The Las Vegas League portion of the 2013 NBA Summer League is winding down as the final eight teams fight for the League championship and move on to the semifinals before crowning a champion on Monday night. We will wrap up our Las Vegas League Player Reports by looking at the final six teams and the players who have created the most buzz and have made the most of their opportunities. All players are being evaluated after four games, except for the Chicago Bulls as they are being evaluated after five games of play.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: ARROW POINTS UP
The Cavs have made plenty of waves this summer as they’ve had a busy offseason in free agency and the draft.
One of those drafted players this year is Carrick Felix out of Arizona. Felix has done enough to contribute, but has really struggled with his shot, posting a field goal percentage of 38% and only 20% from beyond the arc.
Dion Waiters leads the team in all shooting categories, but has been dreadful, sporting a shooting slash line of 37%/15%/61%. He still leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.5 turnovers.
Tyller Zeller had a better opening night than his younger brother and has had a solid summer so far: 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds (leads the team), but has committed 3.3 turnovers per game. He’s also shot 52% from the field, but just 67% from the charity stripe.
D-LEAGUE SELECT TEAM: PROBABLY GOING BACK TO THE D-LEAGUE
Undrafted back in 2008 out of Missouri, guard Stefhon Hannah has had a pretty good showing in this league. He’s averaged 14.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, but 2.8 turnovers while exhibiting a shooting slash line of 54%/37%/82%.
Elijah Millsap, guard out of UAB, went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, leads the team in rebounding: 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and committing 3.3. turnovers per game.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: ODU IN THE HOUSE
Playing out of Old Dominion University, 2012 undrafted guard, Kent Bazemore has become “Mr. Everything” for this version of the Warriors. He leads the team in shots and 3-point attempts, as well as points and assists per game, and is tied for the lead in rebounding: 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and committing 2.8 turnovers per game while displaying a slash line of 46%/22%/70%.
One of the better known players in this league is Draymond Green out of Michigan St. Green has been aggressive, leading the team in free-throw attempts and shooting 82% from the line. However, his shooting has been terrible, posting 28% field goal and 20% 3-point percentages. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 3.5 turnovers per game.
TORONTO RAPTORS: CANADIAN REVOLUTION
Much has been discussed about Canada’s role in exporting basketball talent, especially after seeing Anthony Bennett get picked with the first pick in this year’s NBA draft. These players happen to play in Canada’s only representation in the NBA.
Leading the team with field goal attempts, Terrence Ross, more known for his dunking ability, has shot a decent 42% from the field, but a poor 25% from behind the 3-point line. He at least makes his free throws, shooting 88% from the line. He’s averaged 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and commits 3.5 turnovers per game.
Making a run for best player in the Las Vegas League, Jonas Valanciunas is justifying the Raptors’ faith in him being the top center on the team after shipping failed experiment Andrea Bargnani to the New York Knicks. Valanciunas is having a stellar performance, averaging 18.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, but 5.0 turnovers per game. He leads the team in free-throw attempts, scoring, and rebounds.
Quincy Acy, forward out of Baylor, selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, has been shooting the ball fairly well from the field (46%), but poorly from the foul line (57%). He’s been averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and steals, and 4.0 turnovers.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS: THE OTHER ZELLER
Cody Zeller has stepped up to become the team’s leading minutes’ man, averaging 32 minutes per game. Just like his brother, Cody is also shooting 52% from the field and has made 72% of his free throws. He’s also having better production than Tyler: 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, but 3.5 turnovers per game.
Swingman Jeffery Taylor, the 2012 draft’s 31st pick overall out of Vanderbilt, Is averaging a whopping 20.3 points per game on 48% shooting from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. He is also averaging 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 2.3 turnovers per game.
CHICAGO BULLS: A TEAM THAT COULD USE THE DEPTH
The Bulls received a lot of criticism for not keeping their starters fresh for the playoffs. Judging by the performances of a few players this summer, it’s safe to say that they have some players who can keep said starters well-rested for the duration of the regular season. Of course, this is a highly optimistic viewpoint.
Marquis Teague looked lost last season whenever he received playing time. The rookie was raw and learning on a very steep curve. This summer, however, he’s looked great running the offense for the Bulls, leading the team in assists and free-throw attempts. He’s averaged 18.3 points per game on 44% shooting and a ridiculously high 75% from the 3-point line. His aggressive play has been justified as he has shot 79% from the foul line. He’s also averaging 2.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, but 3.5 turnovers per game.
Andrew Goudelock, a second round selection in the 2011 draft, has led the Bulls in shot attempts and scoring, compiling a slash line of 47%/52%/85%. He’s averaging 19.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 turnovers per game.
Rookie Tony Snell leads the team in minutes per game and has been productive, averaging 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while struggling a bit with his shot: 37%/35%/88%.
Malcolm Thomas, undrafted in the 2011 draft out of San Diego State, is leading the team in rebounding. He’s shot 43% from the field, while struggling at the foul line (58%). He’s averaging a double-double per game: 11.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, with 3.0 turnovers per game.
Erik Murphy, the second round rookie has lived up to some of his potential, shooting 55% from the field and 50% from 3-point land. An impressive feat when you consider that half of his shots have been attempted from behind the arc. He does have an awful free-throw percentage though (50%). He’s averaged 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.6 turnovers per game.
We will say our final farewells on the Las Vegas League after a champion has been crowned. Next stop for a few of these players is an invite to NBA training camp.
