| Summer League Analysis: Game 1, Vs. China Authored by J.T. Magee - July 7, 2007 - 3:29 pm
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Most teams send a few assistants to the Summer League and will chat it up in the bleachers. Having Iavaroni coach the squad is making a statement for all the players on the team. They are learning from the actual Head Coach. What he wants out of the team is how he would use a player. I’m glad to see Memphis use its athleticism to take over a game, but I’m even prouder to see Iavaroni coach it all.
Rudy Gay
It was tough deciding between who played better, but in the end, it had to be Gay. Gay simply crushed the Chinese National Team. He was everywhere on defense. His jumpers had that confidence oozing out of the swish. His handle looks ten times better than it did at the beginning of the season. His dunks were of the highlight kind. While the dunk on Yi should make some reels somewhere, Gay was by far and away the best player on the team. He seemed to understand whatever Iavaroni would tell him, because he’d come back after a brief talk and be immediately involved for a minimum of three consecutive possessions.
I’ll say this: if Gay was just hyped up to win the game against Yi and the Chinese National Team, it was one thing. If he just wanted to dunk all the time and his shot and defense were added bonuses, then that too, is one thing. If he decided to finally piece it all together after having question marks about his consistency, then look out opposing small forwards. His stellar play in transition, off the dribble, rebounding, defending and passing proved why Gay was so highly touted coming out of UCONN. Great game for Gay.
Tarence Kinsey
Kinsey was amazing. When seeing him in Orlando, I felt he would be a good role player because of his crafty mid-range game and decent athleticism. His play was off the charts for an undrafted player. Kinsey simply was the scrappiest player in the game and made it look effortless. He worked on both ends of the floor and made life miserable for China’s guards. He’s as frail as Richard Hamilton in his first few years, but Kinsey proved his play at the tail end of the regular season was no fluke.
Memphis’ collapsing defense was only successful because the guards like Kinsey made it so collapsing. Good lord, he was good. I can’t wait to see him again. Seems like former Gamecocks are starting to make names for themselves. Renaldo Balkman, Kinsey. Who’s next, Brandon Wallace? He is on Boston’s SL team. He seems to match up well with Martell Webster and the weak crop of guard Portland has. I guess we’ll see how that goes. As far as Kinsey goes, if he continues to work hard and continues to believe in himself, then we could be looking at a Championship-type of shooting guard.
Kyle Lowry
Fully healthy and full of heart. Lowry spearheaded the Grizzlies’ defense on China. He was making play and forcing turnovers. His play as a point guard was unique because he and Mike Conley shared a decent amount of time on the floor. The ball moved a lot more, but I’m not sure if it’s going to work against bigger, better and older guards in the LVSL. He was aggressive and finished at the rim with ease, including a dunk in the second half that woke up the crowd. If he continues this type of play, he’ll be getting more than glory in the LVSL. Wait, can’t go without a mention of his defense. After all, his knat-like D was hard for China to deal with. I want to see him as the lone point guard and how he runs the team from a defensive standpoint. There we go. Continue on.
Alexander Johnson
Johnson was bruising in the post, making life very difficult for Yi Jianlian and China’s big men. His athleticism was one thing, but his aggression in the paint could not be matched. Johnson’s play was a bit technical, especially when trying to out-pivot Yi in the post. His aggression led to a lot of personal fouls, but he helped rebound the team to easy fast break buckets. If he had Yi’s natural talent, there’d be no question in regards to Memphis’ next power forward. He’ll have to work on his passing out of the post and his pick & pop game. Very bull headed style of game from Johnson, but very successful, especially in this style of defense.
Rod Benson
This is a clipping from his blog, available when you look up Rod Benson and blog on Google:
“Before we started the workout, I heard one of the 2 greatest things I’ve ever heard. Don Nelson made it a point to say that on the Warriors, the posts don’t post on the block, they post on the elbow or not at all. They set ball screens and run the floor. GREAT news. That’s like telling a fat girl that there is a free buffet all night!”
Benson simply was getting the ball in play and doing it quickly. He made a couple of nice tips out to teammates and attempted put backs. But Benson simply ran the floor and set good picks. I feel he has more game than he showed in this game, but who wouldn’t show everything when Gay is crushing Yi on a dunk from the other side of the basket. He could be utilized on the high post a little better. He was passing the ball pretty well. I’d like to see him with a little more time on the high block to move it around or let the guards backdoor cut into the lane. Good but unnoticed showing from Benson.
Mike Conley
The highly touted point guard lived up to the billing: lightning fast with the ball, solid decision maker, underrated rebounder and a floor general who can march the masses up the court, Iavaroni style. Because he played very small ball with Lowry, it was hard to get a full read on his overall play, but his point guard play was exceptional for his first time on the court with Memphis. He showed the glimpses of why he’s going to make a name for himself in the Wild, Wild West. For his size, he can really finish at the rim. Some guards, no matter how big or small, just can’t finish. Conley is the opposite. He knows how to put it on the glass in order for it to drop. There’s definitely more to come from Conley.
David Bluthenthal & Scooter McFadgon
Both have played overseas recently and both showed why. Bluthenthal should’ve been able to take most of China’s big men off the dribble, but instead decided to stay glued to the 3-point line. I want to see more out of him, because he seems to have an offensive game rare for a power forward. McFadgon, a former product of Tennessee, made some key shots and played within the up-tempo offense. He was a little too non-existentm though. I want to see what he does defensively against some of the bench guards from other teams.
Overall View
Phoenix Suns, Version 2.0. They looked just like the Suns with their hand-offs on the flanking wings and overall play on offense. Defensively, they’re a lot different. They collapse on the ball and are pretty deceptive when trapping big men in the post. Kinsey made a nice steal on the baseline, a la Michael Jordan, against one of China’s bigs. After diving on the floor and igniting a fast break, Kinsey got right back up in his man’s grill when China was on offense. I can’t wait to see them against a younger and faster team. Should make for some great team play and a game people outside of the NBA would actually talk about. |
