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| | Tuesday, July 25 Summer league notebook | |||||
| By Andy Katz ESPN.com DeShawn Stevenson isn't too talkative. But he wasn't about to let his previous actions do all the talking for him.
Point Jason Terry (4.5 assists in Boston), center Lorenzen Wright (15 ppg in Boston) and guard Dion Glover (15.7 ppg in Boston) were the feature players for the Hawks. Scouts said Terry ran the team exceptionally well but was too offensive-minded at times. Wright rebounded well and Glover had his moments as a slasher, driver and selective shooter. Top pick DerMarr Johnson had decent shooting numbers, but showed he needs to get more consistent and stronger in his upper body. He has the catch-and-shoot down but his defense needs work and the diversity in his repertoire could continue. Second-round pick Hanno Mottola shot well in Atlanta but seemed to hit a wall in Boston (2 for 10 in one game) as his percentages dropped. Second-round pick Scoonie Penn played within his limitations and should be Terry's backup. Boston Celtics (played in Boston) Top pick Jerome Moiso showed all the offensive skills he possessed at UCLA but still needs to add more strength. Moiso had to leave halfway through the week to go home to a wedding in France. Meanwhile, strong shot blocking and rebounding from Mark Blount, better shot selection from Kris Clack (14.3 ppg) and decent point-guard play from Jerome Allen gave these three a chance to make the Celtics in the fall. All three should get invited to the veteran camp. Moiso is an obvious lock. Charlotte Hornets The Hornets chose to sit the summer out and didn't play in any of the summer leagues. But guards Ricky Davis and Baron Davis (no relation) played on the L.A. Pros in the Long Beach summer league. Both put up near 20 points a game and got the minutes they need against NBA teams. Chicago Bulls (at Rocky Mountain Revue) The Bulls are a work in progress this week as they play in the Rocky Mountain Revue. But the early buzz is favorable for first-round picks Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer as well as returning veteran Michael Ruffin. Fizer scored 19 points and had four rebounds to start the tournament while playing small forward. There had been draft day concern that Fizer wouldn't be able to play facing the basket, but he didn't have any problems in his first game. He sat out his second. Crawford scored 11 points and had four assists in his second game while Ruffin was in double figures in the first game. Second-year pro Ron Artest was a consistent scorer with 15 points while an interesting battle is waging between A.J. Guyton and Khalid El-Amin. Both second-round picks are trying to make the squad but there probably won't be room for both and Crawford. Guyton had four assists in the Bulls' second game while El-Amin had none. Cleveland Cavaliers (at Rocky Mountain Revue) The Cavaliers didn't waste any time putting Chris Mihm to work. The Texas seven-footer has been tearing up the middle in Salt Lake City. He scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds against Toronto and followed that up with a 12 and 11 performance against Sacramento. Meanwhile, second-year point guard Andre Miller has had a successful return to Utah with three-game totals of 23, 13 and 15 points. Mihm's production in the post can be directly related to Miller's ability to get him the ball at the right place, at the right time. The trend of having first-round, especially lottery picks, play in the summer has already benefited Mihm. Dallas Mavericks (at the Rocky Mountain Revue and Long Beach summer league) The Mavericks are hard to figure, thus far. First-round picks Courtney Alexander, Donnell Harvey (through a trade with the Knicks) and Etan Thomas have been hurt in Salt Lake City. Alexander put up 20-plus points in Long Beach and Thomas made himself an inside factor before both got hurt. Meanwhile, their absence has opened up time for former SMU guard Jemeil Rich, who has scored in double figures, and Oklahoma's Eduardo Najera. Najera had 21 points in a win over Houston. Former Auburn guard Bryant Smith and third-year pro Dirk Nowitzki have been consistent scorers throughout both tournaments. All but Rich look like they'll be in a Mavericks uniform. But Rich could play himself into a free-agent contract for camp. Denver Nuggets (at the Rocky Mountain Revue) The Nuggets have some decisions to make over the next two weeks as they talk trade with the Celtics and the Clippers. Meanwhile, second-year pros James Posey and Chris Herren have been consistent scorers for the Nuggets in Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, Ryan Bowen (20 points against Vancouver) and Andre Woolridge (18 points in the same game) are making a case for themselves in camp. If the Nuggets deal Herren, Woolridge could get himself a spot in behind Nick Van Exel at the point. Detroit Pistons While the Pistons fret over losing Grant Hill to the Magic, the rest of the team has taken the summer off from organized games. The Pistons are no-shows in all four summer leagues. Golden State Warriors (at the Long Beach Summer League) The Warriors made a brief appearance in Long Beach but it was enough to get good vibes for second-year pro Vonteego Cummings and second-round pick Chris Porter. Both scored well and should stay on the squad next season. Jerod Ward and Billy Curley were also consistent scorers for the Warriors, giving them even more options for fall camp. Houston Rockets (at the Rocky Mountain Revue) The Rockets got into the summer camps to make sure Kenny Thomas and Moochie Norris got enough looks against quality competition. So far, it has worked. Thomas and Norris have led the Rockets in scoring and are ensuring that they'll continue to climb with the franchise. First-round pick Jason Collier (through a trade with the Bucks) had six points and four rebounds in one outing and still needs to improve his offensive play. But the more repetitions Collier can get this summer will ultimately help him in the fall. Indiana Pacers (in Boston and Atlanta) The Pacers' best player this summer has been second-year pro Jeff Foster. Scouts said he ran the floor well and the numbers say he certainly rebounded (leading Boston with 11 a game). Second-year pro Jonathan Bender showed that he's got 3-point range for a 6-foot, 11-inch big man. But he's still only 198 pounds and needs to get stronger so he can score easier in the post. Dontae Jones had his moments for the Pacers and gave himself a chance to make the squad in the fall. First-round pick Primoz Brezec played in Atlanta but not in Boston because of a national team commitment in Slovenia. Getting stronger and adding moves in the post this summer will give him a chance to contribute next season. L.A. Clippers (at Long Beach Summer League) The biggest news with the Clippers wasn't their coaching search or even who played well in Long Beach. Instead, the news was that the Clippers' top newcomers -- Quentin Richardson, Darius Miles, Keyon Dooling and Corey Maggette -- all sat out the summer camp. With four potential starters working out on their own, the intent for the Clippers was to develop Tyrone Nesby, Brian Skinner, Jeff McInnis and Reggie Slater. All four should be in Clippers camp in the fall. L.A. Lakers (at Long Beach Summer League) The purpose of the Lakers' summer league was to get time for second-year pro Devean George, first-round pick Mark Madsen and second-round pick Cory Hightower (through a trade). George did score in the high teens, more than he probably logged in practice games with the world champs. All three should be on the squad come fall. Miami Heat (in Atlanta) Second-round pick Ernest Brown proved he can run the floor well, block shots and is one of the better athletic big men playing this summer. He's still raw but should be on the Heat when the season opens. The summer camp was a success for Rodney Buford and Tim James, who needed more reps. Former UNC-Charlotte swingman Galen Young made open shots and was a decent defender for the Heat. Arizona State point guard Eddie House ran the team, but wasn't even close to being the prolific scorer he was with the Sun Devils. Former Clemson player Harold Jamison created a buzz about his ability to score. But the Heat went 0-3 in Atlanta, for whatever that's worth. Milwaukee Bucks (in Atlanta and Boston) The Bucks went 8-1 in the summer league (losing only one game in overtime), are on the verge of re-signing Tim Thomas and kept coach George Karl away from North Carolina. July was good to the Bucks. What was impressive on the court was the play of second-year pro Rafer Alston at the point (leading Boston in assists with nine a game), second-round pick Michael Redd (15 points a game), the defensive play of second-round pick Jason Hart at the point and the post play of first-round pick Joel Pryzbilla (through a trade with the Rockets). Alston can now enter the Bucks training camp as the No. 2 point behind Sam Cassell. The Bucks used Ray Allen at the point when Cassell was in foul trouble in the playoffs but Alston has a chance to earn quality minutes. Redd posted up, catch-and-shot and slashed to the basket. Pryzbilla still needs to get stronger but is a defensive presence inside. The death of his former AAU coach forced him to leave the Boston camp early. Hart gave himself a chance to make the team with his defensive play while Maceo Baston and Michael Batiste played well enough to be invited to the veteran camp in the fall. Minnesota Timberwolves The Timberwolves didn't find it necessary to play in any of the four summer leagues. It makes sense with only one second-round pick in the draft and no guarantee that Igor Rakocevic would be available. New Jersey Nets (in Boston) The Nets finished last in the Boston summer league at 1-5 but got quality play out of second-round pick Soumaila Samake. The former Cincinnati Stuff center has a massive presence and wowed scouts with his ability to block shots and rebound. Second-year center Evan Eschmeyer also saw quality reps inside but got into foul trouble. One of the two needs to become a viable alternative to play next to Kenyon Martin in the post. New York Knicks (in Boston) The Knicks found a backup point in Rick Brunson, who was second in the tournament in assists with 8.7 a game. But the Knicks' best players were second-round picks Lavor Postell and Pete Mickeal (through a trade with Dallas). Postell defended, made open shots and slashed his way to the basket for a number of buckets. Mickeal is what he is, a tough defender who can slash to the basket. Both players were extremely active and played hard, which is a top criteria for a Jeff Van Gundy player. Orlando Magic The Magic had planned on playing in the Long Beach summer league, but the death of free agent Conrad McRae took them out of the summer. McRae tragically died on the first day of practice in Long Beach. He was 29. Philadelphia 76ers (in Boston) The Sixers were hoping that first-round pick Speedy Claxton could get some valuable time running the team but an injury to his leg suffered during pre-draft day workouts kept him from playing. Instead, the Sixers got valuable reps from Jumaine Jones. He made the all-tournament team and finished sixth in rebounding with 6.6 a game and was one of the top scorers early in the tournament with 15 a game. Second-round pick Mark Karcher was in and out of the lineup with injuries. Free agent Pepe Sanchez got the time that would have gone to Claxton but it may be enough to get him into camp this fall. Veteran Nazr Mohammed got plenty of reps inside and averaged 6.7 rebounds a game. Phoenix Suns (at the Rocky Mountain Revue) The Suns are still developing this week in Salt Lake City but are getting quality minutes from Marlon Garnett, Chris Robinson and Antonio Harvey. The status of all three for next season isn't a lock but their development this week could prove invaluable to their chances. No sign of first-round pick Iakovos Tsakalidis. Portland Trail Blazers (at the Long Beach summer league) The Blazers needed first-round pick Erick Barkley to play well for either their future or a possible trade. Barkley scored well early, but not as well as returnee Bonzi Wells, Jamel Thomas and Damon Jones. The Blazers, already stocked and not able to open up roster spots, should have a competitive camp because of the play of Thomas and Jones. Sacramento Kings (at the Rocky Mountain Revue) The Kings' first-round pick, Hidayet Turkoglu, isn't at the Salt Lake tournament, but second-round pick Jabari Smith is playing. He has scored and rebounded well enough to be considered a hit so far. Smith has the intangibles to be an agile, and effective, defensive presence. Playing well this week in Salt Lake City could ensure a spot on the team. San Antonio Spurs (in Boston) San Antonio's best player was Derrick Dial. He proved he can be a shooter, something the Spurs need with reports that Sean Elliott may end his career. Meanwhile, second-round pick Chris Carrawell struggled to get something done inside and will enter camp as a question mark. Carrawell will have to play well in the fall to ensure that he's even on the team. The Spurs' best rebounders were A.J. Bramlett (7.2 a game) and Shawnelle Scott. Seattle SuperSonics (in Boston and Long Beach) The top player, perhaps, in all of the summer leagues was Shammond Williams. He led the Boston tournament with 20.5 points a game (7.3 assists a game) and should be a lock to back up Gary Payton at the point. Meanwhile, first-round pick Desmond Mason was second in scoring at Boston with 18 a game and was named the tournament's most valuable player. Williams made shots and ran the team well while Mason showed decent shot selection, and according to scouts, played as hard as anyone in the tournament. Second-round pick Olumide Oyedeji proved that he has the rebounding skill down with 8.7 a game. He still is raw offensively but the Sonics proved they got exactly what they wanted in this draft by grabbing an athletic wing in Mason and a rebounder in Oyedeji. Toronto Raptors (at Rocky Mountain Revue) The Raptors have one of the more stocked rosters at the tournament with Willie Burton, Jeff Sheppard, Alvin Williams, John Thomas, Johnny Taylor, Alex Radejovic and first-round pick Morris Peterson on the roster. Peterson has proven to be an adept scorer. This whole crew will be in the fall camp and all could be on the team in one form or another. Utah Jazz (at Rocky Mountain Revue) First-round pick DeShawn Stevenson is getting plenty of reps but, so too, are second-year pros Quincy Lewis and Scott Padgett. The Jazz need to develop shooters this week in Salt Lake City and any progress from Stevenson, Lewis and/or Padgett will be seen as a plus. Vancouver Grizzlies (at Rocky Mountain Revue) How often does the No. 2 player in the draft show up for a summer tournament? Stromile Swift is in Salt Lake. He hasn't blazed a trail yet but the Grizzlies are looking for Swift to get some time against the pros this summer and aren't looking for massive numbers this week. Meanwhile, Stephen Jackson has been their most productive scorer thus far in the camp and could be locking in a spot for himself if he keeps on producing. The Grizzlies need any kind of lift off the bench next season and it could come from this roster. Washington Wizards (in Boston) Laron Profit was the Wizards' most productive player. Scouts said his body has improved but he's not a legitimate slasher and scorer. He finished with 17.5 points a game. Meanwhile, Calvin Booth continued to be a defensive presence as a shot blocker and second-round pick Mike Smith showed he could score in a camp setting (that's how he was the MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational). The Wizards need any kind of help from within with their list of free agents. Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. | ALSO SEE Status of NBA first-round draft picks ESPN.com's coverage of 2000 NBA draft Katz: Draft winners and losers Jazz top pick Stevenson attacked at gym ESPN.com grades each team's draft | |||||
