The Grizzlies summer league team lost to the Pistons 80-78 yesterday afternoon.
Sadly, I missed most of the game: I'd set up my DVR to record it on NBA TV, not realizing it was being blacked out because of the local broadcast on PAX.
I saw parts of the second half and came away with just a few observations:
Mike Conley Jr. can get by his man with relative ease and sees the floor like only the very best point guards do. He's going to be much more effective as a distributor when he has better finishers to play with: Mike Miller spotting up or Pau Gasol moving toward the rim. But one adjustment that Conley is going to have to make is getting shots off around the rim against the bigger, more athletic defenders he'll see in the association. Yesterday made two games in row that Conley was able to weave his way to the rim only to have his layup attempt rejected.
After going a full game with nary a made jumper between them, Conley and Kyle Lowry both connected from the outside against Detroit. Conley hit at least one jumper. Lowry knocked down at least two.
Rudy Gay had a terrible game. He looked out of sync and was really shaky with his ball-handling. These seem to be the two biggest obstacles to stardom for Gay: Ball-handling and focus.
Lowry had another strong game. He got to the line 13 times, which was one of his strengths last season before his injury: His ability to get by his man, to the rim, and absorb contact is elite already. And, crucially, he can knock ’em down from the stripe — 12-13 yesterday. He may play so well this year that people will question the Conley pick, though I still think Conley was the best prospect on the board for the Grizzlies and will ultimately be a better point guard than Lowry.
Alexander Johnson was explosive around the rim and seems to have lost weight. If he can rebound better and cut down on mistakes, his ability to run the floor and attack the rim could make him a good fit in Iavaroni's system. Another reason not to go overboard on a frontcourt role player in free agency.
Still waiting for someone — anyone — among the non-roster invitees to look like an NBA player. Rod Benson is the most solid so far, but I'm not sold on him yet. Scooter McFadgon and James Hughes seem to have a little upside. I've seen enough of David Bluthenthal.
The Jacob Riis Report: Rookie combo guard Rodney Stuckey looked terrific for the Pistons. He doesn't seem comfortable from NBA three-point range quite yet, but can stroke it from mid-range and is dynamic and crafty off the dribble. The door's wide open for him to be the third guard for the Pistons this season and he could be a surprise double-digit scorer off the bench this season.
Links:
The Draft Express report on yesterday’s game.
Rudy Gay interviewed on Draft Express.
Hoopsworld interviews with Alexander Johnson.
I agree. I was thinking about AJ, and I was wondering - how big is Ben Wallace? He's another player who is not a giant, is not an offensive threat, but has made it based on his defense and rebounding. I don't think AJ realizes that he can either become Ben Wallace or play in Europe. The problem is that you really have to make yourself become that player. And I just don't know if he can do that. Would I take a guy who rebounds, defends and blocks shots like Wallace did a couple of years ago and pay him the mid-level exception. Probably so. And AJ could run the floor. But until he demonstrates that ability, I consider him trade bait/expiring contract/Mike Conley's bodyguard at the club.