[JNixonParticipant]

Memphis:

O.J. Mayo’s journey to playing PG in the NBA has started and he looked very average in his playmaking ability. Clearly more of a SG. Can get to the rim with his strength and he has decent athleticism. Still a nice shooter. Can create for others, but only in basic drive and dish plays. Played his usual good defense. He definitely is capable of playing PG, but he seems to be limited in some important things (mainly floor vision)

Hasheem Thabeet has gotten better since this time last year, but he has some serious work to do. Plays stiff, and lacks instincts and feel for the game, which is hard to improve upon. Not a talented offensive player, but he does have basic hook shots at the rim. Has a softer shooting touch than most would expect. Needs more strength, but he did draw fouls. Obviously, a huge defensive presence. He’s not all that good a rebounder at all for his size. He’s improved, but he’s not quite good enough to have a big impact other than blocking shots.

Greivis Vazquez looked just OK. He played both guard spots and generally was very unselfish. He was the best pick-and-roll PG in this years draft, and he used picks pretty well to look for his teammates offense.. Missed his jump shots, and didn’t really get to the rim off the bounce much at all. Still a risk-taker. Played poor pick and roll D, and should be thankful Jordan Crawford and Jeff Teague didn’t punish him worse. Was active off the ball, causing deflections and getting steals. He can be a very good change of pace PG, but he’s limited a bit by his lack of athleticism.

Darrell Arthur looked decent, but he’s still not that good to me. He can post up and face up, but he’s not great at either. Rebounded good too. Average defender with the size of a combo forward.

DeMarre Carroll showed a decent mid-range game, he’s a better shooter than he was at Mizzou. Very energetic and athletic and gets buckets just by running in transition. Great rebounder for a wing, and he is always around the ball. He’s like Renaldo Balkman, but with a better mid-range game.

Sam Young showed his athleticism and strong mid-range game. He’s a developed offensive player.

Give Jeff Adrien a roster spot! He can function in a Ronny Turiaf role. He’s a bulldog out there. His length and strength make up for his lack of size.

Atlanta:

Jeff Teague is SUPER DUPER fast, quick, and athletic. Also has long arms. He’s not where he needs to be as a PG, and he looks for his shot 1st and foremost. Limited floor vision, and he almost always thinks “score” once he turns the corner in pick and roll. OK D, but he’s at his best as a full court pest. Sick crossover, and can make shots off the dribble. The type that shoots better off the bounce than spotting up. He’s not ready to start for the Hawks, but he does have the potential to start. At best, he’s a Devin Harris type.

This was my 1st time watching Pape Sy play, and he has nice long-term potential. He’s basically a 6’6 PG, who can defend every spot on the perimeter effectively. Good athlete with a strong build, and he is good in transition. OK playmaker who should improve. Not a jump shooter really.

Jordan Crawford has good quickness and does have talent as a scorer. He made good passes in transition too, but that was the only time he passed the ball. Needs the ball to be effective. Takes bad shots sometimes. Still he does have the potential to be a scorer off the bench.

Alade Aminu has good athleticism and length, and made some nice plays at the rim. He’s not a true NBA player though, and he’s a shaky defender.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Jeff Teague is going to be VERY VERY good when he puts it together.

I agree with you… I don’t think he’s fully ready to start, but I think Atlanta should throw him into the starting role now similar to what Dallas is doing with Beaubois.

[JNixonParticipant]

Wait, the Mavs are starting Beaubois next year over Kidd at the start of the year?

[Stojakovicfor3Participant]

No they’re starting Roddy Buckets at the 2 guard.

[White ChocolateParticipant]

Every time I heard Rick Kamla say Alade Aminu I thought he was saying Holiday Aminu and I thought that his real name was Holiday. That would be a kinda weird first name. Is Alade(Holiday!) related to Al-Farouq?

[JNixonParticipant]

^Yeah, they’re brothers

[ChrischiParticipant]

There is a good chance that Roddy B starts over Kidd. Not at the 2 though, the Mavs want to stop playing him at the 2 too often. I think Kidd even offered that. And they still have Butler and Dojo, and maybe even JJ Barea as SGs. Dojo would kinda make sense since he complements all the Jumpshooters the Mavs have. Maybe like 15mpg?

Thanks JNixon for the report.

[Author]

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