Georges Niang is looking like a smart second-round pick through two Summer League games.
So far, Georges Niang looks like he deserves a place on the Indiana Pacers roster. Maybe not in the rotation just yet, but he doesn’t look like he’s going to wash out of the NBA Development League within a year either.
One thing I’ve liked seeing from Niang is the fact he looks comfortable and makes his decisions quickly.
Whether he’s putting up a shot or making the pass, it is an instant decision. On a team that has only been together for a week, that’s pretty impressive considering the lack of familiarity. It helps that he’s on the court was almost exclusively players with NBA experience, but there is no denying he’s been a playmaker in Orlando.
More than anything, @GeorgesNiang20 is decisive. Not just for a rookie, by veteran standards as well.
— Mark Montieth (@MarkMontieth) July 3, 2016
A stat line of 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 4 turnovers isn’t amazing by any means, but the choices he’s made for the most part are the right ones. I don’t expect perfection, I just expect competence.
Naing is not only competent but has proved himself capable and efficient on the court. Sure, he makes a few mistakes, but he’s a rookie, that’s going to happen.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/749651737234010112
He showed moments — like the spin move above — where he looked like a wily veteran. Watch him use his off-ball hand to clear a little bit of space before spinning back for the layup. He can make plays off the ball too.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/749667936944607232
I’m excited about Niang right now.
But he wasn’t the only player that looked like they knew what they were doing on Sunday for Indiana.
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Young and Niang paired well in pick and roll situations and looked on the same page on offense in the first quarter. Young didn’t have the 8 of 12 performance he had on Saturday, but the entire Pacers team wasn’t shooting as well as they only made 41.7% compared to 57.4% the day before.
The Hornets shot 41.7% as well, better than the Magic Blue had with their 33.7% from the field.
Glenn Robinson III kept scoring with 16 points but he was 7 of 16 on the afternoon. His assist to Niang was the most impressive moment but Robinson had a few lapses in his 1-on-1 defense with Aaron Harrison, unfortunately.
Many of the counting stats were spread out evenly for the Pacers, giving a little less shine to a good performance by the veterans. Whittington’s ability to set solid screens and get the foul line was a good sign and he added 12 points, 8 of which were from the stripe. Nate Wolters also played well again with 9 points and 5 rebounds, close to his 9 points, 7 rebound outing on Saturday.
You don’t think too much about the team performance in Summer League, but the ball movement was impressive as Indiana had 14 assists. However, the turnovers continued to be a problem for the Pacers with 15 of them on Sunday.
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Not a bad day from several of the Pacers, even if they lost 80-70 to the Hornets.