Southeast Notes: Simpson, Ware, Toppin, Magic Coaches

Hornets guard KJ Simpson is embracing his role as the primary initiator on Charlotte’s summer league team after missing his rookie summer league last year, writes Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer.

The Hornets’ roster is loaded with guards, and Simpson is aware needing to become more consistent with his offense if he wants to find a role with the team this year.

“I know I’m a way better shooter and way better efficient scorer than I was during the season,” Simpson says. “Just being more efficient, taking better shots and better decision making, that can always improve.”

Simpson also knows that he’s got to be a pest defensively if he wants to earn his place on the court. One player he’s looking to for inspiration in that search is the Pacers’ T.J. McConnell, whose game tape he has been watching for inspiration, including McConnell’s tendency to pick up full-court defensively.

“T.J. is a good example that he just goes out there heart over height, and I just want to go out there and prove I can do the same thing at that same level.”

We have more from around the Southeast division:

• After being called out by Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra for his lackluster Summer League start and overall approach, second-year big man Kel’el Ware responded in a major way on Sunday evening, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Ware ended his fourth Summer League game with 21 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks while shooting 2-3 from three, though Jackson notes that more is still needed in terms of attention to detail on the defensive glass and transition defense. “He’s the coach and he has that trust in me and he wants to see me be the best I can be,” Ware said after the game. “So I took it as motivation.” Summer League coach Eric Glass liked what he saw, saying, “When he comes in with that focus and that intensity, the rest of his game blossoms. He has that potential and we want to see him do it again tomorrow.”
• Jacob Toppin is hoping to build off a strong start to Summer League with the Hawks, writes Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Toppin’s speed and athleticism with the ball has stood out during his play, and Summer League coach Bryan Bailey has noticed. “Obviously, his size, his length and ability to shoot the ball,” Bailey said. “We even saw (Friday) in the game, just in the fourth quarter, he can push the ball. He can dribble. So we got him as a weapon in transition. Just keep developing those things.” The Hawks have a roster loaded with athletic wings, but Toppin knows what he needs to do to prove himself worth the investment. “On the defensive end, being a menace, being able to guard one of four, keeping guys in front,” he said. “Offensively, being that athletic wing who’s going to run the floor space, make open shots and stuff like that.”
• Losing in the first round for a second consecutive year helped convince Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley that additional help was needed, not just on the roster, but on the coaching staff as well, writes Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. That led the team to hire God Shammgod and former Bucks’ assistant Joe Prunty. “What they bring is experience,” Mosley said. “They bring a level of player relationship that they’ve developed over time throughout being in the league all these years. For our staff, they continue that connectivity that we have.” Mosley has worked with both coaches before, Shammgod in Dallas and Prunty in Cleveland, and he’s excited for what the two can bring to the team. “Sham, more on the coaching side, being able to dissect some of the offense, the individual movement and plays of guys,” Mosley said. “Joe’s going to be tasked more with the offensive focus, offensive flow of the way in which we’re playing.”