http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/273684.html
NBA Beat: Some wows from boys of summer-league ball
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 15, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C9
Seen and heard at summer league in Las Vegas:
• Marco Belinelli, the No. 18 pick, is much more likely to make an immediate contribution with the Warriors than Brandan Wright, the No. 8 selection. While Wright is a raw power forward loaded with athleticism and potential, the slashing Italian combo guard with a quick-release jumper is a current match for the Warriors' speed-game, which is looking to replace the 16 points a night from the since-traded Jason Richardson.
Both may lap Patrick O'Bryant on the prospect list by Christmas. The 2006 lottery pick, who spent much of last season with the minor-league affiliate in Bakersfield, still looks so out of place that when a reporter wondered about the chance of O'Bryant having a greater role in 2007-08, coach Don Nelson asked if he meant in the NBA or the Development League.
• Spencer Hawes' offensive skills are so advanced for a 19-year-old center with one season of college experience that the Kings rookie drew consistently positive reviews from opposing coaches and executives. Kudos came despite his three assists against 12 turnovers the first three games and appearing rushed or nervous in stretches. He runs the court well, contrary to the image some have fostered of the No. 10 pick as speed challenged in the Brad Miller mold, but, in the expected drawback, he remains very much a work in progress who will get pushed around until he adds weight and gets stronger.
"Hell of a pick," one front-office veteran said. "Gonna be. He does some special things."
• No top-10 choice has been especially impressive. No. 1 pick Greg Oden, already setting the tone, had more fouls (19) than points (18) or rebounds (7) in two games (summer league allows 10 personals before a disqualification) before being sidelined because of tonsillitis. No. 2 Kevin Durant didn't shoot well (25 percent from the field) and had two rebounds and zero assists his first two outings.
• Nikoloz Tskitishvili was back with Denver, where he failed by historic proportions as the No. 5 pick in 2002. He didn't average more than four points or three rebounds in 2 1/2 seasons.
Money ball
If you thought Chris Webber moved slowly before, just wait. His free-agent summer could drag on before it is decided if he will remain a Piston in his hometown, go elsewhere, or retire -- with each a realistic option.
Webber has had contract talks with teams, so there is interest in a 15th season. If he actually plays on, though, may come down to whether the offers increase, raising the possibility that he does not want to quit but will take that route as a financial decision, despite getting a reported $36 million buyout from the 76ers six months ago.
That January move by Philadelphia to sever ties, after Webber had pushed to either get an increased role or a new address, was the first step in what became his latest new image: Webber, who signed as a free agent, as a rejuvenated and dependable hand in Detroit's impressive push through the second half of the regular season. But then came the playoffs and the unavoidable conclusion that he was 34 years old and leaking energy while averaging 9.9 points and 6.3 rebounds in the three rounds.
That image is an obvious concern for teams that would get him as a piece for a postseason run, not for a great March contribution.
It could lead to the other Webber option of the moment, the one where he calls it a career and then is lured out of a restful retirement for the second half of 2007-08.
The bottom line
Grant Hill officially became a former Magic on Wednesday, when he and the Suns signed a previously announced two-year contract. Orlando's final return on the $93 million it paid Hill over seven seasons: 202 regular-season games (an average of 29 per season), four playoff games, five surgeries on his left ankle, one hernia operation.
Lottery winnings
The Trail Blazers and SuperSonics both moved from 80-1 odds to win the championship on several Las Vegas lines to 30-1 after landing Oden and Durant, respectively, in the draft. The Spurs, Mavericks and Suns are, as expected, are the favorites. The Kings are mostly around 50-1.
Close quote
Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, on threats by the lawyer for Nelson that the Golden State coach will retire before camp if he does not get a raise: "With the last eight Warriors' coaches, the concern each offseason was that the coach was threatening to return."
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com.
NBA Beat: Some wows from boys of summer-league ball
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 15, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C9
Seen and heard at summer league in Las Vegas:
• Marco Belinelli, the No. 18 pick, is much more likely to make an immediate contribution with the Warriors than Brandan Wright, the No. 8 selection. While Wright is a raw power forward loaded with athleticism and potential, the slashing Italian combo guard with a quick-release jumper is a current match for the Warriors' speed-game, which is looking to replace the 16 points a night from the since-traded Jason Richardson.
Both may lap Patrick O'Bryant on the prospect list by Christmas. The 2006 lottery pick, who spent much of last season with the minor-league affiliate in Bakersfield, still looks so out of place that when a reporter wondered about the chance of O'Bryant having a greater role in 2007-08, coach Don Nelson asked if he meant in the NBA or the Development League.
• Spencer Hawes' offensive skills are so advanced for a 19-year-old center with one season of college experience that the Kings rookie drew consistently positive reviews from opposing coaches and executives. Kudos came despite his three assists against 12 turnovers the first three games and appearing rushed or nervous in stretches. He runs the court well, contrary to the image some have fostered of the No. 10 pick as speed challenged in the Brad Miller mold, but, in the expected drawback, he remains very much a work in progress who will get pushed around until he adds weight and gets stronger.
"Hell of a pick," one front-office veteran said. "Gonna be. He does some special things."
• No top-10 choice has been especially impressive. No. 1 pick Greg Oden, already setting the tone, had more fouls (19) than points (18) or rebounds (7) in two games (summer league allows 10 personals before a disqualification) before being sidelined because of tonsillitis. No. 2 Kevin Durant didn't shoot well (25 percent from the field) and had two rebounds and zero assists his first two outings.
• Nikoloz Tskitishvili was back with Denver, where he failed by historic proportions as the No. 5 pick in 2002. He didn't average more than four points or three rebounds in 2 1/2 seasons.
Money ball
If you thought Chris Webber moved slowly before, just wait. His free-agent summer could drag on before it is decided if he will remain a Piston in his hometown, go elsewhere, or retire -- with each a realistic option.
Webber has had contract talks with teams, so there is interest in a 15th season. If he actually plays on, though, may come down to whether the offers increase, raising the possibility that he does not want to quit but will take that route as a financial decision, despite getting a reported $36 million buyout from the 76ers six months ago.
That January move by Philadelphia to sever ties, after Webber had pushed to either get an increased role or a new address, was the first step in what became his latest new image: Webber, who signed as a free agent, as a rejuvenated and dependable hand in Detroit's impressive push through the second half of the regular season. But then came the playoffs and the unavoidable conclusion that he was 34 years old and leaking energy while averaging 9.9 points and 6.3 rebounds in the three rounds.
That image is an obvious concern for teams that would get him as a piece for a postseason run, not for a great March contribution.
It could lead to the other Webber option of the moment, the one where he calls it a career and then is lured out of a restful retirement for the second half of 2007-08.
The bottom line
Grant Hill officially became a former Magic on Wednesday, when he and the Suns signed a previously announced two-year contract. Orlando's final return on the $93 million it paid Hill over seven seasons: 202 regular-season games (an average of 29 per season), four playoff games, five surgeries on his left ankle, one hernia operation.
Lottery winnings
The Trail Blazers and SuperSonics both moved from 80-1 odds to win the championship on several Las Vegas lines to 30-1 after landing Oden and Durant, respectively, in the draft. The Spurs, Mavericks and Suns are, as expected, are the favorites. The Kings are mostly around 50-1.
Close quote
Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, on threats by the lawyer for Nelson that the Golden State coach will retire before camp if he does not get a raise: "With the last eight Warriors' coaches, the concern each offseason was that the coach was threatening to return."
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com.
