Summer League Team

[Yoshi2kx]

SUMMER LEAGUE NEWS

The Thunder is expected to participate in both the Orlando and Las Vegas Summer Leagues in July, Presti said.

Rookies Russell Westbrook D.J. White, Kyle Weaver, point guard Shaun Livingston will play this summer along with 6-10 Serge Ibaka and 6-11 DeVon Hardin, two of last year’s draft picks who played overseas this season.

Westbrook, who averaged the fourth-most minutes per game as a rookie (32.5), will only play in Orlando, while the rest of the roster will be made up of undrafted rookies or D-League players.

Presti said it’s rare for players who gained as much experience as Westbrook to play in the Summer League, which is what Jeff Green did last summer.

“I think that’s a great indicator of their commitment to try to improve,” Presti said.

Both Ibaka and Hardin are expected to join the Thunder once their seasons finish overseas. Ibaka has averaged 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 15.8 minutes per game for Ricoh Manresa of the Spanish League. Hardin, playing in Greece, has averaged 5.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 20.1 minutes a game.

pretty neat, this does this mean Ibaka and Hardin are gonna be playing for us next year?

[wizkid27]

I think Ibaka and Hardin both have a decent shot at making the team, not locks or anything, but if they come in and impress they may just be around next season. I would kind of think that they would only go with one of the two and not both. As of now, we've got Krstic, White, Collison, Green and possibly a top 5 pick to get minutes for in the frontcourt. Green will take up probably 30 per game at the four, so leaves 60-70 for the other guys. Kristic and Collison will get mid 20s each. So 10-20 minutes for White, possibly a draft pick and anyone else they bring on. I know there's people around here that want to see White getting at least 10-20 by himself! So conclusion... they may keep one around as a project and see how he does.

It'll be nice to see Livingston/Weaver/White get to play together an get some confidence with themselves and each other.

Looking forward to the draft first though!

[wiff]

I thought Hardin's draft rights were traded away? I guess I thought wrong?

It's going to be really interesting so see how this teams gels over the next summer.

This team really does have a chance to be scary good in two years.

I'm really curious to see Ibaka in Summer league.

If Livvy can claw his way back close to where he was physically and continue his maturation mentally he should be fine.

But a second unit with Livvy, Weaver, Thabo, White and Collison is pretty solid.

It's going to be really interesting to see how this draft shakes out but you add a top 5 pick the that and this team just keeps adding talent.

I think this thread deserves a sticky since this will be the main topic other than the draft for the next few months.

[big L]

I think they traded rights on Hardin and then they were renounced, if I remember correctly.

And as Ibaka was picked in the first round, he would get a guaranteed contract if he stays to play. There's no trying out for him, correct?

[wiff]

I thought the plan is to keep Ibaka over seas for one more year because of his current contract he would need a buy out? I doubt his buyout would be as much as last year so maybe he is good enough to warrant the buy out?

But ya if he is on the roster he gets a guaranteed 3 yr contract.

I am really curious about Ibaka. He will be one of the most athletic 6'10" guys in the league, and he has been playing hoops since he was a kid. Both of his parents played on the national team so he should have a decent BBIQ too.

But it's always a crap shoot when judging potential.

He's quite the Adonis.





These pictures are over a year ago

And then he has one that is more VIBE magazine.


I bet that kid never gets laid.

Anyway I am curious to see this kid play in the Summer league.

[big L]

Jesus Christ, I'm having feelings I can't explain...

Ok, ok... anyway, Ibaka has a buyout clause at the end of each year in his contract:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketba ... /notes.htm

Perhaps they run him in the summer league as a tryout and make the buyout decision afterwards?

[wizkid27]

Perhaps they run him in the summer league as a tryout and make the buyout decision afterwards?

I think that'll be exactly what happens.

Good idea Wiff... I think other than the draft, this will probably be one of the bigger focuses of the offseason.

[sonic-ben]

THABEET 7-3 CENTER
IBAKA 6-10 PF
WEAVER 6-5 sf
T WILLIAMS 6-6 SG
WESTBROOK 6-3 PG

IF EVERY THING GOES ARE WAY... WATCH OUT

SUMMER LEAGUE WILL BE ENTERTAINING

[Hiphophead101]

I have NBA TV and always watch the summer league games to see how the rookies are comming along. It was a lot of fun last year to watch Green develop - im interested to see the progress in Westbrook too (he had some sick dimes last year)!

The Orlando league is like the Rocky Mountain league right?

[wiff]

So I came across a nice little Serge Ibaka mix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMP7pn6VNYQ

Towards the end it shows him knocking down a handful of three's

I actually think this kid might be the rookie that makes the biggest impact for the Thunder this up coming season.

Of course he could be playing against 8th grade midgets in the mix but he looks good.

He is NOT Sene. He has a fair amount of game and looks like he has a decent knack for blocking shots and rebounding the ball.

[Narcist]

Serge ibaka Couldn't even start on his Spanish team that didn't make the playoffs. If he cant start for his euro league team then hes not going to get any time to play in the nba period. to be honest he is a 3 or 4 year project which is fine since hes only 19 right now. Their going check him out during the summer look at his development and help him work on some stuff. from what I've seen and the stats i looked at hes good at shot blocking and good enough but could be better at rebounding with his height and wingspan.

I'd hope he gets starting time next year in europe their really isn't a reason he shouldn't be.

[wiff]

Serge ibaka Couldn't even start on his Spanish team that didn't make the playoffs. If he cant start for his euro league team then hes not going to get any time to play in the nba period. to be honest he is a 3 or 4 year project which is fine since hes only 19 right now. Their going check him out during the summer look at his development and help him work on some stuff. from what I've seen and the stats i looked at hes good at shot blocking and good enough but could be better at rebounding with his height and wingspan.

I'd hope he gets starting time next year in europe their really isn't a reason he shouldn't be.

So I take it you have watched him live a bunch?

Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings had underwhelming stats for the their Euro club teams too but that doesn't mean they won't be drafted in the top ten.

[Narcist]

Rubio's stats are pretty impressive hes definitely one of the top Spanish league points guard hes second or third in assists and first in steals hes a good floor leader he checks all his options Jennings is another story he takes bad shots and trys flashy stuff that doesn't work when your on a professional team paying you a million plus dollars to win games.

Its not that serge is playing bad cause hes not hes shooting at a high percentage hes hustling blocking shots grabbing boards and doing what hes suppose to do its just the team he plays for happens to have their best player at the same spot he plays. I'd like to see how he plays this summer and maybe anonther year in europe with him starting and hes going be a good PF to bring off the bench to help out the defense.

[bmw42690]

The key thing that I see this summer is how well White, Livingston, and Ibaka look. The first two will be with the team next year so we need them to look well. I'm real interested in Livingston because he could be a steal if he can get near the level he was playing at before the injury.

[wiff]

So here is a more recent mix of Serge Ibaka.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkxeAUJezP4

Looks like he had a monster game against DKV which is Rubio's team. Shows them talking after the game. He's looking a lot thicker these days.

Also around the 3:50 mark there is a nice little play where Serge grabs the board and out runs everyone to the end of the floor for a dunk. I'd like to see a whole lot of that this coming season.

Again I think he has a chance to be the best rookie on this team.

I think this off season we will see Presti clean up the roster some to make room for him.

[Nolan]

Can't wait to see Ibaka play in the summer league, i've had high hopes for him for a while now.

[theokie]

Anyone know when the summer league starts? And does it only air on NBA TV?

[wizkid27]

I believe that the 2 summer leagues that the Thunder are participating in are like July 5-9 and 10-14. Something around that at least. I haven't seen any TV schedules yet, but they usually show some of them on NBA TV I believe.

[sonic-ben]

1 Weaver
2 Harden
3 Vardon
4 White, Ibaka
5 Mullins

will be a interesting summer league

[slick_watts]

i'm most curious to see d.j. white. aside from westbrook / harden (obviously) i think he has the best chance to help the team.

i don't think devon hardin's an nba player, and serge ibaka is years away if he arrives at all. wouldn't mind to be wrong, though.