Summer League Fun!

Most of the time when young players play in the summer league, the result is them having pretty good NBA seasons. For a lot of players it’s their chance to shine so they can land on an NBA team. Some players fall short in reaching or staying in the NBA despite putting up solid numbers in the summer. Lets take a look at some examples.
Kevin Martin- Played in the summer league in 2005 and 2006. He averaged 20 points and 5 rebounds during his summer league time. This past NBA season Kevin averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assist a game. He was also in therunning for most improved player. The season before last, he averaged 10 points and 3 rebounds a game.

Leandro Barbosa- Played in the summer league in 2004 and 2005. He averaged 18 points and 2 rebounds during his summer league time. This past season he averaged 18 points and 4 assist a game. He also won the 6th man of the year award. The season before he averaged 14 points, 3 rebounds, ans 2 assist a game.

Ryan Gomes- A second round pick of the Celtics played in the summer league in 2005 and 2006. Ryan averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds in his summer league time. He averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds a game last season. The year before he had 7 points and 4 rebounds a game. But he proved he could play with his summer league play.

Dwight Howard- The number one overall pick in 2004 coming out of high school. Played in the summer league in 2004 and 2005. He averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds during his summer league time. He has rapidly improved each year and became an all star last season. He averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds last season. The year before that he had 15 points and 12 rebounds a game.

Monta Ellis- Played in the summer league in 2005. During his stint he averaged 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assist in 31 minutes of time. He said even though he was a second round pick out of high school, he was going to prove himself in the summer league. This past season Monta averaged 16 points and 4 assist a game, and was the 2007 most improved player.

Brandon Roy- Played in the summer league in 2006. He averaged 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assist in his stint. One game he scored 35 points. Brandon won rookie of the year last season despite playing only 57 games. He averaged 16 points 4 rebounds and 4 assist a game.

Nikoloz Tskitishvilli- Averaged 25 points a game in summer league in 2004 to lead all scorers. However his stats never came close to that in his NBA playing time. He averaged just 1.5 points a game in Denver, and 1.3 points with Golden State in the 2004-05 season.

Sebastian Telfair- Averaged 6 assist a game in summer league in 2005 to lead all passers. He played solid that NBA season averaging just 9 points and 3 assist a game. Last season he averaged just 6 points and 2 assist a game and has been a major disappointment.

Lonny Jones- Averaged 12 rebounds a game in summer league in 2004 to lead all rebounders. However despite his hustle and solid play on the court, he still didn’t make it on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster.

These are just a few examples of players. But my point is overall summer league ball can help any player regardless if they’re a rookie or a player that has played a few years. Most players say they enjoy playing in the summer league, and it helps their game big time to become rising stars in the league. The rosters haven’t been released yet for this years summer league teams, but I will list some players I think can improve their game by playing summer league ball.

Marcus Banks: PG- 4 years in the league.
Andrew Bynum: C- 2 years in the league.
DaSagana Diop: C- 6 years in the league.
DaJuan Wagner: SG- 4 years in the league.
Josh McRoberts: PF- Rookie drafted in 2nd Rd this year.
Maurice Ager: SG- 1 year in the league.
Curtis Sumpter: SF- Undrafted rookie this year.
Shelden Williams: PF- 1 year in the league.
Jordan Farmar: PG- 1 year in the league.
Glen Davis: PF- Rookie drafted in 2nd Rd this year.
Randolph Morris: C- 1 year in the league.
Javaris Crittenton: PG- Rookie drafted in 1st Rd this year.
Thaddeus Young: SF- Rookie drafted in 1st Rd this year.
Shannon Brown: SG- 1 year in the league.
Trey Johnson: SG- Undrafted rookie this year.
D.J. Strawberry: SG- Rookie picked in the 2nd Rd this year.
J.J. Redick: SG- 1 year in the league.
Patrick O’Braynt: C- 1 year in the league.
Sebastian Telfair: PG- 3 years in the league.
Marcus Williams: SG- Rookie drafted in 2nd Rd this year.
Spencer Hawes: C- Rookie drafted in 1st Rd this year.
Sean Williams: C- Rookie drafted in 1st Rd this year.
Tyrus Thomas: PF- 1 year in the league.
Adam Morrison: SF- 1 year in the league.
Gerald Green: SG- 2 years in the league.
Channing Frye: PF- 2 years in the league.

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