Live from las vegas, kings-warriors, monday july 15

[bajaden]

LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS

by bajaden

OK, Long day! Last game didn't finish until around 9:30 PM. So we'll talk about todays Kings game first. Just to get it out of the way. I had high hopes after the first game, even though McLemore didn't shoot the ball well, and his shot selection left a lot to be desired. I thought the rest of the team played well in the first game. As a matter of fact, I thought it was one of the best first games a KIngs team has ever played in summer league. If you throw the score out, which their mostly doing this year with their points system, the team looked like they knew what they were doing. I thought McCallum played extremely well, even though he didn't shoot the ball particularly well.

So, I had high hopes today. And my hopes were dashed. Well, not entirely! There were a few bright spots. Once again, McCallum stood out as perhaps the best player on the floor for the Kings. He tried desperately in the first half to get his teammates involved. To no avail. Either they missed their shots, or couldn't free themselves up for a pass. The first half was a total disaster. Interesting enough, the Kings came back out of the locker room just in time for the start of the second half. No real time for warm ups. From the expression on their faces, I think there was an extensive lecture in the locker room.

There's no doubt that the Kings started the second half with a more aggressive attitude. Unfortunately that didn't translate to better execution. McLemore, who shot the ball every time he touched it in the first game, seemed afraid to shoot in this game. When he did take a shot, especially a couple of long three's, he came up quite short. However, he did make a very tough off the glass baseline shot, and did hit a wide open left elbow three. About halfway through the third quarter McCallum decided to do what no one else on the team could do. Score! He drove the lane time and time again with the same result. A basket, or a basket and a foul. He added 6 steals to his stat sheet. I believe he had 22 points, but only one assist, if memory serves. I'm very tired right now, so bear with me.

I thought that Drew Gordon played fairly well. He led the team with 6 boards. Doesn't sound impressive, but he did it in 18 minutes of play. His clear weakness is in passing the ball. I know he had at least 3 turnovers off errant passes, maybe more. Clyburn had a few good moments. He's a very good athlete, and he plays aggressive defense. He also hit a couple of open three's. I thought Aiken played well, but for some reason didn't get many minutes today. It appeared they wanted to get an extensive look at Garrett Stutz. Who played OK, but didn't send a thrill up my leg. So far I'm disappointed in Lighty. I've seen him play many times at Ohio St, and I expected more form him. Tomorrow's another day, and I doubt the team will get time to practice in the morning, but if so, I have an NBA media person that trying to find out where they practice. We'll see! No promises.

Other notes from the day. I ran into Jonathon Giviony from DraftExpress.com. He's staying in the same hotel we are. We had a talk about McLemore after I asked for his thoughts. He likes McLemore, and thinks he'll be just fine. He pointed out that many other players, such as Durant, had terrible first games in summer league. Cousins didn't exactly blow everyone out of the water in summer league.

Cody Zeller, who played very well in his first game, came back today and had another very solid game. Its just summer league, but he appears to like the PF position. He’s a very smart player who knows how to play the game.

 

[bajaden]

Good morning from Las Vegas. Not feeling well this morning, and no, I did not party. Some additional notes from yesterdays games. I've seen Biyombo play twice now. He was just terrible in the first game. THe dude has hands of stone, and just isn't alert on the floor. A beautiful pass from Cody Zeller to Biyombo under the basket hit him in the back of his head. He did play better in the second game, and did a good job of protecting the rim. He's no Ibaka, and never will be.

On of my favorites, Jeffery Taylor, played very well, as did Gilchrist. Both played excellent defense, but it was Taylor that stole the show. I lost tract of how many steals he had. Every time I looked up he was headed down court with another steal and a dunk. The Cats have him playing SG, with Gilchrist at the Three. Taylor's only weakness at SG is his ballhandling, which isn't terrible.

A kid thats been very impressive in both games I've seen him play, is Lance Thomas. A rookie SF for New Orleans. He plays very good defense, rebounds, and at least in two summer league games, has hit his outside shot. Only summer league, but he got my attention. Others that have made me take notice are, Matthew Dellavedova, who is playing for the Cav's. On the other hand, Dion Waiters looks like he's going through the motions. Another who appeared to wish he was somewhere else was our old friend Donte Greene, whose playing with the Grizz. Donte looked barely interested.

Gotta head over to the arena, so more later!!

 

[CruzDude]

It was apparent the Warriors had a game plan to stop McLemore and McCallum with defenders getting in their faces the entire game, whether off or on the ball. It worked, until McCallum took it upon himself to take charge in the scond half when no one else seemed to be moving much or getting open. He was also the only fast breaker and made a number of spectacular breaks for baskets. McLemore has trouble going left and creating a shot. When he gets a "catch-and-shoot" situation, which was not very often, he has a beautiful shot which goes down often.

Gordon, the UNM kid, did well in stretches and was quite a presence near the basket but is yet anoth PF. The string bean Aiken also showed flashes in shooting, rebounding and defending but they were only "flashes" at this point.

Interesting observation at end of half-time was the Warriors warming up but no sight of the Kings until just before the horn went off to start the second half. The Kings looked liked they took a whoppin' at half time. It sparked them for a moment but then the Warriors went on a 12-2 run and it was all over. Tough game to watch.

 

[Hallama]

You guys are right about the halftime delay - Malone said today that he didn't like the effort and he let them all know it, in his own special way.