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Old, Steve, is a sign of success. Especially when you consider those who haven't made it this far.
I know, age is relative. I hate my relatives.
Steve
Summer League 2014
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I know, age is relative. I hate my relatives.
Steve
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Ok?
SirStefan32
Krycek, Alex Krycek
What a wuss. Len can't play with a broken pinky for two games?
Gerald Green plays without a finger every day.
FutureSuperstar
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This definitely isn’t a positive, but it’s not that bad. A finger injury is pretty insignificant long-term I would think (Heck, it is basically insignificant right now ... Players play through broken fingers all the time - Understandable the Suns would hold Len back during SL though). Also, Len will still be able to run and basically do every basketball drill needed to stay in shape. He might even be able to shoot.
Losing experience in summer league games isn’t that big of a deal – Last offseason the fact that he was off of his feet due to his (lower-body) injury for basically the whole offseason was the main thing that held him back, not necessarily that he missed the 5 or so summer league games.
Losing experience in summer league games isn’t that big of a deal – Last offseason the fact that he was off of his feet due to his (lower-body) injury for basically the whole offseason was the main thing that held him back, not necessarily that he missed the 5 or so summer league games.
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FutureSuperstar
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I'm really curious when Len's injury happened in the game - He was playing up until like a minute left, so it's encouraging that he toughed it out and played through it at least. If it happened in the 1st half, than Len's game suddenly looks a lot better since he has an excuse for not doing much offensively (and for nearly air-balling that shot w/ a minute left)
Good thinking superstar. I like tough inside players. Wuss big men are so pathetic.
Get well soon Alex!
Now we get a more traditional line up with Plum, x, Warren, Archie and Ennis. That's not necessarily a bad thing.
Or a small line up with Plum dog, Warren, Harris, Archie and Ennis. Wouldn't that be a thing of beauty?
Get well soon Alex!
Now we get a more traditional line up with Plum, x, Warren, Archie and Ennis. That's not necessarily a bad thing.
Or a small line up with Plum dog, Warren, Harris, Archie and Ennis. Wouldn't that be a thing of beauty?
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Chaplin
Better off silent
He'd probably play if it was the regular season. Summer League games mean nothing. Even the competition is far below what he'll be up against in practices with the true team.
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Hey Doc, I broke my finger. How can I keep it from healing right away?
Well, son, you could try playing basketball with it. That should prolong the healing process quite effectively.
Steve
Well, son, you could try playing basketball with it. That should prolong the healing process quite effectively.
Steve
SirStefan32
Krycek, Alex Krycek
I was trying to make a joke, and apparently failed. He should not play though it. Let it heal.
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I appreciated the joke. The story is out there about Green missing a portion of his ring finger. I believe he now uses it as a talking point when speaking to young people.
az jam
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JCSunsfan
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Well, it does become a conversation piece. I have a half a finger missing and kids ask me about it all the time. You might as well have a good story ready.
SirStefan32
Krycek, Alex Krycek
It really is a great story of perseverance and not letting anything stop you from achieving your goals.
missing finger? If he was a real man he would go all the way and not stop with a single finger. What a wuss.
Don't know how much the pinky effects shooting, but I do know it's the most important finger for everyday use.
Joe
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Last season Len didn't do much of anything but the excuse for him was that he missed summer league and training camp due to his ankle injury so he was never able to get the right preparation.
If Len doesn't do much of anything this season either then is it fair or unfair to use the excuse that it is because he missed summer league (and maybe training camp?) due to his pinkie injury so he wasn't able to get all the preparation he could have got?
For the record I'm just asking, I'm not leaning one way or the other. I think he's shown some flashes of becoming a good C in time.
If Len doesn't do much of anything this season either then is it fair or unfair to use the excuse that it is because he missed summer league (and maybe training camp?) due to his pinkie injury so he wasn't able to get all the preparation he could have got?
For the record I'm just asking, I'm not leaning one way or the other. I think he's shown some flashes of becoming a good C in time.
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This is like the difference between a severe concussion and a mild headache.
Len probably won't do much of anything this season because he's very raw and he's lost a season plus to injury and he started playing the game late and big men typically take a long time to develop. On top of that, the pinkie injury will probably set him back another 5 days.
Steve
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I think of Len as a long term project. He needs all the playing time he can get but I don't think missing summer league effects his long term prospects. IMO, he is not any where near the point where he needs to lean on excuses.
FutureSuperstar
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This injury definitely isn't an excuse for anything - It will have no impact at all on Len this season. He can still run and basically do everything needed to prepare for the reason w/ a broken finger.
I agree that if Len plays poorly when given the opportunity this season, then sure it is fair to criticize him like any player ...
I just think it will be hard for Len to play "poorly" this season - Meaning I think that people are really underestimating how useful Len could be defensively RIGHT NOW. His length/defense alone is worthy of playing time if healthy. I think some fans are expecting too much in terms of "skill/athleticism" from him. He's not the usual 6-11, 7 ft. center - he's a legit 7-1, I think 7-2 shoes - Once you judge him at that height, then you realize he doesn't have to be that "skilled" or score that many pts. to have a great impact on the game. It seems a lot of the criticism of Len goes along the lines of "He's just standing around. He doesn't look active." - Well for a guy as big as Len, sometimes that's enough to have a positive impact on a game (assuming his positioning / smarts is good). He'll never be as "active" or will be noticed on the court as much as a guy like Nerlens Noel (Just like Marc Gasol or Big Z aren't).
Also, Len looked improved last night compared to the end of the season, right? Well - the end of the season was only 2-3 months ago. There's another 2-3 months before pre-season starts, so Len will probably improve some more before the start of the season ...
CONDITIONING is big w/ Len, or any NBA player at 7-1 / 7-2 , 260+lbs. - This injury won't limit him from staying in shape, so I don't think it's much of a "set-back" in terms of his improvement .
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FutureSuperstar
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This injury definitely isn't an excuse for anything - It will have no impact at all on Len this season. He can still run and basically do everything needed to prepare for the reason w/ a broken finger.
I agree that if Len plays poorly when given the opportunity this season, then sure it is fair to criticize him like any player ... I just think it will be hard for Len to play "poorly" this season - Meaning I think that people are really underestimating how useful Len could be defensively RIGHT NOW. His length/defense alone is worthy of playing time if healthy. I think some fans are expecting too much in terms of "skill/athleticism" from him. He's not the usual 6-11, 7 ft. center - he's a legit 7-1, I think 7-2 shoes - Once you judge him at that height, then you realize he doesn't have to be that "skilled" or score that many pts. to have a great impact on the game.
Also, Len looked improved last night compared to the end of the season, right? Well - the end of the season was only 2-3 months ago. There's another 2-3 months before pre-season starts, so Len will probably improve some more before the start of the season ...
CONDITIONING is big w/ Len, or any NBA player at 7-1 / 7-2 , 260+lbs. - This injury won't limit him from staying in shape, so I don't think it's much of a "set-back" in terms of his improvement .
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Non Suns but what in the world is Derrick Williams doing still playing Summer League? 3 full years, 222 games as the 2nd overall pick and he's playing summer league for the Kings?
I just don't see any point, they can't be showcasing him because for a 4th year guy Summer league won't create any interest. He's not even in great shape he's a bit overweight. Are they maybe "punishing" him for that or do they just think he can still learn something from playing inside in summer league knowing full well in real games he's a tweener?
Even the announcers were commenting on it and this is the same stuff they said two years ago when he was there before his 2nd year and people pointed out how unusual that was for a 2nd overall pick.
Just quite surprised to see him on a roster that includes a bunch of guys who won't ever see an NBA court. He was on the court the same time as ex UCLA forward Brendan Lane. They were the same year in HS, Lane undrafted out of Pepperdine trying to catch on with a Euro team it was really odd to see him and D Will together.
I just don't see any point, they can't be showcasing him because for a 4th year guy Summer league won't create any interest. He's not even in great shape he's a bit overweight. Are they maybe "punishing" him for that or do they just think he can still learn something from playing inside in summer league knowing full well in real games he's a tweener?
Even the announcers were commenting on it and this is the same stuff they said two years ago when he was there before his 2nd year and people pointed out how unusual that was for a 2nd overall pick.
Just quite surprised to see him on a roster that includes a bunch of guys who won't ever see an NBA court. He was on the court the same time as ex UCLA forward Brendan Lane. They were the same year in HS, Lane undrafted out of Pepperdine trying to catch on with a Euro team it was really odd to see him and D Will together.
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I guess it's just what you do with a player like that who really doesn't have an NBA game (yet?). I was much more surprised to see 33 year old Brian Cook playing for the Pistons summer league team last week.
Steve
jbeecham
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missing finger? If he was a real man he would go all the way and not stop with a single finger. What a wuss.
Don't know how much the pinky effects shooting, but I do know it's the most important finger for everyday use.
Joe
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I almost felt like it was a waste of time. give the minutes to younger players who need it. I had to remind myself how young Derrick is, just turned 23 in may because he's been around so long now. Just doesn't look like a guy who's about to bust out, he's not in great shape, outside shot doesn't look any better. I just didn't see him getting any benefit, if they were featuring him and trying to pump up his confidence I could see that but it didn't appear that way at all.
I thought the trade last year was made with the intent of starting him, he played 24-25 MPG I just assumed this year he'd play 30 + and they'd decide once and for all do we keep him or move him on to some better team who can make him a valuable role player. Seems odd he's still in SL but I guess we'll see.
KloD
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I'm pretty sure that after 3 years in the league teams cannot make someone play in summer league, but they can if they choose to themselves. My guess is Derrick wanted to for obvious reasons. He needs all the help he can get. I'm sure he's also trying to make an impression on the Kings front office/coaches. If he wants to stay in the league he's going to have to get better so it's nice to see him at least putting in the time and doing what he can (from an outsiders perspective) to do that.
