The Atlanta Hawks may have lost their Summer League opener to the Utah Jazz, but Kingston Flemings gave the organization exactly what it hoped to see.
The No. 8 overall pick finished with 14 points, nine assists, and four steals in Atlanta’s 103-102 overtime loss, impacting nearly every area of the game in his debut.
There were several encouraging performances for the Hawks. Asa Newell looked comfortable entering his second season, while Zuby Ejiofor filled the stat sheet and made his presence felt throughout the game.
However, the biggest takeaway was Flemings. It wasn’t necessarily the numbers that stood out the most, either. It was how naturally he controlled the offense and displayed many of the traits that made Atlanta comfortable selecting him with a top-ten pick.
Flemings already looks comfortable running an offense
Flemings entered the NBA with a reputation for his elite speed and ability to attack downhill. Both were on full display in his first Summer League appearance.
What stood out most was his willingness to get his teammates involved. Flemings spent much of the game making the right reads rather than forcing his own offense, and his nine assists reflected his ability to create opportunities for others.
His speed was particularly dangerous in transition. Flemings consistently pushed the ball before Utah’s defense could get set, leading to easy scoring opportunities around the basket. That pace added another dimension to Atlanta’s offense.
Flemings also showed plenty of promise as a scorer. He shot 2-of-5 from three-point range, found opportunities to get to his midrange jumper, and consistently pressured the defense by attacking the basket.
That aggressiveness also allowed him to make frequent trips to the free-throw line. Flemings may only be getting started, but his ability to score from multiple areas of the floor while creating for others is exactly what the Hawks hoped to see.
Atlanta saw the traits Quin Snyder should love
Flemings’ impact wasn’t limited to the offensive end. His four steals were another encouraging sign of how his elite speed and quickness could translate defensively.
He consistently displayed active hands and used his athleticism to disrupt opposing players. There will undoubtedly be areas for Flemings to improve defensively as he adjusts to the NBA level, but the effort and natural tools are already there.
Those are the types of traits that should fit naturally within Quin Snyder’s system. Flemings can push the pace, create advantages off the dribble, make plays for teammates, and use his athleticism to cause problems defensively.
Of course, one Summer League game should never determine the trajectory of a rookie’s career. Flemings still has plenty to learn, and there will almost certainly be growing pains along the way.
However, his debut provided an encouraging first look at what he could eventually bring to the Hawks.
The final result may have been a loss, but Flemings impacted the game exactly how Atlanta envisioned when it selected him with the No. 8 pick. If his Summer League debut is any indication, the Hawks may have found a point guard capable of making his presence felt in several different ways.
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