Bright Side Baller: It was just the Kings, but the Suns made them look like royalty

Umm…yikes?

I sit alone in a warm, silent room. No fan humming, no breeze to break the stillness. My fists are clenched around the arms of the chair, eyes shut tight, whispering to myself like a mantra: “It’s only Summer League. It’s only Summer League.”

I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it: Summer League games don’t count, but that doesn’t mean they don’t matter. And as I watched the Summer Suns get steamrolled by the Summer Kings, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this one mattered more than it should have.

It was our second look at No. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluach, and if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that he’s not quite ready for the NBA. That’s not a knock, it’s just the reality of where he’s at right now. The good news? Development takes time, and there are still three months until the regular season tips off. There’s a runway for growth, for learning, for adjusting to both his frame and the NBA game.

On Monday night, he looked a step slow, sometimes two. His block attempts were mistimed, and the physicality of the game exposed his youth. It’s all understandable, but you still wish you saw more.

As for Rasheer Fleming, making his Summer League debut, there were flashes. His length and frame pop off the screen. But there’s a frenzied energy to how he moves, like he’s running hard but unsure of where he’s going.

Again, understandable.

But when you look across the court and see rookies like Nique Clifford showing poise, or think about how well Maxime Raynaud (who didn’t even suit up) has already performed in Vegas, the difference in polish becomes apparent. The Suns’ rookies have tools. But right now, they’re raw. They’ll need sandpaper — and pressure — if they want to shine.

It’s only Summer League. It’s only Summer League…

Even Koby Brea, who has lit up the Summer League early with that smooth stroke, fell flat. He got the start and responded with a brutal 1-of-9 shooting night, including 0-of-4 from deep. Those Devin Booker comparisons? Time to zip them up and stow them in the suitcase for a while.

Yes, credit the Kings for showing up. But remember, this is Summer League. You’re not going up against grizzled vets. These are peers, rookies, and second-year guys just trying to stick. And yet, it was the Suns who looked like they didn’t belong. What they left was an impression, just not the kind you want. Disjointed. Mismatched. Chunky. There was effort, sure, but not much else. It was the kind of performance that reminds you, when opportunity knocks, the Phoenix Suns will often find a way to fumble with the keys.

Deep breath. It’s only Summer League… It’s only Summer League…

The Standings

Like the game on which he played on Sunday afternoon, Oso dominated the Bright Side Baller voting, earning himself his first ever BSB award. That’s right, he didn’t earn one all of last season. His fellow sophomore Ryan Dunn? He had 8 of ‘em a season ago.

Your updated standing through two games of the Summer League…

The Nominees

Ryan Dunn

18 points (6-of-8, 2-of-3 3PT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -15 +/-

Khaman Maluach

8 points (3-of-9, 0-of-2 3PT), 5 rebounds, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 3 blocks, -14 +/-

Yuri Collins

8 points (3-of-5, 0-of-1 3PT), 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, -12 +/-

Boogie Ellis

8 points (3-of-7, 2-of-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, -14 +/-

Rasheer Fleming

7 points (3-of-6, 1-of-3 3PT), 2 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 block, -12 +/-

Solomon Young

6 points (2-of-3, 1-of-2 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2-of-2 FT, +10 +/-

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Who gets your vote for the Bright Side Baller of Game 3 in the ‘ole SL?

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