Summer League Thread

[Chinook]

This is the kind of pseudo-intellectual bull that I have a severe problem with.

There are several talented players who don't get it. But these players who don't get it, generally have good individual stats going for them. Good skills translate into good individual play and good stats - be it a relatively high number of shots taken and a decent percentage of it going in, a high degree of rebounding/ a high number of gambles and steals and so on.

These players who don't get it - are those who don't understand the team concept or refuse to do so and thereby are general negatives to the team and are liabilities.

From what Ryan Richards has shown so far, he hasn't revealed anything that says that he has skills to play basketball at any high level. If he did and didn't get it, he still would have dominated all the lowest of the low leagues he has played in - Britain, Switzerland, Austria etc.

Everywhere he has come up short and unable to translate "potential" into play.

That shows that he lacks skills. And he lacks talent.

What he has going for him is physicality, the appearance of a basketball player and not some random Sun Ming Ming with some height.

But skills? Bah..

I'm not saying that Richards is just basketball-stupid. I'm saying he's basketball-re ed (for lack of a better term). He literally doesn't know what to do on the court, but when he shoots, he form looks guard-caliber. When he has the ball in his hands, he can cross bigs over. When he's running on the break (more so last year than this year), he was beating everyone down the court. When I mean he has no idea what to do on the court, I mean that he doesn't put himself in good position to score or rebound most of the time. On defense, he doesn't box out, doesn't set his feet in the post, and doesn't understand defensive rotations. All of those things means he doesn't often put up the stats his skills suggest he should.

People have described him as an athlete who doesn't know how to play basketball. I think it's apt, although I agree more with timvp when he said he has all the skills to be a basketball player, but just isn't.

As for Richards dominating in lower leagues, he has, actually. He put up a couple of 30ish and 10 games. He also stood out in the under 20 tournaments a few years ago. He certainly plays well when he has the physical advantage over his opponents. He just didn't do it enough.

[tesseractive]

Short term, no. But long term, it's not that productive. You can't go to try out with any other teams, because the Spurs own your rights. You have years of a team saying they believe in your while also not showing it when they have a chance. For all you know, you could get cut in training camp only to impress enough in the d-league to get a call-up mid season and collect an NBA pay check. You have to hope that what the team is saying to you isn't just a token pla ude, but when you see them bring in new guys and give them burn while you collect only four minutes in two games, you begin to have doubts.

Richards has benefited from being a Spurs draft pick already, as the team has paid for his shoulder surgeries over the years. I'm sure that's a big reason why he agreed to stay overseas last season even after practically begging to be let into the NBA during the 2010 draft. But he's not the 19-year-old kid with loads of time to figure things out anymore. He's a 22-year-old man who's been getting in worse and worse situations each season. Staying overseas has not been helping him so far. I think he'll force himself on the roster either this year or next.

If you're right, I think the net result will be that he sinks without a trace. I mean, you yourself basically just described him as a guy who has a great body type and a lot of skills, but if you put him out on a court, he can't play basketball. That seems like kind of a dealbreaker.

I also think Denmon will follow suit, although I think it really would be beneficial for him to stay over a little longer. His stock is probably pretty good after his successful return from injury and strong summer league.

It could be. But this front office usually tries to help out players within reason. If Denmon wants a crack at the NBA and we think he could find a fit, but not on our roster, I could see RC making a trade for a conditional pick or something to give him a hand.

[Chinook]

If you're right, I think the net result will be that he sinks without a trace. I mean, you yourself basically just described him as a guy who has a great body type and a lot of skills, but if you put him out on a court, he can't play basketball. That seems like kind of a dealbreaker.

I don't think Richards would succeed, but I think he could. He needs to be part of a good system that doesn't expect much out of him for a few years. He'll probably never be fluent in basketball. But what seems pretty clear is that he hasn't gotten better these last couple of years.

It could be. But this front office usually tries to help out players within reason. If Denmon wants a crack at the NBA and we think he could find a fit, but not on our roster, I could see RC making a trade for a conditional pick or something to give him a hand.

I don't think the Spurs will try to force Denmon to stay out of the NBA this season. But I was referring to an interview he had a couple of weeks ago in which he suggested he was going to sign a two-year deal with the Spurs. It seemed like he wanted to sink or swim now. Maybe his summer-league performance will change his plans. I think he could get a good contract in Europe. But he's another player who really doesn't have much upside unless he gets some point-guard skills.

[Baam]

I don't think Richards would succeed, but I think he could. He needs to be part of a good system that doesn't expect much out of him for a few years. He'll probably never be fluent in basketball. But what seems pretty clear is that he hasn't gotten better these last couple of years.

That's the problem and why there's zero reason to bring him over.

Players like Baynes and Bertans worked hard to get better to give themselves a chance.

[TheGoldStandard]

I'm sure the Bobcats would take a chance on him

[Chinook]

That's the problem and why there's zero reason to bring him over.

Players like Baynes and Bertans worked hard to get better to give themselves a chance.

They did. But every player's different. I would guarantee Richards a year to spend in Austin to see if I could get something out of his immense physical talents. But I can also understand if the team just gives him a training-camp invite and cuts him. It's just that something needs to happen one way or the other. He clearly wants to be in the NBA and is getting worse overseas. If he wants to piddle out in the d-league, it should be completely his choice.

[ace3g]

[CitizenDwayne]

It'll be interesting to see if Udoka starts really going for wins here, or just keeps approaching things like a summer league coach.

I didn't really follow the Orlando summer league; how have teams been handling this bracket format?

[Darkwaters]

It'll be interesting to see if Udoka starts really going for wins here, or just keeps approaching things like a summer league coach.

I didn't really follow the Orlando summer league; how have teams been handling this bracket format?

Theres supposed to be a consolation bracket also though. So even if you lose you get to keep playing.

[TXstbobcat]

Spurs will play the Cavs on the 18th at 3 p.m. CST

thank you for posting. I will be watching tomorrow.

[ace3g]

Not sure if I want to play the Heat in the quarterfinals (if both teams get that far) because of NBA unleashing all the Finals footage...

[Bruno]

If Spurs lose their game against Cavs, they will play one last game Friday at 8 pm ET against the loser of the Bucks/Lakers game.

[ohmwrecker]

I am shocked that so many posters still believe Ryan Richards can be a legit NBA player. The dude is obviously a bust. Total waste of time and resources.

[playblair]

ryan richards has a mid rage/3point shot.................... ryan richards has post moves.................... ryan richards can defend stretch 4's........................ richards will be a steal..................... same posters who hated cojo hate richards...........................

[monkeypunk]

I am shocked that so many posters still believe Ryan Richards can be a legit NBA player. The dude is obviously a bust. Total waste of time and resources.

He'll be a lot better once he learns how to play basketball...

[CitizenDwayne]

I am shocked that so many posters still believe Ryan Richards can be a legit NBA player. The dude is obviously a bust. Total waste of time and resources.

This. He looks completely lost on a basketball court.

[DesignatedT]

I'm going with Phoenix taking the tourney.

[Darkwaters]

I'm going with Phoenix taking the tourney.

I like the D-League team to win it. They'll have a chip on their shoulder surely to prove themselves. While they might not have the upper-end talent of other teams, nobody else probably actually cares about the Vegas Summer League le like those guys might.

[raybies]

Speaking of Phoenix summer league, was watching this replay right now and I must say, Archie Goodwin looked impressive. His shoot mechanics could use some work as well as his maturity, but he sure has a lot of potential.

[DesignatedT]

Speaking of Phoenix summer league, was watching this replay right now and I must say, Archie Goodwin looked impressive. His shoot mechanics could use some work as well as his maturity, but he sure has a lot of potential.

I was thinking this as well. He looks so damn young and his body is still going to mature. 3,4,5 years down the line if he keeps working hard he can be a real special player.

[ace3g]

Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell
Teams not happy about elimination tournament at Vegas summer league.: It stretches out stays. You may see some tanking to avoid a 6th game.

[raybies]

Watching Erick Green and the summer league Nuggets reminds me of the draft promise his family said was given by the Spurs. Makes me think the Spurs really can evaluate talent cause he looks solid. If the Spurs think Livio is top 20 talent, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.

[playblair]

Watching Erick Green and the summer league Nuggets reminds me of the draft promise his family said was given by the Spurs. Makes me think the Spurs really can evaluate talent cause he looks solid. If the Spurs think Livio is top 20 talent, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.

word hes solid...................... his sis in law confirmed pop & spurs gave green a promise............... would of preferred green but ljc will be a steal.........................

[tempest186]

I might be out of the loop but was it a second round promise that Green received or did the Spurs back away and choose LJC instead?

[TheGreatYacht]

Watching Erick Green and the summer league Nuggets reminds me of the draft promise his family said was given by the Spurs. Makes me think the Spurs really can evaluate talent cause he looks solid. If the Spurs think Livio is top 20 talent, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.

I might be out of the loop but was it a second round promise that Green received or did the Spurs back away and choose LJC instead?

Tony Parker probably forced the FO to select LJC.