LAS VEGAS — There was no help for Mangok Mathiang, and little hope.
Thunder center Dakari Johnson had him isolated in the post in the first half of Oklahoma City's 88-87 Summer League loss to the Hornets on Friday, and with no double-team coming, the rookie was out of his depth.
Johnson got his body into Mathiang, scored easily and gave the rookie an earful about it.
Eventually, Johnson has to show those summer skills can carry over to the winter.
At some point, Johnson admitted Friday, “it has to translate” to the NBA.
The 20 points and eight rebounds he posted Friday are a good indicator of what he can do against lower-level competition, but there will come a time when he has to show the Thunder that he can contribute against top competition.