Image by K. Todd Storch via FlickrIf you're reading about fantasy basketball in July, then chances are you're more than a casual NBA fan. And if you're more than a casual fan, you'd be absolutely out of your mind not to try to attend at least one NBA summer league in your lifetime (before the lockout).
Yes, it is a league comprised of rookies, less-heralded young vets and also-rans. And it is dangerous to place too much stock in the results of the games. But some of these players do end up making an impact, both in the regular season and in fantasy leagues.
John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards: Let's start with the obvious. Wall had the best performance in the summer league, and that includes the previous week in Orlando. He's got "it," he's got speed, he was consistent, he's incredibly mature, he adjusted and cut down on turnovers, he got to the line and converted, and he's going to be a Day One starter on a rebuilding team that will give him all the minutes he can handle.
DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C, Sacramento Kings: Cousins was the only rookie to even scrape Wall in the "Dripping With Prodigious Talent" category in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, he also displayed the lack of maturity that cost him several spots in this year's draft. After a couple of monster games, Cousins slumped, got into foul trouble (getting a perfect 10 in one game) and came off as downright surly at times, having a couple of what John Waters would refer to as "glamour fits."
Rodrigue Beaubois, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks: It was something of an off week for the lightning-fast Beaubois, mainly due to the fact that he was playing/learning point guard. The Mavericks are grooming him to be their floor general of the future, but Beaubois will see big minutes this fall alongside Jason Kidd at the 2.
Ed Davis, PF, Toronto Raptors: Davis didn't dominate, but he still had a quietly efficient week in Vegas. I'm not saying he's going to set the league on fire, but Toronto has a Chris Bosh-sized hole in the middle that Davis should step right into.
Greg Monroe, PF, Detroit Pistons: Monroe gathered steam as the week went on, showing the offensive polish that's going to eventually translate into solid fantasy production. He saved his best for last, going for 27 points and 14 rebounds in his finale versus the New York Knicks.
DeMar DeRozan, SG, Raptors: DeRozan is precisely the kind of player you have to remind yourself not to get too caught up with in the summer league. That being said, he was undeniably impressive, posting averages of 21.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Reggie Williams, SF, Golden State Warriors: Williams carried over his strong finish to the regular season with a dominant week in Vegas. As long as Don Nelson is the coach in Golden State ("how long" being the question as of this writing), Williams will have the chance to be a very good fantasy player.
J.J. Hickson, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers: It's hard to place too much stock in any Cavalier at the moment, but Hickson seems sure to be one player who won't be dealt in Cleveland's post-"The Decision" player movement frenzy.
JaVale McGee, C/PF, Wizards: McGee appears to be one longtime summer leaguer who's poised to make the jump to full-time fantasy contributor. McGee is still growing -- literally, still growing -- having added an inch to his previously 7-foot frame since the beginning of the 09-10 season. He's fully stocked in the athleticism department, but showed newfound signs of aggression in Vegas. McGee's bigger body, badder attitude and seemingly guaranteed starters' minutes all spell big-time sleeper potential.
No comments:
Post a Comment