriors on Wednesday night, Ellis felt the game out early before breaking out. He looked comfortable attacking closeouts and was especially dynamic in transition. Most importantly for the Kings, he drilled catch-and-shoot 3s. There’s going to be plenty of those types of open looks for him this year.
Ellis had a chance to win the game, but his prayer as the game clock expired missed iron altogether. He still finished with a game-high 30 points in 33 minutes.
