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Around SBN: Blogger Q&A - And The Valley Shook

Summer League random thoughts of the day

It's 1:30am and I've been going since 8am, so forgive me if this is as sloppy as the Cavaliers Summer League team. (How's that! Not bad, huh!?)

After the jump will be a data dump from my notes from today and some post game audio from Anthony Randolph and James Johnson.

Star-divide

Grizz vs Knicks

  • Thabeet really is that bad on offense. Very mechanical. He also surprisingly looks about 40 years old when running the floor. Not so much running as shuffling. Continue to be unimpressed w/ the #2 pick
  • Morris Almond played well. He's a decent scorer, but there are lots of those floating around at point guard
  • Blake Ahern looked better pushing the tempo for the Knicks, but wasn't as aggressive with his shot
  • Jordan Hill looked ok. Not bad. Not great. Very ok.
  • Joe Crawford can score

Wiz vs Cavs

  • I really don't understand why the Cavs bothered to field a team (or the Lakers for that matter)
  • Nick Young scored 36 in this game and showed a nice mid range game
  • Andre Blatche is a guy I've liked for awhile. He was a man among boys. Small boys
  • For more on this game, check out Bullets Forever who was on site covering the Wiz

Bulls vs Warriors

  • This was a fun match up
  • Anthony Randolph as a beast ... well, beast isn't the right term for this 6'10" guy that can handle the ball like a point guard. He was explosive to say the least with some monster jams. MONSTER
  • He was aggressive going to the rim and finished with 42 points on 13 of 22 shooting and 16 of 21 from the line
  • He only had 3 rebounds which he was well aware off after the game
  • He was also very aware of his score total. He was pulled from the game with about 5 minutes left and 40 points. He was trying far too hard at that point to get his points and made some mistakes. His 42 points ties the Summer League record with legends Marcus Banks and Von Wafer. No indication yet if his jersey will be retired
  • The Bulls did a great job of preventing him for breaking the record; they knew what was going on, as well
  • Randolph is a very impressive scoring machine given his range, his incredible ball handling and his explosiveness at the rim. He is not a great all-around basketball player
  • Curry was 3 for 15 for 10 points. I understand he's a great scorer but players like this can be highly overrated. If Curry can't lead his team from the point and distribute the ball, he's going to be another Ben Gordon. Maybe a better skilled player, but not someone that can lead a winning team.
  • This Warriors team with Ellis, Curry, Randolph, Maggette and Morrow will be a very exciting losing team. Randolph is going to need to handle the ball if he hopes to get any shots because no one is going to pass the ball
  • For the Bulls, James Johnson was very impressive. Remember, he's a guy the Suns were looking at with the 14th pick. He is just a solid all around player. Very smart on the court. He did play a perimeter oriented game, mostly being used as a small forward, which is great for his size. He's got a lot of talent and is really a sharp kid, too
  • Taj Gibson looked too small to play power forward. He was "defending" Randolph most of the night. Too small and not very quick, either. 1st round pick? Hmmmm
  • James Augustine was much more impressive than Gibson

Spurs vs Nuggets

Clippers vs Hornets

  • My man Courtney Sims was supposed to be playing for the Hornets, but left the team after one practice. I got a wishy washy answer from a Hornets team guy who mumbled something about an injury, but I am not sure how accurate that really is
  • Blake Griffin is that good. He's better. He didn't put the big numbers like he did in his debut but he doesn't need to. The guy is an animal on the floor and a real leader. 
  • There's very little (anything?) that this guy can't do. I saw him dribble up the court. Pass from the wing and post. Score in every way possible. He's just a beast of the player. He's almost a lock to win Rookie of the Year and he's got the makings of an MVP in 3 or 5 years (too much?)
  • He looks shorter than his measured 6'10", but that could be due to his width and short arms. That's all I can think of to say bad
  • Clipper Steve has all the glorious details. He was sitting next to me and just kept mumbling "special player ... special player". He's probably still muttering "special player" in his sleep

Here's a little audio for you. First is Anthony Randolph post game and then James Johnson.

 

 

 

0 recs  |  Comment 9 comments

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Stan its late, go to bed

No day but today

by RyanMarcus on Jul 15, 2009 3:31 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Nah man, reenact “The Hangover.” Have you met Mike Tyson yet?

by Wil Cantrell on Jul 15, 2009 8:07 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

sort of unrelated....

but what’s the latest news (if any) on Matt Barnes?

by PHXgp on Jul 15, 2009 10:14 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

James Johnson

James Johnson, great size, toughness and can shoot he would have been a nice addition to the Suns. Let’s hope Earl Clark proves to be better

by A-Zone on Jul 15, 2009 10:29 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I asked James that question

he said he’s friends with Earl and thinks he’s a great pick for the Suns and has no hard feelings….for whatever that is worth

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 15, 2009 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey Stan:

Let’s not forget Randolph is just turning 20, he was barley out of diapers lasy year =)

Also he’s now officially 7’, he’s still growing, he could easily reach 7’1 and still moves the ball like a PG.

You make a good case for an exciting losing team, but I think it’s better to lose exciting than lose ugly =)

I think GS is one dominant post up player/re bounder away from being a playoff team:

BTW- Blake looks like the real deal: what a powerhouse: he looks rock solid.

by ForestGrump on Jul 15, 2009 1:31 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

No doubt

Randolph is an amazing talent..I just don’t like how that team is put together.

Compare and contrast to the Thunder w/ Durant. Much better group over there. Better balanced b-ball team

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 15, 2009 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stan may be you should worry more about

the Suns. I wouldn’t trade teams with you. All the W’s lack right now is a thumper PF and then they will have one of the youngest, deepest and most entertaining teams in the league. The Suns? Meh..

by crab dribble cocktail on Jul 18, 2009 11:17 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Taj Gibson

He never even impressed me in college…I have no clue why he went in the first round – pretty average player.

http://seasonsofdiscontent.wordpress.com/

by scotthoward42 on Jul 15, 2009 2:28 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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