NBA Summer League 2009 Preview
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
July 8, 2009
Only a few years ago, media coverage devoted to pro basketball’s summer leagues was relatively minimal. A few games here and there were broadcast – often on tape delay – and those telecasts were viewed primarily as programming “filler” during a portion of the year when the sports calendar consists of Major League Baseball and little else.
These days, summer league has evolved into a much more mainstream part of the conversation surrounding the sport. With NBA Summer League in Las Vegas expanding to now include 21 different NBA franchises, it’s also become the place to be during the month of July for fans.
The 2009 league takes place July 10-19, with the Hornets beginning their five-game schedule on Sunday, July 12, vs. the San Antonio Spurs (3 p.m. Central time). All 55 of the league’s games can be viewed on NBA.com. The following is an overview of what to watch for during the 10-day event in Las Vegas. You can also find out more about the Hornets’ summer league roster here:
NEW FACES
In my opinion, the most entertaining aspect of summer league this year will be the chance to see so many of the prominent draft picks perform for the first time against pro competition. Excluding No. 5 overall choice Ricky Rubio, each of the top 10 picks will be in Las Vegas:
No. 1 pick, Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers
With some analysts making comparisons to Karl Malone, it will be interesting to see how his physical dominance in college translates against bigger and more athletic opponents.
No. 2, Hasheem Thabeet, Memphis
His offensive skills and low-post scoring ability will be under the microscope, with many wondering how soon he’ll be able to be a consistent contributor at that end.
No. 3, James Harden, Oklahoma City
Some called his selection as the third pick surprising, but he’s already shown promise during his initial Orlando Summer League appearance.
No. 4, Tyreke Evans, Sacramento
Is he a point guard? Everyone will be paying close attention to his distribution skills and floor leadership. The Kings’ best player is shooting guard Kevin Martin, so Evans needs to show he can handle the 1.
No. 6, Jonny Flynn, Minnesota
Wolves GM David Kahn says Flynn can play off the ball and be a scoring point guard, something not many 6-foot players have pulled off in the league. I’m wondering how many questions the Syracuse product will get in Vegas about Ricky Rubio.
No. 7, Stephen Curry, Golden State
Like with Evans, Curry’s conversion to a point guard will be closely watched. You could argue that hoops fans will be as interested to see how Curry plays in Vegas as any other rookie.
No. 8, Jordan Hill, New York
Another Knicks draftee who was booed heavily by hometown fans on draft night, but wants to start showing why he deserved to be a lottery pick.
No. 9, DeMar DeRozan, Toronto
Everyone is calling him the best athlete in the 2009 draft class, but adding that he may not be immediately ready to contribute, so it should be interesting to see where he is in his development.
No. 10, Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee
After a couple recent self-inflicted PR disasters, he’s got to be as happy as any rookie to have the chance to get on the court and start displaying his basketball skills.
Other first-round picks on rosters in Las Vegas:
No. 12, Gerald Henderson, Charlotte (Henderson is playing for Minnesota in summer league); No. 14, Earl Clark, Phoenix; No. 15, Austin Daye, Detroit; No. 16, James Johnson, Chicago; No. 18, Ty Lawson, Denver; No. 21, Darren Collison, New Orleans; No. 23, Omri Casspi, Sacramento; No. 24, B.J. Mullens, Oklahoma City; No. 26, Taj Gibson, Chicago; No. 27, DeMarre Carroll, Memphis; No. 28, Wayne Ellington, Minnesota; No. 29, Toney Douglas, New York.
FAMILIAR FACES
Summer league isn’t only about rookies, of course. The collection of accomplished young NBA veterans who will be participating in Las Vegas is relatively impressive, including these names. The list includes several players who are coming off impressive rookie seasons, as well as others who are trying to bounce back from significant injuries:
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
After earning fourth place in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2008-09, the UCLA product appears well on his way to an outstanding career. The top-notch athlete will be spending part of his time honing his point-guard skills.
Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers
One spot behind Westbrook in last season’s ROY vote, he’s an explosive scorer who could easily put up 40 in a summer game. In fact, he had 41 in a regular season game against NBA competition as a rookie.
Corey Brewer, Minnesota
The 2007 lottery pick and former NCAA champion at Florida is returning from a torn ACL he sustained early in the 2008-09 regular season.
Adam Morrison, L.A. Lakers
It’s not often you see a former No. 3 overall draft pick at summer league three years into his career, but following a major knee injury and a trade, the Gonzaga product is trying to re-establish himself as a rotation player.
Shaun Livingston, Oklahoma City
Like Brewer and Morrison, this former Clipper is trying to bounce back from injury and re-energize a once-promising career.
Jason Thompson, Sacramento
The little-known Rider product began showing his NBA readiness at 2008 summer league and carried it over to the regular season with averages of 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Joe Alexander, Milwaukee
Known primarily so far for his “See Joe Dunk” TV commercials, he was sparingly used as a rookie but could be ready for more minutes with Richard Jefferson dealt to San Antonio.
FAMILIAR FACES (TO THE HORNETS)
Former members of the New Orleans organization who appear on NBA Summer League rosters:
Linton Johnson, Chicago
Played a total of 81 games for the Hornets over the two seasons they were based in Oklahoma City.
Cedric Simmons, Denver
The 15th pick of the 2006 draft, Simmons played 41 games as a rookie for the Hornets before being dealt to Cleveland.
Marcus Vinicius, San Antonio
Like Simmons, he was part of the team’s 2006 draft class. The Brazilian played a total of 26 games for the club over two seasons.
GAMES TO WATCH
A few noteworthy games in Las Vegas (all times listed are Central time):
Golden State vs. Sacramento, Saturday, July 11 - 9:00 p.m.
Two of the top four point guards selected in the 2009 draft, Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans, get acquainted.
New Orleans vs. San Antonio, Sunday, July 12 - 3:00 p.m.
Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton unofficially debut as Hornets.
Oklahoma City vs. Memphis, Sunday, July 12 - 7:00 p.m.
The first games in Las Vegas for both Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2 pick) and James Harden (No. 3).
L.A. Lakers vs. L.A. Clippers, Monday, July 13 - 7:30 p.m.
The first chance to watch No. 1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin.
New York vs. Memphis, Tuesday, July 14 - 5:00 p.m.
A total of four first-round picks will be on the floor, including Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas, Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll. The Grizzlies also feature Pitt’s Sam Young, who slipped to the second round.
L.A. Clippers vs. Memphis, Thursday, July 16 - 9:30 p.m.
Featuring the top two picks of the 2009 draft, Griffin and Thabeet.
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
July 8, 2009
Only a few years ago, media coverage devoted to pro basketball’s summer leagues was relatively minimal. A few games here and there were broadcast – often on tape delay – and those telecasts were viewed primarily as programming “filler” during a portion of the year when the sports calendar consists of Major League Baseball and little else.
These days, summer league has evolved into a much more mainstream part of the conversation surrounding the sport. With NBA Summer League in Las Vegas expanding to now include 21 different NBA franchises, it’s also become the place to be during the month of July for fans.
The 2009 league takes place July 10-19, with the Hornets beginning their five-game schedule on Sunday, July 12, vs. the San Antonio Spurs (3 p.m. Central time). All 55 of the league’s games can be viewed on NBA.com. The following is an overview of what to watch for during the 10-day event in Las Vegas. You can also find out more about the Hornets’ summer league roster here:
NEW FACES
In my opinion, the most entertaining aspect of summer league this year will be the chance to see so many of the prominent draft picks perform for the first time against pro competition. Excluding No. 5 overall choice Ricky Rubio, each of the top 10 picks will be in Las Vegas:
|
With some analysts making comparisons to Karl Malone, it will be interesting to see how his physical dominance in college translates against bigger and more athletic opponents.
No. 2, Hasheem Thabeet, Memphis
His offensive skills and low-post scoring ability will be under the microscope, with many wondering how soon he’ll be able to be a consistent contributor at that end.
No. 3, James Harden, Oklahoma City
Some called his selection as the third pick surprising, but he’s already shown promise during his initial Orlando Summer League appearance.
No. 4, Tyreke Evans, Sacramento
Is he a point guard? Everyone will be paying close attention to his distribution skills and floor leadership. The Kings’ best player is shooting guard Kevin Martin, so Evans needs to show he can handle the 1.
No. 6, Jonny Flynn, Minnesota
Wolves GM David Kahn says Flynn can play off the ball and be a scoring point guard, something not many 6-foot players have pulled off in the league. I’m wondering how many questions the Syracuse product will get in Vegas about Ricky Rubio.
No. 7, Stephen Curry, Golden State
Like with Evans, Curry’s conversion to a point guard will be closely watched. You could argue that hoops fans will be as interested to see how Curry plays in Vegas as any other rookie.
No. 8, Jordan Hill, New York
Another Knicks draftee who was booed heavily by hometown fans on draft night, but wants to start showing why he deserved to be a lottery pick.
No. 9, DeMar DeRozan, Toronto
Everyone is calling him the best athlete in the 2009 draft class, but adding that he may not be immediately ready to contribute, so it should be interesting to see where he is in his development.
No. 10, Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee
After a couple recent self-inflicted PR disasters, he’s got to be as happy as any rookie to have the chance to get on the court and start displaying his basketball skills.
Other first-round picks on rosters in Las Vegas:
No. 12, Gerald Henderson, Charlotte (Henderson is playing for Minnesota in summer league); No. 14, Earl Clark, Phoenix; No. 15, Austin Daye, Detroit; No. 16, James Johnson, Chicago; No. 18, Ty Lawson, Denver; No. 21, Darren Collison, New Orleans; No. 23, Omri Casspi, Sacramento; No. 24, B.J. Mullens, Oklahoma City; No. 26, Taj Gibson, Chicago; No. 27, DeMarre Carroll, Memphis; No. 28, Wayne Ellington, Minnesota; No. 29, Toney Douglas, New York.
FAMILIAR FACES
Summer league isn’t only about rookies, of course. The collection of accomplished young NBA veterans who will be participating in Las Vegas is relatively impressive, including these names. The list includes several players who are coming off impressive rookie seasons, as well as others who are trying to bounce back from significant injuries:
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
After earning fourth place in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2008-09, the UCLA product appears well on his way to an outstanding career. The top-notch athlete will be spending part of his time honing his point-guard skills.
Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers
One spot behind Westbrook in last season’s ROY vote, he’s an explosive scorer who could easily put up 40 in a summer game. In fact, he had 41 in a regular season game against NBA competition as a rookie.
|
The 2007 lottery pick and former NCAA champion at Florida is returning from a torn ACL he sustained early in the 2008-09 regular season.
Adam Morrison, L.A. Lakers
It’s not often you see a former No. 3 overall draft pick at summer league three years into his career, but following a major knee injury and a trade, the Gonzaga product is trying to re-establish himself as a rotation player.
Shaun Livingston, Oklahoma City
Like Brewer and Morrison, this former Clipper is trying to bounce back from injury and re-energize a once-promising career.
Jason Thompson, Sacramento
The little-known Rider product began showing his NBA readiness at 2008 summer league and carried it over to the regular season with averages of 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Joe Alexander, Milwaukee
Known primarily so far for his “See Joe Dunk” TV commercials, he was sparingly used as a rookie but could be ready for more minutes with Richard Jefferson dealt to San Antonio.
FAMILIAR FACES (TO THE HORNETS)
Former members of the New Orleans organization who appear on NBA Summer League rosters:
Linton Johnson, Chicago
Played a total of 81 games for the Hornets over the two seasons they were based in Oklahoma City.
Cedric Simmons, Denver
The 15th pick of the 2006 draft, Simmons played 41 games as a rookie for the Hornets before being dealt to Cleveland.
Marcus Vinicius, San Antonio
Like Simmons, he was part of the team’s 2006 draft class. The Brazilian played a total of 26 games for the club over two seasons.
GAMES TO WATCH
A few noteworthy games in Las Vegas (all times listed are Central time):
Golden State vs. Sacramento, Saturday, July 11 - 9:00 p.m.
Two of the top four point guards selected in the 2009 draft, Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans, get acquainted.
New Orleans vs. San Antonio, Sunday, July 12 - 3:00 p.m.
Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton unofficially debut as Hornets.
Oklahoma City vs. Memphis, Sunday, July 12 - 7:00 p.m.
The first games in Las Vegas for both Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2 pick) and James Harden (No. 3).
L.A. Lakers vs. L.A. Clippers, Monday, July 13 - 7:30 p.m.
The first chance to watch No. 1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin.
New York vs. Memphis, Tuesday, July 14 - 5:00 p.m.
A total of four first-round picks will be on the floor, including Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas, Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll. The Grizzlies also feature Pitt’s Sam Young, who slipped to the second round.
L.A. Clippers vs. Memphis, Thursday, July 16 - 9:30 p.m.
Featuring the top two picks of the 2009 draft, Griffin and Thabeet.
