The Memphis Grizzlies have been electric during this year's Summer League, as they have accumulated a 6-2 record throughout exhibition play, are 5-0 since making their way to Las Vegas, and, following Sunday's exhilarating 99-98 win over the LA Clippers, are just one win away from being crowned SL Champions.
While these successes have been the result of a full-team effort, arguably the main catalyst in their winning ways has been 23-year-old Scotty Pippen Jr., who has served as the primary point guard and has put forth sensational efforts on both ends of the floor throughout.
Though he's proven to be an incredible and consistent contributor in this summer's tournament, arguably his best showing thus far came against Los Angeles where he recorded a triple-double of 23 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds while adding 2 steals and a block along the way.
Scotty Pippen Jr. dropped a TRIPLE DOUBLE to lead the @memgrizz to the #NBA2KSummerLeague Championship!
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2024
23 PTS | 10 REB | 10 AST pic.twitter.com/WazhLJEMjS
Following the contest and riding high on the fact that he and his teammates just punched their ticket to the Summer League Championship round, Pippen discussed his standing among those who have participated in the bevy of exhibitions over the past few weeks, and, with a confident smile plastered on his face, proclaimed himself to be the best player in this year's tournament.
Grizzlies' Scotty Pippen Jr. calls himself 'best player in Summer League'
"I'll let the numbers and the games speak for themself but I think I'm the best player in Summer League."Scotty Pippen Jr.
As mentioned, Pippen's play has been truly remarkable throughout the 2024 Summer League, as he finds himself sporting stellar averages of 23.0 points, 8.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 steals while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor through six games played.
From receiving high-praise compliments from teammates like GG Jackson who recently referred to him as "floor general" to coach Jason March suggesting he should be crowned Summer League MVP, with every passing day throughout these festivities Pippen Jr. has consistently been proving that the investment the Grizzlies made in his upside was justified.
Because of this, the point guard has every right to view himself as one of, if not the best player to have suited up in these July contests.