TrippyFocus

Article from the Athletic on our rookies summer league performance. Text below:

Denver’s draft class shines

The Nuggets’ strategy of intentionally going old with late-ish draft picks was certainly … interesting. But it also may prove effective, if summer league was any indication. The early returns on all three of the defending champs’ picks were excellent, as Strawther, Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson all played well in Vegas.

In particular, Tyson — the last player picked of the three at 37th — stood out. The stretch four from Clemson was lights-out as a shooter, making 18 of 36 3s and 20 of 23 from the line, and the volume here is as important as the accuracy. He hoisted a triple every four minutes and looked comfortable launching both on the move and off screens.

More importantly, he did just as much damage inside the arc, moving off the ball and using his size to finish around the rim. Tyson wasn’t just some limited catch-and-shoot guy — he was second in all of summer league in total points! Add in solid defense and quick on-ball decisions, and he looked as plug-and-play into a rotation spot as any rookie at summer league.

His teammate Strawther, the Nuggets’ lone first-rounder at 29th, was an even more willing launcher with a summer-league-high 47 3-point attempts, averaging one every three minutes. While not as prolific as Tyson inside the arc, he too managed to mix things up enough to generate a decent number of free-throw attempts and shot 12 of 23 inside the arc.

Pickett, the 32nd pick out of Penn State, also had a solid summer. An acquired taste as a smart, physical big guard, he handed out 28 assists against 10 turnovers and shot 20 of 35 inside the arc. Perhaps at least as notable for a point guard not renowned for his athleticism, he blocked five shots in five games.