Summer League Observations

[Larry89]

Spencer isn't ready yet, he gets flustered pretty easily around the basket and makes bad decisions and taking bad shots, his passing from the high post is pretty good and his handling is even better.

He needs to learn how to pass out of a double team better and try to be more aware of where the doubles are coming from. He needs to be more patient around the basket. I would also like to see maybe a little better rebounding, but that can't really be taught.

 

[CruzDude]

The problem with Douby that won't go away based on a few scoring outbursts in summer ball is he can't be trusted with the ball more than 1-2 dribbles max, then his handles get shaky, his decision making is poor, if he can't get to the hoop he launches up low percentage floaters that have less than 25% of going in.

You saw a bit different games from Douby on TV than I did in person. He shot 48% FG, 79% FT and was 5 for 6 on the tear drop floaters I saw him put up driving the lane in two games. From his first to second year his games and minutes doubled, and his major stat averages for FG-FT-REB-APG-STL all went up. Not bad working for 2 different coaches.

As indicated previously "Q" was here to work on his game and lend some leadership to the batch of rooks and/or for the Kings to showcase him to everyone. He is very quick to the basket and used his mid-range jumper well stepping in from the perimeter when a defender ran at him. I like the kid but he is on the bubble. He can be a very good defender and has quick feet but he is only a very skinny 6-3 SG. But is what he does good enough?? We'll see by or in training camp.

Regarding Shelden attending the ESPY's, I approve 100%. He was there with his fiance, Candace Parker who won female athlete of the year. If his career IS in limbo, missing one summer league game should not affect that situation. Didn't help but didn't hurt either. His potential is fascinating but I didn't see him dominate anyone in summer league as he should. There were spurts in every game when he did but spurts don't get you up the NBA ladder very far. And he was taken #5 by Atlanta in a relatively poor draft.

 

[NME]

David Thorpe has updated some of his rookie notes, including Jason Thompson:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playe...eason=2009&playerRankingType=1&period=1&set=1

July 22, 2008

Scouts rave about his speed. I love his hands. He mixes it up well around the rim and looks like he'll be an effective player out on the floor. The best rookie power forward of the summer.

 

[Gary]

David Thorpe has updated some of his rookie notes, including Jason Thompson:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playe...eason=2009&playerRankingType=1&period=1&set=1

No way is he the best rookie PF if you count Love as a PF. Love was amazing this last week. Nothing against Thompson though.

 

[BMiller52]

No way is he the best rookie PF if you count Love as a PF. Love was amazing this last week. Nothing against Thompson though.

Love played at C I think...

 

[NME]

Love played at C I think...

Right, Thorpe named Love as best Center. The others were Randolph at SF, Westbrook at PG, and Bayless at “combo guard” - although with a 30 point to 1 assist ratio, I think he could have safely just said Shooting Guard.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Great hands? Can we bring back C-Webb as big man coach?

 

[=LarryLegend=]

Can we bring back C-Webb as big man coach?

I think i read some where that cwebb and thompson did have some workouts together already, pre-draft i think, and he gave him free food coupons at center court.

 

[Kevin_Martin_23]

JT = Impressive
Hawes = Looks better out there (quicker, leaner, athletic)
Singletary = really likes to pass the ball
Ewing = Nothing was shown
Williams = Showed that he may be able to contribute

 

[CruzDude]

Maurice Brooks of ESPN.com did an ESPN writeup on 7/21 summing up the Summer League pretty well and added some nice of his "My Favorite XXXXXX" at the end. Belinelli was his "Favorite Bricklayer", Speights was his "...Favorite Sixer" reminding us that the rookie was 18.2 and 10.2 for summer league plus 2.2 blks/gm.

But my favorite of his favorites was "Mr. Clutch of the Summer League: Jason Thompson, Kings".
"Thompson hit not one, but two game-winning shots. His three-point play in overtime helped the Kings top the Blazers, and he had a tip-in and free throw in the final 20 seconds of a three-point victory over the Warriors. The 6-foot-11 forward out of Rider averaged 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest."

And his last "favorite" was a surprise as I didn't see him play: "My Favorite for Lottery Pick Bust: Joe Alexander"!! Wow! Pow! Bam! "As of now, this honor has to go go Alexander. Let's see what happens...." said Maurice ending his article.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
And David Thorpe of ESPN.com wrote in his "top rooks in summer-league action" column on july 23:

Jason Thompson, Kings
"Scouts rave about his speed. I love his hands. He mixes it up well around the rim and looks like he'll be an effective player out on the floor. The best rookie power forward of the summer."

Guess we have a winner in Jason. Can't wait the 67 days until start of training camp.