Summer League Open Thread: July 13
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 11:03 AM MDT
in Phoenix Suns: Vegas Summer League
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PrintAfter about a 6-hour drive up from Phoenix (of which 45 minutes was spent crossing the Hoover Damn!) I rolled into town around 4pm yesterday. I checked into my $24/night casino hotel (thank you, desperate slot-playing fools for subsidizing my cheap hotel!) and headed over to catch the final games of the day at the T&M.
I decided to skip on shaving or putting on shoes and figured that I will have plenty of time to "work" the games this coming week, so I just chilled out in the stands with Clipper Steve and paid little attention to the 2nd half of the Thunder/Grizz game (blow out!) or the Cavs/Bucks game (who really cares?).
I did spend some time watching Brandon Jennings and let me just say -- not impressed. Sure, the kid has skills and is mad quick but he just oozes 'tude that I don't think is in rational proportion to what he's going to produce as a pro. All of Iverson's swagger with half his game. I don't see that going over well in the NBA (if that's what you can call the Bucks) and I certainly don't see him getting along with Scott Skiles. Let me just predict now the eventual blow up that is going to happen between those two.
On today's agenda is the Suns' first game of the SL against the Mavs. Here's the full schedule for today and the Mavs' roster.
I will be all over the Suns game (of course) and will also try and catch bits of the Portland, Clippers, Warriors and Kings.
If you have specific questions you want answered this week, let me know.
Here's my previous Vegas SL Game Plan
Coro shares this preview...he will be up here on Friday I believe
Suns vs Mavs Preview
The obvious focus here is watching our boys, including a first look at Clark and seeing how Dragic and Lopez perform.
But the guy I am most excited to see (besides Clark) is this French kid Rodrigue Beaubois. He put up 34 pts, 8 ast and 5 rebounds the other day and folks are still buzzing about him. The only other players of note on the Mavs squad is D-league stud and bubble player Luke Jackson and Nathan Jawai who has 2 DNP's so far.
The Suns should win this game (on paper), but I really don't care what the score is. Watching the games last night reminded me that what we see in Vegas isn't basketball as much as it is a bunch of guys on the floor together playing hoop. The Suns starting three guys that played a lot together last season in practice (Tucker, Dragic, Lopez) should have an advantage, but really, who cares?
I'm here to see how individual players look (and to hang with all the cool b-ball peeps).
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I wanna know
To what degree do the Vets on the team help out with development of the younger players? Is there any form of passing the torch in ways of a certain skill set or way of thinking?
Finally some Suns BBall
I hope and pray that Dragic and Fropez make some huge strides this year. We are going to need them alot more this year if we’re going to be anything more than half decent.
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
i wanna know-
How is Dan Majerle as a head coach… does it look like he could make the next step to running a team in the next few years (not sure you could tell that from a summer league game though).
Mark West Should be a Hall of Famer-----maybe
+1
I like this question. The second I learned that D’antoni left, my first thought was “we gotta get Majerle to coach.”
I don’t know about Dan. I’m ready for him to resign at any moment…I’m also half thinking that getting a legit job was his way of keeping himself out of trouble with the ladies/booze/bars/thedirty.com…I would be interested to know how he handles running a team because he seems like the type to sit back and let another guy run the show while he imparts some technical expertise here and there in practice.
by Wil Cantrell on Jul 13, 2009 12:58 PM MDT up reply actions
And also after a few games you may be able to answer:
-How close is Lopez to being a starter, that is ready to compete with the big boys?
-Who Dragic compares to at PG (that is youngster at this stage in his career)
-How is Clark’s basketball IQ (for a rookie that is)
-Tucker’s playing, right? Is he ready for prime time?
by Wil Cantrell on Jul 13, 2009 1:02 PM MDT up reply actions
Cool
I will be updating in the comments here or perhaps in the main body – can’t decide. I won’t be live twittering thought
Blogging Suns Basketball
Biggest question of the day
Has Robin Lopez improved his interview skills….dude had a lot of work to do this summer. Let’s see if he’s stepped up his game.
I can’t wait to find out if we are going to get more then a few muffled grunts out of him
Blogging Suns Basketball
First game of the day
T-Wolves vs D-League select team. Suns are right after this one so I wanted to be sure to stake out my prime territory at the media tables. I am baseline near where the Suns “locker” room is
Blogging Suns Basketball
Jonny Flynn
looks a LOT better then Jennings (after have seen them both play for all of about 5 min)
Blogging Suns Basketball
No scouts
I am shocked SHOCKED that there are no Suns people here scouting the D-league select team
Blogging Suns Basketball
I love that
there is a 10 foul limit in Summer League…I would like to see that during the regular season!
Blogging Suns Basketball
Alvin Gentry in the house
wearing a purple shirt, no collar, no socks w/ his loafers…in case you were wondering
Blogging Suns Basketball
Bill Cartwright of course
He’s literally taking up three seats
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Pechorov
looked pretty good. He nailed a three but also played well in the paint.
I think he’s going to be a solid back up for someone (if he doesn’t stay in Minnesota)
Blogging Suns Basketball
Walker Russell
nails a runner at the buzzer to give the D-league Select team a 16 to 21 pt deficit.
As if you cared
Blogging Suns Basketball
Steve Kerr sporting
shorts and flip flops…looking a lot more relaxed and smiley then he has in recent weeks
Blogging Suns Basketball
Perhaps a sign something good has happened?
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
Most impressive guy
you’ve never heard of – Garrett Siler. Huge guy who’s had some massive explosive dunks but also came up with a more impressive block. No idea who he is
Blogging Suns Basketball
Ok so
the Selects come out w/ something to prove and take a 50-48 lead in the 3rd after trailing 48-38 at the half.
I don’t expect that last long though
Blogging Suns Basketball
T Wolves
have 2 points in 5 minutes….Flynn tried to elevate for an awesome jam but got rejected
Blogging Suns Basketball
Wolves now down by 10
If they lose this game against the D league guys that couldn’t make the roster of any other team out here…
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 3:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Hey stan?
Does it look like Flynn is too short for the NBA? they said that early on in the draft boards. Not sure if he looks undersized in NBA competition?
Mark West Should be a Hall of Famer-----maybe
by jpartington99 on Jul 13, 2009 3:10 PM MDT up reply actions
First off
he’s not playing against NBA competition but no, I think he more then makes up for his size b/c he can elevate and of course to a lot of other things well. He’s got a GREAT court presence
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 3:12 PM MDT up reply actions
when do the Suns start?
Let the fools have their tartar sauce!
by Funky Flapsack on Jul 13, 2009 3:18 PM MDT up reply actions
in a few minutes
Team is in the house
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 3:21 PM MDT up reply actions
sweet
I’m thinking Dragic surprises the hell out of us
Let the fools have their tartar sauce!
by Funky Flapsack on Jul 13, 2009 3:24 PM MDT up reply actions
Just did a quick pregame chat
with Thunder Dan. He gave the stock answers…play hard, looking forward to seeing our guys in action…run our system
Blogging Suns Basketball
WOOT WOOT!@!!!!!!
GO SUNS!!!!!
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
Dragic's Tally
20 pts, 9 dimes, 6 rbs 3 TO’s is my prediction
Let the fools have their tartar sauce!
ROLO Tally
14 pts, 11 rebs, 2 blks
Mark West Should be a Hall of Famer-----maybe
by jpartington99 on Jul 13, 2009 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions
Uh oh
http://twitter.com/HOOPSWORLD/statuses/2621173751
Clark not playing…will try and get confirmation
Blogging Suns Basketball
Oh. No.
Here we go again :(
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
sign him?
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
lol@Lopez jacking up shots
But hey, if he can hit them consistently, good times.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Thunder Dan
Said here that he was going to have him shooting a little more… Some 10 footer isolation situations and more post moves.
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
http://www.nba.com/suns/video/2009/07/08/summerleague_090708.mpg.suns/index.html
second video? forgot the link.
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
I am telling you
the guy has some offensive game
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 4:14 PM MDT up reply actions
are you watching this on the nba package?
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
Yeah, like what we've seen so far
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Dragic gave me a scare
Left the floor/court w/ an asissten trainer. I stalked the entry way they said he was just using the restroom…for like 8 minutes…ok
Blogging Suns Basketball
Nice start
25 points in 10 minutes. No one can complain about that
Suns up 25-15 at the end of 1
Blogging Suns Basketball
Goran w/ the airball.
Nice!
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Did he look at the coach afterwords?
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
Don't think so, nope
Just got blocked…not having a good game so far.
Mavs on a 6-0 run.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Lopez
had 6 points and 6 rebounds in 7 minutes. nice
they are pressuring Dragic hard
Blogging Suns Basketball
Pressuring Dragic
Good, that’s the scouting report – let him prove it won’t work, figure out how to make them pay for overplaying him.
He better get used to it.
For any uptempo system one of the keys is to pressure the pg.
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
The french PG for Dallas(Beaubois?) owns.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
The french PG for Dallas(Beaubois?) owns Summer League.
heh, but yeah he’s fast.
by homer simpson on Jul 13, 2009 4:31 PM MDT up reply actions
Fropez!
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
he looks huge compared to these SLers.
by homer simpson on Jul 13, 2009 4:32 PM MDT up reply actions
Eh, don't worry Stan.
The 2nd best PG from last year’s draft will start dominating…some time.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
I mean
physically…like somethings wrong w/ him
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions
maybe he ate some bad Goulash before the game...
He might be having a different type of run and gun for this game.
Mark West Should be a Hall of Famer-----maybe
by jpartington99 on Jul 13, 2009 4:37 PM MDT up reply actions
Oh.
Now i feel bad. That’s not good at all.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Could be wrong
I will find out after the game
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Like i said, hangover
He partied way too much last night.
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
That is great to hear
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
Its funny
cause you guys are saying Lopez looks good and Dragic is terrible (exaggeration) but Thorpe is tweeting that Lopez is clueless and Dragic is looking better…
WHO DO I BELIEVE!?
Go read a book!
Thorpe
or yourself
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 4:50 PM MDT up reply actions
For the first time I’m seeing some talent in Dragic. But it’s not enough yet. Just not productive enough.
14 minutes ago from TwitterBerry
Robin Lopez can be an excellent player. Does he want to be?
32 minutes ago from TwitterBerry
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
it’s first game back though…Plus- it’s the summer league… Tucker tore it up in the summer league, but has yet to show any of that skill in the regular season
Mark West Should be a Hall of Famer-----maybe
Marcus Banks...
Scored 42 points…and he was AWESOME! Wait, no he has one of the worst contracts in the NBA…my bad.
Dragic was on the bench during warm ups
before the 3rd Qtr. He’s in now and just dished to Lopez for a dunk
Blogging Suns Basketball
Gentry said about Clark
that his back isn’t that bad – just holding him out as a precaution. He should play in the next game
Blogging Suns Basketball
Tucker got slammed :o
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Griffin!
With the steal and then behind the back pass! wow. Impressive. He’s got a little game
Blogging Suns Basketball
Taylor Griffin has been watching Jason Williams highlights.
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
52 47 PHX
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Yay Pho town
"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness
He's aggressive
athletic. Close out well…
I just don’t see how the Suns need another “energy guy” at the SF/PF
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 5:16 PM MDT up reply actions
Suns did 2 years with frye? I guess thats allright.
TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"
i want lopez to get a 20/20
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
Goran....facepalm
Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."
look at them numbers from lopez
his balls drop this summer or what?
Let the fools have their tartar sauce!
consider the competition
but he is playing hard…he’s also wearing down as the game goes on
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 5:24 PM MDT up reply actions
Dragic not on the floor
at the end of a close game. Only played 16mins. He can’t be right
Blogging Suns Basketball
yeah
box score say he has 3 points…. not a good day for the dragon
Mark West Should be a Hall of Famer-----maybe
by jpartington99 on Jul 13, 2009 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions
i jinxed him with my box score guess
my bad
Let the fools have their tartar sauce!
by Funky Flapsack on Jul 13, 2009 5:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Down to the wire in this one
not that it matters (except winning always matters)
Blogging Suns Basketball
I was interested in this guy.
I’ve been wondering if he, or someone like him, could be the 2nd backup point.
15pts, 5 assts & 4 boards in 21 mins, even summer league, is decently solid from a box score pov. Did he actually play that well ??
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Jul 13, 2009 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions
The young french PG
Rodrique Beaubois went down grabbing his knee right in front of me. Didn’t see any real contact. He was in a LOT of pain pointing to the inside anterior of his knee
Blogging Suns Basketball
Rodrique should be ok
some kind of bruise is all….phew…I was worried about that one
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 6:18 PM MDT up reply actions
Catch you later...
moving out to get post game interviews…Suns up 3 w/ 11 sec. Dallas ball
Blogging Suns Basketball
Dragic pulled something in
his groin or hamstring before the half per Thunder Dan. He’s being worked on right now
Blogging Suns Basketball
Worry now or later?
First game of summer league and we have two players with problems. Please dont let this be a sign of things to come!!!
clark?
Does anyone know why our lottery pick didn’t play in vegas today?
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