They will be playing in the NBA for teams that haven’t played good basketball for the last couple of years but Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren look like they are up for the job.
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The way the top picks of the 2022 Draft picks played in the Summer League, they look like a promising group of future superstars who are going to carry the league, led by Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero.
But Summer League is not the place where one can truly evaluate the potential of things to come in the NBA. Sure, it gives them the exposure to rehearse in a set-up close to the highest of levels they will play in as soon as the season starts. But that is it.
It is the leagues like Drew League and other Pro-Am leagues which will prepare this new generation of players to go against tough and experienced opponents.
With the 20-year NBA veteran Jamal Crawford’s the CrawsOver league, the youngest of the lot in the NBA, had some action Friday night and proved the hype created around them is real. But Jaden McDaniels wasn’t willing to let them have it their way.
The 28th pick of the 2020 draft Jaden McDaniels brings out the best out of #1 and #2 picks Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren
Banchero and Holmgren teamed up Saturday in Seattle, The CrawsOver Pro-Am, created by former NBA player Jamal Crawford, and had terrific games as they went up against Jaden McDaniels.
But the 21-year-old Timberwolves forward outdid both of them. Banchero finished with 50 points and nine rebounds for the Sonics, while Holmgren put up 34 points and 14 rebounds before exiting. McDaniels finished with 52 points and 11 rebounds for Ball is Life. Sonics won the game though.
Although limited, the Wolves forward does have the experience of playing against top competition in the world for two years, and it was only fitting that he played how he did. Have a look at some of their highlights from the night.
