7/12: Summer League Game 2 vs Bucks..10 Pm est! *Video*

[SanduskyCav]

Kinsey is fuckin horrible.

 

[Thunder]

So, what are the chances we keep Eyenga here so he can develop in the D-League?

 

[camakazee]

Ahh, just got back from the games and it feels good to kick my feet up.

Will probably venture down for a few drinks before bed, even though I left at 7 am this morning and I'm still on eastern time (12:55). A few beers is a good thing for that, though

Hope you guys enjoyed the RCF Mobile play-by-play of the exciting 2009 Las Vegas Summer League chuckles. I tried to paint a picture of how cool it was without posting every two seconds. In fact, it was actually a lot cooler than I thought it would be and I had high expectations going in.

There were tons of drunken fans messing with players the entire time (one highlight of the night was one guy cussing out Lorenzo Wade for not passing to Brandon Jennings when he was on fire, screaming "you gotta give up the rock D-Wade!"). And even though the place was pretty packed with fans, about 10% of the people in attendance were scouts/coaches/gms. Just a few of the people I saw/took pictures of:

• Mike Brown

• Dan Gilbert

• Rick Carlisle

• David Aldridge

• Ric Bucher

• Alvin Gentry

• Don Nelson

• Joe Dumars

• Ryan Gomes

• Marcus Camby

And that list obviously doesn't include the dozens of players I got to scout out. I took about 10 pictures during the few games I was at (damn batteries were dying out), but I don't have the cord to hook my camera up to my computer so I won't have them on here until I get back home. I also plan on writing up a little article on Christian Eyenga and what I saw from him today.

All in all, it was a pretty sweet set up and I suggest if anyone is out there to definitely go to it. I'm considering going for a few games another day, but I'm only out here 'til Thursday and I have plenty of more alcohol and gambling related things to cross off my list before then. If I do, by some slim chance, I'll try and share some more information when I get back.

P.S. Mike Brown was a pretty cool dude. He has a nerdy swagger about him

 

[Otsego Mar]

I think we keep him in the D-league...I'm no scout....

 

[PIP]

What happened ?? Did we dominate ??

Is there a boxscore out there ?

 

[Otsego Mar]

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520900012

No, we looked pretty sloppy really.

Eyenga and Green looked good....Jawad showed some signs.

Kinsey and DJ look like crap.

We have no point guard to help us out.

David Harrison is putrid.

Leo Lyons looks interesting.

 

[camakazee]

So, what are the chances we keep Eyenga here so he can develop in the D-League?

While I was middle-of-the-road with this option before, after tonight, I'm strongly opposed to it.

First, I absolutely love this kid's hustle, but he needs to learn the many nuances of the game. You can tell at some points when he runs a play he is clueless as to why. He struggled with remembering to cut through the paint and to the opposing corner in order to clear out the block for the big man. You could tell it was something that was asked of him very little in the past, but it is something essential to NBA ball movement.

More importantly, however, I would not want him in the D-League for the same reason I'm finding it painful to watch him in the summer league. Since he not only lacks this basketball understanding, but also has a language barrier, he has had a hard time understanding offensive movement thus far. Tonight I saw a kid trying to cut backdoor for a lob nearly every other play, running off of down screens in order to get the ball, but eventually clearing out to the corner with a disappointed look on his face after not getting the ball. Combine that with the fact that the D-League is full of ballhogs trying to give an NBA team scout a chubby, and he'll be extremely discouraged with the D-League.

Even if he were able to get more touches and dominate the ball, it would turn him into a more selfish basketball player, instead of fully understanding those aforementioned nuances of team basketball. He needs to play for a solid Euro-club in order to grasp these concepts while putting them to practice. Once he fully understands team basketball and offensive movement, he'll need to develop a more consistent jumper as well. Once he gets these things down I could see him being a very serious contributer to this basketball team. But, ultimately, I think we're looking at least two years down the line.

 

[TheBigLeBronski]

Ahhh Mike Brown was in attendence. That explains why Jent left Kinsey in the game, he didnt want to show up Mike Brown with amazing abilities of making in game adjustments and proper substitutions. Smart man.

 

[mach10]

Eyenga runs like a deer

Come on, we Ohio folk know nothing runs like a deere..

 

[Earl]

Can somebody please post the box scores? I'm badly capped. Thanks.

 

[DougHeil]

Following the two game threads, it seems that Green could truly help the Cavs THIS year. Very good. It also seems like DJ and TK just might have a hard time making the roster. Could the Cavs fill in the last couple of roster spots with vet minimum players instead of paying those two more money to do nothing for us?

Kid Congo just might be something special. Can the Cavs teach and keep an eye on this kid playing in Europe? What are the options with him that would put the kid under watchful eyes of the cavs?

It sounds like Lyons should be given a shot with the Cavs this year. Jawad as well.

 

["MVP"]

Following the two game threads, it seems that Green could truly help the Cavs THIS year. Very good. It also seems like DJ and TK just might have a hard time making the roster. Could the Cavs fill in the last couple of roster spots with vet minimum players instead of paying those two more money to do nothing for us?

Kid Congo just might be something special. Can the Cavs teach and keep an eye on this kid playing in Europe? What are the options with him that would put the kid under watchful eyes of the cavs?

It sounds like Lyons should be given a shot with the Cavs this year. Jawad as well.

I see Kinsey having a tough time making the team maybe, but definitely not Jackson. Yes, he has sucked terribly the past two games, but people close to the Cavs (two names of Brian Windhorst and Bob Finnan) have made it clear that he is in the Cavs long-term plans. Mike Brown loves the kid, Darnell might just be trying to hard this year. I know Darnell has a non-guaranteed contract so we could just cut him, but I really doubt the Cavs want to do that.

 

[Lee]

Following the two game threads, it seems that Green could truly help the Cavs THIS year. Very good. It also seems like DJ and TK just might have a hard time making the roster. Could the Cavs fill in the last couple of roster spots with vet minimum players instead of paying those two more money to do nothing for us?

Kid Congo just might be something special. Can the Cavs teach and keep an eye on this kid playing in Europe? What are the options with him that would put the kid under watchful eyes of the cavs?

It sounds like Lyons should be given a shot with the Cavs this year. Jawad as well.

One thing to remember especially for roster players in summer league is they are asked to do things out of their comfort zone. I am guessing DJ is being asked to score more and put up some of those shots that seemed forced. He is known for being a banger and defensive prescence...but is being asked to look for his inside game too. He will be on the roster, and I dont see him ever being more than a fourth or fifth big on our team, but for second round pick he was a nice find. He is kind of a poor mans Leon Powe, lol

 

[DJTJ]

While I was middle-of-the-road with this option before, after tonight, I'm strongly opposed to it.

First, I absolutely love this kid's hustle, but he needs to learn the many nuances of the game. You can tell at some points when he runs a play he is clueless as to why. He struggled with remembering to cut through the paint and to the opposing corner in order to clear out the block for the big man. You could tell it was something that was asked of him very little in the past, but it is something essential to NBA ball movement.

More importantly, however, I would not want him in the D-League for the same reason I'm finding it painful to watch him in the summer league. Since he not only lacks this basketball understanding, but also has a language barrier, he has had a hard time understanding offensive movement thus far. Tonight I saw a kid trying to cut backdoor for a lob nearly every other play, running off of down screens in order to get the ball, but eventually clearing out to the corner with a disappointed look on his face after not getting the ball. Combine that with the fact that the D-League is full of ballhogs trying to give an NBA team scout a chubby, and he'll be extremely discouraged with the D-League.

Even if he were able to get more touches and dominate the ball, it would turn him into a more selfish basketball player, instead of fully understanding those aforementioned nuances of team basketball. He needs to play for a solid Euro-club in order to grasp these concepts while putting them to practice. Once he fully understands team basketball and offensive movement, he'll need to develop a more consistent jumper as well. Once he gets these things down I could see him being a very serious contributer to this basketball team. But, ultimately, I think we're looking at least two years down the line.

OK, I disagree with SOME points in this argument.

1. Isn't teaching a a project player how, and why to run a play something that should be done? Yes, he gets discouraged in the DL, but he also gets valuable PT in the States, along with coaching.

2. THe disappoint face after not getting the lob. Does that surprise you? I thought he'd look for it, seeing as he ran that so many times in Spain. Maybe, if we had a real PG, that face would be a wide smile? Just my opinion.

3. He won't be playing for a solid euro club soon, with Rubio staying in Spain. He'll be on the same team, or fighting for PT. If we bring him to the States, he plays US ball, and learns here. A drive to Erie is what, and hour or two from independence? Ferry could visit often. I think we need him here, learning US ball instead of Euro ball. My opinions though.

 

[chrisrich91]

While I was middle-of-the-road with this option before, after tonight, I'm strongly opposed to it.

First, I absolutely love this kid's hustle, but he needs to learn the many nuances of the game. You can tell at some points when he runs a play he is clueless as to why. He struggled with remembering to cut through the paint and to the opposing corner in order to clear out the block for the big man. You could tell it was something that was asked of him very little in the past, but it is something essential to NBA ball movement.

More importantly, however, I would not want him in the D-League for the same reason I'm finding it painful to watch him in the summer league. Since he not only lacks this basketball understanding, but also has a language barrier, he has had a hard time understanding offensive movement thus far. Tonight I saw a kid trying to cut backdoor for a lob nearly every other play, running off of down screens in order to get the ball, but eventually clearing out to the corner with a disappointed look on his face after not getting the ball. Combine that with the fact that the D-League is full of ballhogs trying to give an NBA team scout a chubby, and he'll be extremely discouraged with the D-League.

Even if he were able to get more touches and dominate the ball, it would turn him into a more selfish basketball player, instead of fully understanding those aforementioned nuances of team basketball. He needs to play for a solid Euro-club in order to grasp these concepts while putting them to practice. Once he fully understands team basketball and offensive movement, he'll need to develop a more consistent jumper as well. Once he gets these things down I could see him being a very serious contributer to this basketball team. But, ultimately, I think we're looking at least two years down the line.

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Very good insight. Everything you said can be easily overlooked by the casual fan who just wants this athletic freak on our team ASAP, but you are spot on with how the difference between the D-League and a Euro club could really hinder his development and, frankly, piss him off.