Suns Summer League Games

[azirish]

I finally watched the first half of the game and I have to revise what I said about Banks. He ran the offense quite well and didn't resort to shooting at every opportunity. The problem was that his teammates were missing shots when he set them up or fumbling the ball away or traveling - Sow even missed a lightly contested dunk off a very nice feed from Marcus. On one fast break he threw a Nash-like long bounce pass ahead for a score. Even his D was better - fighting through some screens and just moving his feet well instead of reaching in all the time. He did have one nice clean dribble steal in the open court - for a dunk.

Where the team got soundly beaten was inside - Cleveland got lots of second chance points on top of pounding the ball into middle. Dwayne Jones and Darius Rice seemed to do most of the heavy work - though Rice hit on several 3's as well.

That is encouraging. I really don't see any of the Suns summer bigs getting camp invites (Otis George can rebound but not defend). It has to be hard to run a team that has so little offensive talent.

 

[Joe Mama]

sorry, not impressive. didn't bo outlaw drop 36 a couple of years ago? this is scrub ball. it's meant to teach young guns how to play nba ball. banks already knows that, he just hasn't been talented enough to excel at the big boy level.

so congrats on the scoring mark. no one will remember that in two years.

Scoring 42 points one time in a summer league game is nothing to get over excited about, but I would call it at least a good sign. Hopefully he continues to play well.

As Chap said, outlaw played in a completely different league. He would never average 36 points a game in this league. Furthermore, it's different because Banks shot the ball well. Bo wasn't dropping three pointers and a bunch of outside shots at a regular clip.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

As Chap said, outlaw played in a completely different league.

Actually, if I read correctly, Chaplin said that it was basically the same league. And he's right. This is the same league that was in Long Beach a few years ago, and I went to some games myself. I saw Bo Outlaw's team play in one game, and the Stoudemire/Jacobsen Suns play in another.

 

[Griffin]

Just a reminder that tonight's game is on NBATV (8pm ET/5pm Phoenix time). The quality of those webcasts is horrible, so I'm glad we'll get to watch at lesat one game on TV.

 

[Mainstreet]

Just a reminder that tonight's game is on NBATV (8pm ET/5pm Phoenix time). The quality of those webcasts is horrible, so I'm glad we'll get to watch at lesat one game on TV.

Is NBATV providing providing it to non-suscribers as a promotion during the off season.... probably not. I'll just have to check my DirecTV. I get all the Suns regular season games on either channel 45 (UPN?) and the local Fox sports channel so I don't need NBATV . It makes for a great season but a downer during summer league time.

 

[Chaplin]

Actually, if I read correctly, Chaplin said that it was basically the same league. And he's right. This is the same league that was in Long Beach a few years ago, and I went to some games myself. I saw Bo Outlaw's team play in one game, and the Stoudemire/Jacobsen Suns play in another.

Except that Stoudemire's Suns team played teams from Memphis and the Lakers, while Outlaw's team just played some teams made up of weekend warrior types. Much different kind of basketball, because it had a much more playground mentality to it.

 

[mjb21aztd]

suns vs 76ers summerleague game about to tip off on nba tv will banks go for 40 again this game we will have to wait and see

 

[azirish]

Except that Stoudemire's Suns team played teams from Memphis and the Lakers, while Outlaw's team just played some teams made up of weekend warrior types. Much different kind of basketball, because it had a much more playground mentality to it.

That was my read on the Long Beach League. I get the impression that leauge was once at a higher level, but the teams no longer support it.

 

[hafey]

The summer league team looks much better today. Tucker's been hitting jump shots and generally playing pretty well. I was ready to give up on Strawberry making the team after last game, but he looks much better. Playing great defense on Louis Williams and making some plays. Banks hasn't played yet....letting the youngsters play.

Pape Sow and Otis George are borderline bench fodder. Both are kinda athletic, kinda active. The jury is still out.

 

[Griffin]

Banks hurt his shoulder in Tuesday's scrimmage and is sitting out. Sanders is playing really well. Lots of turnovers by both teams.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Otis George far and away looks like the best player on the court. Fantastic mid range jumper. Kind of reminds me of Cliff Robinson.

 

[carey]

Otis George far and away looks like the best player on the court. Fantastic mid range jumper. Kind of reminds me of Cliff Robinson.

He's looked good but Tucker has been looking really active and making some shots so far in the 3rd.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Yes Tucker has played good as well. Outside of those two I don't see a lot of talent on this roster. Strawberry is rapidly disappointing me.

 

[carey]

Phi has 4 players on their Summer league team that will be on their roster this season?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Phi has 4 players on their Summer league team that will be on their roster this season?

Yeah lottery teams do that. You want to get that chemistry and camaderie with a young team straight out.

 

[carey]

Strawberry getting after it now. Playing excellent D and 15 points.

 

[PetryJr]

Strawberry getting after it now. Playing excellent D and 15 points.

According to NBA.com, he also has 6 assists and only 1 turnover.

 

[mjb21aztd]

yeah tucker has looked pretty darn good today and so has George he has one pretty shot hopefully he can do that against real nba type players if he makes the suns roster. Strawberry looked pretty good early on but then kind of vanished in the 2nd half i'm still not ready to give up on him though

 

[Lefty]

Tucker and Strawberry have definitely impressed me. I like Straw's tough defense. The Suns can use that. Otis George is having a very good game also.

 

[Lefty]

Looks like overtime.

 

[fordronken]

Is DJ running the point? It seems like without Banks playing he's getting a lot more opportunities to make plays.

The most encouraging thing for me with DJ and Tucker are field goal percentage and fouls. It seems like summer league is a place where everybody gets a ton of fouls. If they can play defense here and not get into foul trouble, I think it bodes well for their chances during the regular season.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Strawberry getting after it now. Playing excellent D and 15 points.

Yeah he had an outstanding second half after a poor first one. His defense was solid throughout the game though.

 

[Rich In Bunly Goodness]

The most encouraging thing for me with DJ and Tucker are field goal percentage and fouls. It seems like summer league is a place where everybody gets a ton of fouls. If they can play defense here and not get into foul trouble, I think it bodes well for their chances during the regular season.

Tucker only averaged 1.3 fouls per game this past year. He doesn't make silly fouls.

 

[Griffin]

Strawberry with 19 points, 7 assists and 3 steals. Tucker with 29 points and 6 assists. George also played well with 20 points and 6 rebounds. The whole team played great defense in the fourth quarter to get back in the game, but came up short in overtime. If George keeps this up, he might get an invite to training camp. Sanders shot well in the first half too and finished with 17.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Jason Smith is a big stiff. Glad he isn't a Sun.