Summer Vacation

Las Vegas and Orlando are two popular vacation destinations for Americans and are where the NBA stages their annual summer leagues. Saying Vegas is the more desirable location for NBA players is like saying Mel Gibson might have a temper, in turn plenty of veterans make their way there to have a good time under the guise of working out with their summer league team. While filling up my DVR space with day games and going through doubleheaders at night, below are some observations of interesting teams, players and stories from the summer. Washington Wizards: John Wall's first games in the Washington uniform were must see TV for NBA fans and he didn't disappoint. He averaged 23.5 ppg, 7.8 apg, and 4.0 rebounds in four wins for the Wiz and showed that his speed and ability to get to rim will translate well to the NBA. He struggled a little with turnovers, committing 8 in his first game and only shot 37% from the field, but showed why he was the consensus number 1 pick and allows the Wiz to continue to shop Arenas. Javale McGhee a second year pro from Nevada-Reno also had a nice week as the 7 footer shot 68% from the field while averaging 19.5 ppg and 9.3 rpg and showed good chemistry with Wall. An athletic 7 footer who can run with Wall would be a valuable piece for a team that traded their best big man last year. The good vibes since winning the lottery continued this week for the Wiz and talks off a possible trade of Arenas to the Cavs would also be welcome news. Wall also showed leadership while on the court and the Wiz had the most entertaining coach of the summer in Sam Cassel, who was as entertaining to watch as Jon Gruden coaching high schoolers. Sacramento Kings: Watching Damarcus Cousins was about as anticipated as Wall and he also had a good week overall. He showed quick feet, ability around the basket, and led the summer league in rebounding. He surprised with his jumper and took full advantage of 10 foul per player rule in the summer league with a points, rebounds and fouls triple double in the Kings second to last game. He averaged 14 pts and 9.8 boards for the five games, even as he slowed down considerably in the last two games. Cousins showed that passing on him could be a mistake as haunting as Lindsay Lohan missing her alcohol classes and the Kings also had nice showings from Donte Green, Omari Casspi, and second round pick Hassan Whiteside (5.2 rpg, 2.8 bpg), who could be nice bench guys for a team with a bright future if Paul Westphal can keep them from re-creating the Real World house in Sacramento. Los Angeles Lakers: The reigning NBA champs usually don't have much going on in the summer league and very few roster spots to fill, but is it any surprise that the front office that stole Pau Gasol was able to draft two prospects worth second looks in the second round. Derrick Caracter averaged 15.4 ppg, 8.6 rbg, and 1.8 apg while shooting 59% and showed the ability to score in the post and should challenge for bench minutes. WVU's Devin Ebanks as expected rebounded at a high rate and unexpectedly showed NBA three point range. Both fill specific NBA bench needs and could be welcome additions to a Laker team that is remaking their bench on the fly. Oklahoma City Thunder: As Lebron deserted his hometown and in turn became as likeable as Zack from Wedding Crashers, Durant quietly signed an extension and the organization taking over for San Antonio as the best in the league was in the Orlando. Like Durant and Westbrook before him James Harden was in Orlando working on specific aspects of his game. He averaged 17.5 pts/game while playing within himself and the offense. The Thunder expect a big jump from Harden this year and he came to Orlando in good shape and focused. Harden's play could be a microcosim of the Thunder, if he plays well a trip to the finals is not out of the question. Second year guards Eric Maynor and Kyle Weaver also showed versatile games for the Thunder as they continue to acquire depth. Indiana Pacers: Also in Orlando, Paul George and Lance Stephenson showed why Larry Bird was so high on them. George averaged 15.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg through 5 games while Lance Stephenson averaged 14.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 apg through 4 games even after leaving the fourth game early with a sprained ankle. Some felt George was drafted too early, but if he continues to play like he did in Orlando he will be a steal. Stephenson scared most teams off with his Carlos Zambrano like attitude and baggage, but as he showed in draft workouts and on the court in Orlando, when focused and engaged he is a top ten talent. Most surprisingly he showed the ability to handle the ball and get to the rim which is much needed in Indiana. Josh McRoberts also averaged 14.0 ppg for the week and could also be an interesting bench piece. Toronto Raptors: The forgotten team as everyone focuses on Miami and Cleveland after the fallout from "The Decision" aka "The Debacle". Toronto loses Bosh and smartly works a sign and trade for the trade exception. Chris Bosh was their best player but to call him a superstar is like calling David Spade a lead actor. Few teams bring their best player to summer league but that is what the Raptors did with DaMar DeRozan, he averaged 21 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 1.5 apg and was surrounded by some interesting young pieces. Sonny Weems showed the ability to score (17.5 ppg), Joey Dorsey showed the ability to rebound and not back down (9.8 rpg), and Ed Davis showed he might break the trend of recent Carolina big men no showing in their rookie years. Unlike Wright and Hansborough, Davis should play effectively in his rookie year showing good touch on his jumper and was efficient in limited minutes on the defense end. A 5-0 summer league will be the highlight of the upcoming Raptor year like the Indians having the best spring training record this year. Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs summer league was anticipated due to Rodrigue Beaubois and his array of off the dribble moves as he looked to take another step towards starting next to Kidd. Beaubois was the talk of Dallas last year as the Mavs collapsed in the playoffs and he showed he can be a part of the guard rotation after his week in Vegas averaging 14 ppg, 3 apg, and 2 rbg while concentrating on his jump shot. Dominique Jones and Jeremy Lin stole the spotlight from Beaubois after their weeks in Vegas. Jones, who the Mavs traded for after his highly productive career at S. Fla showed the same ability to score in Vegas. He scored 28 on 9-17 shooting and held John Wall to 4-19 in the most entertaining game of the week. His averages of 16 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.4 apg showed they he can play offensively, but his defense might be the most welcome addition to the Mavs. Lin who was invited to camp after his senior year at Harvard showed the athleticism that was questioned and the reason he was not drafted. Lin, a big guard who averaged 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg for the week already got a contract offer which shows how impressed the Mavs brass were with the former Crimson star. Other big weeks were had by Greg Monroe who finished with 27 and 14 in his last game of the week and averaged 14 ppg, 6 rpg, 8 apg. Quincy Pondexter had 26 points in his finale for New Orleans and had seemed to defend John Wall as good if not better than Jones and the Mavs. Larry Sanders showed he is versatile enough to make an impact for the Bucks from Day one. He averaged 14 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 3.2 bpg and is immediately Milwaukee's most athletic big man. His step back crossover jumper in the teams last game was reminiscent of Gordon Hayward in the tourney and even made Scott Skiles smile. On the other end of the spectrum, Minnesota continued to make the Raiders look like a model front office after GM David Kahn tried to compare Darko to Chris Webber who was announcing the Wolves game for NBA TV. Coach Kurt Rambis also on air tried to make the case that Al Jefferson and his 20/10 was not a good fit for the team that was last in the league in points scored per game last year. The Minnesota front office would make great additions to BP management.