Jerrelle Benimon Summer League Debut
By Len Nunes
Mar 8, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Towson Tigers forward Jerrelle Benimon (20) reacts after a three pointer in the second half against the James Madison Dukes during the Colonial Athletic Conference basketball tournament at Mariner Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Our Denver Nuggets play in the Las Vegas Summer League. Prior to the beginning of the Vegas Summer League some NBA teams compete in the Orlando Summer League. Having two Summer Leagues gives the opportunity for players to play for multiple teams. Jerrelle Benimon is one such example. Benimon is playing in the Orlando Summer League with the Miami Heat. Then Benimon will join the Denver Nuggets in Las Vegas Summer League action.
Benimon’s Miami Heat lost 85-77 to the Boston Celtics. I watched the game with my focus put squarely on Jerrelle Benimon. Benimon’s official line reads 2-6 shooting and 1-3 from the free throw line. Benimon also collected nine rebounds and two assists. Here’s my breakdown of what I saw.
- The word “chemistry” is hard to use for a Summer League roster but Shabazz Napier and Jerrelle Benimon were definitely not on the same page. On multiple occasions, passes between Napier and Benimon resulted in turnovers.
- Benimon finished with 5 turnovers. One of his first turnovers made me giggle. Benimon went to kick a pass out for a corner three but hit the Boston defender square between the shoulder blades with his pass.
- Celtics second year player Kelly Olynyk was too much for Jerrelle Benimon to handle. Olynyk shook off Benimon for open shots on a consistent basis. On one of the opening possessions of the game, Olynyk floated into the key and Benimon simply allowed him to put up the shot (Olynyk ended up missing the shot).
- As the game went on, Jerrelle Benimon became more aggressive in the paint. Of the nine rebounds Benimon was credited with, six were rebounds he had to work hard to bring down. While Benimon did struggle with his passing, his best pass came after pulling down an offensive board. A beautiful bounce pass to Ennis with Celtics all around. Shame Ennis missed the ensuing shot.
Overall, Jerrelle Benimon definitely looked like someone playing in his first “pro” game. Onward and upward young man!