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Alas, the Milwaukee Bucks' grand dreams of an undefeated Las Vegas Summer League ended with a narrow defeat to the D-League Select on Sunday. On the plus side, no one actually cares about final scores in summer league, and the storylines we do care about -- the progress of Thon Maker, Rashad Vaughn and Malcolm Brogdon -- delivered some promising takeaways.
Less than 24 hours later the Bucks get back to it on Monday, with Maker looking for his third double-double in as many games. The details:
Who? Bucks vs. Grizzlies
Where? Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN App
When: Monday, 3 p.m. CT
Grizzlies Preview
Memphis had one of the more intriguing hauls on draft night two weeks ago, landing a pair of names that we talked about at length as lottery prospects: Vandy point guard Wade Baldwin (#17) and Michigan St. big Deyonta Davis (#31). Unfortunately Davis is not playing in Vegas due to plantar fasciitis, but he did sign the richest second round deal ever for an American yesterday -- a deal that will guarantee him $4 million over the next three years and pay him more than half of this year's first round picks.
Memphis has split its first two games in Vegas, though Baldwin has struggled to find much of a rhythm thus far. He's shooting just 26% overall, 0/4 from three and has as many assists as turnovers so far (5). On the plus side, he's also totaled eight free throws in each of the first two games and racked up five steals.
Bucks Preview
Maker's 17 points and 17 rebounds on Sunday upped his two-game averages to an impressive 16 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, which on paper is about as much as you could have expected from the Bucks' #10 overall pick. His overall skill level on offense hasn't exactly been overwhelming -- he's 1/8 from three and has generally looked nervous anytime he's put the ball on the floor -- but he's also shown an obvious ability to get rebounds, get buckets around the basket, and get into positions to make defensive plays. Those are the things that will earn him minutes as a rookie, and the early returns suggest Maker could be ready to compete for rotation minutes sooner rather than later.
Aside from Maker, Malcolm Brogdon was steady for a second straight game at the point, while Rashad Vaughn bounced back from a poor opener to scored 24 (10/18 fg, 3/6 threes) along with four assists. More of that, Rashad.