Summer league rep

[SicC]

LAS VEGAS – Here is who shined and struggled in NBA summer league play Saturday and Sunday, according to various front-office personnel and scouts around the league.

SHINING

1. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers – Aldridge continued his impressive play in Vegas. He is shooting well from the outside and has a nice turnaround baseline jumper. He finished Sunday's game with 16 points and 11 rebounds in a 72-68 loss to Dallas.

2. Spencer Hawes, Sacramento Kings – Hawes played well with his back to the basket, displaying good footwork and showing a variety of low-post moves, including a turnaround jumper. He also stepped out and hit a couple of jump shots. He finished with 19 points (on 9-for-14 shooting) and seven rebounds as Sacramento defeated Team China 73-47.

3. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers – Oden still was not great (anything was going to be an improvement over Friday's debacle in which he committed 10 fouls and scored six points), but he played much better on Sunday. He was much more active both offensively and defensively, soaring way above the rim to throw down a thunderous dunk as well as blocking four shots. He finished Sunday's game with 13 points and five rebounds in a losing effort.

4. Jose Juan Barea, Dallas Mavericks – He has played solidly in both of the Mavs' victories. On Friday, Barea finished with 14 points and nine assists and followed that up with 17 points and three assists on Sunday. He is strong with the basketball, gets into the lane and makes good decisions.

5. Marco Belinelli, Golden State Warriors – If he consistently shoots like he did on Saturday, then Golden State got the steal of last month's draft. Belinelli hit from anywhere and everywhere, making 14 of 20 shots from the floor and five of seven on three-pointers as he led the Warriors with 37 points in a 110-102 win over New Orleans.

6. Hilton Armstrong, New Orleans Hornets – Armstrong could be a low-post presence in his second season. On Saturday against Golden State, he showed decent moves around the basket and was active defensively and on the boards, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and two blocks in only 19 minutes.

7. Jason Maxiell, Detroit Pistons – Maxiell played very well Saturday in displaying a solid low-post game and a nice touch on his jumper. Obviously, he is taking summer league very seriously, having lost all the excess fat he had in college. Maxiell finished Saturday's 91-89 victory over Philadelphia with 22 points on 7-for-10 shooting.

8. Javaris Crittenton, Los Angeles Lakers – He might be the answer for the Lakers at the point guard position. Crittenton displayed nice poise and shot the ball well (8-for-13 for 18 points) in a 66-64 win over Milwaukee. He is very good at changing speeds while handling the basketball, making one move where he hesitated at the top of the key and then exploded to the basket for a resounding dunk. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

STRUGGLING

1. Francisco Garcia, Sacramento Kings – Garcia continues to have trouble with consistency. He shot a poor 6-for-18 from the field on Saturday and had five turnovers. He did, however, mix in some nice passes. Unfortunately, the Kings do not need flash next season; they need a reliable contributor.

2. Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee Bucks – Yi really struggled in his second game, and, as a result, Team China labored to score in its blowout loss to Sacramento. He had difficulty being guarded by a more athletic forward, winding up only 2-for-14 from the floor with nine points. He also committed five turnovers.

3. Jordan Farmar, Los Angeles Lakers – Farmar had a tough time in almost every aspect Sunday. His decision making was terrible, resulting in six turnovers, and he shot poorly (1-for-8 from the floor). Farmar's ability to fill the Lakers' gaping hole at point guard has never been more in doubt.

 

[S O F I]

My boy Hawes reppin' Washington.

By the way, most summer league games are fully available for viewing on nba.com so take advantage of that, guys.

 

[SicC]

Summer league report # 2

LAS VEGAS – Here is who shined and struggled in NBA summer league play on Tuesday, according to various front-office personnel and scouts around the league.

1. Coby Karl, Los Angeles Lakers – Karl is perfect for the triangle offense. He can pass and make open shots, and he knows how to space the floor. He did all three things in a 98-95 overtime loss to Philadelphia as he finished with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting.

2. Rodney Carney, Philadelphia 76ers – Carney is a gifted, athletic player who has a ton of potential. He showed off that talent with some nice moves to the basket and an impressive shooting stroke from the outside (where he was 3-for-3 on three-pointers). Carney, the 16th pick in the 2006 draft, finished with 30 points.

3. Renaldo Balkman, New York Knicks – The controversial 20th pick last year is proving that Isiah Thomas can at least evaluate talent. Balkman scored 10 points in a solid offensive effort that helped the Knicks beat China 88-65. Balkman's strength, however, is his endless motor while defending and rebounding. Running all over the court to make play after play, he added seven rebounds and five steals in 25 minutes. He is the type of unsung hero that is found on every NBA championship team.

4. Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets – Extremely quick, Brooks can get into the lane whenever he wants. In a 90-76 win over the Clippers, the 26th overall pick in last month's draft had solid finishes around the basket and showed nice range on his jump shot in going 3-for-6 on threes. Brooks also distributed the ball, recording eight assists to go with his 21 points, and did a good job pressuring the ball. If he continues to play like this, he could really help the Rockets.

5. Von Wafer, Denver Nuggets – Wafer shot the ball very well in scoring 19 points in an 87-83 loss to Dallas. He showed excellent range on his jump shot in making three of four three-pointers, and he was effective putting the ball on the floor and getting to the free-throw line (where he went 8-for-11). The Nuggets need help at the point guard position and they need better three-point shooting. Wafer might at least solve the shooting problem.

6. Marco Belinelli, Golden State Warriors – Belinelli continued his impressive shooting from long range. The 18th pick made two of three shots from beyond the arc and is now a combined 12-for-18 on threes in summer league. He not only has shown the ability to shoot the ball but has also shown he can put it on the floor and pass it. The Warriors have been ecstatic with Belinelli, who finished with 15 points in a 90-80 loss to San Antonio.

STRUGGLING

1. Nick Young, Washington Wizards – There is no question that Young is talented and one day will be good. But that day certainly was not Tuesday. Although Young is athletic and has a nice shot, the 16th pick struggled with his shooting, handling the ball and playing defense against the Kings. He finished with 11 points (3-for-14 from the field), seven fouls and three turnovers as his Wizards fell to Sacramento 75-64.

2. Jason Smith, Philadelphia 76ers – Smith has all the physical tools to be a good NBA player. He is tall, strong and athletic. He also has a nice jumper but unfortunately he plays with no passion. He just goes through the motions on the court and he's going to struggle against NBA big men with his current effort. The 20th pick finished with 10 points on 4-for-11 shooting.

3. Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee Bucks – Yi again struggled against a strong, athletic defender. The 2007 sixth overall pick did not make a field goal against the Knicks and finished with three points, nine fouls and five turnovers. Yi has looked lost on the court for most of the summer league, and the physical nature of the game is really bothering him. Yi, however, is athletic and can shoot the ball, so it should just be a small adjustment period before he becomes a solid NBA player.

4. DeSagana Diop, Dallas Mavericks – It is bad enough when anyone plays almost 20 minutes in summer league and scores zero points, but it is especially bad when that person is a starting center in the NBA. Diop, however, accomplished that feat on Tuesday. When watching Diop play offense it seems that he has never touched a basketball in his life. He has few moves and a bad touch around the basket. It is a good thing that Dallas has several good offensive players because Diop is a huge offensive liability.