Summer League Open Thread: Sin City Grizzlies vs. Summer Suns

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 18, 2009 1:02 PM MDT in Phoenix Suns: Vegas Summer League

Howdy from Vegas, Suns fans! Phoenix Stan has headed back to the Valley of the Sun leaving me with sole Summer League duties today.

The Suns play the Memphis Grizzlies' summer squad today. As Phoenix Stan pointed out in his most recent re-cap, each game seems to have been a showcase for a different young Sun: Robin Lopez, Earl Clark, and Goran Dragic. I'm curious to see how the Suns use their fourth game. I expect to see more of the Slovenian Slasher (Yes? No? It's more creative than "Dragon", right?) getting heavy minutes as his comfort running the second unit will be a big part of any success the Suns plan to have this season.

I also expect Robin Lopez to own Hasheem Thabeet in the paint. The #2 overall draft pick has yet to impress many observers (including myself) here in Vegas. Robin is the far more athletic of the two big men and his activity should overwhelm the rookie out of Memphis. Thabeet is the very definition of "project" and often looks lost on the court. For Robin, the question is whether or not he can stay out of the foul trouble that plagued him in last night's game.

While Earl Clark wasn't as impressive last night as he was in his previous Summer League outing, he should get serious minutes as the Suns continue to gauge his ability to make an immediate contribution once the regular season begins. I would also think that we'll get another good look at Micah Downs and Juri Hubalek who led (!) the Summer Suns in scoring last night with 18 and 20 points respectively. Downs particularly was active and stuffed the stat sheet wtih 5 boards, 3 assists and 5 steals. Hubalek also had 4 blocks to go with his team-leading offensive output.

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments or hit me up on Twitter: @mikelisboa. I leave tomorrow morning so it's your last chance for custom Summer League coverage.

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Comments

From what i’ve seen, Downs is a nice guard who could give something right away tu the Suns. Hubalek seems a worst defender than his 4 blocks last night might show. However he’s a nice shooter at his height, they are never too much.

by perep on Jul 18, 2009 1:13 PM MDT reply actions

Earl Clark was super impressive his stats wont show it but his 8 points came in the first quarter hes a monster covering the screen and roll and he had some nice passes he only took two shots in the second half i’d like to see him drive more..he covers a lot of ground also micah dows would be a great pick up i like his game a lot

by Lebrontophx2010 on Jul 18, 2009 2:31 PM MDT reply actions

Harsh, but true?

From his twitter on Truehoop:

Kevin Arnovitz: Zabian Dowdell > Dragic. Would be more capable as PHX’s backup.

True? I hope not. I have a soft spot for Drago.

Don't feel bad, Channing. We can't rebound either.

by rosewood on Jul 18, 2009 6:27 PM MDT reply actions

Dowdell has been anything but impressive

Especially this game. Throws a pass into the back-court, two passes nearly stolen, blocked from behind, loses his man on defense. The only thing he does better than Dragic is get his shot.

I know Dragic hasn’t done much to impress, but Dowdell hasn’t done anything to secure a spot ahead of him.

by hcblankscreen on Jul 18, 2009 6:31 PM MDT up reply actions

Overly harsh in my opinion

Dowdell is certainly competent, but I think Dragic has a better overall skill set. Where Dowdell surpasses Dragic is in his poise and self-control, which probably makes him look “better.”

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 18, 2009 8:24 PM MDT up reply actions

hmmmm

i stayed up for this game.

dragic played well but maybe we can get the other teams point guard marcus williams he has played well in the summer league, or it might destroy dragic and his confidence if we sign another point guard.

in 4 games 39 points 20 assists 10 turnovers. 16/39 field goals 0/6 on 3 pointers 7/15 from the stripe in 90 mins of play. his improvement over the last 2 games has been good like to see his last game to see if he can carry the confidence over.

we so so so badly need a big ROLO was no where
so far in the summer league 14/28 field goals (not bad) 18/24free throws (not bad)
46 points (not bad) but he needs to work on his defense
19 fouls (trying to be too aggressive) 29 rebounds(should be 40) 100 mins(thats like over 2 games) 9 blocks and 2 steals.

after going through his stats again maybe i am being too harsh last 3 games he has played on average of 21 mins(what he will proabably play when the season starts) so maybe his game might be transferable for 20 mins at the nba level where he can get 5 rebounds 5 points 5 fouls and 2 blocks.

do you guys know of any big men we can sign cheaply in free agency ?

by phxuk: Ap on Jul 18, 2009 8:22 PM MDT reply actions