Mason Plumlee stars in Orlando Summer League day one.

Plumlee was outstanding on day one.

The NBA tipped off 2014 Summer League play in Orlando Saturday morning. Ten teams, mostly composed of young players, played five games. We like to look, daily, at the players that were the most efficient per-minute (20 minutes playing time minimum), at their respective positions. While mass media will tell you how the high draft picks fared, we are dedicated to shedding light on the the players who were most effective, regardless of their draft status, size, or any other prejudgements. 

...We are not connected to any player agent, or directly connected to any team. We are not "selling" anything in these reports (except the fact that we love basketball, and have been evaluating players formally for 15 years).

Day One stories: 

Pierre Jackson suffered a right Achilles tendon injury on a seemingly simple play. Jackson was off to a sizzling start, having scored seven points in seven minutes when the injury occurred. His absence made it difficult for Philadelphia to score from the guard position. Orlando beat Philly 83-77. ...Nerlens Noel played his first "professional" game and was highly effective, scoring 19 points (6-11 FG, 7-7 FT) with four steals. 

Most efficient player on a winning team:  Brooklyn's Mason Plumlee. Our Hoop Obsession MVP of the day scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and had three steals in nearly 24 minutes of playing time at the Center position. The Nets easily handled the Pacers 101-81. 

Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Marquis Teague, also of the Nets. Teague scored 14 points and dished six assists in his 21 minutes of action. 

Adams vertical not an issue Saturday. 

Most efficient shooting guard on a winning team: Jordan Adams, Memphis. ...Adams displayed his amazingly quick hands, coming up with four steals to go with 22 points, off the bench. Adams scored from deep (4-6 3-pt FG), mid-range, and from the free throw line (8-8 FT). The summer Grizzlies mauled the Thunder 84-63. 

Most efficient small forward on a winning team: Donte Greene - Brooklyn. ...Greene scored from deep and also off the dribble, beating slower, bigger players to the basket or drawing a foul. Greene made all six of his free throws. He finished with 13 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. 

Most efficient power forward on a winning team: Mike Moser, Boston. ...Moser made plays at NBA speed and showed his ability to work without the basketball as a cutter. Moser scored 17 points in nearly 25 minutes of play. He made 3-6 3-pt FG, and 6-6 FT. 

Seven more stars: 

Don't get in Roberts' way.

Ronald Roberts Jr., Philadelphia. ...Roberts showed off his power and athleticism, dominating in the paint at times. The rookie power forward scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds in just 20 minutes. He had a an Antonio Davis-esque finish that was spectacular. 

Victor Oladipo, Orlando. ...Oladipo was brilliant in the Magic win over Philly. He had 18 points (6-11 FG, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes. 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit. ..."KCP" can handle the ball well, which separates him from many other shooting guards. He went for 26 points (8-19 FG, 8-9 FT), and picked up six steals in 32 minutes. 

Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia. ...(See above for stats) ...Noel is extremely quick for his length. He was jack-knifing all over the court, making plays for himself, and his teammates (he had three assists). Defensively, Noel altered many shots at the rim. He also showed the ability to use either hand effectively around the hoop. 

Perry Jones III, Oklahoma City. ...Jones was a bright spot on an otherwise dreary day for the Thunder. He had 15 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3-pt FG, 3-4 FT) and six rebounds in 31 minutes, playing very much under control. 

Peyton Siva, Detroit. ...Siva still can get into trouble finishing at the rim but his ability to run a team, and make the correct plays is impressive. His Pistons team beat the summer Rockets 95-89 due in large part to Siva's point guard play. Siva finished with 16 points and six assists in 28 minutes. 

DeAndre Liggins, Detroit. ...Liggins is a potential top-tier NBA wing defender. He had five steals, to go with seven points, and seven rebounds in 28 minutes. He only attempted three field goals yet he still found a way, through hustle, to be efficient at small forward. 

Notes: ...Solomon Hill did not play for the Pacers. ...Kelly Olynyk looked more toned, having recently added muscle to his frame. The Celtics second year player scored 20 points in Boston's 85-77 win over Miami. ...See the top 10 plays according to NBA-TV. 

Day Three - NBA Orlando Summer League

Mr. July

Reggie Jackson stole the show Tuesday in the NBA Orlando Summer League. Jackson hit for a Orlando Summer League record 35 points, at one juncture in the game, scoring 18 straight for the summer Thunder. Jackson made 12 of 19 field goal attempts, and nailed nine of his eleven free throws. He scored his 35 points in only 29 minutes of play, leading the Thunder to a 79-75 win over the Detroit Pistons summer entry. 

Our Day Three All-Orlando Summer League Team... Point guards: R. Jackson, Dwight Buycks, Cedric Jackson, Phil Pressey. Shooting guards: Victor Oladipo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Small forwards: James Ennis, Solomon Hill. Power forwards: Kelly Olynyk, Jeremy Evans. Centers: Greg Smith, Jarvis Varnado. 

Sweet 16 - 2013

There may not be any future NBA superstars among the players remaining in the NCAA Tournament. There are certainly some solid future pros. Here is a glance at the 16 players we are paying the most attention to (from an NBA scouting perspective) in the 2013 Men's Basketball Sweet 16. 

Even with goofy pants - Cody is a prospect. 

Cody Zeller - Indiana 6'11" 230 - Center. Sophomore. ...Zeller is a real weapon in college basketball. There just aren't many teams with a kid as big and as skilled as Zeller is. He averages 16 points and eight rebounds per game.  Cody is the younger brother of Luke and Tyler Zeller, both NBA players. Cody is perhaps a bit more rugged than Tyler, and Cody has a slightly higher career efficiency rating than his Cleveland Cavalier brother.  Cody understands that he is a BIG man and he does not try to do things outside his game.  This understanding of his role allows him to shoot 59% FG (career) - due to his excellent shot selection. He shoots 75% FT for his career. ...Zeller can improve by turning the ball over less. He gets caught off-balance too often despite good ball-handling skills for a Center.  

Victor Oladipo - Indiana 6'5" 214 - Shooting Guard. Junior. ...Oladipo is an athletic wing guard that plays both ends of the floor. He is the rare shooting guard that shoots over 50% from the field (presently at 54.5% FG for his three seasons at IU). He has great speed and the ability to create off the dribble. He has greatly improved his three-point percentage this season but his career number is probably a better indicator (33.3 %). Oladipo also helps as a rebounder. Not too many guards get you 6.4 rebounds per game - but Oladipo does! He was recently named The Sporting News 2013 Player of the Year. Defensively, he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. ...Oladipo also can improve by cutting down on the turnovers. He has more turnovers than assists for his career. 

Ben McLemore - Kansas 6'5" 185 - Shooting Guard. Freshman. ...I really hope McLemore stays in school at least another year. He shows flashes of brilliance but is not yet the consistent player that I think he can become. He is special due to his combination of shooting accuracy and athletic ability. McLemore's touch is evident in his 87% free throw shooting, and his 41% three-point accuracy. He averages 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists per contest. 

Gardner makes the Cosby face.

Davante Gardner - Marquette 6'8" 290 - Power Forward. Junior. ...Gardner is a load to handle in the low-post. He is nimble and he has a soft touch for such a BIG dude. He was the Big East Sixth Man of the Year. Gardner shoots an impressive 79% FT - career. Defensively, he eats space but he is not a shot blocker. He averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds this season, playing just 21.3 minutes per game. 

Arsalan Kazemi - Oregon 6'8" 226 - Power Forward. Senior. ...Kazemi has a motor that seemingly churns twice as fast as his opponents. Non-stop energy is his calling card. The Iranian National Team member started his college career at Rice but has now landed at Oregon. He is a terrific rebounder and defender that was named to the Pac-12 All Defensive Team. For his NCAA career - he shoots 55% FG. 

Jeff Withey - Kansas 7'0" 235 - Center. Senior.. ...Withey is a shot-blocker that also has a little bit of an offensive game. For his size, he is quick off his feet - which allows him to block shots at a high rate. He leads my database of tournament players in 'blocks per minute', and his career 'blocks per minute' rate is better historically than noted shot-blockers John Henson, and Andre Drummond. Withey can step out to hit a face-up shot or score around the rim. The 23 year-old Senior was a unanimous All Big 12 selection. He shoots 72% from the free throw line. 

DeShaun Thomas - Ohio St. 6'7" 221 - Small Forward. Junior. ...You need a bucket? Thomas will get you one. He scores inside and outside. He scores on three-point shots, and post-ups. He hits wing jumpers, and paint floaters. In short, Thomas is a SCORER. His NCAA career 'points per minute' rate is better than noted scorer, Jordan Crawford (Xavier, Boston Celtics). 

Southerland needs more hype

James Southerland - Syracuse. 6'8" 215 - Small Forward. Senior. ...Southerland doesn't receive the hype some of his teammates do - but Southerland is probably a future NBA player due to his combination of size and shooting ability. He shoots 40% from beyond the arc. ...He averages 13.7 points, and 5.3 rebounds per game. ...Other scouts view him as a power forward but I think his NBA future will be as a wing. He does have a positive career assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Michael Carter Williams - Syracuse. 6'5" 176 - Point Guard. Sophomore.  ...Carter-Williams boasts a 2.36-to-1 assist to-turnover ratio which is not often seen in a dynamic, young guard. He is long, and lean and he has terrific explosion in his decisive moves on the court. His length makes him a tough match up for smaller point guards. Carter-Williams is still learning the value of shot selection. His career field goal percentage is just 39%. He helps his team on the boards, and he can create his own shot off the dribble. ...Carter-Williams has a "red-flag" for being caught shoplifting during his stay in Syracuse (Read this). He was a 2011 McDonald's All-American. I think he has the highest ceiling of any point guard in the Tournament. 

Mitch McGary - Michigan. 6'10" 263 - Power Forward. Freshman.  ...McGary has legitimate NBA size and rebounding ability. He was recently added to Michigan's starting lineup and he has made them a better team. McGary is averaging 17 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in the 2013 Tournament to date. He shoots 59% FG. ...Read this about McGary's open attitude about living with A.D.H.D. 

Russ Smith - Louisville. 6'0" 160 - Shooting Guard. Junior. ...The best pure scorer remaining in the Tournament is Russ Smith. He loves to shoot, and he will jack up some questionable shots. But Louisville would be lost without him. Smith helps his team get through rough offensive stretches with his short memory, and aggressive play. For his career, Smith has the same number of assists as turnovers. He shoots 34% from beyond the arc, and 82% from the line. 

Gorgui Dieng - Louisville. 6'10" 220 - Center. Junior. ...The Center with the highest ceiling is Gorgui Dieng. Although a 23 year-old junior, Dieng is still considered to be a player that is ascending. Defensively, he is a force. He moves his feet extremely well and he blocks or alters a high percentage of opponents' shots in the paint. (Dieng's blocks per minute are historically equal to JaVale McGee's numbers.) While Dieng is still raw offensively, he has shown enough to make me believe he will continue to improve. He is just a career 65% free throw shooter. 

Burke listens to his coach

Trey Burke - Michigan. 5'11" 180 - Point Guard. Sophomore. ...The best in the college game at running a team (in my opinion) is Trey Burke. He is a diminutive yet highly confident and skilled point guard. While not blessed with supreme athleticism or length, Burke closes the gap on the deficiencies with his high basketball I.Q., and leadership ability. Burke has an excellent 2.42-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and he can also put the ball in the basket. He averages 19.2 points per game. Sports Illustrated named Burke their National Player of the Year for 2012-13. 

Glenn Robinson III - Michigan. 6'6" 210 - Shooting Guard. Freshman. ...The son of the "Big Dog" is an elite transition player that electrifies fans in the open court. His finishing ability helped him shoot an impressive 57% FG as a freshman. He also has an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio which speaks to his ability to make smart basketball decisions. Robinson's father, Glenn, was the first overall pick of the 1994 NBA Draft. 

C.J. Fair - Syracuse. 6'7" 216 - Small Forward. Junior. ...Fair just looks like a pro. He has a prototypical NBA wing body and an ever-improving skill set to match. This season the lefty became a legitimate three-point threat - hitting 49.2% from deep. he has improved his scoring and rebounding averages in each of his three seasons. I like Fair because he still has plenty of room for improvement. 


Mason Plumlee - Duke. Senior. 6'11" 245. ...Plumlee has NBA size, and he can finish above the rim. He averaged 17 points and ten rebounds per game this season, and he is unquestionably improving. However, Plumlee is not as high on my board as he may be on other boards. I think he is a quality college BIG-man but I'm not as sure about him as a pro.  He turns it over nearly two times for every one assist. He shoots only 57% from the line for his career (although he raised that to 67% FT this season). Plumlee is already 23 years-old.

Shooting guards to watch in the 2012 NCAA Tournament

Annually we list the players in the NCAA Tournament that we feel have the best chances to succeed someday at the next level. ...Here are the shooting guards…

MKG is a transition FREAK!

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Kentucky 6’7” 232 Freshman.  Kidd-Gilchrist is a special player in transition. He plays at hyper-speed and yet somehow has the body control to finish plays that simply could not be made by an ordinary athlete. He was ranked third for the high-school class of 2011 by ESPNU. This season he was named second-team All-America by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. ...He works on defense and is unselfish on offense. A hustler. ...Averages 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on 48% FG, 74% FT.

Jamaal Franklin – San Diego St. 6’5”    195 Sophomore.  Franklin burst onto the scene this year, averaging 17.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Last season, he barely played on a talented, veteran laden SDSU team. Franklin is an athletic player that has some flash to his game. He can create a shot and draw fouls with one-on-one plays. ...He converts 77% from the free-throw line (career).  …Named 2011-12 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. He could be a better decision maker, and he could handle the ball more carefully (he has about two turnovers for every one assist). ...He really helps out on the glass.

C.J. hits the boards!

C.J. McCollum – Lehigh 6’3” 180 Sophomore.  McCollum is a guard with a nice touch and a nose for the ball. He is not going to overwhelm with athleticism but he finds a way to consistently get into the mid-range for shots. ...McCollum is a scorer. He averages 21.9 points per game. He gets to the free-throw line with regularity where he converts at 82% (career). ...Shoots 35% from 3-pt. range this season. ...Said Jeff Jones, American University Head Coach (link follows), "There's not a whole lot of players better than him in the country. He's not a very good Patriot League player; he’s a very good player, period." http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh/index.ssf/2012/03/lehigh_university_guard_cj_mcc.html

Will Barton – Memphis 6’6” 170 Sophomore. Boundless energy defines Will Barton. He just keeps going and going and going. Barton is a versatile guard that can defend PG's or SG's. ...He is excellent in transition. …Was named to CBSSports.com's All-America third team. ...Barton leads Memphis and Conference USA in scoring with an 18.1 average. He also ranks among the league leaders in rebounding (7th), field goal percentage (11th), free throw percentage (10th), assists (13th), steals (5th) and minutes played (4th). He is the only guard ranked in the top-10 of C-USA's rebounding leaders.

D.J. Stephens will get dirty!

D.J. Stephens – Memphis 6’5” 187 Junior. This is probably a stretch. …Stephens is noticeable for his athleticism although he plays only eight minutes per game. ...He energizes his team by doing whatever is asked of him. ...He is also known for executing crazy dunks. He is an above-the-rim finisher. In three seasons at Memphis his field goal percentage is 62%. …At the professional level - I see him as a defender that can get you buckets in transition. He is an NBA athlete and a guy willing to accept that plays won't be run for him.

Oladipo is a 'high-riser'. 

Victor Oladipo – Indiana 6’5” 214 Junior. I really like Oladipo's speed! He is an NBA athlete for sure. ...Oladipo averages 10.9 points per game while also helping out on the boards at 5.5 rebounds per contest. He can shake his man with a crafty dribble. …He needs to improve as a perimeter shooter (just 21% from 3-pt. range this season), and he needs to be more consistent. He has too many games where his shooting percentage is low. ...He is a career 69% free throw shooter.

Bradley Beal – Florida 6’3” 207 Freshman. Beal is a TWO Guard that helps as a rebounder. He is averaging 14.6 points per game, and 6.5 rebounds per contest. He came in touted as a big-time three-point shooter but this season he knocked down only 32% of his attempts. …His 77% free throw shooting is probably a better indication of his touch. ...He is said to be a great teammate. ...Former McDonald's All-American. He was MVP at the under-17 FIBA world championships in Germany.

Lamb is smooth.

Jeremy Lamb – Connecticut 6’5” 185 Sophomore. Lamb is a smooth shooting guard with NBA athleticism and length. He played a large role on the Kemba Walker-led U-Conn team that won the 2011 National Championship. He has quick hands. …He hits the three point shot at 38% (career). …He is a good free throw shooter at 82% (career). He has tremendous basketball instincts - making quick passes that lead to baskets. In 2011 (Summer) he played for USA Basketball's U-19 team at the FIBA World Championships in Latvia. He was the only American player selected to the five-man All-Tournament Team.

Doug Anderson – Detroit 6’5” 220 Junior. Anderson was a big-time juco player that led the Mott Community College Bears to a runner-up finish at the NJCAA national championships as a sophomore in 2011. …He is a supreme athlete that finishes plays above the rim. This season he's averaged 9.1 points per game on 51% FG, while shooting 80% from the foul line. ...Anderson is right-handed. …You can get a feel for Anderson’s athletic prowess in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO1TDs87hQU

Jeffrey Taylor – Vanderbilt 6’7” 210 Senior. Taylor does some things that separate him from the average Shooting Guard prospect. For starters - he takes charges and is an excellent defender. …He is also relatively unselfish - passing ahead as a rule. …He is a good athlete with quick and explosive jumping ability. ...He has dramatically improved as a three-point shooter (at 43% this season!). ...He can try to do too much at times - which is why he is yet to have a season with more assists than turnovers. ...This season - he averages 16 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. ...Summer 2008: Played for Sweden National Team in the Under-20 European Division B Championships, where he averaged 19.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in eight games. ...Taylor's father, Jeff, played at Texas Tech before playing in the NBA for Houston and Detroit.

John Jenkins – Vanderbilt 6’4” 215 Junior. Jenkins is a "knock-down" shooter with a soft touch that was recently named the MVP of the 2012 SEC Tournament. He hits the three-ball at 44.8%! At the line, late in games you can count on his career 86%. …He has more turnovers than assists for his career and he doesn’t help too much on the boards - but give John Jenkins an open jump shot and most likely that baby is going down.

J’Covan Brown – Texas 6’1” 185 Junior. Brown is a talented player that can really score. He was named First Team All Big 12 (by the coaches). ...I can him the "right-handed Nick Van Exel." …He is aggressive in every thing he does on the court. …An important piece for the Longhorns, Brown finished the season as the Big 12 scoring champ, averaging 20.0 points per game. He was among the league leaders in assists (3.9, 8th), FT Percentage (86.0, 4th), steals (1.3, 8th), 3Pt.FG Percentage (37.5, 14th), 3PFGs Made (74, 4th), Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (1.47, 8th), and Minutes Played (35.3, 2nd). ...Not afraid to take ANY shot.

William Buford – Ohio St. 6’5” 205 Senior. Buford is a terrific wing player that can score or share! He has consistently averaged 14 points per game for the last three seasons. What I really like about his game is that he is the rare jump shooter with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio (1.46-to1). …I'd like to see him get to the free throw line more often - where he hits 80% of his attempts. …Perimeter scorer. Right handed. 2008-09 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Bubbling under: Reggie Bullock - North Carolina 6'6" 190 Sophomore, Tim Hardaway Jr. - Michigan 6'6" 200 Sophomore. 

Also considered: Seth Curry - Duke, Kyle Kuric - Louisville, Lenzelle Smith Jr. - Ohio St., Sean Kilpatrick - Cincinnati, Doron Lamb - Kentucky, Okaro White - Florida St., Darius Johnson-Odom - Marquette, and P.J. Hairston - North Carolina.