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Ladies and gentlemen, we've got basketball. The Orlando Summer League begins today and the Detroit Pistons will take on the Utah Jazz. Fans of Summer League know this to be one of the most exciting times of the year for NBA basketball, given that our hopes and dreams begin with how the young draft picks fare against equal competition. This afternoon, Andre Drummond, Kim English and Khris Middleton will spend their first moments with an NBA basketball on the court.
Game Tips at 3:00p.m. EST
Detroit Pistons vs. Utah Jazz
The Situation:
The Jazz will feature a lineup including Enes Kanter... and a bunch of names that don't carry the same sizzle. It does include the brother of Paul Millsap and the son of John Stockton, which is kinda cool I suppose. Here's the full list, courtesy of the Salt Lake Tribune:
Blake Ahearn, Alec Burks, DeMarre Carroll, Enes Kanter, Kevin Murphy, Kyle Weaver, Stephen Graham, Cedric Simmons, John Millsap and Michael Stockton.
If the Pistons had Greg Monroe in their lineup, I'd suggest that the Enes Kanter matchup would be a wash. Sadly, Monroe will be watching from the sidelines. It'll be a chance for Drummond to show off his well-respected defense, while hopefully he can begin to prove that he can handle the defensive glass against NBA-caliber big men.
Beyond the Kanter/Drummond matchup, there's not a lot to discuss here. Detroit should have its advantage in the backcourt, where Brandon Knight and Kim English could be an exciting pair right out of the gate.
Question of the Game:
Will Andre Drummond start his NBA career as raw as some might expect, or will he begin surprising people tonight? Will Brandon Knight become a facilitator with his new teammates, or will he continue to look for his own shots? My fingers are crossed on these questions which will determine a lot for the Pistons going forward...