Summer superstars
How much stock do you really put in a guy who absolutely destroys the summer league circuit?
Well, you have to look at some of the variables that go along with being a just a summer league superstar or a legit player in the NBA.
First… Is the player a first-round pick of the team this year? If he is, then you expect him to have more trouble than success. The game is faster, players are quicker and stronger and they have a big target on their backs from players who got undrafted or want to make a name and turn some heads by crushing that team’s draft pick. Remember LeBron didn’t actually rip up summer play his rookie year, but he learned a lot about his game and what he had to improve on going into the season. This is what Kevin Durant and Greg Oden is figuring out right now.
Second… Is the player a first-round pick from last year or the year before or even the team’s second-round pick who sat the bench all season? Those players have some NBA experience, so they know a little about how the game is played, know the team’s system and usually play well during the summer. Last year, Travis Diener played incredible during the summer. Then he didn’t get off the pine during the season and now is trying to find a team. This summer, JJ Redick is showing people really how good he is and why he will make a bigger splash this season than last. Take in mind that first-round picks will get the bulk of the shots and playing time because the summer is where teams get a chance to develop these players and showcase them on the offensive end. Marco Belinelli looks like the real deal and will fit great with Golden State’s style of play. But will he get all those looks and shots that he has during the summer with Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis and the rest of the shoot-first, pass-second Warriors? The talent is there for all these guys, but they won’t have the same opportunities during the season.
Does the name Nikoloz Tskitishvili ring a bell? The next Dirk. The 5th pick in the 2002 Draft. After a great summer a few years back, he still is trying to find his way in the league.
Thirdly… Look at the competition on some of these teams. Names and faces you never heard or seen before. That’s why they are playing during the summer. Trying to get a spot in vet camp after playing overseas, in the the D-League, the CBA or any other league with three letters hoping to put up big numbers and impress one GM or coach.
Lastly… Numbers can be deceiving during the summer. Have you ever taken a look at Bo Outlaw’s summer numbers when he participates in the Summer Pro League in California? Every year Bo is one of the best players there. He has several quadruple-doubles. Quadruple-doubles! He scores 20-plus points a game. Now, Bo is a legit player in this league for what he does: rebounding, defense, energy and leadership. It comes down to the opportunities you get during the summer (compared to during the season when the man and franchise player on the team is getting all the shots), the competition level and what’s at stake for each individual player.
I’ve seen plenty of summer league superstars over the past 20 years. Some take advantage of the opportunity and find themselves on an NBA team and really contribute, but most just fade away and keep trying to make it. The problem is that these guys are always great during the summer, but the pay is a lot bigger and better during the fall, winter and spring!
Jazzy Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 11:23 am
Mike Conley, Jr.!
jay Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Dee, he will have no problem finding shots. He is basically going to fill Jason Richardson’s role, and he was a 20+ point scorer. In that system, there are plenty of shots for everyone. They ride who’s hot. So what makes you think he won’t have opportunites?
Mark Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Hi Dee,
Do you think Marco Belinelli is the real deal. Are we talking 10 pts a game off the bench or do you think he will have a chance to start over Monta Ellis with Jason Richardson’s departure?
Thanks,
Mark
Derrick Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
Thanks for keeping it real.
Clifton Trotter Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
I agree with Dee Brown that emphasis should not be put on summer league play, but to me it just sounds like he’s making a bunch of excuses for over-hyped first rounders who don’t live up to the hype. I can’t understand why the top five lottery picks are not dominating. I feel that college ball is equal to the “E league”. Back in the day lottery picks were impact players who came into the league and dominated. These days lottery picks are overhyped ball players who always have to “develop”. When was the last time a rookie came in and dominated since Lebron and Melo. Back in the day ball players who were the “real deal” would rip up summer league. I mean why shouldn’t lottery picks dominate summer league, they’re obviously playing against guys who didn’t make the league are got drafted in the 2nd round. I think the league needs to quit over hyping guys just so they can market the NBA. I call it, how I see it and I see NBA talent declining since the 96 draft. Do you think Shaq or Akeem would have played as poorly as Oden? Or do you think Kobe would have done as poorly as Durant? I bet the resounding answer is “Hell No!”. The reason being is because those guys were the “real deal”. These guys today are just media hype. So Dee let’s not make excuses. If you can’t dominate summer league play then how can you dominate NBA play?
dman Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
I totally agree with you Dee. Great article!
Shark Attack! Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Don’t worry, Belinellli will do just fine. Boom Dizzle and Belinelli should score a ton this season. Can’t wait for the run n gun Dubs!
geore Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
i think it’s people like nba.com or epsn.com and the rest of the networks who put too much stock in these games, 10 years ago people didn’t even know there was a summer league teams or all this stuff. maybe we should just start televising these games on those two networks..well, actually NBATV does carry the games and which i think it’s a joke. Deaven George used to tear up the summer league every year, yet the guy barely had any success playing alongside (Payton, Kobe, Malone, Shaq) jesus christ…how in the world did we lose that year. anyways, i think you guys should stop wrinting about them also, and i just wasted good 5 minutes of my time writing about this crap.
yao Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:33 am
hey clifton. you talk about back in the day this and that. but how many GREAT players have gone through the league since your “back in the day?” are you forgettin about sam bowie at #2 before jordan? are you forgettin about jon koncak at #5 the following year? did you not read that article? lebron didnt exactly tear it up in the summer league either. it takes time to acclimate to the new competition and pace of the professional game. if the top draft picks were always nba ready and ready to tear up the summer leagues like those guys “back in the day” (which is very vague, because you only mention the year 96….) there would be no need for all these scouts scouting from high school to college to internationally now would there? the average talent and average athleticism of the nba player has risen, dramatically over the years and you have to take that into account too. i would say that the talent level is rising and its making it harder to find those extraordinary players because the discrepancies are so small…before you start ranting and raving about “back in the day this and that” do some thinking….
money 2 Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 6:59 am
he is the real deal (belinelli),the warriors problem is up front harrington is an under sized 4,beidriens comes off the pine and put up numbers ,then the wing players get to jacking up three after three,thats g state main problem
Bree Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 7:40 am
Dee right on the money…but I look at the Summer League as a showcase for the NBA and its product the game. The SL is a vehicle that should have been hyped years ago…and with the exposure NBA TV is giving will be a sure highlight of the varied and exciting talents the league has. Bo Outlaw is not the issue as the league gets more important so will the comp. I envision the League looking more competitive soon in up coming years, putting more emphasis on team achievement along with of course the incredible individual abilities of the participants (the summer the atheletisism is off the charts young legs everywhere) and the great human interest story lines that each team and players possess…this is a reality tv show waiting to happen. Dee the quality of the competition is always going to be in question in sub leagues…Euro, NBDL, CBA, ABA etc that is a fact but in the SL the excitement and potential of the league is the area as a whole that should decides its value to the NBA, if the NBA keeps building its exposure there it could be another source to really hype the product and expand awareness of the game (big time!!!)…would love to see not only China there but other countries could send and allstar team if not some of the Euro league teams…the possiblities are endless as a precursor for a world league…to me the SL is a couple of week long Rookie Game but more competitive and far reaching…god I hope the NBA figures this thing out and goes all out with getting the Summer league the right exposure and structure…the Vegas angle is a whole other ball game, why not a Vegas Pros team…or might that be too obvious a set up for a expansion team in Vegas:-)
Lastly, Dee please someone let the NBA big wigs know that the WNBA is dying because it does not have the Entertainment vehicle it needs…alla the homerun in baseball or the dunk shot in NBA basketball. The WNBA needs to shorten the court by about 8 feet to increase scoring opts (scores are way too low given the skill levels) women are not as fast as men or as strong so making them play on a regulation court is a burden to their level of play, they as a whole are more fundamentally skilled so it is not sexist to say they are limited by the size space not by their inferior skill….. and please…please…. lower the rim to a dunkable level for the top athletes and size players and I know women can dunk but with Candice Parker coming who can really use that shot with ease why not make the rim about 8 to 8 1/2 feet and see her and other length and leap skilled ladies bring the beauty of the “solid finish” to the NBA…and please note many street ball and biddie leagues have played under these conditions for decades and the quality of play is not affected it is still basketball but the entertainment level for those watching goes way up…just an FYI for David Stern from a father of a 11 year old girl who sees her opportunity to not just play but to make the best dollar and have the most fun as a professional player…I see that slipping away with the mishandling of the WNBA by a very well meaning but nearsighted NBA.
Rashidi Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 8:13 am
“The WNBA needs to shorten the court by about 8 feet to increase scoring opts (scores are way too low given the skill levels) women are not as fast as men or as strong so making them play on a regulation court is a burden to their level of play,”
Yeah, building entirely new courts nationwide sounds like a GREAT solution… while we’re at it, why don’t we force them to sit at the back of the bus too?
Magic Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 9:01 am
On the money Dee… I agree with your article, but at least these summer games show some potential and athletic skills.
space Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 10:02 am
summer league play always shows potential. some players just thrive and others don’t. the NBA is a completely different game. camp, summer league, season & playoffs are all vastly different. in summer league, lots of players are on the bubble trying to latch on to a roster spot or look impressive enough for an invite later. so you will see ball hawking and bravado. moves done to impress the onlookers from time to time. let’s not forget that the younger players have gone from a college atmosphere and being the man with plays catered to their strengths, to franchise customized playbooks. new personalities, foreign styles, and just being out of sync can make a good guy look bad with occassional flashes. some average guys who can navigate the new ’system’ can come out looking even better.
its just like the draft: you never really know what you’ve got till the regular season [carlos boozer/manu ginnobili], and even then the right man on the wrong team can fail [skita/darko/kedrick brown].
K Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 10:38 am
I agree to a certain extent. NBA summer league contains a plathara of washed up talent and nba wanna-bes, however, these are still NBA caliber players. If a young player is able to show a skill-set that facilitates future prominance at his postion in summer league, it is a great indication that through developement and work, this player will make it in the league. However, it requires patience and maturity. Bellineli, shows a quick release, a lightning quick first step and a euro-style that has succefully translated to the NBA game. Secondly, he is in a situation where he is going to immediately contribute. Then there are the cases of louis williams and Marcus Banks, the former being a young talented guard, he has no idea to play his position and the latter being a bigger, stronger more exprienced veteren playing among a school of defenseless no-names. Louis William, can be an NBA level point guard, but nothing he shows in summer league attributes to this hypothesis. He is a volume scorer and requires multiple shots to have an impact. Marcus Banks has far to much experience at the NBA level to play summer league, his points and impact on the game come from veteren moves and physical play. See juan Barrea, he excels at the lower level competition and style of play. But does not have the size or the maturity to translate his game to the nba.
The players that are most successful at summer league are the ones that are able to show that they have a skill set that will develope into something special. Their performance indicate that they are able to find a niche in the NBA until there developement changes it. I agree with Dee, summer league isn’t about the numbers, it’s about a player being able to show that his game translates to the NBA.
HOOP@PALACE Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF DETROIT PISTONS ROOKIES RODNEY STUCKEY AND AARON AFFALO S0 FART IN THE SUMMER LEAGUE(S) GAMES? DO YOU THINK MR. DUMARS MADE CORRECT DRAFT CHOICES ON THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS? THANKS FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS..LONNIE SR.
Kingsblade Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
yao said most of what I wanted to say to clifton about his weak comments but I still have one question I need to ask.
Did he actually just hint that Kobe Bryant came into the NBA and dominated immediately? It seems that way.
Try and know at least SOMETHING before spewing garbage. Kobe only averaged about 15 minutes and 7 points a game his first year. WOW what domination.
Bree Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
“Yeah, building entirely new courts nationwide sounds like a GREAT solution… while we’re at it, why don’t we force them to sit at the back of the bus too?”
To Rashidi who said poo poo to…my idea of increasing scoring opts by decreasing the size of the court for the WNBA (College can does not have to change, if they don’t want to..they are subsidized and protected as sports alternative for women)…please know that all NBA courts are customizeable….many are just put together the day of the game and many play over ice for Ice Hockey teams…shortening the court is not sexist…allowing the womens game to continue its mediocre embodiment is sexist….follow the womens games in tennis…only 3 sets vs 5 or softball instead of hardball…that is blatantly sexist but no outcry…golf is the fairest comparison to my idea…reducing the size of the shots from tee to tee for the women to accomodate the difference in drive strength of women and men….my point is if the WNBA can increase its scoring it will be more entertaining…NBA is very conscious of this (3 pointer, 24 second shot clot etc) so why not the WNBA tinker with the rules to allow more scoring and please please again someone lower that darn rim already…..
Stu Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
Bree…nobody cares about the WNBA so stop mentioning it.
SoulHonky Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
Lebron was very impressive in his first summer league. He averaged 15, 4.5 assists and over a block a game. He ran the team like a veteran. While not nearly as good as LeBron, Belinelli has similarly shown NBA-level skills. He isn’t just jacking up shots, he’s also making smart passes and is even playing better than expected defense.
On the other hand, Durant looked more like Adam Morrison, which is a problem. His lack of bulk is a major issue and he’s never shown an ability to create for his teammates. Durant faces a major issue next year, being the definite go-to guy and focus of opposing defenses from day 1. His summer league struggles show that he might not be ready for that. This doesn’t mean he’s a bust but it could mean that his rookie year may be more bumps and bruises than slam dunks. LaMarcus Aldridge and Ty Thomas started off slow in their rookie seasons and I think Durant and Oden might go through some similar growing pains.
Clifton Trotter Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Yao before you start dishing out the insults lets think about it do you really think Michael, Magic, or Larry would have had a problem adjusting to summer league play? Or Allen Iverson for that matter? Now Lebron didn’t put up a dazzling performace in the summer league but he did produce! Some of these guys aren’t even producing! Yes the athleticism has increase . And to Rashadi if you do your histor Kobe ripped up the summer league!
Aaron Dell Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Dee, you are the man. Celtics fan here. We need you here to pump up your reeboks and dunk on some of these summer league ballahs!!
space Said,
July 16, 2007 @ 10:54 am
watching durant did concern me a bit. defenders were literally in his jersey. hopefully he will get used to being stuck by professional former all-americans his height or taller night in and night out. its a difficult thing to do. they were scrapping for roster spots too. durant already knew he has his contract and endorsements. his coaches will adjust and show him his weaknesses. this is actually a headstart for him.
belinelli should be ok. its a fair statement.
anyone who isn’t a traditional bigman will fair well in a nelson system. but make no mistake, big baby, strawberry and stuckey played well also and each of their games do translate on the next level. all are good players, but hand out the ROY award at the end of regular season court-work. jasekevicius, another surefire rookie gathered dust and never got a true opportunity. diener, another quality guy who put on quite the show in last year’s summer league but never got an opportunity to make a mark in orlando.
that’s the theme for the day: a great summer camp means nothing if you never get that real regular season burn.
KD Said,
July 20, 2007 @ 6:37 am
Good points, Dee! Look at the Houston Rockets, last year they had John Lucas III on their team and he absolutely dominated. Then he showed nothing during the reg season and is being shipped to New Orleans as we speak.
This year they have another midget, Aron Brooks, dominating the SL and getting the top rookie award, and the Rockets fans are being very cautious this time around. You never know…
On a separate note, Dee, did you hear today that Bill Simmons from ESPN.com credited you for changing Boston attitudes towards African-Americans. Thet’s quite a feat, you should be poud!