Two former University Kentucky Wildcats teammates coach by 2 time NCAA National Coach of the Year John Calipari emerged as the top performers of this years NBA Summer League.
John Wall - Most Outstanding Player of the Las Vegas Summer League
DeMarcus Cousins - T-Mobile Rookie of the Month
John Wall - no. 1 draft pick(Wizards)
Wall lived up to the hype and improved as the game progressed, as the Wizards took him as the number one overall pick of these years NBA draft. He has the speed and athleticism that was peerless by anyone in the Summer League and it revealed with the way he could get to the rim almost at will against any defender. Although outside and mid range shot of (38% fg) could use some job to do but he didn't disappoint. Wall still has holes to his game to fill with almost 5 turnovers/game and 13% from 3 point country but he shows the leadership qualities and willingness to learn and be coached that should allow him to move up into the games A-class at the PG position (2009 NBA ROY Chicago's Derrick Rose and 2010 NBA ROY Tyreke Evans of Sacramento Kings). As what I've seen in this years summer league games, he makes his team mates look good and very smart on his on the court decisions. This guy is the real deal and will be fun to watch this season.
DeMarcus Cousins - no. 5 pick(Kings)
The bulky forward (6'11 270 lbs.)led the Summer League in rebounding at 9.8 per game. Unfortunately he shot a miserable 33% from the floor, turned it over 4.8 times per game. Although he seemed to struggle when he went up against physical opponents but displayed all of his capabilities, both good and bad on the court, he was a beast in Vegas and looks like a treat in the middle. He is difficult for opponents to physically match up with. Long, strong and can jump. Excellent scorer around the basket. A dominant rebounder who is especially effective on the offensive boards. Very good shot-blocker. Plays with toughness.
These could be the missing piece for the young Kings who also have with them the uprising reigning Rookie of the Year Evans.
Standouts
Dominique Jones (MAVS) - the rookie guard drafted by t
he Mavs was very impressive. He is very athletic and has relentless attacking mentality going to the hoop. Landry Fields (KNICKS) - this kid seemed to always be on the ball. Though he wouldn't take over the game, but you'd look up to him for his dirty work and you'd see him everywhere on the court. A hard worker like him could have a big role for a team.
Larry Sanders (BUCKS) - He has length, athleticism, and a surprising offensive game. Sanders averaged 14.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks(leads in summerleague) in the Bucks' five games. He has showed off a versatility that could earn him playing time come the regular season, especially if he continues to defend like he is.
Derrick Caracter (LAKERS)- He could earned a long look from the Lakers' brass with his size, aggressiveness and array of impresive low-post moves.
Devin Ebanks (LAKERS) - What makes this kid solid is his ability to knock down the spot up three, defend 2s and 3s, and get out in transition(Trevor Ariza mentallity).
Greg Monroe (PISTONS) - this Big fellow is a very good passer but he showed that his got better and better in each of the Pistons' five games in Las Vegas. In the finale, Monroe had 27 points and 14 rebounds and was more aggressive, showing off an array of moves. He finished with averages of 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
Gordon Hayward (UTAH)- This guy is one of
my favorites in the Summer League. He's got some tremendous work ethic and good sense of the game, an attitude most likely fit with the Jazz Hall of Famer and longest tenured coach in the NBA, Coach Jerry Sloan . A great combo for Deron Williams. Magnum Rolle (PACERS) - Rolle can put it on the floor and finish, as well as hit the mid - range perimeter jumper consistently. These two skills alone separate the lanky combo forward from the lot of NBA hopefuls looking to land an invite this season.
Lance Stephenson (PACERS) - He's a playmaker and for a team that had issues for the past years at the point position, Larry Bird and company may have just found themselves that quasi - lead guard who has the strength, great size, along with unquestionable ball handling abilities necessary to man that all important position.
Luke Harangody (CELTICS) - Luke display his ability to dominate the boards and showcase a highly efficient shooting touch from the perimeter. Big Luke is shooting 50% from three on 5 of 10 from the NBA line through the first three games of the Summer League. The big redhead has also continued to do his dirty work on the glass, coming in at fifth in the league averaging 6.3 rips a game.
Jeremy Lin (WARRIORS) - He has that nose for the basket that leads him to drive and seek out the rack, contact be damned. He's some big hits, but his aggressiveness is nice to see. He also is a pretty good
rebounder for a guard, he reads the ball off the rim well and can often find himself in the right place to snag the long rebound. His passing isn't mind-blowing, but his intelligences and the way he sees the court help, and he seems like the type that will improve the more he plays at the professional level.
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