I know that they at least lurk here, because they use stuff from Bruno and LJ. I was just wondering what names they post under here if they, in fact, post here.
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I know that they at least lurk here, because they use stuff from Bruno and LJ. I was just wondering what names they post under here if they, in fact, post here.
One of the 48MoH guys posts here.
It's by far the best Spurs blog out there.
Vegas Summer League: Halfway Home Awards
July 15, 2009 1:49 AM
Posted by Kevin Arnovitz
Five days down, five to go at Las Vegas Summer League. Some teams are nearly through with their schedule, while others are just rolling into town. Since we're halfway through, it's a good moment to take inventory of what we've seen so far, and hand out some early awards.
Keep in mind that some teams have played only a single game and some stellar performances might not be acknowledged (read: Jerryd Bayless):
All Rookie Team
Tyreke Evans (SAC): Evans' one-on-one power game has produced a sick line. In three games, Evans has averaged 24.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Most impressively, Evans has attempted 41 free throws in three games. His transition to point guard is a work in progress, but he'll be a scoring machine no matter where he plays on the floor. Tyreke Evans: He has shown the ability to score points at will.
(Garrett Ellwood/NBA via Getty Images)
Blake Griffin (LAC): Griffin followed up his momentous 27-point, 12-rebound debut Monday night with a hum-drum 16-point, 9-rebound, 5-assist performance. Griffin directs traffic on both ends of the floor, and has been a pleasant surprise on pick-and-roll defense -- something he didn't encounter a whole lot at the college level.
Darren Collison (NOH): The Hornets' first-round pick has brought the discipline and patience of his UCLA pedigree to the pro game. He matched George Hill mano-a-mano in his first game, then came back Tuesday night with 23 points. He's also a perfect 16-for-16 from the stripe in his two games.
Roddy Beaubois (DAL): Before the Mavericks' rookie point guard took a scary spill Monday night in his third outing, he was electrifying crowds in Cox Pavilion with his combination of speed and range. He ran up 34 points against the Rockets Saturday night, including 7-for-12 from beyond the arc.
Jodie Meeks (MIL): The second-round pick out of Kentucky might not be one of the more athletic two-guards here, but he has lit it up from midrange, averaging 16.7 points per game on 60 percent shooting. The Bucks' brass is said to be very, very pleased.
All Sophomore Team
Anthony Randolph (GSW): Quite simply, the most dominant, skilled, devastating player in town. On Tuesday, his 42 points tied a Summer League record. His current averages through four games: 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks on 60.9 percent shooting from the field.
George Hill (SAS): Hill has demonstrated a complete command of the Spurs offense. He has picked his spots offensively, and finished -- unlike last year, when he shot eight percent from the field in Summer League action. He's averaging 20.5 points per game and getting to the line at will.
Eric Gordon (LAC): In his two games, the Clippers' second-year guard has muscled his way to the hole for 21 and 22 points, respectively. His 21-for-22 totals from the free-throw line demonstrate that strategy is working well.
Robin Lopez (PHX): The question surrounding Lopez has been one of resolve, but Lopez looked fierce in his first Summer League game, racking up 24 points, 16 boards, and a couple of blocks.
DeAndre Jordan (LAC): Jordan's athletic attributes have never been in question. Whether he could package it all together into a coherent low-post game was another matter. So far, Jordan has dominated the interior for the Clippers. He's shooting 15-for-19 from the field. He's shown sharp recognition in the post and is winning every race to the basket.
All Vets & Journeymen Team
Quincy Douby (TOR): Douby has been working hard on his game, and his effort is paying off in Las Vegas. He's shooting the ball efficiently from distance, racking up assists, and keeping turnovers to a minimum. Toronto may not have room for him in their backcourt, but his 19 points per game on 61.1 percent shooting should catch someone's attention.
Nick Young (WAS): The Wizards haven't even unpacked, but Nick Young's first game Tuesday night was a revelation. The third-year guard went insane, running up 36 points on 13-for-19 shooting, against the Cavs' hapless perimeter defenders.
Adam Morrison (LAL): It might not be the most efficient stat line of the week, but Morrison has put together a nice series of games. He's scored from distance, off cuts, and by putting the ball on the deck. It's a long road back for Morrison, but this week has served as a solid stepping stone back to respectability.
David Monds (LAL): The forward spent last summer in the D-League, and has been a solid contributor to the Lakers' 3-1 Summer League record thus far. He's averaging 14 points and five rebounds, and only 0.5 turnovers per game. He's also shooting an efficient 64.1 percent from the field.
Walker Russell, Jr. (DLS): A sentimental choice off the D-League Select roster, Russell is a creative, pass-first point guard. He sees the floor with an uncanny awareness of exactly where his teammates are, and where they want the ball. His pinpoint passes were the highlight of the Select team's victory over the Timberwolves.
All The-Week-Isn't-Working-Out-So-Far Team
David Thorpe shares his thoughts about who's had a disappointing week in Vegas:
Curry has struggled with his shooting touch, while Randolph can't seem to miss.
(Garrett Ellwood/NBA via Getty Images)
Stephen Curry (GSW): The good news for Curry is that he's been able to get shots -- largely because the ball has been in his hand. He's picking his opportunities. Unfortunately, he's picking far too many of them. Although he's averaging 19.5 points per game, he's doing it on only 31.4 percent shooting. His assist/turnover ratio? 4.5 to 3.75.
Donte Greene (SAC): Greene is a bit of collateral damage playing next to Tyreke Evans. He needs the ball in the right spots, and Evans can't deliver those passes yet. So Greene is struggling to score efficiently, shooting only 8-for-27 over three games.
Mike Taylor (LAC): Taylor can shoot, is lightning quick, and plays with spirit. But he's not been able to put it together and look like a rotation point guard.
Bobby Brown (MIN): Sorry to break fellow Titan Marc Stein's heart, but for a team that just drafted two rookie PGs, Brown hoped to show this week that he could be part of the 'Wolves backcourt rotation. That's looking unlikely. He's shooting 35.7 percent from the field, and not giving the 'Wolves much else.
Luc Mbah a Moute (MIL): Mbah a Moute has already proved he's a rotation player in this league. He was hoping to show that he can be more than just a tough defender. Thus far, that hasn't happened.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...me-Awards.html
Summer League Notes: SA vs. OKC
Last night a friend reduced Summer League to its finest syrupy self with this statement: “After the offseason the Spurs have already had, they don’t need anymore All-Stars. They just need to upgrade their role players. I think they’ve done it.”
The Spurs won last night’s contest, having too much talent and defense for the over matched Thunder. But the final score of 85-76 is hardly important.
Don’t look now, but the San Antonio Spurs have an embarrassment of young talent. George Hill and DeJuan Blair are easily rotation players in the NBA. Last week I might have softened that statement, but there is no need for that kind of downplay this morning. If the Spurs needed to upgrade their role players, they’ve done it.
What is most impressive about Hill and Blair is their ability to do the little things that will compliment San Antonio’s star core. Blair is a much better passer than I’d imagined. My favorite play of the game was a simple high post feed from Blair to Ian Mahinmi. Blair took a moment, sized up the defenders, and gifted Mahinmi with a soft, accurate ball that was converted into a trip to the line. Blair, much too my surprise, has legit NBA post moves as well. He’s not all rebounds and big smiles. He’ll prove a value commodity off the bench.
George Hill is transforming into a point guard before our eyes. This was evident on a few perfectly executed pick and rolls, one of which found Blair cutting to the hoop for a monster dunk. But George Hill’s ability to run the point is more evident in shouting and arm waving. Hill is commanding the team on offense and defense, setting plays, directing traffic, and, when the need arises, calling his own number. In a word, he’s vocal.
Hill is a different player from a year ago. Through most of his rookie campaign, Hill struggled finishing at the rim and with his midrange game. No longer. Hill has finished multiple plays above the rim this summer, punctuating them with emphatic dunks. He’s made the leap from a player with promise to one who is a threat to opposing defenses.
Just behind Blair and Hill stand Ian Mahinmi and Malik Hairston. While I’m not as confident in either of their ability to make the opening day rotation, there is no question they’re a valuable addition to the Spurs’ bench. Hairston is remade as a basketball player. He has been the team’s best shooter, quietly and confidently knocking down shots from all around the perimeter. And when the defense breaks the wrong way, he can get to the rim and finish with authority. Most importantly, Hairston played sensational defense for much of last night’s contest. He’s a bit undersized to guard small forwards, but makes up for it with grit and a deceptively good leap.
From courtside, Wayne Vore described the DeJuan Blair/Ian Mahinmi tandem as having gelled last night. They did look comfortable together, and their styles compliment the other. Blair is a brute. Mahinmi is quick and clever. Mahinmi has shown flashes of special talent on offense and defense, but his best attribute so far, one that should translate to the big league court, is his dedication to running the floor. He’s faster than most bigs, and he’s routinely beating his man end to end. Offensively, this accounts for his frequent trips to the foul line. Once he’s established early position, the defender is helpless. At least 3 of his trips to last night’s charity line followed wrap-up type fouls. To his credit, Mahinmi has enough polish in the post that its not simply a matter getting his work done early. But he plays best at high energy.
Having said this, the most intriguing thing about Ian is his lack of refinement. He’s still learning the game, and he’s still learning to control his body. At worst, the Spurs have a Fransico Elson quality big in Ian Mahinmi. But his ceiling is much higher. At 22, he has time to develop into the sort of bigman other team’s covet.
The most important part of this summer won’t be televised. What will these players–and Marcus Williams and Marcus Haislip–do between now and training camp. The Spurs could go into the season with a bench full of serviceable young 20 year olds at multiple positions. It’ll be interesting to see if Pop will roll that way, dedicating the first half of next season to their continued development. And, of course, whether the players give him reason to.
In some ways that approach makes sense. With Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and the youngsters in the fold, the Spurs biggest challenge is mental. They’ll have to learn the system, and learn to play with one another, in the space between October and April. This will be Pop’s most challenging season as a coach. He can’t simply rely on the corporate knowledge of his vets. No. This year’s team will require much more from Popovich. It’s exciting to see so much wet clay on the wheel, but it’s also a mess.
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/...tes-sa-vs-okc/
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/...h-george-hill/
Quote:
I was just talking to a friend who attended Spurs practice today. He passed along this fun aside.
It was amazing to me to watch Hill run that thing. Telling Beck what he’s supposed to be doing on a particular defensive rotation, or explaining an offensive set to James Gist.
The kid has come a long way in 12 months. Don Newman kept calling him “Coach George,” which I thought was funny.