Wizard's Summer League (Las Vegas) (7/14)

[80sballboy]

McGee's stats were misleading. He was HORRIBLE tonight again. Poor shot selection. Poor passing from the post. Poor footwork. Poor position on defense. Trying to block everything. Other than that he was great. And Dmac was worse if possible.

Just very bad fourth quarter and poor second half overall. At least Blatche looked good, but if you're down in the 4th quarter by 12 with Young, DMac, Blatche and McGee on the floor against mostly scrubs, that's not a good sign.

[keynote]

Nice oop by McGee, but the kid plays like he's spoiled. Like Moms felt bad for being on the road playing ball all the time, and she and Dad gave Javale more "time outs" than whoopins.

How else can you explain a guy born to two ball experts having such a sloppy, undisciplined game? I'd understand the guard-like tendencies if they came along with a fundamentally sound J and a solid, disciplined motor. Instead, Javale does all the things that get you props on the playground, but should get you frowns from your parents: silly crossovers, high-difficulty fadeaways, and showy dunks and blocks.

When I was playing little league ball and/or varsity, my dad wouldn't let me laze around and not get back on D, or make hotdog plays above my skill level, or fail to rotate, without letting me hear about it. And, should my future kids decide to play ball, I'm gonna raise 'em the same way. But my guess is that Javale grew up in a different kind of household.

[eltacoman]

good game good night yall

[mls737]

Rick Kamla grew up in Minnesota and is a big time T-Wolves fan.

[benb331]

Nice oop by McGee, but the kid plays like he's spoiled. Like Moms felt bad for being on the road playing ball all the time, and she and Dad gave Javale more "time outs" than whoopins.

Some good points in that post. The one play that really really irked me was when McGee made a sweet hustle play to recover a loose ball, only to immediately commit a turnover by trying to make a fancy over-top-his-head, no-look pass to Blatche when they were at a 2-on-3 disadvantage.

[yungal07]

Ugh. McGee is slow to get back on D and making terrible decisions out there.

On a side note, Kamla apparently thinks that MIN got the bad end of the deal with WAS. Go figure.

Of course they did. Rubio doesn't even want to play for them for crying out loud.

[80sballboy]

Couldn't hear the interviews tonight at all with Tommy Sheppard and barely could hear Mike Miller.

I'd like to see more of B. Wallace next game. Wonder if Blatche is done playing. They do have to sit out another player the next game (can't play 4 NBA guys). I'm guessing he's the one.

[benb331]

I'd like to see more of B. Wallace next game. Wonder if Blatche is done playing. They do have to sit out another player the next game (can't play 4 NBA guys). I'm guessing he's the one.

I agree. I think he's shown enough in the past two games to warrant sitting out the rest, so the coaching staff can see the remainder of the young'ns play together. I'm comfortable with Blatche as the first big off the bench. With regular minutes and a coach he meshes well with, I'm hoping to finally see his emergence as a key consistent contributor.

[keynote]

Ugh. McGee is slow to get back on D and making terrible decisions out there.

On a side note, Kamla apparently thinks that MIN got the bad end of the deal with WAS. Go figure.

Of course they did. Rubio doesn't even want to play for them for crying out loud.

Well, that's somewhat revisionist. If Rubio decided tomorrow to pay the buyout clause despite his lower pay grade, would Kamla automatically think the trade was less lopsided? If so, he shouldn't.

MIN didn't trade for Rubio; MIN traded for the opportunity to choose Rubio, or do something else. MIN's decision re: how to use the 5th pick, let alone Rubio's decision re: how to manage his buyout clause, isn't directly relevant to the evaluation of the MIN/WAS trade.

[Dat2U]

More random thoughts:

Boring night to tell ya the truth. Lackluster games all around. Most interesting things were me getting chosen for a dancing contest during the 3rd qt of the Kings/D-League Select game and hearing the Wizards are staying at a 2nd rate property off the strip, The Platinum Hotel and the players are not under any rules.

Blatche played like he should of. Again he was dominate from 15 ft and in, as soon as he tried to do something outside on the perimeter it usually resulted in a TO or a missed opportunity. Personally, I've seen enough of Blatche and think he needs to sit out so the other scrubs (er, players can get a more thorough look). There is really not much more he can accomplish, tonite should be his last Summer League game period.

McGee was awful. He showed spurts of activity but is still too weak and plays too small to make a real impact. On too many occassions he received a pass on the block and had a one-on-one situation against a smaller defender but rushed and threw up some garbage that barely made contact with the rim or backboard. One time I yelled out "Javale, stop throwing up that weak crap your too big for that!" and one of the coaches said to me "that's dead on".

I'm still holding out hope for McGee, one must remember he looked very much the same last summer but played much better over the course of the regular season. It might be a case of him overthinking right now and trying to do too much.

Young got off the a fast start then went into cruise control which truly dissapointed me.

The Wiz missed Critt out there. Tyrese Rice has not been aggressive at all. I don't think he's attacked once and is pretty much a body out there just bringing the ball up the court and moving it around the perimeter. He's trying too hard to be a point guard and lost his edge.

McKee is trash. Wallace is a decent athlete with good length but not skilled to accomplish much. I actually liked what little I saw of Heytvelt. He's got a solid frame and plays big. I hope we'll see more of him as the week goes on.

Sonny Weems was the best player on the court for Denver. Played bigger than his height, got to the rim with no problem and showed the ability to shoot with range.

Ty Lawson is quick but didn't accomplish much once he got into the lane.

Jason Thompson of SAC showed off tonite. He was everywhere and dominated both ends of the court tonite. Skilled out to 15 ft and very mobile. He's got great hands and a good feel for the game. Don't know if he's a star but he'll be solid for SAC in the near future.

Tyreke Evans didn't do much tonite, didn't even start or play in the 1st quarter. Very passive tonite. Hard to get a real read on his game although the 2 or 3 times he attacked the basket he got into the lane with ease. He does have crazy long arms though.

Othyus Jeffers & Trey Johnson of the D-League Select team are both pure scorers, decent ballhandlers and can finish around the basket with contact.

[barelyawake]

Re: Wizard's Summer League (Las Vegas) (7/14)
by yungal07 on Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:26 pm

LOL at some of you guys thinking DMac didn't need summer league. The guy looks awful.

Barelyawake, you got some 'splainin to do regarding DMac.

Didn't follow the game. Haven't even been reading the basketball comments of this page for a week, because I'm attempting to cheer up about the year. As far as Dom, you don't want to hear what I have to say. Suffice to say, I have every confidence that the kid will succeed eventually -- and probably on another team at this point.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Re: Wizard's Summer League (Las Vegas) (7/14)
by yungal07 on Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:26 pm

LOL at some of you guys thinking DMac didn't need summer league. The guy looks awful.

Barelyawake, you got some 'splainin to do regarding DMac.

Didn't follow the game. Haven't even been reading the basketball comments of this page for a week, because I'm attempting to cheer up about the year. As far as Dom, you don't want to hear what I have to say. Suffice to say, I have every confidence that the kid will succeed eventually -- and probably on another team at this point.

barely, I took a week off and it was good. I might take a couple more after summer league. I'll change my sig when I'm through "mourning". Mostly, with my posts I'm venting now with the mindset that I'll get it out of my system now and be fully prepared to enjoy the season, which HAS TO BE better.

As for Dominic, barely, I feel the same as you. The kid's got the intangibles to succeed eventually. Unfortunately for him, the Wizards signing Miller and Foye knocked Dom back on the depth chart at SF and SG. McGuire's not playing ahead of Caron (but would play a role if Butler gets hurt). So, the net result is probably McGuire's odd man out here but will succeed elsewhere.

The only way I see Dom contributing for Washington this season barring injuries is if he can earn minutes at PF. TSW, per a conversation we had, I think he'd need to play like a Ruffin or a Jeffries and be a rebounder who can pass at PF and who facilitates for others.

[barelyawake]

Yeah, well CCJ I mean... We are going to have the best season in decades. So, that's a great thing. I hate to add the, and am trying to edit out of my thinking the, "but that's all -- and I don't see the future getting better next year." But, as I said, we are going to have a great year. So, more time off and I'll be fine. I hate losing Dom though. Hell, he may even end up in Europe for a year before he comes back -- like with Anthony Parker. But, eventually he'll breakout on some team.

[miller31time]

Blatche remains a Summer League legend.

[MJG]

TrueHoop's take on Blatche:

Andray Blatche continues to be one of the most confounding talents in the league. He flashed moments of sheer dominance Wednesday night with swift, whirling post moves off good recognition that made his defenders look silly. At other times, he tried to improvise and failed spectacularly. Blatche could be a top-shelf talent, but his preference for raw instinct over tactical strategy on a given play renders him inconsistent. He needs a plan. Still, between the potent face-up game at the top of the key, and the fancy footwork and explosiveness down low, it's hard to take your eyes off him. Let's see how he fares this season against NBA talent.

Doesn't "raw instinct over tactical strategy" sound like Blatche's vision statement?

[Ruzious]

Dom was horrible, but he'll be fine. Summer League is not a good showcase for defensive-minded players, and he tried things offensively that he's obviously not good at - He's not going to try to take his man off the dribble during the regular season. In Summer League, it's no big deal for a vet to try out these kinds of things.

Blatche was a man against boys for the most part. I disagree with the view that he's worthless outside of 15 feet. He can certainly shoot past that range, and his height makes him more dangerous as a passer. When he gets in trouble is when he tries to create off the dribble clearly outside of the flow of the offense. Heytvelt again showed outstanding fundamentals in a short stint, and I expect he'll get lots more PT. He looks like he belongs in the NBA. Btw, Hendrix is a player. He's the opposite of flashy, but he gets the job done. Gets his shot blocked... but then gets the rebound and layin. Maybe McGee gets the Wow factor for blocking his shot, but who's team got the points?

[cwb3]

Thanks again to Dat and everyone else who has watched the games and posted thier impressions. I am sorry if this was discussed at length earlier in the thread, but can anyone tell me why NBA TV this year does not appear to be broadcasting (live or tape delay it seems) ANY of the Vegas summer league games?

(This is always the time of year I get a little craving back for basketball. . .easy with the Nationals doing so poorly).

Thanks!

[LyricalRico]

I am sorry if this was discussed at length earlier in the thread, but can anyone tell me why NBA TV this year does not appear to be broadcasting (live or tape delay it seems) ANY of the Vegas summer league games?

I think their programming guide might be off. I turned to it yesterday afternoon when it was supposed to be showing "NBA's Greatest Games" but it was actually showing a summer leage game. Not sure if it was live or not, but you may want to just turn to the channel regardless of what the guide says and see what's on.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Thanks again to Dat and everyone else who has watched the games and posted thier impressions. I am sorry if this was discussed at length earlier in the thread, but can anyone tell me why NBA TV this year does not appear to be broadcasting (live or tape delay it seems) ANY of the Vegas summer league games?

(This is always the time of year I get a little craving back for basketball. . .easy with the Nationals doing so poorly).

Thanks!

Here's your answer two ways, cwb3:

Old school

New school

Whether you relate to the O'Jays,Bone-Thugs,Harmony or Eazy E, they're all telling the truth.

Stern's gonna make that money.

Mean green. Cheddar. Cheese. Papers. Stern gots to have it.

He's marketing the NBA abroad and making any of us who will watch pay to view summer league, too.

To me, Stern's pimping the NBA big time. We are the tricks or suckas ...

[JWizmentality]

^^ What a b***h slap we'd get if he knew how much money we steal from him every year. Seriously, who's dumb enough to pay for.....oh sorry.