Chris Denker, of Netscouts Basketball, is reporting live from summer league:
If you are evaluating on wins and losses the Toronto Raptors summer league performance has been disappointing with an 0-2 start. But if you are merely evaluating individuals and getting a look at your draft picks you can take away a few positives with those disappointments.
NBA veteran guard Quincy Douby has been a bright spot averaging over 18 points per game through two games. He has played hard on both ends, competing defensively as well as attacking the basket often drawing fouls and knocking down open jumpers although he did struggle from 3 going 0-3 against the Lakers. I also like PG Roko Ukic, his 6’5 size and length has given some guards issues and he is steady and under control while also adding some scoring punch. It can be difficult trying to run a team with odd parts and little practice so all in all he has done well. Smush Parker (wasn’t he just in the NBA Finals a few years ago?) has had a few highlights but would need to be more consistent throughout the week to really gain attention.
One concern would be the lack of defense the Raptors youth have displayed. In game 1 against LA the Lakers Adam Morrison, being guarded by DeMar DeRozan, scored 24 points and 6’8 235 CENTER Ben McCauley (out of NC State) lit the Raps big men up for 24 points and 15 rebounds. McCauley out-scored and out-rebounded 6’11 Paul Davis and 7’0 Patrick O’Bryant combined!
DeRozan is a talent and has good legs, hopefully for the Raps he will be a quick study and learn the nuances of the game and become the player Raps Fans are yearning for.
CRAZY HOPS!
Brent Petway, the 6’8 SF from Michigan who has spent the past few years in the NBADL (Idaho) is one of the best leapers in the entire Summer League and had perhaps the dunk of Day 1 but also scores some with his lefty turn jump over smaller G/F who match up on him. Does he possess the stroke from range to play in the NBA?
In game 2 the Raps lost to Detroit in another high scoring affair (by summer league standards) 91-87. Lottery pick DeRozan looked better scoring 20 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists but needed 20 shots to get there and doesn’t get to the foul line very much whereas the much smaller Douby had 21 points on 13 shots, got to the foul line 5 times and had 5 boards and 3 assists. DeRozan and the Pistons top pick Austin Daye basically watched each other score (while guarding one another) as again DD’s check went for team high honors scoring 19 points and 8 boards on only 14 shots. The Pistons have looked quite good and all three draft picks are playing decent ball. DaJuan Summers was terrific in game one and versus the Raps he scored 19. Jonas Jerebko, the 6’10 lanky athlete from Sweden, played the Center spot and scored 13 points and grabbed 7 boards against the Raps bigs which isn’t bad for a guy who was touted as a SF/PF in the recent draft.
Random notes from Vegas:
- Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans had a shoot-out with Curry coming out on top 29-27 in their battle and also hit the go ahead bucket under a minute to go as Golden St. beat Sacramento.
- Cartier Martin (Kansas St.) has been a big surprise to some, averaging over 20 ppg.
- Coming off a trade and ACL injury, Adam Morrison is leading the event in scoring at 22.5 ppg.
- Rodrigue Beaubois has been stellar, his quickness off screen/roll and crazy long arms have given opposing PG’s fits and he is also scoring over 20 per including 34 in the night cap vs. Houston. Not known for his stroke, RB went 7-12 from 3 land which with his quickness, if he can shoot like that, he’s a keeper!
Toronto has a much needed day off today (Sunday) and will play Portland on the 13th.
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