Meija's Take on Summer League

[KingKong]

[font=Arial, Helvetica][font=Arial, Helvetica]http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/8648277[/font][/font]
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[font=Arial, Helvetica][font=Arial, Helvetica]Summer league is to discover future stars[/font][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica][font=Arial, Helvetica]July 15, 2005
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
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[font=Arial, Helvetica][font=Arial, Helvetica]Summer-league action has wrapped up in Las Vegas, but is in full swing out in Long Beach, and is just getting underway in Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.[/font] [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica][font=Arial, Helvetica]Considering the varying array of talent showcased at these events, there's nothing quite like it. It's the ultimate mix-and-match of future stars like Orlando's Dwight Howard meshing with potentially moldable projects such as Detroit's Darko Milicic and Dallas' D.J. Mbenga -- both being prepared for larger roles next season. Plus, there's no-name guys you've who will most likely never play a second in the NBA. [/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Percy Miller, better known as Master P to rap fans, is making his annual run at the league, balling with Sacramento. There is a 7-footer playing for Denver named Boniface N'Dong who barely weighs 200 pounds. For all the wannabes, this is their one chance to open eyes and earn a place at the bountiful NBA table. [/font][/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]As a result, high lottery picks like Howard, Sebastian Telfair, Chris Paul, have targets on their backs, with everyone else looking to make their own names famous by starring against the touted ballplayers. How's everyone doing? Glad you asked. Here is a team-by-team summary of the teams that have taken the court so far. [/font]


[font=Arial, Helvetica]Boston [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Celtics thrived in Vegas, and why wouldn't they? Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen joined forces with this year's picks Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes to make some sweet music. They shared minutes and shots and walked away with a host of wins. The bulk of the notoriety went to Green, who had an unbelievable dunk over an L.A. Clippers invitee. The dunk was the talk of the entire event. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Chicago [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Bulls held the majority of their prized young players out of Vegas. That meant no Andres Nocioni, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, etc. Despite their absences, Chicago fared well, getting inspired play from undrafted free agent Eddie Basden. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Cleveland [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Cavs went undefeated in Vegas despite the fact that top scorer Luke Jackson struggled mightily with his shooting (32 percent). Still, it looks like the talented second-year small forward is going to fit in nicely next to LeBron James and Larry Hughes, as he facilitates ball movement and really understands the offensive nuances of the game. Olumide Oyedeji, a raw interior player with great athleticism, had numerous strong moments. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Dallas [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Mavericks had entries at both Vegas and Long Beach, so they utilized a split squad. The stronger entry played in Vegas, with Marquis Daniels, Devin Harris and Mbenga leading the charge. Big man Pavel Podkolzin, 7-5, put together some positive moments, but he's still miles away. Josh Powell, who probably left N.C. State a year too early, was Vegas' most pleasant surprise, leading the event in rebounding. In California, Marquette product Scott Merritt was the story. KU's Keith Langford did nothing to disprove the belief that he doesn't shoot the ball well enough to play at this level. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Detroit [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Darko, not so good. Given the opportunity to play major minutes, Milicic shot just 37 percent from the field, struggled on defense and averaged less than six boards per game. He needed to dominate, and didn't. Rickey Paulding, another player the team was hoping to see more from, shot 33 percent. Detroit's top performer was undrafted free agent Alex Acker out of Pepperdine. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica][font=Arial, Helvetica]Golden State
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[font=Arial, Helvetica]At least four members of the Warriors' Vegas squad will be on the final roster, so the fact the team took beating after beating wasn't the best of signs. Still, Golden State had to feel good about rookies Ike Diogu and Monta Ellis, who combined for nearly 30 points per game and showed some great flashes. Diogu and last year's lottery pick, Andris Biedrins, had particularly strong outings against Celtics bigs Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins, the best tandem they faced. [/font]


[font=Arial, Helvetica]L.A. Lakers [/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Seventeen-year old Andrew Bynum has certainly not embarrassed himself with his efforts, moving well, scoring around the baskets and blocking shots, but for his size, he didn't rebound particularly well. Second-round pick Ronny Turiaf, expected to make the roster, has played with excellent energy and had a breakout game against Dallas' slower bigs, finishing with 26 points and 11 rebounds on 9-for-11 shooting. Sasha Vujacic, a tall point guard many have been touting for years, hasn't done much to distinguish himself. [/font]

 

[KingKong]

....contd.

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Memphis [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Dahntay Jones was aggressive in attacking the rim and was a fixture at the free-throw line. Lawrence Roberts appears to have been an absolute steal, putting together monster games that even overshadowed first-round pick Hakim Warrick, who was equally dominant on the boards. The two rookies should battle for the departing Stromile Swift's minutes. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Miami [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Earl Barron had some strong performances for the Heat's entry in Long Beach, but given the number of centers the team already has on its roster, it might be in his best interest to look elsewhere. The former Memphis standout has formed a potent post tandem with top pick Wayne Simien, who flirted with double-doubles on a nightly basis. Not all the news has been positive. Last year's top pick, Dorrell Wright, was inconsistent prior to sustaining a mouth injury that might keep him out for the remainder of action. Swingman Qyntel Woods can't seem to find his shooting stroke. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]New Jersey [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Nets didn't get within 10 points of any team they faced in Vegas, joining the Warriors as the event's weakest links. However, there's nothing to lose sleep over, as only two players on the team likely have a shot at cracking the 15-man roster. First-round pick Antoine Wright led the team in scoring, but shot just 36 percent. Former USC standout Sam Clancy, considered undersized to play power forward in the NBA, averaged nearly 15 points and might be able to stick next to former college teammate Brian Scalabrine among the Nets' reserves forwards. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]New Orleans [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Chris Paul had a disappointing first run with the Hornets, struggling with his shooting stroke. He shot just 37 percent from the field and 60 percent from the line, but did show he can run a team. On the bright side, second-year off guard J.R. Smith was able to get off alongside his new tag-team partner, averaging over 20 points a game. Maciej Lampe, acquired in the Jim Jackson trade last year, also had his share of positive moments, overshadowing likely roster inclusions David West and Brandon Bass. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]New York [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]The Knicks received erratic play from top pick Channing Frye, who despite showing a nice offensive game and strong post moves, struggled defensively. Fortunately, their other draft choices made the organization smile. Point guard Nate Robinson was exceptional, leading the team in scoring and assists. David Lee, the final pick of the first round, hit nine of his last 10 shots and looks like a legitimate player. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Portland [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]If Vegas is any indication, Telfair is poised for a breakout season. The second-year point guard led the event in scoring and assists and was the unquestioned top performer. He had help from fellow former preps-to-pros jumper Travis Outlaw, who scored 34 points in a game and finished up averaging over 19. This year's high school choice, Martell Webster, wasn't as productive, struggling with his jump shot. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Sacramento [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Wings Francisco Garcia and Kevin Martin were brilliant, but they had little help. Martin averaged 19 per game and should be able to help Maurice Evans replace Cuttino Mobley. Garcia struggled from the perimeter, normally a strength, but he was still able to find ways to score and create opportunities for his teammates. [/font]



[font=Arial, Helvetica]Toronto [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica]Not that this is exactly good news, but the most impressive Raptor in Long Beach was center Uros Slokar. The Slovenian certainly looked more worthy of a roster spot than restricted free agent Pape Sow, who struggled. Slokar ran the floor well and rebounded. Charlie Villanueva was erratic, while Joey Graham didn't shoot the ball well and had problems with foul trouble. To make matters worse, both suffered injuries that will likely keep them out of the Minnesota league, with Villanueva nursing a strained right groin muscle and Graham straining his right calf. Rafael Araujo was excused from playing with the team in order to train with the Brazilian Olympic team, while Roko Ukic, training with the Croatian Olympic team, had his contract with his European club bought out and is now free to join the Raps. [/font]