MAY MAKING PEOPLE TAKE NOTICE

After his first two games, May ranked first in the summer league in rebounds (14.0) and tied for third in the league in scoring (18.5 points), after posting double-doubles in consecutive games. In the summer-league opener, May scored 18 points and hauled down 10 rebounds in an 82-64 win on July 15 against Seattle and followed that up with a 19-point, 18-rebound performance on July 16 in a 73-69 loss to host Utah. While May has left many of his opponents shaking their heads with his performances, it hasn’t come as a shock to him that he has been able to excel in Salt Lake City.

“I expected to come out, just play as hard as I could and let whatever happened happen,” May said prior to Monday’s game against Dallas. “I’m just continuing to do the same things I’ve always done – that’s play hard, rebound the basketball and be a good teammate. Things are working out so far. We’ve got four more games, so hopefully we keep it going.”

May’s Bobcats teammates kept it rolling on Monday, earning their second victory in the Revue with an 85-79 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, Charlotte had to pull out the win without May’s help. After scoring four points in the first two minutes of the game, May was sidelined for the rest of the contest with a sprained right ankle. He is listed as probable for Tuesday’s game against San Antonio.

Despite playing just two minutes on Monday, May is still tied with Antonio Meeking for second on the team in scoring (13.7), trailing only Matt Carroll (17.0), and remains first on the team in rebounding (9.7). No matter what his status is for the rest of the summer league, there is no taking away from what May was able to accomplish in the first two games in Utah. With fellow lottery picks Marvin Williams (second overall to Atlanta), Deron Williams (third overall to Utah) and teammate Raymond Felton (fifth overall) all playing in the Rocky Mountain Revue, it was May who made people take notice in the opening weekend. However, May is also a realist when it comes to looking at what he was able to accomplish in those two days.

“I knew I could play. I’ve always known I can play,” May said. “I just have to stay humble, but be confident at the same time. I know that summer league only shows part of the type of players that I’m going to play against in the NBA. Night-in and night-out, the competition is going to be a lot better. Half of these guys won’t make an NBA roster. You have to keep that in mind and not get too bigheaded and think you’re ready for the next level yet. I just want to be ready when I get there.”

By Matt Rochinski, BobcatsBasketball.com