Summer League 2017

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best-pelicans-photos-of-summer-league-2017

Best Pelicans Photos of Summer League 2017

Jim Eichenhofer

After playing one season at Duke University, Frank Jackson experienced one of the biggest highlights of any basketball player’s career June 22, when he was selected 31st overall in the NBA draft, the initial pick of Round 2. Unfortunately for the 19-year-old combo guard, a stress fracture in his right foot and subsequent surgery meant that he wasn’t able to play for New Orleans during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Instead, the Utah native will make his professional debut in the fall, after rehabbing from the surgery.

Pelicans.com caught up with Jackson following New Orleans’ final summer game vs. Denver, to get his thoughts on the experience and his perspective on preparing to launch his NBA career.

Pelicans.com: How difficult was it for you to attend summer league and be around the team every day, but not be able to get on the court and play?

Jackson: It was tough, because I definitely want to go out there and compete, show everyone what I can do and just get acclimated to playing the NBA style and pace. But I think from sitting on the bench and listening at practice, I took a lot out of this week. Definitely watching the point guards – it was cool to watch Quinn (Cook) this week, seeing how to lead a team and the reads you need to make, shots you have to take. A lot of basketball is mental, so you have to take that into account.

Pelicans.com: Not to dwell on this too much, because it’s out of anyone’s control, but it has to be tough to be drafted and you want to do things like put on an NBA uniform for the first time, but you have to wait.

Jackson: Yes, because playing basketball is what I really want to do, and what’s tough is I’ve never really had an injury like this before. It’s one of the first times I’ve really sat out for a long period of time. But I know I have to be patient, let this completely heal, so that when I come back, I’m 100 percent.

Pelicans.com: Are there some things you have to actually experience for yourself to learn? For example, a lot of rookies talk about how one big adjustment to the NBA is the difference in spacing due to the deeper three-point line, which affects timing and the distance guards must dribble to get to the rim.

Jackson: I think it’s some of both, that you can learn by watching, but you also have to do it. Obviously you’re going to get much more out of it if you’re actually playing, but at the same time, I’m in all of the meetings and practices, watch film with the guys, so I think I still learned as much as they did. But I’ll definitely learn more in the fall and at training camp.

Pelicans.com: What’s your general timetable for your projected return to the court?

Jackson: I’ve been doing rehab for the past two weeks now. I want to say at the beginning of September, I’m going to do some live stuff on the court. So it’s coming up pretty soon.

Pelicans.com: How do you spend the rest of your offseason? Do you go back home to Utah?

Jackson: Yes. I’ll go back home and rehab for a little bit, but then I’ll be in New Orleans on Aug. 1 and start working out there. I’m trying to get in super early, to get some extra work in and take off from there.

Pelicans.com: Going into your rookie season, how do you view what position you’ll play? Do you expect to play at both guard spots?

Jackson: I think I can do both. I’m a combo guard. I can score the ball really well, and get others involved. But really whatever the team needs me to do, that’s what I’m going to do. If they need me to come in and knock down a shot, or come in and defend, I’m a guy who can defend multiple positions. So whatever the team needs.

Pelicans.com: Although you didn’t get to play in summer league, do you have a feel for what you want to work on the most to be prepared to play either spot?

Jackson: A little bit and here, but as I get with the coaches, they’ll pinpoint things in my game as we watch film. For right now, I’m just trying to get my foot right.

Pelicans.com: Heading into your first pro season, who are some of the older players you lean on or seek advice from, to help you adjust to the NBA? Are there players from Duke, including perhaps Pelicans teammate Quinn Cook, who are telling you what to expect?

Jackson: Yes, I’ve gotten to know Quinn in the last year. He’s always been real nice to me and it’s cool to have that Duke connection. I also talked to Justise (Winslow) a little bit before the draft, Jabari (Parker). Coach K has been great, as well as all of his staff. I’ve got a lot of people looking out for me. Whenever I need a helping hand, I know where to go.

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24 Seconds With Pelicans guard Frank Jackson

Pelicans.com

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Summer League 2017: Game 6 vs. Nuggets

LAS VEGAS – With both teams resting multiple key players in their Vegas finale, New Orleans gave first-time starts Friday to lesser-known names, such as Iowa undrafted rookie Peter Jok and Northwestern undrafted rookie Sanjay Lumpkin, the son of a former Saints safety. As Cheick Diallo, Quinn Cook and Axel Toupane watched from the sideline, their unproven Pelicans teammates played Denver tightly, but ultimately dropped another close game. New Orleans lost games in Nevada by margins of 2, 2, 5 and 5.  

Jok missed a left-corner three-pointer as time ticked down and New Orleans trailed by five. Denver collected the defensive rebound, then dribbled out the final seconds to ice its victory. Nuggets forward Howard Sant-Roos made it a two-possession game by sinking two free throws with 10 seconds left.

Jok had only logged a total of 20 minutes during New Orleans’ previous five summer games, but after receiving the nod to start at shooting guard Friday, he responded quickly. The 6-foot-6, 200-pounder erupted for 14 first-half points, highlighted by three makes from three-point range, helping to keep New Orleans in it, down just 46-44 at the break. Jok finished with a team-high 22 points, going 5/10 from the three-point arc. As a junior and senior in college, he shot 40 and 38 percent on treys, respectively.

Jalen Jones posted a double-double consisting of 21 points and 12 boards, while James Young came off the bench to deposit 16 points, including three trifectas.

“We felt our roster guys had done a lot this week. They accomplished what they needed to accomplish, and did a lot of great things for us. Respecting every guy on this roster, it was a great opportunity for those guys to get out there and be versatile and play a couple different positions.” – Pelicans summer head coach Jamelle McMillan on sitting Diallo, Cook and Toupane on Friday, which meant New Orleans had plenty of minutes for the eight players who did suit up vs. Denver “The coach gave me an opportunity and said you’re going to play a lot, just play your game. Play like you played at Iowa. It’s all about getting an opportunity, and I took advantage of it.” – Jok on seizing the moment during his 34 minutes of court time Friday

“You do want to win, but this (league) is about growing and the process, helping guys understand what it’s like to be at this level. Cheick grew up a lot these last two weeks, having a more vocal role on the team. The game is slowing down for him as he gets more game reps. He’s able to play and understand where his moments will come. His IQ is improving, along with his skill set.” – McMillan on Diallo’s performance in summer league

“Quinn did very well for us. I think he solidified our mindset and our ideas on what he can bring to our ballclub, how he can be effective. For him it was more about running a team and managing a game, especially in the second half. We had our moments where we struggled early (in the week), but I think he got better over the course of the week.” – McMillan on Cook’s summer league

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NBA Summer League Consolation Game: Nuggets 96, Pelicans 91

1)      New Orleans (1-4) will complete its stay in Las Vegas today with a final game, this time in the consolation round vs. Denver. Tip-off from Cox Pavilion is at 7 p.m. Central. The game is available live on the ESPN app.

2)      The Pelicans sustained a third heartbreaking loss while in Nevada yesterday, losing 86-81 to eighth-seeded San Antonio in the summer league’s Round of 16. They lost separate games in Las Vegas by two, two and five points.

3)      Watch highlights from the defeat to the Spurs.

4)      Watch postgame reaction from Pelicans summer head coach Jamelle McMillan, Quinn Cook and Keith Benson.

5)      Cook ranks seventh in the Vegas league in scoring at 20.6 points per game, while shooting a sparkling 55.1 percent from the field. Cheick Diallo is fourth in rebounding (9.8 rpg).

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Five things to know about the Pelicans on July 14, 2017

LAS VEGAS – Aside from the individual excellence of Quinn Cook and Cheick Diallo, perhaps the biggest theme of 2017 summer league for the Pelicans will be missed opportunities. New Orleans lost twice in pool play by two points, then couldn’t hold on to a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead Thursday. As a result, the Pelicans were eliminated from the single-elimination tourney. New Orleans will wrap up its stay in Nevada on Friday with a consolation game (7 p.m. Central, opponent to be determined).

New Orleans (1-4) held a 72-62 edge at the midpoint of Thursday’s final quarter and was up 76-72 after a Jalen Jones three-pointer with 2:21 left, but San Antonio went on a 14-8 run from there to prevail. In the final 62 seconds, Vegas league leading scorer Bryn Forbes dropped in six points, turning a tie into an 84-81 Spurs lead. New Orleans committed a turnover while trying to move the ball into position for a potential game-tying three-pointer.

San Antonio rookie Derrick White sank a pair of free throws with 4 seconds left, giving the Spurs a two-possession advantage at 86-81. Cook banked in a deep three-pointer at the buzzer, but the shot was later disallowed, not that it would've impacted the outcome.

With control of the outcome and a bid in the weekend’s quarterfinal round seemingly within their grasp, the Pelicans’ offense went cold for a chunk of the fourth period. New Orleans took some difficult shots and started relying on jumpers, helping allow San Antonio to make a final push.

Jones contributed in a variety of categories, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, a pair of assists and a steal in his 23 minutes of action. The Texas A&M product and G-League player has often been the Pelicans’ third-most effective player in Las Vegas, moving into the starting lineup for both tournament games. He tallied eight of New Orleans’ 16 fourth-quarter points Thursday.

“For the most part, we were able to control the game. Unfortunately late, we came up short. I cannot fault these guys at all for their effort all week long.” – Pelicans summer head coach Jamelle McMillan on the defeat

“They made plays at the end of the game. We had a chance to win, but all credit to those guys.” – Cook on the Spurs’ comeback in the fourth quarter

“We went on good runs, but in different stretches of the game, momentum changed and there were big plays.” – Pelicans center Keith Benson (13 points, 8 rebounds off the bench) on the loss

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NBA Summer League Tournament Round of 16: Spurs 86, Pelicans 81

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Summer League 2017: Playoffs Round 2 vs. Spurs

1)      The NBA announced this morning that DeMarcus Cousins and Alvin Gentry will participate in the second annual summer game in Africa, as part of the league’s Basketball Without Borders initiative. Read Gentry's thoughts on his excitement to take part in the event.

2)      The summer league Pelicans posted a 105-95 win over the Hawks yesterday in the opening round of the Las Vegas tournament.

3)      Watch postgame reaction from Quinn Cook (26 points, 11/16 shooting, 7 assists), Jalen Jones, Cheick Diallo and summer head coach Jamelle McMillan.

4)      Watch highlights from Pelicans-Hawks.

5)      New Orleans (1-3) advanced to today’s Round of 16 matchup against eighth-seeded San Antonio. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. Central, with live coverage provided by NBA TV.

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Five things to know about the Pelicans on July 13, 2017

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