Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State basketball: Branham and Liddell make Summer League debuts

By Jacob Rhymer

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Brandon Williams #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against E.J. Liddell #32 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Brandon Williams #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against E.J. Liddell #32 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Liddell was the best player for the Ohio State basketball team last year. What can he do as a rookie in the NBA? (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Liddell was the best player for the Ohio State basketball team last year. What can he do as a rookie in the NBA? (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Liddell starts out slow in debut with Pelicans

Liddell’s NBA Summer League debut wasn’t quite like Branham’s. In almost 25 minutes of play, he was only 1 for 6 shooting, 16.7% from the field, just having 2 points on the night. Additionally, he pulled down 4 rebounds and was effective on the defensive end with one block.

I felt like he wasn’t being as aggressive on offense compared to when he was at Ohio State. Liddell didn’t take his first shot of the game until the third quarter. Most of the time he was hanging around the three-point line. He wasn’t trying to post up and get to his spot like he did a lot during his tenure with the Buckeyes. With his size, it’s difficult to go down low and score, but if he gets a mismatch it can be a lethal opportunity that he has to take advantage of.

Something that did impress me from Liddell’s game was his performance on the defensive end. He was out guarding guys on the perimeter and was able to hold his own even when he was left on an island. The Trail Blazers tried to isolate Liddell and get him in a switching action on ball screens and I thought he did a phenomenal job defending on the perimeter and not getting beat off the dribble. That will be huge for Liddell and his NBA career if he can expand his game defensively by guarding some really good guards on the outside.

It was just his first game in the NBA Summer League, there’s nothing to overreact about yet. Liddell just needs to correct himself in some areas and get comfortable in this league. Being aggressive on offense is the number one priority. I’m confident that Liddell will make the proper changes and he’s going to be just fine.

Both Branham and Liddell have time to improve their games in the Summer League.

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