Summer League 09

[JCSunsfan]

I like Paul Harris. He seems to be a lockdown defender who really bothers other players. Great off the bench guy.

 

[Griffin]

The Suns have added Japanese guard Takuya Kawamura to their summer league roster. Not sure who he is replacing though.

PHOENIX (AP)—The Phoenix Suns have added guard Takuya Kawamura to their roster for the Las Vegas summer league.

The 6-foot-4 Kawamura averaged 20.4 points for Link Tochigi Brex of the Japanese Basketball League last season. In April, he decided not to play for the Japanese national team and instead pursue a spot in the NBA.

Kawamura’s teammate Yuta Tabuse is the only Japanese player to play in the NBA. Tabuse was briefly a member of the Suns in the 2004-05 season. Kawamura, 23, had been a member of Japan’s national team since 2005.

The Suns entry, coached by Phoenix assistant Dan Majerle, opens its six-game schedule Monday against Dallas.

 

[jagu]

We have a new shogun in Phoenix?

 

[Griffin]

Looks like this year NBA decided to charge $15 for the video streams of the summer league games. Previously it was free. Also, it doesn't appear any of the games will be broadcast on NBATV this year.

 

[Chaplin]

Lopez had something like 22/15/3 in this game, he pretty much dominated like he should be.

Dragic did not look great, but I believe he had the stomach flu. Earl Clark did not play (back spasms).

Some of our no-name guys looked good, especially Dowdell (PG in place of Dragic) and Carlos Powell.

 

[jlove]

Lopez had something like 22/15/3 in this game, he pretty much dominated like he should be.

Dragic did not look great, but I believe he had the stomach flu. Earl Clark did not play (back spasms).

Some of our no-name guys looked good, especially Dowdell (PG in place of Dragic) and Carlos Powell.

I think if Dowdell continues to play the way he did in this game, he could be picked up by the Suns. He played great in this game, controlled the game every time he was in. Played hard nosed defense, and for the most part contained or bothered Beubois quite a bit.

Dowdell...5-8 (1-2 3pt) 2-3 FT...4 rbds, 5 asts, 1 st, 1 bk, 15 pts in 21 mins

 

[The Commish]

Looks like this year NBA decided to charge $15 for the video streams of the summer league games. Previously it was free. Also, it doesn't appear any of the games will be broadcast on NBATV this year.

atdhe.net

 

[jlove]

I'm also keeping my eye on Ben McCauley from the Lakers summer squad. He played really well yesterday. The Lakers seem pretty set with their roster, and he is un-signed, so he may slip through the cracks so we can pick him up. He's 6-8 235, so he could play the back-up 4 for us.

 

[carey]

I agree Dowdell looked great. Where can I see the stats from the game?

 

[BirdMan21]

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520900014

 

[JCSunsfan]

Wow. Lopez has life. He is not the miserable blob that I had been hearing about. I know its just summer league and all, but. . . .

Dowdell looks good. We really ought to consider signing him if he keeps this up. He seems to have some hustle on both ends of the floor and plays with a little swagger. He seems to be a real pg too. It would be nice to have that kind of pg depth on the roster.

 

[Griffin]

For what it's worth, Lopez averaged 14.0ppg, 7.8rpg last year in Vegas over four games and never pulled down double-digit rebounds. So this was definitely the best summer league game he's had so far.

 

[Mainstreet]

At least after one summer league game I'm keeping my eyes on Zabian Dowdell. I still think Dragic is unproven at PG. The Suns need another big but I would settle on a dependable backup at the PG position.

 

[binkar]

Although Lopez looked much improved, he still struggled to catch balls cleanly at times.

 

[Chaplin]

Although Lopez looked much improved, he still struggled to catch balls cleanly at times.

True, but to be fair the ball was flying all over the place because of how disorganized both teams were.

 

[binkar]

True, but to be fair the ball was flying all over the place because of how disorganized both teams were.

Agreed. There was one time in particular though on a pick and role where Lopez should have had an easy dunk but managed to fumble the ball out of bounds.

 

[jlove]

Agreed. There was one time in particular though on a pick and role where Lopez should have had an easy dunk but managed to fumble the ball out of bounds.

If you watch that play over again, you will see that it wasn't Fropez's fault. The ball was thrown UNDER the basket, with Lopez at the free throw line. The ball needed to be tossed directly to him or led ABOVE and in FRONT of the rim. Yes, he still bobbles the ball a little, due ot his smallish hands, but he's looking A LOT better. He just needs to keep from squatting down to where he makes himself a 6'4" player when he backs his opponent down or drives to the basket.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Although Lopez looked much improved, he still struggled to catch balls cleanly at times.

Interesting. In the one of the summer league interviews the reporter asked him what he needs to work on to improve. The first thing he said was that he needs to quit moving before he catches a pass. The coaches have been working with him on catching and then moving.

 

[binkar]

For being such an incredible shooter, Curry has shot the ball very poorly thus far. He is shooting 31.4% from the field.
He has gone:
4-14
8-22
7-19
3-15

I am sure he will be a good player, but he has a lot of bad habits to break in order to be a successful point guard in the NBA.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

Lee Cummard will play for the Suns summer league team.

Too weird. Lee is a friend of one of my brothers.

 

[carey]

I am sure he will be a good player, but he has a lot of bad habits to break in order to be a successful point guard in the NBA.

Such as? Or do you just mean shot selection based on his stats?

 

[binkar]

Such as? Or do you just mean shot selection based on his stats?

I am referring mainly to his shot selection. After watching his summer league games and reading some of Thorpe's analysis it is apparent he still has the same mindset as he did at Davidson. Again, I do think he will be a good player but he played a role at Davidson that is different from the role he will need to play to be a successful point guard in the NBA. JMO.

 

[Chaplin]

Earl Clark: 13 points, 12 rebounds

Don't have any other stats yet.

 

[Griffin]

Earl Clark: 13 points, 12 rebounds

Don't have any other stats yet.

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520900027

The Suns blew this game in the final minutes. They did the same thing several times last year. Very weak games from Lopez and Dragic.

 

[binkar]

My thoughts from the game today:

Earl Clark: It is easy to fall in love with Earls potential. He showed his ability to get to the hole quickly though he struggled at times to finish. He is a good passer who sees the floor well. He does a good job of preventing penetration when he is forced to cover guards. Shot wasn't great, but wasn't bad either. I am really excited about this kid.

Taylor Griffin: I actually liked what I saw from Griffin today. He lets the game come to him and rarely tries to do to much offensively. He shot the ball well today and defended well at times. He forced some stupid passes when he should have shot the ball.

Robin Lopez: Lopez has absolutely terrible hands. There were too many times today when he was fed the ball in good position and fumbled the ball away. He was a bit slower to react defensively and wasn't in a good position to rebound. He is finishing stronger at the basket and is much improved all around offensively.

Goran Dragic: Goran had another frustrating performance today. I think he struggles with the lack of structure in the summer league. It is difficult for a drive and dish guard to be productive when he can't read where his teammates are going to be. That said, he makes some stupid decisions. He is constantly leaving his feet and getting caught in the air with nowhere to pass the ball. When he gets into the lane he struggles to finish and couldn't even draw a foul today. Even with how bad he has looked, I am not overly concerned about him as I think he will be fine in real NBA situations.

Summer League is so frustrating to watch. With all the fouls, turnovers, lack of team chemistry, stupid decisions and selfish play, it can be tough to see how a players game will translate to a real NBA game.