Summer League 09

[Brianellsworth]

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

I know someone who posts on this board regularly who laid him out in our freshman basketball game against him......

 

[Kolo]

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.

David Thorpe has a pretty interesting real-time twitter feed on espn.com for most of the games in Las Vegas. He likes Earl Clark quite a bit--had this bit after the game:

david b. thorpe Blatche. Odom. Thomas(tyrus and tim). Smith(Josh). Clark. Very similar guys. Too talented for their own good.

Pretty good company for a mid-first round pick after only one game.

 

[Sunburn]

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.

This does concern me as Dragic seems to me a player whose game is predicated on self-confidence. I fear poor play in summer league may affect him going into the season.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This does concern me as Dragic seems to me a player whose game is predicated on self-confidence. I fear poor play in summer league may affect him going into the season.

Dowdell plays with a swagger. I think the Suns should sign him for the regular and make Dragic earn his backup spot. I think I would be more comfortable with Dowdell right now and I have only seen two games. Oh well, things change in summer league.

I liked Clark. He can shoot, he plays D on the perimeter, and he can create his own shot. He looks like he can guard the 2-4 positions. That kind of complete game is a real plus.

 

[slinslin]

Goran sucks, should tell you something that he can't even dream of matching the perfomances of Jennings who is like 5 years younger or more.

 

[joshstmarie]

id take GD over head case jennings any day of the year. Its only a matter of time before that kid gets himself into alot of trouble.

 

[Mainstreet]

This does concern me as Dragic seems to me a player whose game is predicated on self-confidence.

Hopefully Dragic does not have a mentality similar to Boris Diaw. Boris was too laid back and seemed to lack intensity from time to time.

The Suns need another backup PG on the roster to push Dragic or take over the position.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

id take GD over head case jennings any day of the year. Its only a matter of time before that kid gets himself into alot of trouble.

wow. i'm glad you're not the gm. goran has yet to show us a glimmer of much of anything resembling nba talent. jennings' talent is undeniable. and from what i've heard, it's only jennings' mouth that's a problem. he hasn't had any other issues and his teammates seem to genuinely like him as a pass-first pg.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Goran sucks, should tell you something that he can't even dream of matching the perfomances of Jennings who is like 5 years younger or more.

I assume Majerle told Goran to focus on distributing only yesterday. He did have 7 assists.

 

[elindholm]

I assume Majerle told Goran to focus on distributing only yesterday. He did have 7 assists.

The concept of Majerle being responsible for molding the Suns' young talent is pretty funny. Or scary. Or both.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The concept of Majerle being responsible for molding the Suns' young talent is pretty funny. Or scary. Or both.

Scary. I do not see much funny in it. He probably adds levity to team meetings though.

 

[Skumbag]

I miss Majerle being a broadcaster...

 

[joshstmarie]

wow. i'm glad you're not the gm. goran has yet to show us a glimmer of much of anything resembling nba talent. jennings' talent is undeniable. and from what i've heard, it's only jennings' mouth that's a problem. he hasn't had any other issues and his teammates seem to genuinely like him as a pass-first pg.

Im not denying how talented jennings is but his head is in the wrong place. Ive been following him closely ever since my wildcat fan roomate told me to keep an eye on him in 2007 i believe. Not a whole lot of good things has come from that camp.

And im not just talking about the rubio thing.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The concept of Majerle being responsible for molding the Suns' young talent is pretty funny. Or scary. Or both.

Majerle + Las Vegas =

You must be registered for see images

 

[sunsallday]

Jennings is a great talent. Wouldn't be surprised if he was averaging 20/10 a few years from now.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Dragic sucks. Does everyone forget he's the same age as Rajon Rondo? His inconsistent play might be excusable if he was a teenager but at this point he should be a second year pro after spending four years in college.

The Lakers if they re-sign Odom are going to give Jordan Farmar away for nothing (2nd round pick and cash) to save some money. Not sure they'd give him a conference foe but he's twice the player as Dragic.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Pretty good company for a mid-first round pick after only one game.

You do realize that quote is implying that Clark is a soft headcase?

But anyone who watches Big East basketball could've told you that.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The Lakers if they re-sign Odom are going to give Jordan Farmar away for nothing (2nd round pick and cash) to save some money. Not sure they'd give him a conference foe but he's twice the player as Dragic.

Cosign on this idea

 

[Chaplin]

The Lakers if they re-sign Odom are going to give Jordan Farmar away for nothing (2nd round pick and cash) to save some money. Not sure they'd give him a conference foe but he's twice the player as Dragic.

Where did you hear that?

(BTW, I'll be surprised if the Heat don't pry Odom away from the Lakers with their 5 year, $35m offer)

 

[tobiazz]

Dragic sucks. Does everyone forget he's the same age as Rajon Rondo? His inconsistent play might be excusable if he was a teenager but at this point he should be a second year pro after spending four years in college.

The Lakers if they re-sign Odom are going to give Jordan Farmar away for nothing (2nd round pick and cash) to save some money. Not sure they'd give him a conference foe but he's twice the player as Dragic.

Farmar is definitely better than the Suns' two SL PGs right now. Dragic is the sort of player that could become markedly better once it clicks with him, or he is the next Marko Jaric.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Where did you hear that?

(BTW, I'll be surprised if the Heat don't pry Odom away from the Lakers with their 5 year, $35m offer)

They re-signed Shannon Brown for a reason. And if Odom gets his deal with LA their payroll is going to be way too high for Jerry Buss' liking. You don't pay $4 million annually (2 in salary plus 2 in luxury taxes) in this climate for a third string point guard.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Farmar is definitely better than the Suns' two SL PGs right now. Dragic is the sort of player that could become markedly better once it clicks with him, or he is the next Marko Jaric.

Jaric pulls better tail and is a better basketball player...and Jaric isn't a very good basketball player.

Another blown pick.

 

[tobiazz]

Jaric pulls better tail and is a better basketball player...and Jaric isn't a very good basketball player.

Another blown pick.

I would give Jaric 5 honorary NBA titles for getting Adriana Lima.

 

[tobiazz]

5 minutes in and Lopez has 5 fouls against the D-League Select team 0_o Lopez can't handle their no-name front line, but he does make some hustle plays.

Dragic looking more comfortable. Why can't he hit free throws?

Clark can shoot over people and has range. He should have little trouble scoring 15ppg in the NBA. He doesn't seem to use more energy than he has to. Very skilled but doesn't seem super active. Maybe he has deceptive mannerisms or something.

 

[binkar]

There were a couple terrible calls in the first quarter where fouls were called on Dragic and Lopez. That said, Lopez fouled way too much that quarter.