Hot Takes from Heat’s Win over Grizzlies in 2024 NBA Summer League Championship
Andrew PetersJuly 23, 2024
Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has come to an end and the Miami Heat are champions.
The Heat Summer League squad went a perfect 6-0 over the past few weeks, besting the Golden State Warriors in the semifinal and the Memphis Grizzlies in the championship on Monday, 120-118.
The final game of Summer League gave fans plenty of action, going down to the wire with Grizzlies guard GG Jackson draining a game-tying shot in the final seconds to send the matchup to overtime.
NBA @NBAGG JACKSON TIES THE GAME! 🤯
Heat ball.
10 seconds left.
🏆 #NBA2KSummerLeague Championship on ESPN pic.twitter.com/c6PXsp3T1K
In overtime, the two teams traded baskets before Pelle Larsson hit the shot to give Miami the win.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Continues Hot Summer League
Scotty Pippen, who went undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2022, finished with 29 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. The son of NBA legend Scotty Pippen is still looking to find a permanent place in the NBA, and his performance in Summer League certainly helped his case.
In January, Pippen inked a two-year, two-way deal with Memphis. If his Summer League performance translates to the regular season, he could find himself spending more time in the NBA than the G League.
After another strong performance, fans continued to praise his elevated play in Summer League.
Nisok @901FinScotty Pippen Jr. is just so much better than every play on the court right now it’s crazy
BiG @_lijvhScotty Pippen Jr stood out this whole summer league
ThatOneMavsFan @that1mavsfanIs Scotty Pippen Jr. better than Scottie Pippen?
Kel’el Ware Gets Rookie of the Year Hype After Summer League
Heat first-round pick Kel’el Ware might have been the most impressive rookie at Summer League.
He showed upside on both sides of the floor, getting into double-digit points with ease and blocking shot after shot on the defensive end. Ware ended his time in Summer League with a strong performance, dropping 21 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-10 from the field.
Ware, a former Indiana star, slipped out of the lottery, landing with Miami at No. 15. Considering how far he dropped, he could easily end up being the steal of the draft.
BasketballGod @Thirst22Kel’el ware might win ROY if spo start em
Finesse Exec📊⛽️ @G_Rollie24Kel’el Ware gives Miami a crazy good frontcourt if Spo uses him which he will
jay @jay2spaceoutKel’el Ware is going to be a problem, let’s just hope he can fit right in
GG Era @ClipNation74The Miami Heat struck gold with Kel el Ware.
Josh Christopher Shows Value in Summer League Finale
Though he has struggled to break out much in the NBA after being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, Josh Christopher showed plenty of promise in Summer League.
He had back-to-back 20-point games in the semifinal and championship game, dropping 24 points, four rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks in the final game of Summer League.
After his solid showing in Summer League, fans urged the Heat to keep Christopher around when the regular season comes.
Tyler🦋 @prodbyty__i think i love Josh Christopher @MiamiHEAT lets sign him
Miami Heat Belgium 🇧🇪 @HeatBelgiumIf Josh Christopher doesn’t get a (two-way) contract from the Heat, I’m giving up on this FO.
NbaTradeCenter @nbatradecenter1Can someone sign Josh Christopher, how does this dude not have a two-way or roster spot yet
Christopher will now use the rest of the summer to try to land a roster spot.
