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Now that the 2009 NBA Summer League is over, I thought I would take a look at some of the top performers and big name rookies:Anthony Randolph
26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 2.2 steals, 60.9% FG
I'm not sure that the Warriors will be any good this season, but there's a chance they might be a lot better than last simply because Anthony Randolph played like a beast in the Las Vegas Summer League. If Randolph is as improved of a player as it seems he is, then the Warriors will be much better than last season, yet probably will still miss the playoffs. Regardless, whether Randolph's improvement is real or not he at the very least is soaring up Fantasy Basketball draft boards as we speak. He does a little bit of everything and could be in for a breakout season with a chance for some inflated stats since he'll be playing in high octane offense.
Blake Griffin
19.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 50.0% FG
Griffin had a solid summer league, but there were a few things I think we learned about Griffin as far as potential weaknesses. He is explosive at times, but I see him as more of a Carlos Boozer/Elton Brand type big man than a KG/Amare type big man when it comes to finishing around the basket. At times he will go up strong, but for the most part he will finish with a lay-in off the glass rather than a dunk. He also only averaged .4 blocks a game, so again the early signs point to a Carlos Boozer type player, which is good but definitely not # 1 player on a championship team. Time will tell if Griffin develops into that or if he ends up in the Carlos Boozer/Elton Brand type mold of big men.
Tyreke Evans
19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steals
I don't really care what position Evans plays in the NBA. All I know is that he knows the game of basketball and will find a way to be successful on the court. His numbers weren't mind blowing in the summer league, but he does a little bit of everything and should be a solid player for years to come.
James Harden
14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 47.6% FG
Everything about James Harden's game screams # 3 scorer and Manu Ginobili to me. He's sneaky good and I think with his high basketball IQ he'll fit in well with Durant and Westbrook. Put a KG type and a Perk on this team and I would think I was watching the next generation version of the Celtics.
Hasheem Thabeet
8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 45.2% FG
The 8.2 points a game doesn't really bother me too much and the 4.6 rebounds per game I'm not completely surprised by, but the 0.8 blocks is definitely disappointing. Maybe it has something to do with the run and gun style of the summer league, but I figured Thabeet would at least be able to block shots in the NBA. It could take Thabeet some time to adjust to the speed of the NBA game.
Jonny Flynn
15.0 points, 7.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 48.0% FG
Flynn looks like he will be the starting PG for the T-Wolves this season and he had a decent showing in the summer. The 7.4 assists are solid, but he also turned the ball over 5.2 times a game, so he'll have to protect the ball much better during the regular season.
Brandon Jennings
14.6 points, 8.2 assists, 3.6 steals, 2.6 rebounds, 37.9% FG
Jennings showed some good and bad things in the summer league with his game. The 3.6 steals a game from the PG position are tremendous and obviously the 8.2 assists are nice as well. The turnovers were at 4.2 a game, so while they are a little high, his assist/turnover ratio is still almost 2 to 1. He also shot the ball well from three at at 42.9% clip. The bad of course is the shooting percentage overall at 37.9%. The more I see Jennings play, the more I think of a young Gary Payton, especially the way he throws his alley-oop passes and all those steals don't hurt either. Payton struggled initially in the league, but turned out to be a Hall of Fame caliber player. Don't be surprised if Jennings does the same.
Stephen Curry
17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.4 steals, 32.5% FG
All the numbers for Curry look good except for one and that's the horrible FG%. Curry was gunning away in the Summer League, but he probably won't get as many shots with the Warriors during the regular season, which may actually be a good thing for him. I'm thinking less attention will be given to him and he can get some open looks, which should increase his accuracy from the floor.
JaVale McGee
17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 54.2%
McGee is another second year player, who could make a big improvement over his rookie season. His biggest impact could be on the defensive end. He averaged 4 blocks a game over the summer and he definitely has the length to be a solid defender. The Wizards have plenty of scoring, so if McGee can shore up things for them down-low they can definitely return to the playoffs this season. I would still like to see him grab a few more rebounds though.
Ty Lawson
17.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals
Lawson looked pretty solid in all the highlights I saw of him. He's going to be coming off the bench, so less will be expected of him then some of these other players, but he should be excellent in that role and will get to learn behind one of the best PG's in the game.
Jordan Hill
14.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 43.8% FG
Something about watching Hill in highlights just leaves me unimpressed. I feel like he's going to turn into a Drew Gooden/Joe Smith type of player, who starts for bad teams at the beginning of his career, but ultimately ends up as a veteran journeyman.
DeJuan Blair
16.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 52.9% FG
Blair was his usual efficient scoring and rebounding self in the summer, which comes as no surprise. Still can't believe he fell to the 2nd round, but it looks like he's going to be solid piece for another Spurs title run.
Austin Daye
17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 47.1% FG
Daye's play in Summer League was better than I thought it would be, especially in the rebounding department. However, I think he will struggle more during the regular season once he goes up against some of the bigger and stronger players
DeMar DeRozan
17.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 49.3% FG
Toronto loves DeRozan, but I don't see his game translating over to the regular season. He's an athletic guy, but he didn't rebound, steal, or block shots all that well in the summer league and got by offensively because of his athleticism. I think he's going to the struggle with his game early on in the season. He should make some highlight reel plays, but I think most of his game will be show instead of substance.
James Johnson
16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 blocks, 39.7% FG
Johnson struggled with his shot and could take a while to adjust to the NBA. He's athletic enough to help the Bulls in other areas, but other than catching alley-oops on the break from Derrick Rose, I don't see him doing much offensively.
Anthony Morrow
24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 60.9% FG
You gotta love Morrow, who was born to shoot threes. He doesn't do much else, but damn this guy can shoot. He stood out to me last season in the Orlando and Las Vegas summer leagues because he was so efficient shooting the three. That is a huge weapon to have off the bench and it will be interesting to see if he develops his game some more.
Other Summer League Players:
Chase Budinger: It looks like the Rockets got another steal with Budinger, who averaged 17.8 points, while only taking 9 shots a game. He shot a ridiculously efficient 68.1% from the floor, which should make him a very valuable offensive player off the bench for Houston. He also nailed 8 of his 11 three-point attempts.
Rodrigue Beaubois: Dallas might have found themselves a nice little player in Beaubois, who averaged 17.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals; while shooting 47.8% from the floor. He also earned himself the nickname "Roddy Buckets".
Dante Cunningham: Averaged a surprising 18.3 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. Did most of his damage with face up jumpers. Wasn't very efficient from the floor though, shooting just 47.6%, which is just average for a PF. Since he won't get as many shots during the regular season, his production will be way down, but he could give some solid minutes off the bench.
DaJuan Summers: Another 2nd-round pick who surprised with 18.0 points and 5.4 rebounds a game for the Pistons. Again he wasn't efficient from the floor, shooting just 44.3%, so the scoring might not be there in the regular season, but he showed enough with the other parts of his game to earn some minutes off the bench.
Marcus Thornton: The former-LSU star showed some solid scoring ability and defensive skills averaging 20.7 points and 2.3 steals a game. He doesn't really have a position, but should be a solid scorer, shooter, and defender off the bench for the Hornets this season.
Jodie Meeks: Averaged 19.0 points on 55.7% shooting doing his best Michael Redd impression for the Bucks. That also means he didn't do much else besides score. Could be a Ben Gordon type off the bench for the Bucks.
Sam Young: Averaged 13.6 points and 4.2 rebounds a game and most importantly brought his nasty head fake with him to the NBA. Can't wait to see him try and use it on some of the NBA's best.
Earl Clark: 11.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 37.8% shooting. Yup, he's definitely the next Tim Thomas. Lamar Odom should be insulted they are comparing this guy to him.
Joey Dorsey: Dorsey averaging 9.8 points and a ridiculous 14.8 rebounds a game. He should get some run this season for the Rockets with Yao out and I can't wait to see him in action.
More: NBA Weekly
