LAS VEGAS -- The two teams that have played the best and most consistent basketball through the first 10 days of Summer League will, not surprisingly, compete for the inaugural tournament championship played on the final day of the action.
The Suns will face the Warriors in Monday night’s title game, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. local time in Las Vegas.
Phoenix got here by bringing a squad loaded with legitimate NBA players who played significant regular season minutes a season ago, while Golden State has similarly ridden the backs of two players in particular who were already a part of the team’s roster.
The Suns have gotten strong play from twin brothers Markieff and Marcus Morris, who along with P.J. Tucker have played physical, aggressive, and productive basketball that’s helped the team bully its way to more than one of their six summer victories.
First round draft pick Archie Goodwin has provided a spark for the Suns from a scoring and athleticism standpoint, while guys like Dionte Christmas on the perimeter and Arinze Onuaku inside have been the most impressive of the guys looking to earn roster spots or training camp invites.
On the Warriors side, Kent Bazemore has played exceptionally well offensively, and by posting averages of 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, he may be in line for recognition as the tournament’s MVP.
Draymond Green has been the other standout for Golden State, and has averaged 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. Green’s play is not a surprise, considering that he played significant rotation minutes for the Warriors in his first NBA season last year, averaging 13.4 minutes per game in 79 appearances.
Summer League isn’t known for its high level of play, and in fact, it’s essentially the opposite. But we should see a good one in the final contest between two teams that have the most NBA experience and have played the most consistent brand of basketball over the past 10 days here in Las Vegas.