Suns Summer League Games

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Man, Hess is a shooter that can't shoot!

edit: Then he hits two threes in a row after hitting nothing for 2.5 games....

 

[Chaplin]

Man, Hess is a shooter that can't shoot!

Sounds like someone we just traded away 2 days ago...

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Tucker certainly has had a tougher go of it today. He has missed quite a few gimmies, but he is still running the floor. The defense, from everyone, is not at the same level this game. NO has penetrated the lane quite a bit.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Sounds like someone we just traded away 2 days ago...

Very true. At least Jones could play some defense, however.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

WOW, what a rejection by Tucker! That was nice.

Looks like the Summer Suns should be victors in this one, after two close losses.

 

[mribnik]

13 points and 9 assists for Strawberry.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

13 points and 9 assists for Strawberry.

He played alright, considering the 4-13 shooting and 5-9 from the line. But the 9 assists to just 2 TOs is very good for summer play.

 

[azirish]

IMHO, Strawberry's main chance of staying with the Suns is if he can prove to them he can someday be a real point guard. Baring trades, the Suns have no need for another #2. But a #1 who is a lock down defender is something the Suns need.

 

[carey]

Anyone watching tonight?

Love the announcer... "Lakers insider told me Bryant is going to be traded to Memphis for Pau Gasol and Miker Miller." Riiiiiiiii(infinity)t.

 

[carey]

Strawberry has 15 at the half.

 

[mribnik]

Strawberry looks an awful lot like a point guard to me. He's got 23 points and 5 assists with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. He's plenty aware of the other players on the floor and he has great quickness. He's been taking the ball to the hoop with ease tonight. His ball handling doesn't look too bad to me at all, at least tonight. He just doesn't have a very good jumpshot at this point, but I can see him becoming a solid pg.

 

[carey]

Straw is really playing well tonight.

 

[Folster]

Koponen is making some pretty passes.

 

[mribnik]

Strawberry ended up with 27 points (10-18), 8 assists and 6 turnovers, although at least two of those could have been assists but went through a players fingers. He really just looks like a point guard to me and I bet the Suns coaching staff is loving this kid. Tucker shot a lot better today, 7-13 for 18 points.

Oh, and the nice thing about DJ is that although his jumpshot sucks, he takes it to the hole strong and gets to the FT line. He's definitely going to make the team.

 

[azirish]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=93130&page=15

Blazers Use All-Around Effort to Top Suns


By: Dennis Rogers
Posted: July 14, 2007
Las Vegas --The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns, 89-85 in a tightly contested game Saturday night inside the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of UNLV.

Ron Hale had a chance to tie the game at 86 with 16 seconds left, but his 3-pointer from the top of the key hit the back iron and the Blazers’ Taurean Green hit three free throws to seal the win.

Five Blazers hit for double figures in points, led by Green’s 19 (4-8 FG, 5-8 FT). Zendon Hamilton had 16 points (5-8 FG, 6-8 FT), while Martell Webster collected 13 points (6-13 FG) and seven rebounds in the win.

DJ Strawberry led the way for the Suns as he continued to impress with his ability to get out on the break and provide instant offense. The second-round pick in this year’s draft from Maryland, poured in a game-high 27 points (10-18 FG, 6-7 FT), while dishing out eight assists. He has now scored in double figures in the past three summer league games for the Suns.

First round pick Alando Tucker had a nice game for the Suns, pouring in 18 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 FT) in 20 minutes. Overall, there were 12 lead changes and seven ties throughout the game.

Strawberry is now tied for 2rd in the Las Vegas league in assists at 6.2 a game.

 

[Folster]

boxscore

Otis George had 6 points on 3/8 shooting and grabbed 10 boards in only 28 minutes. From what I saw of him, he seems to have a real knack for the ball and getting rebounds. He looks to be more of a ball hawk than a positional rebounder.

I really hope he comes to camp and we find a spot for him. Or he plays overseas for another year and we pick him up next year after KT is gone, giving him another year to develop. I will be upset if the Suns pass on him because they don't want to carry 14 and another team picks him up.

 

[azirish]

boxscore

Otis George had 6 points on 3/8 shooting and grabbed 10 boards in only 28 minutes. From what I saw of him, he seems to have a real knack for the ball and getting rebounds. He looks to be more of a ball hawk than a positional rebounder.

I really hope he comes to camp and we find a spot for him. Or he plays overseas for another year and we pick him up next year after KT is gone, giving him another year to develop. I will be upset if the Suns pass on him because they don't want to carry 14 and another team picks him up.

I've made a similar point in other threads. IMHO, if they are insistent on only carrying 13 guys, then they should move Pike. I'd rather have Otis Goerge or another big if someonbe better is available than a slow spot up shooter who never plays.

 

[Errntknght]

Of course I like Otis' rebounding but in the game I watched his defense was atrocious - if it weren't for his fouling he wouldn't have done anything at all. I will admit that being paired with Sow didn't help him...

 

[Folster]

Of course I like Otis' rebounding but in the game I watched his defense was atrocious - if it weren't for his fouling he wouldn't have done anything at all. I will admit that being paired with Sow didn't help him...

Looks like he'll be a lock for the roster then.

 

[Griffin]

Pretty ugly way to finish the summer league. The Summer Suns trailed most of the way, but got back to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, only to squander it away with turnovers and poor shot selection down the stretch.

They finish with 1-4 record, losing four close games.

Strawberry had his worst game of the summer, shooting 3-13 and committing 10 turnovers. He did have 12 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

Ron Hale again impressive off the bench, with 19 points including 4-6 from beyond the arc. George with 8 points and 12 rebounds, 5 offensive. Tucker shot poorly again (6-18) and finished with 13. Hess scored 14 off the bench.

Overall, here's my ranking from the most impressive to the least, for the Suns Summer league (excluding Banks):

1. strawberry
2. tucker
3. george
4. hale
5. sow
6. sanders
7. hess
8. everett
9. bennerman
10. bradley
11. williams

 

[Delmon Young]

Anyone notice how good Corey Brewer was on the glass in Vegas? He had three double digit rebound games! He never showed that type of rebounding ability at Florida (although, to be fair, he was an excellent offensive rebounder and had Noah and Horford to take care of that), and his passing ability is really good. He shots very poorly from the floor almost every game, but a mid range game and jumper are all teachable... his defensive instincts are not. Color me impressed.

 

[azirish]

Anyone notice how good Corey Brewer was on the glass in Vegas? He had three double digit rebound games! He never showed that type of rebounding ability at Florida (although, to be fair, he was an excellent offensive rebounder and had Noah and Horford to take care of that), and his passing ability is really good. He shots very poorly from the floor almost every game, but a mid range game and jumper are all teachable... his defensive instincts are not. Color me impressed.

It was no shock that Brewer was drafted so high. He rebounded very well for a guy on a team with such great rebounders. As for his shooting, it was never very good and like the Suns guys is an area that will require work.

BTW, I have not watched the videos. It seems clear that Otis attacks the ball as a rebounder. I'm not sure he's the best big man prospect out there, but he may have some upside. I am not sure Marks does.

 

[Folster]

suns/wolves boxscore

 

[mjb21aztd]

well not the greatest summer league record lol but atleast strawberry and tucker played well for us I really think Strawberry should be on our roster this year

 

[azirish]

well not the greatest summer league record lol but atleast strawberry and tucker played well for us I really think Strawberry should be on our roster this year

At this point, I'd be shocked if Strawberry isn't on the roster. It is clear that Barbosa and Banks do not really have "point guard instincts" and playmaking probably just takes away from what they do best.

Strawberry took over the summer league PG role without even having prepared for it in the three day "training camp" and ended up leading the league. In short, his performance was based entirely on his instincts.

I would not expect him to play much this season. But with the right instincts to go with his size, athleticism, and lock down defensive skills; it is easy to see why they'll do what they can to trun him into a real PG.