As I had mentioned in the first installment of the Las Vegas League portion of the 2013 NBA Summer League, we’ll be covering player development instead of the games. We now have a pretty good sample size of games to evaluate certain player performances from each team. I’m trying to look for positives so a lot of high profile, but struggling rookies will be omitted. The following teams have completed four games in this league.
SACRAMENTO KINGS: NEW OWNERSHIP, SAME OLD KINGS
Talented shooting guard Ben McLemore leads the team in field goal and 3-point attempts. As a first round pick, he clearly has the green light to shoot from anywhere at any time. He is averaging a team-leading 13 points per game, but he’s also shooting a horrid 28% from the field and only 18% from 3-point land. He also is averaging 4.0 rebounds, but 3.5 turnovers per game. He has yet to record an assist. Just what the NBA needs: another ball hog.
On the bright side to the Kings’ 0-4 start in this league, Ray McCallum has been as good as advertised as he leads the Kings in free-throw attempts with 30 (shooting 70% from the line) and minutes per game (30). He’s the Kings second leading scorer with 12.8 points per game, along with 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.5 steals, but 2.5 turnovers per game.
DENVER NUGGETS: PROMISING ROLE PLAYERS
Evan Fournier has had an expanded role in this league, as he’s been up there in field goal attempts and minutes per game. He’s been averaging 12.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, but 3.3 turnovers per game. He’s shooting 40% from the field, 33% from behind the arc, and 73% from the foul line.
But the real surprise on this team has been 2011 draft pick, Jordan Hamilton as he is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder at 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds along with 1.3 steals per game. His shooting slash line is 36%/47%/83%.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: A NEW CONTENDER STEPS INTO THE RING
The 25th pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, Tony Wroten, is really enjoying the offensive freedom this summer for the “Grinding Grizzles.” He leads the team in field goal, 3-point, and free-throw attempts as well as playing in the most minutes per game. He also leads the team in scoring (16 PPG) and assists(4.0 APG), while chipping in 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals, but has sloppily given the ball away at a clip of 4.3 turnovers per game. Despite all of this, his shooting has been putrid, posting slash lines of 29%/18%/61%. So calm down, Grizzlies’ fans. You haven’t found that perimeter scorer to replace Rudy Gay.
But the real feel-good story of this summer for Memphis has been undrafted rookie, Jack Cooley, a 6-9 forward/center out of Notre Dame. He is shooting 52% from the field and posting averages of 15.3 points and 9.5 rebounds, but has committed 2.3 turnovers per game.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: THE SECOND COMING?
C.J. McCollum has been living up to the Damian Lillard comparisons so far. He leads Portland in all shooting attempts categories and minutes per game (34.3). He has posted 20.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, but 3.5 turnovers per game while sporting shooting slash lines of 37%/32%/80%. Pretty sure the Blazers would like to see his field goal percentage increase a bit more before the summer is over.
Recently acquired forward, Thomas Robinson, has averaged 28.8 minutes per game and is the team’s leading rebounder with 13.3 rebounds per game and is also averaging 1.3 blocks per game. He’s averaging 9.5 points per game, but has shot terribly from the field (38%) and the foul line (50%) and has 3.0 turnovers per game.
Meyers Leonard has seen 31 minutes per game and has produced  decently: 11.0 points (on 50% shooting), 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, but has committed 2.5 turnovers per game.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: THERE’S A NEW TEAM IN L.A.
First round pick, Reggie Bullock, is jacking up shots like it’s going out of style, leading the team in both field goal attempts and 3-point attempts. Unlike McLemore, Bullock is actually shooting fairly well, having a field goal percentage of 43%, though his outside shot could use some more work (29%). With his team-leading minutes per game (31), he’s averaged 17.0 points (also leading the team), 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, but 2.0 turnovers.
Samardo Samuels, the 2010 undrafted product out of Louisville, leads the team in free-throw attempts, but is only shooting 57% from the line. At least he’s consistent with his shot, displaying a field goal percentage of 57%. He’s averaging 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds (leading the team), 1.0 assist, but committing 2.3 turnovers per game.
Five teams down, lots more to go.
