Vegas Summer Leagues Best

Vegas Summer League is usually the more competitive out of the 2 summer leagues with their being more teams and young talent to watch and evaluate. So with that said I bring You the finest Vegas summer league had to offer.

Dwight Buycks (Toronto Raptors)

Coming into the Orlando summer league Buycks was an unknown prospect to most but like summer league has proven in the past guys you don’t expect to play at a high level breakout and earn an NBA contract. During his play at the Orlando summer league for the Thunder Buycks raised eye brows with his ability to control pace and tempo for the Thunder. Fast forward to the very next week in Vegas and Buycks elevated his game to another level increasing his scoring average from 18 to 23 Points per game on 54% shooting. His play at the Vegas summer league earned him a 1 year deal with the Toronto Raptors. He will likely be Kyle Lowry’s back up this coming season.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 23 PPG 5 Rebounds 7Assists 1 Steal on 54% shooting in 2 games

Jonas Valanciunas (Toronto Raptors)

This season with Andrea Bargani gone the native of Lithuania is expected to be the man in the middle for a young Raptors team. He earned Vegas summer league MVP honors with his outstanding play in the post. The thing that’s impressive about Jonas is that he gets the shot he wants and plays with a patience you don’t see many guys his age play with. With him in the middle the Raptors have stability at the center position. Jonas also did a tremendous job at rebounding and using all 7 feet of himself to corral loose balls. If his play in Vegas is any indicator for how he will play in the regular season then Toronto fans have a lot to look forward to this year.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 18.8 PPG  10 Rebounds 1.8 Assists on 56%  shooting in 4 games

CJ Mcollum (Portland Trailblazers)

CJ Mcollum will be an excellent compliment to rookie of the year Damian Lillard in Portland. He showed flashes of what he could be during summer league but like most guys here he is adjusting to the speed of the game. At times he made quick decisions that helped his team and other times he was forcing up shots. Although he shot 36% from the floor I think as he adjusts to the speed of the game and plays with the higher caliber players on the Portland roster. Nothing to worry about for now, Rather him shoot 36% now then when the games really count in October.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 21 Points 4 Rebounds 3.4 Assists 1 Steal on 36% shooting in 5 games

Thomas Robinson (Portland Trailblazers)

He has already bounced around during his time in the NBA with Portland being his 3^rd team in only his 2^nd year in the NBA. For the 1^st time though I think he has a chance to get consistent minutes in the Blazer rotation and that’s all he really needs is a chance. This year during his Vegas summer league stint he ranked 3^rd in rebounds with 12.8 and provided lots of energy for the Blazers on the glass as well defensively. He also gave you 10 points on offense so T-Rob was a double-double machine while on the floor. This was a good opportunity for him to get to know some of his teammates. He will produce in Portland and bring a good effort nightly.

Vegas Summer League Stats:10.4 PPG 12.8 Rebounds 1.2 Assists 1 Steals 1.2 Blocks on 37% shooting in 5 games

Kent Bazemore (Golden State Warriors)

Known more for his bench celebrations then his play Kent Bazmore proved himself as one of the best players in Vegas. Many people who follow the Warriors say the reason they got rid of Jarret Jack was because they had confidence in Bazemore to be able to step in and fill his role and for less money. He played with a lot of confidence and wasn’t shy about shooting the ball averaging just under 16 shots per game. One thing I like about Bazemore is that he moves his feet very well on defense and when teams switch pick and rolls he does a good job in those situations. He has defiantly improved and was a big reason the Warriors won the summer league tittle. He needs to cut down on the turnovers and continue to improve his perimeter jump shot.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 18.5 PPG 4.7 Rebounds 2.8 Assists 1.7 steals on 44% in 6 games

Jack Cooley (Memphis Grizzlies)

In basketball one thing has always proven to be true and that’s that you can never have enough guys who can rebound. That’s exactly what Cooley proved himself to be at summer league averaging just under 10 Rebounds a game. One thing I like about Cooley is that he does a good job of using his body to position himself for rebounds. He can also score the ball as well averaging 15 points per game but he could average more if he improves his free throw shooting. I think Cooley can be a serviceable big right now.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 15 PPG 9.2 Rebounds 1.2 Blocks on 52% shooting in 6 games.

Jeffery Taylor (Charlotte Bobcats)

Jeff Taylor made some strides this offseason in his game in the confidence department because he wasn’t afraid to take any shots on the floor and the numbers as well as his play on the floor reflect just that. Taylor was the Bobcats 2^nd round draft pick and although they drafted him for his defense he displayed the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish with authority which has to be encouraging for Charlotte. He shot his 3 pointer at a high clip as well but that’s to be expected from him. Expect Taylor to have a larger impact on the Bobcats this season in the rotation. Taylor was named to the summer league 1^st team.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 20.3 Points 2.8 Rebounds 1 Assist 1.8 steals on 47% shooting in 4 games

Cody Zeller (Charlotte Bobcats)

Many fans were critical of Zeller being selected 4^th overall by Charlotte. Now I see why they picked him he is the Perfect player to Al Jefferson who is a low post scorer. Zeller being a mobile athlete creates a lot o mismatches and with his jump shot it stretches the defense while still having to account for Jefferson. He also can switch on pick and rolls because he moves his feet very well on the defensive end. Zeller showed all of these things during his time in summer league. He like teammate Jeff  Taylor made the 1^st team for the Vegas Summer league. Looking forward to seeing how they utilize him in the offense when the games really count.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 16.3 PPG 9.3 Rebounds 1.5 Assists on 52% shooting in 4 games

Archie Goodwin (Phoenix Suns)

When watching the draft I thought the Phoenix Suns got a steal at 29 with Archie Goodwin the kind of productivity he will give you for being drafted that low is going to pay off for the Suns. The thing that I like about Archie is that he doesn’t force many shots and make sure the ones that he does take are high percentage. That’s the reason he shot his 3 pointer at  a gaudy 63% (7-11). He will Give Phoenix some nice scoring but he needs to improve in other areas. He has good hands would like to see him get more active on defense and accumulate more steals I think he’s capable of that.

Vegas Summer League Stats: 12.3 Points 3.3 Rebounds on 48% shooting in 6 games

So there you have it some of the best guys this past Vegas Summer league. Guys like Andrew Goudelock, Malcom Thomas as well as John Henson performed very well in Vegas…Who impressed you in Vegas?

Revisting The 2012 NBA Draft Class

With the NBA Draft coming up in a few weeks I thought this would be a great time to revist the 2012 draft class and how the Rookie seasons went for a few players from that class. So lets get to it.

#1 Pick Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)

As the New Orleans franchise looks towards the future they have a lot to be excited about with the name change to the Pelicans and Anthony Davis to build a whole franchise around. Davis didn't put up gaudy numbers but he definitely showed flashes of what he could be through out the season on the defensive side of the floor. Davis is surely a conerstone for the young franchise and Tom Benson has a lot to look forward to moving ahead. Davis just needs to make sure he stays healthy.

Stats: 14 PPG 8 Rebounds 2 Blocks

#2 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte Bobcats)

When the Charlotte Bobcats drafted MKG at number two overall they knew they were getting a guy who had a high motor, was very durable and has some upside. In the Early part of the year he was showing people the type of player he could player he could be on a regular bases when he put up 25 points and 12 rebounds in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. The season was very up and down for Gilchrist and he had a hard time getting into rhythm at times due to Coach Mike Dunlap being inconsistent with his minutes. MKG still has to fine tune that horrendous jumper but in time he should become a very productive NBA player, maybe even an All-Star.

Stats: 9 PPG 2 Assists 6 Rebounds

#3 Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)

Bradley Beal when playing for the Gators was known as a perimeter shooter so to put that ability with John Wall's explosiveness in the back court was a big deal for the Wizards organization. The only problem was John wall didn't return from injury till January so people had to wait to see the tandem play. When they did play the Wizards played near 500 basketball. Beal shot 38% from the perimeter during his rookie season and played a big role for the Wizards over the in wins over the Heat and Thunder. Beal can only get better from here as he adjusts to the NBA game.

Stats: 14 PPG 2 Assists 4 Rebounds

#4 Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Last season the Cavs were looking for someone who was going to be a great back court partner with franchise guard Kyrie Irving and while on the court near Kyrie, Dion Waiter was just that. He showed people throughout the course of the year that he can score the basketball consistently. The only problem with him shooting the ball so much is that he is a volume scorer and needs to work on being more efficient. In his rookie season though Dion Waiters has shown the Cavs that he can be a reliable back court partner for Kyrie Irving.

Stats: 15PPG 3 Assists 2 Rebounds

#5 Thomas Robinson (Sacramento Kings/Houston Rockets)

Of all the players in this draft class nobody was more unlucky then Thomas Robinson. He spent time Sacramento and Houston this season and couldn't find minutes anywhere consistently. Now he will probably be leaving Houston as the Rockets make their push for Dwight Howard. Robinson has all the tools to make him a productive player in a rotation he is tough,Strong and can guard multiple positions. Wherever he gets a fair shot T-Rob will make the most of it and that team will get a solid player.

Stats: 5 PPG 5 Rebounds

#6 Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers)

This was considered a reach at the time Blazers made the pick but once all the media hype faded and the games began Lillard quickly put the doubters to rest and ran away with the Rookie of the Year award. He has franchise player written all over him and the Blazers management has to feel good about having someone to build around for years to come. Lillard can still improve but he had as good as rookie season as I've ever seen breaking Stephen Curry's rookie three point record.

Stats: 19 PPG 7 Assists 3 Rebounds

#7 Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors)

Not going to lie coming out of UNC I was never high on Harrison Barnes but many people were coming into this season. As the season went on he got better and pretty much proved everybody right and served as the backbone for a Warrior team that made the Playoffs this year for the 1^st time since 2007. Barnes has range,explosiveness and a high basketball IQ he will definitely be an All-Star one day he converted me into a fan this season after contributing in the postseason.

Stats: 9 PPG 4 Rebounds 1 Assist

#8 Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)

Terence Ross is very athletic and can shoot from outside in his 1^st season with the Raptors he saw an adequate amount of minutes. He can be a solid bench player and still has some upside but I don't seem as a starter in Toronto especially with Derozen at the 2.

Stats: 7 PPG 2 Rebounds

#9 Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)

10 years down the road when people look at this draft Andre Drummond could be the best player in it he has that potential. The #1 pick in this draft Anthony Davis has a player efficiency rating of 21.80. Andre Drummond has a Player Efficiency rating of 21.69 while playing 8 minutes less then Davis. He is listed a 6'10 270 pounds at the age of 19 which means that as I’m typing this post Drummond is growing into a 7 footer. Early in his rookie season Drummond sat on the bench but as he got minutes he showed the NBA what he was about like when he dropped 18 points and 18 Rebounds on the Milwaukee Bucks.He certainly has all the tools in the world to be one of the best centers in the league and with a front court partner like Greg Monroe Detroit Basketball can be happy about the days ahead.

Stats: 8 PPG 8 Rebounds 2 Blocks

So the 2012 draft class brought some pretty solid players. It will be interesting to see what these young talented players do going forward.

Why the Charlotte Bobcats should draft Thomas Robinson

Its obvious that Mike Dunlap and the Charlotte Bobcats have a lot of issues they need to adress with NBA draft next week Coming off the worst season in league history where the team went 7-59. As a diehard long suffering fan, realist and basketball fan I think without a doubt we should draft Thomas Robinson with #2 pick out of that great Kansas basketball program.Thomas Robinson posses a lot of attributes that will help this team take steps forward to be successful. He is a guy who can run the floor and I believe under this up tempo style that coach Dunlap is implementing  Robinson will flourish. His body is cut from the Lebron James mold he is 6,7 244 pounds of muscle and pure man strength. His body allows him to be versatile allowing him to play the small and power forward positions. Also he has the ability to guard all 5 postions on the floor due too his body, athleticism and defensive instincts. Although Anthony Davis is the consensus #1 pick Robinson feels differently, when Davis was spotted wearing a black t-shirt that said “check my stats” Robinson said that “if you wanted to check stats Id be the number one pick easily-if that’s what you want to do”.He continued saying “I should get one of those shirts.I’ll get a shirt that says numbers don’t lie”.Although his offensive game still needs work Thomas Robinson’s combination of talent,heart,versatility and confidence makes him the obvious guy to select with the #2 pick for the Charlotte Bobcats.