[JNixonParticipant]

Utah

Gordon Hayward- After a 1st half where he was never noticed, he played more aggressive in the 2nd half. Plays with more wiggle than you’d expect. His jump shot is very nice as usual, rarely even touches the rim. The guy you want at the free throw line. He has looked decent in transition, a bit better than he looks in half-court sets (pretty weird for him). Can’t score very well unless he gets his man caught in screens. Nice passing skills and feel for the game, but sometimes it can be a fault. Fights on D, and even though he struggles somewhat on that end he’s not at all a liability. Aggressive on the boards, even if he can’t get the actual rebounds. I don’t expect Hayward to be a big part of Utah’s rotation next year, he still needs to find a niche and get stronger.

Sundiata Gaines- Played OK, and really got Utah in the offense well. He slashed and put pressure on Jerome Randle, but he did overdrive a few times. Looked good in the pick and roll, and really did a good job controlling the tempo when he was on the floor. Got after it on D. Continues to look like a solid 3rd string PG.

Kosta Koufas- Surprise surprise. I said he sucked yesterday, but he played good today. Knocked down perimeter shots when the ball came to him, and made a nice sweeping hook on one occasion when he was on the move. Plays too stiff on D still though, even though Orton didn’t expose him like a true NBA C would. Rebounded very well today. Played pretty well after a lackluster showing yesterday.

Paul Harris- He got burn today, but he didn’t play like an NBA player. He’s not good on offense, probably a liability. He’s big though of course, built like a tight end.

Tyrese Rice- Why is he playing so bad? Why does he fall down so much? He used to be a great scorer in college, but now? He looks bad.

Magic:

Daniel Orton- Another lackluster game. He appears lost in the shuffle offensively. Nothing about the way he plays offensively is decisive or quick-twitched. Seems like he thinks too much when he plays. Not a good rebounder, which is a shame if you look at hs physical tools. With that said, he is a great shot-blocker and shows potential as a post defender. He’s never going to be good on offense, but he can develop into an Erick Dampier-esque post defender AT BEST, if he’s willing to work at it.

Patrick Ewing- He actually shot the ball better than usual. He’s a MUCH better shooter than he used to be, but he still will go overboard in his shots. Looks good in transition.
Rarely looks to pass. Plays tough D, but will get lazy in his footwork and pick up fouls. Played aggressive, but wasn’t nearly as reckless as he was yesterday.

Stanley Robinson- Showed a better motor than yesterday, but still has very poor ball-handling ability and reactiveness. Has the same problem as Orton, thinks too much and lacks decisiveness. Very athletic and long, and will make an eye-popping play at the rim off of cuts to the rim at least 1 time a game. Played good D on Hayward for the most part.

Jerome Randle- Played aggressive and showed heart after looking shaky running the team in the early going. He’s clearly more of a scorer than a playmaker, but he has shown a little PG ability, particularly in the drive and dish. Very quick with some nice floaters/runners in his arsenal. He’s just too small to factor on D, and allows ALOT of dribble drive penetration. He’s not likely to make this Magic roster, but I’m still holding hope he can play his way into the NBA someday.

Paul Davis- Looked good on offense. I thought he’d be a serviceable NBA player by now, but he’s still fighting for a spot. He used his body well and drew fouls. Still has a feathery touch. Still soft though, especially on D. Not out of the question to see him slap his mans wrist when getting backed down in the post, which is borderline GAY if you’re as big as he is.

[Stojakovicfor3Participant]

Tyrese Rice doesn’t look that bad at all. I thought he was pretty good. I’m a Magic fan and I wish we never ever picked Daniel Orton. He sucks.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Lol… Yea… I don’t see how Rice looks good at all.

[JNixonParticipant]

Tyrese Rice looked good? At what? Utah struggles every time they put him in the game, and he slips and falls like 3 times every game and turns the ball over.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I agree on most of this. I think Ewing Jr. should get a look somewhere as a bench defender. Orton and Robinson went to the right team. Both will be prospect for the 2011, 2012 seasons at best.

Hayward, Kosta and Gaines all impressed me. I was happy to see Hayward get his shot off. Kosta hit some jumpers and I thought were pretty good. Gaines is a good backup PG and could unseat Price for that role this season. I think all 3 should be role players for next season in Utah

[White ChocolateParticipant]

I was wondering the why did Hayward only get like 19-20 minutes today when all of the other teams are giving their draft picks 25-30 minutes a game? The good thing was he came up big in crunch time and he got 14 points, grabbed a couple of rebounds, and blocked a shot. He is really progressing to be a good player, he shot the ball more today which was good. Like I said I think he should be getting 27-30 minutes a night in the summer league. If the Jazz do that in the last two game I think he will put up 15-18 points(if the other players look for him), 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. The biggest surprise was Kosta Koufos with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. James Augustine had another solid game with 7 points and 7 rebounds. Hayward is progressing to be Kyle Korver type of player off the bench for the Jazz. I am really liking what I see from Hayward, Koufos, and Augustine.

[the I in winParticipant]

Rice was ok on day 1, not so much today.

[butidonthavemoney]

Evans impressed me too. Had a very nice pass, some VERY nice blocks, finished a couple of baskets at the rim.

He gets pushed around when trying to rebound, but I think he has a legit chance of making the team this season.

Jeffers and Gaines are also most likely coming back. Still waiting to see Tadija Dragicevic.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Hayward didn’t play at all in the second quarter.

I want him to be more aggressive, but he’s being patient, unselfish and letting the game come to him. He’s going to get more aggressive every game. I’d like to see him handle the ball more in the pick and roll. He’s better than what he’s shown so far.

He does need to continue getting stronger so players aren’t able to jam him off of the ball, but he’s not the twig that people have said he is. I think he can definitely add more weight and strength. He’s still young and a late bloomer. He’s going to be a good player for the Jazz.

[JNixonParticipant]

Yeah I think he’ll continue to get better, especially since the spacing in the NBA is much better than it has been in the SL. He has to have too much offense created for him right now, and I don’t see that working well with Utah in the upcoming season with Milsap, Okur, Miles and Williams commanding the ball as much as they will. He’s got to get a little better off the dribble, or at least more confident off the dribble to earn minutes on the wing.

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