[Bison 49Participant]

Some guys were expected to dominate (e.g. Wall, Cousins, and a lot of last year’s high picks), but others seem to have come out of nowhere, or came in and exceeded the expectations that people had for them. Who have been the biggest supprises of the Summer Leagues so far?

In no particular order:

1) Magnum Rolle (13.4/7/2blks) – Nothing was said about him until he started playing. Now people are talking about what a steal Larry Bird got with him.

2) Landry Fields (16/5/1.8stls/55%fg) – On draft night people were wondering who this guy is. Watching a few games he has played he played very well.

3) Sam Young (23/3.7/1.3/1.3/1/60%fg in 29 min) – Yes he is a second year player, but a second round pick (who should have been in the 1st). Still his performance is pretty supprising, consiering how dominant he has been. His 2 TOs, and 2.3 fouls are also very impressive for summer league.

4) DeMar DeRozan (21/4.5/58%fg in 26 min) – Many people expected him to come in and do well, however, his play and efficiency has been remarkable. It is notable that he is doing much more than dunking his way into the top five in scoring.

5) Alonzo Gee (15.3/6/2/2.7stls) – Yes the guys is athletic, but many forgot/never knew he existed. Those who had been following him seem to be very impressed. It looks like he is being groomed by the Spurs to be the next rags to riches prospect.

6) Ed Davis (12.3/6/2.2blks/65.5%fg) – Today’s game against the Kings said it all. While he has some work to do. He has been impressing with his ability to play against bigger stronger (healthier) players. His efficiency is remarkable.

Thoughts? Additions?

[ZeroParticipant]

IMO Lance Stephenson be there. No one expected him to be able to make plays so well as a point guard and just play as if it’s nothing.

[McWinningParticipant]

For me its Larry Sanders, i didnt watch many Vcu games but the assumption was hes basically a defensive player, but so far hes been the BEST defensive player in the summer league, a very good rebounder, and has shown a very good jump shot.

Good pick for John Hammond.

[gregoden08Participant]

I’m not suprised. He is a stud. His expectations coming into the season were too high. He’s not a dominant low post scorer, but he is always at the right place at the right time. His post defense has been good and he can be an excellent shot blocker at the pf position. He has also shown a somewhat reliable mid range game. He and Andrea compliment each other well.

I also was impressed with Rolle. He is a nice athlete and is very long. Very good shot blocker as well, but I question his ability to defend C’s in the NBA.

Demar is ready to take the next step. 14-16 ppg?

Also, how about JJ Hickson? He has gotten so much better since his rookie year it’s crazy. Had 30+points yesterday and 21 today.

[JNixonParticipant]

Jeremy Lin. Nuff said

[Michael.S.Participant]

I thought Whiteside was a project or a bust bust and he still is a project but he has surprised me with his play.

[boffacheeriosParticipant]

janning came from nowehre

[LazarusMunozParticipant]

Lin vs. Wall,Buzzer Beaters,A bunch of games that went down to the last few possesions! This has been a pretty good basketball fix for this time of the year…dont want it to end

[Bison 49Participant]

Wanted to put Stephenson on there, but had to be honest. I expected quite a bit from him. Too much of his game reminded me of Tyreke Evans, and the reason for his drop seemed sketchy at best.

Hickson has been a monster. Agreed. I thought he was a great pickup when the Cavs drafted him, but I would not have expected such a strong summer league.

Sanders, impressive, two threes in a game. That was suprising. His defense was not. I was actually thinking the Raptors would pick him up at 13th. Word really started getting out about him leading up to the draft.

Whiteside … is not real. Watching him get up for blocks against the Raptors today, I felt like i was watching someone play 2K10 on the easy level with a created player.

These games have been great.

[romeeezybabyParticipant]

I’ll let their play leading up to this date speak for itself. I’ve done enough posting regarding about how they’ve been impressive lol 🙂

Other players worth mentioning:

Austin Daye – Has a very smooth offensive skillset, and can score in a variety of ways; putting the ball on the floor, and nice perimeter game. Have to state the obvious though, he’s going to have to get better shot selection if he wants to become the Pistons #1 scoring option, and he also needs to crash the boards a lot more. He’s averaging only 3 per game, and at 6’11” and playing small forward you’re going to have to average more than that.

Reggie WIlliams – Has always been known as a lethal scorer since his days at VMI (led the country in scoring in his final two seasons). Much hasn’t changed since. From the NBDL (averaged 26 ppg w/the Sioux Sky Falls), and in the NBA w/the Warriors he’s been able to prosper in Donnie Nelsons uptempo system (averaged 15 ppg in just 20+ games). Currently 3rd in scoring in the entire Summer League w/22 ppg and is shooting 42 pct from beyond the arc.

DeJuan Summers – Reminds me a lot like his predecessor at Georgetown and now current OKC Thunder Jeff Green. Has looked solid thus far in Summer League, and brings that Georgetown toughness and scrappyness on the court. Not necessairly excellent on any facet of the game, but does enough to contribute.

Pooh Jeter – A D-League/Summer League sensation. Everytime I see him play, he’s always bringing his A game. Has an old school feel to his game, and is a very effiicent PG. Should be able to find a home in the NBA for a short amount of time.

Jordan Crawford – Puts the ball on the floor extremely well, and penetrates to the basket with ease. He has grown immensely as a player since his freshman year at Indiana and is known a lot more than just the culprit who dunked on Lebron in his Nike Camp.

Gani Lawal – Surprise, surprise! Who would’ve thought a player who was always overshadowed in High School (teammates with Al Faroq Aminu), and in college (teammates with Derrick Favors) would look this dominant? (15 ppg, 7 rpg). Numbers aren’t that amazing, but it’s what he’s been able to do when he’s on the court. He’s been able to impose his will, and has thrown down monsterous dunks, and high flying dunks down the lane. Looks like he’s calling dibs on the spot Amare left open the second he signed with New York.

[storm33Participant]

Matt Janning was a surprising player that impressed, others include Landry Fields, Luke Harangody, Lance Stephenson, and Magnum Rolle. Even though it wasn’t a huge surprise, J.J. Hickson’s dominance really impressed me.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Jeremy Lin-Extremely intelligent, active and looks capable of adapting to in game situations. Has athletic abillity which is not NBA standards but better than Jose Calderon.

Ishmeal Smith-Shows a has a very good floater, good court vision and has a very high cieling, is also very intelligent, and is super quick.

Damien James-Was argueably the best player at the Orlando Summer Camp and showed that he has the quicks to play SF at the NBA level.

Dexter Pittman-He is very physical, mean and active.I love it 6 hard fouls, one tech, and out!

Deon Thompson-He may not have played well or alot but when I did watch him play I saw a smooth jumpshot, good IQ, good positioning, solid body and average speed.He did not play too well thou I would give him a shot at training camp.

[Toronto16Participant]

I don’t know if John Wall counts as a “surprise” but he has been playing superb.

DeMar DeRozan and Sonny Weems are showing new aspects to their game, you can tell that they’ve been working all summer

Lance Stephenson showed he can be the PG of Indiana this season.

[kaceyParticipant]

Yeah, I’m on the Matt Janning bandwagon.

[paint intruderParticipant]

Derrick Caracter surprised me.
He played very well, rebounded, worked down low and showed that the Lakers made the right choice selecting him.

Demarcus Cousins – I didn’t think he could be THAT good. He showed that he’s not much of a selfish, heady player.

[Author]

Posts