Aussies in Summer League: Bairstow shows his range, Motum stays efficient
Two of our Australians saw the floor in today's Summer League action, and Cameron Bairstow got the spotlight with some fine shooting from the three-point line.
Bairstow stretching his game
Cameron Bairstow had another solid game for the Chicago Bulls today, scoring 14 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 3 blocks.
The Bulls were overrun by the Brooklyn Nets after they led by 9 points with 1:03 remaining, losing 86 - 87. The game was capped by a converted and-1 by the Nets guard Ryan Boatwright which gave the Nets the lead. Bulls forward Doug McDermott then missed an 18 foot fade-away as the buzzer sounded.
Former Lobo teammates @delaney_deshawn and @cbairstow41 now opponents for the day in #NBASummer League. pic.twitter.com/48D0NniARx
— Geoff Grammer (@GeoffGrammer) July 14, 2015
Bairstow showed off his improved 3-point shot in the game by knocking down 2 of 3 from downtown. Across the Summer League he has attempted 10 shots from behind the arc making 4 of them.
I’ve been working on (the three) a bit, so it was a good opportunity to try things out and expand your game a little bit. - source
Putting it in context, during his entire college career at New Mexico Bairstow shot 2 of 6 from 3 point territory and did not take a single attempt as a rookie last season.
Adding the ability to stretch the floor to his game will help his chances to see more time for the Chicago Bulls by allowing him to share the court with start Bulls Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah.
Also helping his cause in the quest for more minutes this season is new head coach of the Bulls Fred Hoiberg, who recently spoke of his admiration for the big Aussie's game.
I really like Cam...[he] goes out there and makes those winning plays and picks things up quickly, a very smart player. - source
It seems likely that we might see a lot more of Cam in the new season.
Motum’s efficient night
Brock Motum was the other Aussie in action in Summer League today, playing for the Utah Jazz who went down 82 – 91 to the Phoenix Suns.
After leading the Jazz to victory in his previous game with a late flurry of points, Motum only saw 14 minutes of action against the Suns.
He was efficient in his time on the court hitting both his field goals (including a 3-pointer) and both his free throws to finish the game with 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
This is the second Summer League Motum has spent with the Jazz, they would have a good feel of what Motum can give them at this point. His lack of minutes is likely due to the Jazz brass getting a better look at other players on the roster and getting game time into their first round pick (12th overall) Trey Lyles, who also plays the power forward position.
The player of this game was the Suns' first round pick (13th overall) and Lyles’ college teammate Devon Armani Booker, who found his textbook shooting stroke to finish with a game high 18 points for the Suns.