Nugg Love
Fansided

Analysis: Denver Nuggets Summer League Grades

By Drew Albee

Jul 8, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Thomas & Mack Center is shown on the opening day of the 2016 NBA Summer League. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Thomas & Mack Center is shown on the opening day of the 2016 NBA Summer League. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; The NBA logo is shown with basketballs as the Atlanta Hawks conduct an open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; The NBA logo is shown with basketballs as the Atlanta Hawks conduct an open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Mateusz Ponitka and Ondrej Balvin = C+

These two international prospects appeared to earn assistant coach Micah Nori’s trust throughout Summer League action, as each player registered more than 10 minutes per game.

Neither player was overly impressive and it is unlikely either player sees an NBA roster this year, but both guys can play basketball and could be heard from in NBA circles again someday.

Ponitka made a crazy one-handed shot at the first-half buzzer in the quarterfinals against Phoenix, but also nearly cost the Nuggets the game in regulation as he foolishly jumped at a Dragan Bender pump fake and fouled the Croatian big man with 0.4 seconds left — fortunately, Bender missed both free throws.

Ponitka appears to have a nose for the basketball and snatched an impressive 3.0 offensive rebounds per game in Vegas.

Balvin reportedly signed with Bayern Munich in Germany during the tournament, as he averaged 3.8 points on 77.8% field goal shooting and 2.6 rebounds during 10.6 minutes per game.

Both players helped fill out the Nuggets’ Summer League roster and played hard during their time in blue and yellow.

Next: Josh Adams

Home/Nuggets News