July 15, 2010

By James Blackburn

James continues his scouting of the NBA summer league games in Orlando, where many rookies are getting their first chance to prove themselves in the NBA.

Thunder (2-1) vs. 76ers (2-1)
Thunder win 89-80
Box Score

GAME NOTES

• Thunder playing great team defense.

• James Harden is sporting the Mohawk, with the beard and the headband.

• Eric Maynor hurt his hand in 3rd. quarter and did not return.

Evan Turner Summer League

Scouting Reports
Thunder

Eric Maynor (23 min, 3-7 FG, 1-3 3 pt, 3-4 FT, 2 reb, 5 ass, 10 tp)- Great passer, was able to change shot in air one time and still put it in. Able to maneuver way to basket. Can shoot the 3. Very controlled/composed player.

James Harden (32 min, 3-10 FG, 0-4 3pt, 15-18 FT, 5 reb, 3 ass, 2 st., 6 TO, 1 blk., 21 tp)- Needs to improve jump shot- again he is TO prone- had a really rough first half- second half was able to get to the line- very good FT shooter. He uses his body well to shield defender- showed off nice footwork with a Euro step.

DJ White (22 min, 3-5 FG, 2-4 FT, 4 reb, 3 blk, 8 tp)- Great defensive player, runs the floor. Played great D on Speights. Defends pick and roll well. Also showed some nice post moves.

Latavious Williams (15 min, 4-5 FG, 2-3 FT, 5 reb, 3 blks, 1 ass, 10 tp)-Best game so far- looked a lot more comfortable on the floor. Has ability to finish at the rim. Plays game above the rim. NBA ready body. Great defender- displayed good timing with shot blocking. Has big hands. Still very raw- but has good potential.

Mustafa Shakur (25 min, 4-10 FG, 2-4 3 pt, 1-2 FT, 2 reb, 6 ass, 11 tp)- Best game yet for the guard out of Arizona. Led the team in assist and +/- score of +22. Looks composed at all times. A very willing passer who can see the floor and create. Very quick, can get to rim and pass to open big man. Good shooter with 3 pt range. Can shoot off dribble and can create own shot. Plays good good- has long arms. Very dangerous in the open court.
Byron Mullens (24 min, 7-8 FG, 2-6 FT, 6 reb, 16 tp)- Another solid performance from Mullens, who has really developed and gotten better since his Ohio State days. One year in the league has helped him immensely. He is very strong and runs the floor well for his size. Sets solid screens and rolls well. Has a nice hook shot and keeps the ball high on rebounds.

76ers

Jrue Holiday (33 min, 7-15 FG, 3-5 3 pt, 8-12 FT, 1 reb, 5 ass, 3 st, 6 TO,25 tp)- Another good PG from Holiday- who is looking more and more like the PG of the future for Philly. Has the best defense in the Summer League for a PG. Has quick hands. He is very strong in the air and can finish with contact. Has a slow release on jumper, but is a decent shooter. Needs to continue to improve consistency of jumper. Good passer.

Evan Turner (27 min,1-6 FG,2-2 FT,8 reb, 2 ass, 2 st, 4 tp)- Rough shooting day for Turner. He is able to still impact the game when shot is off. Is a good defender. Had a nice steal and pass to Holiday early in the game. Good rebounder. Showed a lot of frustration and displayed bad body language this game, especially after TO’s. Sometimes gets mixed up/lost on P and R defense.

Jodie Meeks (30 min, 4-14 FG,8-8 FT, 6 reb, 4 ass, 16 tp)- Runs off screens well and is ready shoot on the catch- good shooter, who can also get to the rim.

Marreese Speights (27 min, 9-19 FG, 2-2 FT, 9 reb, 20 tp)- Good scoring game for Speights. Should be getting to line more- does not bang enough down low. Settles for 15-18’ jumper too much- but he is showing the ability to make that shot. Needs to stay down on defense- goes for every ball fake/head fake. Good footwork in post.

By James Blackburn

Orlando (0-3) vs. Nets (2-1)

Nets win 94- 91
Box Score

James continues his scouting of the NBA summer league games in Orlando, where many rookies are getting their first chance to prove themselves in the NBA.

Scouting Reports

New Jersey

Derrick Favors (25 min, 2-5 FG, 5 reb, 7 fls, 4 tp)- Good rebounder, showed some nice post moves- good hook shot, foul prone, solid effort today.

Terrence Williams (36 min, 8-26 FG, 0-3 3pt, 6-11 FT, 4 reb, 6 ass, 2 st, 22 tp)- Very good and willing passer, does a great job attacking the basket. Takes a lot of shots- b/c he is one of the only sources of offense for Nets. Big time dunk in traffic going to his right. Had a nice runner in lane. Needs to work on consistency on jumper.

Damion James (34 min, 9-18 FG, 3-5 3pt, 9-11 FT, 3 reb, 2 ass, 30 tp)- Highest scoring game this week for any player. Solid scorer who is a good shooter. High volume shooter with athleticism. Shoots well off screens and can create own shot. Has a nice post game. Best game this week for the rookie out of Texas.

Orlando

Jeff Adrian (22 min, 2-4 FG,4- 8 FT, 4 reb, 1 st, 8 tp)- Great hustle player, free throws are flat. Very strong is a beast on the boards- protects the ball well. Showed improved offensive game since college- nice hook shot and can shoot the 10-15’ jumper. Will find himself on a opening day roster.

Joe Crawford (28 min, 10-13 FG, 4-5 3 pt, 5-8 FT, 29 tp)- High volume and efficient scorer- but strictly a scorer, nothing else. Great shooter- probably the best in summer league. Has a nice floater- can score in a variety of ways. Holds his ground- strong on D.

Daniel Orton (17 min, 4-6 FT, 1 ass, 1 blk, 4 tp)- Best game yet as a pro- even though he did not put up numbers or fill up the stat sheet- he looked alive and actually looked like he wanted to play today. He looked energetic and more comfortable today. Played solid defense- was a presence in paint. Gets post position and had a couple of nice passes out of post. Definitely needs to improve offense. The Magic still do not have a legit scoring center.

Patrick Ewing Jr. ( 31 min, 4-10 FG, 0-2 3 pt, 3-4 FT, 7 reb, 11 tp) – Not a great showing from the coaches son, who continues to lead the team in minutes played, but did show some good things. Plays good defense with active hands. Has a nice bank shot from wing area. Decent passer too.