Jordan Ford continues to impress Kings in Las Vegas Summer League loss to Chicago Bulls
The Kings came up short for the second day in a row at the Las Vegas Summer League, but they received strong individual performances from Jordan Ford, Mike Daum and Keon Ellis.
Javon Freeman-Liberty had a game-high 28 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 107-99 victory over the Kings on Tuesday at Cox Pavilion. The Kings were disappointed with the outcome, but they continue to be impressed with Ford, a former Folsom High School star who is out to prove he is worthy of a two-way contract or an NBA roster spot.
Ford had 25 points and eight assists against the Bulls. He went 9 of 16 from the field and 4 of 7 from 3-point range, connecting from long distance and converting at the rim to keep the Kings in the game.
“I have a great opportunity here,” said Ford, who spent last season with the G League Stockton Kings. “I’m just trying to take it one game at a time and showcase my skills to the best of my ability. My goal is always, whatever I’m doing, whether it’s summer league or G League, wherever I’m playing, my goal is always to win. That’s always my main objective and I’m going to try to play my game while doing that.”
Kings coach Luke Loucks has praised Ford for his dedication, production and approach since summer league began. Loucks had more good things to say about the 6-foot-1 guard from Saint Mary’s after Tuesday’s game.
“I thought Jordan had a hell of a game,” Loucks said. “He obviously started out hot. He was upset about the last game, as he should have been. He had a tough night the other night and I thought he came out with a spark.”
Ford is making a solid case for a two-way contract if the Kings have one available after sorting out third-year center Neemias Queta’s restricted free agency.
“This is basically an extended tryout for a lot of guys and I think (Ford has) had an incredible camp other than last game,” Loucks said. “He’s played at a really high level. Obviously, the organization knows him and likes him and likes him being around or he wouldn’t be with us for summer league, so I think he’s doing a heck of a job.”
Daum, a 27-year-old power forward who hasn’t been to summer league in four years, came off the bench to post 22 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes. He made 7 of 12 from the field and 5 of 9 from 3-point range. Ellis had 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting with three 3-pointers, two steals and two blocked shots.
Sacramento shot 51.4% from the field and made 16 of 35 (.457) from 3-point range, but the Bulls shot 52.9% while making 16 of 30 (.533) from beyond the arc. They also had amassed a 24-11 advantage in free-throw attempts because they were stronger in the paint.
The Kings nearly matched Chicago offensively behind Ford, Daum and Ellis, but they struggled defensively and got outrebounded 34-28 without center Neemias Queta, who will miss the rest of summer league with a stress reaction in his right foot.
“We knew they were a good rebounding team,” Loucks said. “I felt like we let them rebound the whole night. They had their way in the paint. They beat us in almost every category. They had more fastbreak points. They had more rebounds. They shot it better than us. I thought from top to bottom, they just outplayed us.”
