Posts tagged ‘Summer League’

You laughed, you cried, you agonized - the schintillating games and storylines of the 2008 Orlando Summer League. Alright, it’s not exactly the playoffs. In fact, it’s not much more than an inter-squad practice, a more organized extension of the pre-draft camps, with structed 5-on-5 games, and a few veterans mixed in.

For now, summer league is our only evaluation tool for progress. Early indications, Brook Lopez can play center in this league, Sean Williams still can’t play in this league. Lopez displayed adeptness in the post scoring almost 20 points a game, more importantly improving each day. Williams showed no ability in the post, picking up right where he left off last season. The Stanford rookie even recored more blocked shots than Williams in slightly more minutes.

The team posted a 4-1 record, which means…well, NOTHING. When players can record 8 fouls and keep playing, you can throw the proverbial record books out. However, this week did confirm my beliefs that Lopez and CDR will both make contributions as rookies. CDR more so than Anderson, even though the Nets selected the Pac-10 leading score 19 picks ahead of CDR - and don’t think he’ll forget that. I envision Lopez finding his way into the starting lineup at some point in the first half of the year. He’s simply better than Josh Boone. CDR will crack the Top 8 for this team, unless they decide to play these veteran free-agent signings by virtue of experience.

If you’re scoring at home, here are the Nets final stats:
Nets 2008 Summer League Stats

Drop your comments on the summer performance here. More on the free agent signings later. But here’s a hint - I have a strong opinion on it. Stay tuned.

1) Sean Williams MUST Dominate – No if’s, and’s, or but’s, the only Net from last season’s regular rotation needs to assert himself. Williams will match-up against a host of rookies and players that will never see an NBA roster, he needs to be the best player on both ends of the floor. Taking plays off and not hustling are inexcusable. With experience under his belt, Williams is viewed as a leader for this Summer League team, and must do so by example.

At a skill level, Williams has an opportunity to show his offensive repertoire. Last season he displayed flashes of a foul line jumper and a jump hook. Now is the time to refine it, and show he is capable of more than highlight reel dunks. On defense, we know he can jump through the roof to block shots. The question remains if he can stay out of foul trouble, and actually play solid man-to-man defense rather than trying to block every shot in sight. If he keeps finding himself out of position, Lawrence Frank may need a visit to Hair Club for Men when he gets back to Jersey.

2) Rookies Ready to Contribute – Alright, they have only been pros for about two weeks, it takes time to assimilate to everything. Summer Leagues do not make or break careers, in fact they mean very little in the bigger scope of things. However, Lopez, Anderson, and CDR will all have a chance to prove to Frank that they can step in and contribute. They can earn a lot of equity with the coach with solid efforts here.

And that’s where it starts – Effort. The first thing coach will look for is consistent effort and hard-nose, tough defense. If any of them can prove that, it will earn playing time. Otherwise, Lopez will get a chance to prove he can score with his back to the basket and generally be a presence inside. Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray are the only other NBA-caliber center/7-footers in Orlando. Can Anderson fill shooting gap for the Nets, and can CDR slash his way to enough scoring to become VC’s backup.

3) Where is Cinderella? – Each year at least one unknown player emerges that impresses a team enough to receive roster consideration. This year more than most, the Nets need help off the bench, especially at guard and small forward. Julius Hodge, the local product, tasted life in the NBA briefly before an overseas journey. Rumor has it the Nets like what they see, and would consider him. Hodge now has a chance to prove it on the court. One desirable attribute he possesses is the versatility to play the point and off guard. A few other names to keep an eye on Will Conroy, Jaycee Carroll, and Jamar Butler – a trio of guards that play a position of need.

If Yi was not enough, the first Japanese player to don an NBA uniform is on the Nets roster: Yuta Tubase. The Nets are taking it international, following the league trend.