Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Best (and worst) of Vegas so far
By Kevin Pelton
ESPN Insider
We've reached the midway point of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, with the new tournament portion of the summer schedule set to tip off Wednesday. That makes this a good time to pause and look at the best -- and occasionally the worst -- of Vegas action so far.
Best Rookies
Zeller
1. Cody Zeller, Charlotte Bobcats
After a slow start, Zeller has put together back-to-back impressive games, scoring inside and out and hitting the glass. His 9.3 rebounds per game lead all rookies. Among a group of first-year players that has generally struggled, he stands out as a clear No. 1.
2. C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
McCollum's shooting has gone south since a strong start, and as expected, he's struggled with turnovers playing point guard nearly full-time. However, McCollum has shown the ability to get where he wants on the floor and create shots as well as get to the free throw line. He scored Portland's final five points of regulation, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 10.8 seconds left, to force OT on Sunday.
3. Lucas Nogueira, Atlanta Hawks
Nogueira's high-percentage finishing (11-for-15 from the field) and ability to crash the offensive glass should enable him to play right away even though he will have a tough time with bigger opponents (Aron Baynes gave him trouble). Besides adding strength, Nogueira must improve his free throw shooting (2-of-7).
Honorable Mentions: Dennis Schröder, Atlanta Hawks; Reggie Bullock, L.A. Clippers; Ray McCallum, Sacramento Kings; Deshaun Thomas, San Antonio Spurs
McLemore
Most Disappointing Rookie
Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings
McLemore finally found his perimeter stroke in the second half Tuesday, scoring 22 points, but that was never the real concern despite his ugly shooting lines in two previous outings. Through three games, McLemore has yet to record an assist and has committed 11 turnovers, a troubling ratio that speaks to his shortcomings as a ball handler.
Best Veterans
Valanciunas
1. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
Valanciunas put the three months between the end of the regular season and the start of summer league to good use in the weight room. His narrow frame has started to fill out, and that newfound strength combined with existing skills -- including the best jumper upfake you'll see from a 7-footer -- has made Valanciunas a nightmare for opposing big men in Las Vegas. He's among summer league leaders in scoring and rebounding, which could translate into a breakthrough season in Toronto.
2. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
Through two games, nobody has had an answer for Henson's length. He's simply gone over smaller opponents to dominate the glass, pulling down 28 rebounds in two games. After scoring 19 points in Milwaukee's opener, Henson had a much rougher go of it in his second game (3-of-10 shooting and eight turnovers), but he's the consensus choice as the second-best player in Las Vegas.
3. Kent Bazemore, Golden State Warriors
Bazemore's defensive prowess is a given. He's locked up Otto Porter and McLemore for the Warriors' undefeated summer league team. To that base, Bazemore has added the ability to make plays out of the pick-and-roll and contribute on offense. He has improved at going right and has also found teammates at times.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Scott, Atlanta Hawks; Jeff Taylor, Charlotte Bobcats; Marquis Teague, Chicago Bulls; Evan Fournier, Denver Nuggets; Cory Joseph, San Antonio Spurs
MKG
Most Disappointing Veteran
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats
Kidd-Gilchrist's first jumper of summer league was highly anticipated, as everyone wanted to see if new Charlotte assistant coach Mark Price had helped Kidd-Gilchrist fix his broken form. Unfortunately, it was as cringe-inducing as ever, and Kidd-Gilchrist missed both 3-pointers he attempted in that contest. Beyond that, he made little impact on the game.
Taylor, the Bobcats' second-round pick a year ago, has been the team's best wing player in Las Vegas. That's a troubling sign for last year's No. 2 overall pick, who has yet to improve much as a pro, granting that he doesn't turn 20 until September.
Goudelock
Best Free Agent
Andrew Goudelock, Chicago Bulls
After leading the summer league in scoring through the first two games, Goudelock was held to 11 points in Sunday's game against Portland. There's still no denying Goudelock's ability to get buckets, and mostly in efficient fashion. He has gotten hot at times from beyond the arc and uses his beloved floater to neutralize shot-blockers. Teams rarely look to Las Vegas to find scorers, but Goudelock might be the exception.
Honorable Mentions: Stefhon Hannah, D-League Select; Ian Clark, Golden State Warriors; Jack Cooley, Memphis Grizzlies; Eloy Vargas, New York Knicks
Best Shooter
Ian Clark, Golden State Warriors
The undrafted Belmont sharpshooter, who averaged 16 PPG playing for the Heat in Orlando Summer League, has continued to cause trouble for opponents from beyond the arc in Vegas after changing teams.
Henson
Best Rebounder
John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
With apologies to Malcolm Thomas, who pulled down 22 rebounds for the Bulls on Monday, Henson has been the best overall rebounder.
Best Playmaker
Dennis Schröder, Atlanta Hawks
Pass-first point guards are a rare commodity in Las Vegas, and Schröder has the potential to be a special passer. When he drives, he's looking to find teammates, and his quickness creates plenty of opportunities for them at the rim or beyond the arc.
Varnado
Best Shot-Blocker
Jarvis Varnado, Miami Heat
Befitting the NCAA's all-time leading shot-blocker, Varnado blocks shots both for quantity -- 12 in three games -- and quality. He went up to deny a Hawks player at the rim Roy Hibbert-style in Sunday's game.
Best Hair
Lucas Nogueira, Atlanta Hawks
Because of course. Atlanta's Ed Daniel, who sports a perfectly sculpted 'fro, might rank second overall -- but second on his own team.
Most Popular Player
Anthony Marshall, Miami Heat
With No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett sidelined by shoulder surgery, the hometown favorite on the UNLV campus is former Runnin' Reb Marshall, who is playing point guard for the Heat's summer squad. Signing a UNLV product is the surest way to get the local fans on your side.
Las Vegas Summer League
We're tracking the top storylines and players in Vegas. Summer League »
Most Tattooed Player
Nick Minnerath, Sacramento Kings
The summer league's answer to Birdman is Minnerath, who is playing alongside college teammate Ray McCallum for the Kings.
Like Chris Andersen, Minnerath has overcome drug addiction and has impressive athleticism for his size. Minnerath -- who bears a passing resemblance to rapper Macklemore -- also sports tattoo sleeves on both arms, though he hasn't yet worked his way to the neck.
Most Entertaining Team
Atlanta Hawks
Between Schröder and Nogueira -- who specializes in dunks, putbacks and blocked shots -- the Hawks have two of this year's most entertaining rookies, and the returning Atlanta players (Scott and shooting guard John Jenkins) neatly complement their skills on offense. While that's translated into just one win in three games, it's made the Hawks the best show off the Strip.
the hype this dude got for being a horrendous offensive player in the halfcourt was crazy
you think a month of training will fix that corked jumper in Game speed...especially when there trying to tweak his form...forget a off season its probably gonna take him a couple seasons maybe more, its about progression and confidence rushing it will do nothing......even without one he'll still be effective on top of that he's only 19....I still stick to my shawn marion comparison
