Monday, July 7, 2014

James Ennis gets down on day two

Ennis' J is improved.
The most efficient player Sunday at the NBA Orlando Summer League was Miami's James Ennis. The 6'7" 210 lb small forward from Long Beach State scored 29 points on a ridiculously good 10-12 FG. Ennis made seven of the eight three-point shots he attempted in the Heat's 110-91 victory over the Brooklyn Nets summer squad. Ennis' high-energy game earned him our Hoop Obsession MVP award for day two. 

Most efficient shooting guard on a winning team: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit. ..."KCP" went nuts again. As the featured scorer for the Pistons summer squad, Caldwell-Pope scored 30 points (10-20 FG, 4-8 3-pt FG, 6-7 FT), and grabbed 12 rebounds. Needless to say, he was impressive in the Pistons 85-82 win over Memphis. "KCP" was lauded yesterday as well for his outstanding efficient play. With Rodney Stuckey an unrestricted free agent, Caldwell-Pope seems in line for a big opportunity on the real Pistons squad come fall. 

Most efficient center on a winning team: Justin Hamilton, Miami. ...Hamilton is better than I had previously given him credit for being. He really has a nice offensive skill set, including the ability to face the basket and make perimeter shots. Hamilton scored 15 points (6-12 FG), and grabbed nine boards in 25 minutes. He is 7'0" 260 lbs. 

Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Shabazz Napier, Miami. ...After a day to forget Saturday, Napier rebounded with a very good performance Sunday. He scored 17 points, dished seven assists and had four rebounds in 26 minutes. Napier had the pass of the day on a pick-n-roll, going between Mason Plumlee's legs with a bounce pass assist. 

Most efficient power forward on a winning team: Ronald Roberts Jr., Philadelphia. ...Roberts actually played center for most of this game but we project him as a "beast forward" in the NBA if he makes the cut. He certainly has made scouts aware of his combination of power and athleticism. Roberts scored 12 points (5-6 FG) and had six rebounds in the summer Sixers 84-73 win over Oklahoma City. 

Seven more stars: 

Strength is Stokes' strength. 
Jarnell Stokes, Memphis. ...Stokes was outstanding in a losing effort for the summer Grizz. Stokes is an extra strong power forward that also has a high basketball IQ with regard to his own game. He will pass up a shot that is too deep and wait for the right time to show his paint game. He scored 16 points (6-9 FG, 4-5 FT) and grabbed 12 rebounds in 29 minutes. 

Mason Plumlee, Nets. ...Plumlee, while not as effective as he was yesterday, was still plenty good. On Sunday, Plumlee scored 18 points (6-7 FG) in 23 minutes. 

Peyton Siva, Detroit. ...The more I watch Siva, the more I believe in him as a rotation backup NBA point guard. He is so smart, and he makes his teammates better, constantly looking for ways to set them up. Sunday, Siva finished at the rim and scored enough to be dynamic. He had 12 points, seven assists, and five boards in 28 minutes. 

Jordan Adams, Memphis. ...Adams showed that his first day success was not a fluke. The UCLA product knocked down jumpers and made all seven of his free throw attempts en route to 20 points (6-13 FG) in 30 minutes. Adams added seven rebounds. 

K.J. McDaniels, Philadelphia. ...He only played 20 minutes but McDaniels was effective in his brief run. He scored 13 points and had four rebounds while playing smothering defense. 

Roberson played some TWO Sunday.
Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City. ...What to do with Roberson? He lined up at shooting guard Sunday and had 12 points, ten rebounds and two assists with only one turnover in 30 minutes. While we don't foresee Roberson playing full-time on the wing, he did make a three-point shot, and he took care of the basketball Sunday. He is such a talented rebounder, and efficient player, OKC would be wise to continue to look for creative ways to get Roberson on the floor. 

DeAndre Liggins, Detroit. ...Liggins plays a complementary game that would benefit many teams. He simply gets after it defensively and then has enough ability as a passer to be effective enough on offense. He had eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his 28 minutes Sunday. 

Notes: Tyler Johnson of Fresno State looked sharp in in limited playing time. In just 13 minutes, Johnson scored 14 points on 6-6 FG. A back-cut for a quick-jump dunk was eye-opening. ...Jorge Gutierrez left the Nets game in the first half after an apparent rib injury. ...Casper Ware scored 20 points, with five rebounds, and five assists in Philly's win. ...Jakarr Sampson, a rookie from St John's, showed NBA athleticism but his game has a long way to go to be efficient. ...Semaj Christon replaced Nolan Smith in the OKC starting lineup. Christon is a player that has some upside in our opinion due, in part, to his self-confidence. 

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