Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from 86-80 loss to Orlando Magic

By Phil Watson

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Shawn Dawson #18 of the Brooklyn Nets goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Shawn Dawson #18 of the Brooklyn Nets goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets, NBA Summer League
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Semaj Christon #6 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Your friendly reminder — this is NOT the NBA

In 40 minutes of frenetic, if ragged, action on Friday, the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic combined for 27 turnovers, 12 missed free throws, 34 missed 3-pointers and 92 missed shots in all.

At times, the ball was bouncing around like a pinball and players were moving around with energy if not a real sense for where they were, where they should be or where they were going.

The first basket of the game by the Nets, a long 3-pointer from Semaj Christon, perfectly encapsulated the Summer League experience.

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The Nets moved the ball around the perimeter enthusiastically before a pass was thrown to NOIP (no one in particular) and bounced toward the center line.

Christon recovered as the shot clock was expiring, tossed up a 3-pointer from somewhere near the Hoover Dam and bang! The Nets were on the board.

That’s the Summer League, folks. These are teams of young veterans, draft picks, undrafted players and castoffs looking for another shot at the Association.

They are put together quickly, get a few days to practice together and off they go.

So, yeah, it can get sloppy. The quality of play is not at the caliber of an NBA regular-season game because neither are many, if not most, of the players.

Looking at the Nets’ now-16-player Summer League roster and there are roughly half of those guys who will not be wearing NBA uniforms come October.

Next: 7 Hall of Famers may forget were Nets

So take it for what it is. The great plays still stand out. The players with huge potential still shine through. The rest is just guys trying to get another taste — or just a single nibble — of the big time.