Players Whose Summer League Success Might Not Translate (Or Who Might Not Meet Expectations This Year)
Jose Juan Barea, G, Dallas Mavericks
Barea averaged over 14 points and 6 assists per game and displayed great quickness and passing skills, usually making opposing point guards look silly in the process. However he’s quite short and seemed to have lesser games against opponents who were as quick as he, which there are more of in the NBA. Plus he’s on an ultra-talented team and may struggle to find playing time.
Aaron Brooks, G, Houston Rockets
Brooks lit up Summer League to the tune of 22 points and 5 assists per game but he’s another very short point guard who hit shots that just won’t be open in the big show. His 4 turnovers per game won’t wash either. His outstanding contribution was scoring but much of it was with the ball in his hands. How much of that will happen with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming on the court?
Glen Davis, F, Boston Celtics
Davis tallied a respectable 12 point and 10 rebound average in Vegas and he looked quicker on his feet than his reputation implies. However he doesn’t have a great reach and most of his shots were inside. He’s going to have trouble getting points and rebounds over players who are taller, longer, and just as bulky and strong as he is.
Marco Belinelli, G, Golden State Warriors
Belinelli became the darling of Summer League after his 37-point offensive display in the Warriors’ first game and went on to be named an all-star with his 23 point per game average. His production declined markedly when teams started focusing on him, however. He’s clever but not overly athletic and may simply get burned by opposing guards at the next level.
Spencer Hawes, C, Sacramento Kings
Hawes was viewed with skepticism at draft time but the early results show that he has an impressive offensive game, averaging 17 points for the summer. He’s smooth in the high post, passes well, and seems to understand how an offense works. He needs better conditioning and more strength, however. He’s not going to get many easy buckets or rebounds against NBA centers. He’ll be too slow to guard the quick ones and too soft to guard the huge ones. His defense clearly needs a lot of work.
Nick Young, G, Washington Wizards
Young displayed incredible hops and a desire to score, averaging 15 points a game. His dunks were impressive but his halfcourt game needed a little help. He doesn’t release his shot very high which is going to cause him to fade against NBA defenders. He only shot 39% for Summer League which doesn’t bode well for his big-league percentage.
Alando Tucker, F, Phoenix Suns
Tucker scored 17 points per game in Vegas but didn’t exhibit the kind of complete game you’d like to see from a good wing player. He has more of a small forward game but he’s in a big guard body. His shooting, while copious, needs a little improvement. His foul shooting needs a lot.
Anthony Roberson, G, New Orleans Hornets
Roberson surprised a lot of people by scoring 20 points per game this summer but he’s a classic case of a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. He likes to shoot more than pass and he needs to get a lot of shots up to get his numbers. It’s doubtful he’ll have that opportunity any time soon in New Orleans.
Kevin Durant, F, Seattle Supersonics
Durant was everything expected this summer, averaging 24 points on an array of dazzling moves. He’s likely to average near or over 20 right away even in the big leagues. He’s obviously going to become an incredible player. He belongs on this end of the list only because his first season is going to be very difficult. He’s stick-skinny and is going to get pushed out of position when he’s in the post and bowled over when he’s defending it. Without a post game (where his quickness gives him advantage) he’ll be reduced to facing up and shooting jumpers and floaters. He’ll take them and he’ll make enough to score big but his shooting percentage is likely to be abysmal. Every defense in the world gunning for him isn’t going to help things.
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