NBA Summer League: Day 2By:

The second day of the summer league saw a number of break out
performances including rookies Rodrigue Beaubois (34
pts), Stephen Curry (29 pts), Tyreke Evans (25 pts), Chase Budinger (25 pts),
DeMar DeRozan (20 pts) Austin Daye (19 pts), and DaJuan Summers (19 pts). Other
top performers included Cartier Martin (27 pts), Adam Morrison (22 pts), and Quincy
Douby (21 pts).

Detroit 91 – Toronto 87
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Detroit improved their 2009 Summer League record to
2-0 today outbattling the Toronto Raptors 91-87. Detroit’s draft picks Austin
Daye and DaJuan Summers both finished with 19 points. Daye’s performance
in particular was impressive, bouncing back big time after an under whelming day
1.

Daye started and ended well, pushing the Pistons out to a 12-9 lead early with
5 points and a nice assist to Summers for a dunk. It was evident from Daye’s
reaction that he was ready to play today.

Smush Parker was inserted into the game and immediately made an impact. His
defensive pressure yielded a shot clock violation and 2 steals and the Raptors
tied the game shortly after his entry.

Summers and Daye continued their strong play to start the second quarter combining
for 23 first half points. The Cox Pavilion crowd reacted to a couple of spectacular
plays, a huge put back jam from Deron Washington (13 points 6 rebs) followed
by a sweet baseline up and under from Summers.

Andre Owens had a better period with Parker defending him, dishing out 5 assists
in the quarter. Quincy Douby (21 points 5 rebs) did his best to keep the Raptors
close with 11 first half points (he’d finish with 21). Maryland rookie Ekene
Ibekwe put up 6 points of his own on 3/3 shooting. The Pistons held onto a 49-44
lead going into halftime.

Washington wasn’t done working on his highlight reel midway through
the third, when he sent in yet another electric dunk to put Detroit up 10. He
immediately added a nice hustle play, scrambling back on defense to block a
lay up attempt. Toronto’s turnovers didn’t help their cause, racking up 8 (Doblas
4, O’Bryant 3) alone in the 3rd. DeMar DeRozan’s (20 points) play however was
encouraging for Toronto. The #9 pick drained 10 points in the third to keep
his team within 7 going into the final period.

Douby and DeRozan kept it close, but the game was over when Summers converted
2 free throws in the final seconds to make it a 4 point lead.

Clay Tucker again made the most of his limited playing time, contributing a
timely 8 points in the 4th including a four point play. Jonas Jerebko (12 points,7
rebs) showed solid athleticism and energy but his skill level is still a work
in progress. It was a missed dunk from the Swede that allowed the Raptors to
get within 2 after DeRozan controlled and finished at the other end. Instead
of a six point Piston lead, it was now 2. His length allows him to be a menace
on the offensive boards, however his post moves looked a touch slow and telegraphed
which probably didn’t help his field goal percentage (5-14).

The undefeated Pistons return to Cox Pavilion on Monday night to take on the
Golden State Warriors. Toronto’s next contest will be with last years SL MVP
Jarryd Bayless and the Portland Trailblazers.

LA Lakers 88 Cleveland 82
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Neither Kobe Bryant nor LeBron James were present, and unfortunately
for fans neither was a very exciting basketball game. Both teams are lacking
much in the way of rookie talent to watch so to put it bluntly, this was a yawner.

The game marked the summer league debut of rookie Danny Green (16 points,4/6
3fg). His contribution was not enough to defeat the Adam Morrison (22 points,4
rebs,3 assists) led Lakers squad, as the Cavs went down 88-82.

Morrison overcame a poor 1/5 start by connecting on 7 of his next 9 shots and
helping the lakers to a 6 point lead at the main break. Morrison’s percentage
increased with improved shot selection as the game went on. Jamont Gordon nearly
had the dunk of the week to date when he just fell short of posterizing Aaron
Baynes who managed to save face by fouling him enough for the ball to rim out.
Alan Anderson (12 points) helped set the Laker pace in the first half leading
all scorers with 9.

It was Morrison who dominated the third scoring 8 points. Anderson got the
crowd excited again by connecting on a 3 point runner at the end of the third,
giving the Lakers a commanding 9 point lead.

The fourth quarter showcased the talents of both teams 2009 draft picks. First
rounder (30th pick) Christian Eyenga showed his explosiveness skying high to
make a spectacular block. He flashed above average NBA athleticism and a good
body in warm ups with a number of windmills, but as of now his skill level and
feel for the game appears extremely raw.

Green was solid in his debut. He plays within himself and rarely takes a bad
shot. The Lakers second round pick Chinemelu Elonu (9 points,5 rebs,2 blocks)
had some solid moments in the 4th converting on nice set-ups from Morrison and
Mustafa Shakur (5 pts,4 rebs). The Cavs couldn’t make inroads and in the
end came up 6 points short.

The Lakers are back on Monday to take on 2009 #1 draft pick Blake Griffin and
the Los Angeles Clippers. Cleveland is back on the docket tomorrow against the
Brandon Jennings led Milwaukee Bucks.

Golden State 98 Sacramento 95
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A 27 point second half explosion from Stephen Curry grabbed the the Golden State
Warriors their first win in this years summer league, running the Sacramento
Kings down 98-95 in overtime. Cartier Martin backed up his first game with 27
points. Anthony Randolph was strong once again posting 24 points,11 rebounds
and 5 blocks.

Intriguing Warrior rookie Stephen Curry limped off early in the first quarter
with a leg injury. Luckily for Warriors fans he was back 3 minutes later but
he struggled with his shot missing his first 8 attempts.

Sacramento rookie Tyreke Evans proved to be a handful to contain as he and
Jason Thompson (17 points, 5 rebs) led the Kings to a ten point half time lead.

The third quarter was Curry’s though as the #7 pick scored, rebounded
and assisted his team back into the game. Anthony Randolph started the second
half with a double rejection however the second was comical as it was a blatant
violation. Curry’s output brought the Warriors within 4 going into the
fourth.

A Marcus Landry three pointer extended the Kings lead to 10 midway through
the quarter but Cartier Martin connected on consecutive three balls to bring
the Warriors back to one. The Kings fumbled their way through the 4th, taking
ill advised shots and turning the ball over. Evans stepped up though in the
last minute, making a strong drive to tie the game. Out of the time out, Curry
had the chance for the win but couldn’t hit anything.

Curry capped off his incredible second half by converting on
a drive in the OT. The Warriors then caused an Evans turnover. Golden State
got possession after an illegal screen call, and converted their free throws
to ice the game.

Houston 98 Dallas 95
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The Houston Rockets escaped with a 98-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks to improve
to 2-0 in this years summer league. The Rockets were led by second round pick
Chase Budinger (25 points, 9/10 fg) & Joey Dorsey (13 points,15 rebs, 3
ast).

An exceptional performance from Mavericks first rounder (25th pick) Rodrigue
Beaubois (34 points, 8 ast, 5 reb, 7/12 3 fg) nearly saw the Mavs pull this game
out. It ended up a missed Luke Jackson (16 points) three pointer at the buzzer
from being the second overtime match of the day.

Point guards Will Conroy and Beaubois started the game off exchanging baskets.
It was the introduction of Rockets second rounders Chase Budinger and Jermaine
Taylor (15 points,4 rebounds, 2 assists) however that tipped the advantage in
the Rockets favor.

Chase Budinger’s shooting percentage was a result of his excellent patience
and shot selection.With Budinger doing damage outside and Dorsey inside, the
Rockets built a commanding 11 point lead heading into the 4th.

The rookie Frenchman poured in 13 points and 3 assists in the fourth to bring
Dallas back into the game. He drew appreciation from the much smaller (Saurday
night cap) crowd for a behind back fake layup in the final minutes.

Although Dallas fell just short, Beaubois put forth his second straigh impressive
effort, and a 2009 SL high 34 points making scouts take notice of his considerable
upside.