Summer League Recap

Demarcus Mr "I'm gonna get someone in New Jersey and Minnesota fired" Cousins shined in the NBA Summer League

The NBA Summer League allows a first chance to see what type of NBA player might come from the NBA Draft crop selected week earlier. Some players shine and show full potential, others show flaws, and when the flaws and rough diamonds line up in certain ways, it shows future cause for GMs to be fired. While the Summer League is kind of like college summer pick-up games, in that it definitely won't make a player a star, it can definitely be the first sign of a bad draft pick. So here's a roundup of the top draft picks and those other players in the league of local importance.

1. John Wall - Washington D.C. - Wall showed the quick foot speed, the go-go gadget scoring, and his effective rebounding and assist. However, Wall also showed his weakness in his high turnovers and limited jump shot. I fully expect the jump shot to get better as he ages but while the turnovers will get better, we should expect that from the style of play.

2. Evan Turner - Philadelphia 76ers - Turner had a sub par summer. His college m.o. was to be an on-ball scorer. He makes his own shots off the dribble and playing off the ball showed to be a limitation in his time in Orlando. He described his summer league as "struggling badly" and needs to improve his game when not playing point-forward for success in the league.

3. Derrick Favors - New Jersey Nets - Favors was a 'project' player at the draft. His skills are undeveloped and it showed during his time in the summer games. Favors  doesn't look to make an impact in his first year. Russian Billionaire owner passed on Demarcus Cousins and was passed up by Lebron James, making his promise of the playoffs next year seem iffy at best and a long way away from his championship in 3-5 years.

4. Wesley Johnson - Minnesota Timberwolves - Johnson couldn't get a shot off on his own. As the fourth draft pick, you'd like to see a sure thing, and Johnson looked far from it. With the sheer volume of bad decisions (Darko?!?!) , it seems like Johnson is just another mounting measure of unsuccess.

5. Demarcus Cousins - Sacramento Kings - Cousins was the gem of the Summer League. He lead all players with 11.5 rebounds a game and average 17.8 points and 3 assist. Showing inside game, outside shots, passing, and quick feet, he showed everything he displayed his talents among top tier players. What remains to be seen is how Cousins will compare to the best big men and solid defense, but he looks certain to make the T'Wolves, 76ers, and Nets  regret their draft.

14. Patrick Patterson - Houston Rockets - Patterson was the rock of the Kentucky teams for the last three years. He showed that same consistency during his summer league, averaging 9 points and pulling in at least 7 boards a game.

19. Eric Bledsoe - LA Clippers - Bledsoe had an awesome game against the Wizards and John Wall putting up 17 points but was plagued by turnovers. He managed 9 assist to 20 turnovers and MUST improve the 1:2 ratio if he is going to challege the guards ahead of him on the roster.

29. Daniel Orton - Orlando Magic - Orton was ugly, in his game and attitude during his summer experience. He racked up more fouls than rebounds and points and his ejection during his first game will leave a bad taste in management's mouth until he's able to get back on the court and do something. The main question is when that will be as he is deep on the depth chart behind All-Star Dwight Howard and company.

Undrafted - Samardo Samuels - Chicago Bulls - Samuels has the best chance of any Cardinal to make a team this summer. He managed 11 points and 7 boards during his three game stint and the Bulls have lots of roster room after a failed attempt for Lebron James.


Undrafted - Edgar Sosa - Detroit Pistons - A longshot to make the team, Sosa managed 6 points and 3 assist with the Pistons. Some time in the D-League may give the former Cardinal a chance to join a team in a season or two. Sosa's time this year will be remembered more for getting stared-down by Demarcus Cousins. `

Undrafted - Jerry Smith - Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks gave the hometown kid a chance and he did little with it. Smith failed to find his shot like he did with the Cardinals and managed a mere 1.7 points in his 10 mins a game.