Monday Bolts – 7.13.09
John Denton, writing for ESPN, says the best player in Orlando was Russell Westbrook: “When Russell Westbrook was 
in Orlando last summer, he was mostly an afterthought as scouts, coaches, media and even players clamored to see 2008′s top pick, Derrick Rose, square off against No. 2 pick Michael Beasley. This summer, however, Westbrook had the stage all to himself with Rose not playing summer ball and Miami not fielding a team. And Westbrook proved himself to be far and away the best player in Orlando.”
Henry Abbott with some Summer League thoughts: “Is two Summer League sessions one too many? The Thunder, the only team playing in both Summer Leagues, just came off five games in five days in Orlando, with most of their primary names logging big minutes. The team looked exhausted Sunday in its 86-57 loss to Memphis. The Thunder recorded 22 turnovers, but only 20 field goals.”
David Thorpe says James Harden can really (something) pass the ball.
Gary Washburn writing about the Thunder’s future, including a tidbit about James Harden’s likely role: “The graybeard in the OKC starting lineup is Krstic, who doesn’t turn 26 until July 25. The Thunder could start Russell Westbrook at point and Sefolosha at shooting guard with Durant and Green. Presti’s primary concern in the summer of 2010 is whether Durant will want to sign a five-year contract extension or three-year deal. If he chooses the latter option, Durant could be a 25-year-old unrestricted free agent in 2013 and perhaps a couple of All-Star appearances on his resume. It all depends on how much he likes Oklahoma City and how quickly the Thunder progresses into a contender. Presti said Harden is likely to come off the bench to begin his rookie season, and he astutely signed former No. 4 pick Shaun Livingston, who appears close to recovery from a devastating left knee injury that nearly cost him his career.”
A Celtics assistant coach had some nice words about Westbrook: “[Gabe Pruitt] shot well, he did a good job getting into the paint and taking care of the ball,” said Celtics assistant coach Mike Longabardi. “Russell Westbrook [of the Thunder] was definitely the best point guard here, but you can make an argument Gabe was the next guy. He’s just got to continue to work, continue to stay ready, and we’ll see what happens.”
Nick Collison, making me chuckle again via Twitter: “Back to seattle after the OKC/Des Moines/Paducah, KY tour. Who am I? Def Leapord?”
Sam Presti with Sam Amico: “It’s easy to think NBA summer league rosters are thrown together at the last minute. You take a couple of second-year players, a few draft picks, and a bunch of young guys who may or may not be playing in the NBA at some point. But believe it or not, a little more goes into it than that. “With the summer league, every team obviously puts a lot of focus on its own players,” Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti told PBN. “But you also need to fill out the roster and put a team on the floor that can function.”
Darnell Mayberry on Russell Westbrook: ”When it’s all said and done, the 20-year-old point guard could return as the most improved Thunder player when the roster reconvenes in Oklahoma City in the fall. The writing is on the wall. Westbrook is largely more patient. He’s no longer forcing the issue as often as he did as a bright-eyed rookie last season. He’s now looking for options out of ball screens that don’t just end in a shot attempt by No. 0, or worse, a turnover.”
James Harden explains (or doesn’t) the hand kiss: ”Q: Where did the hand kiss after 3-pointers come from? What does it mean? A: It doesn’t really have a background. I started doing it in high school with a few of my teammates.”
The Jazz are looking to match Portland’s offer to Millsap: “This is just my interpretation of what was said Saturday, but Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor made three comments that suggested the team was inclined to match the four-year, $32 million offer sheet Paul Millsap signed with Portland. O’Connor has vowed to match any offer to Millsap that isn’t in the realm of the “really outrageous.” His comments Saturday seemed to suggest that an $8 million a year offer by the Trail Blazers doesn’t fit that definition.”
And mainly to try to improve team defense, not be a major scorer.
He’d mainly be an insurance policy unless they moved Collison. If Krstic or Collison went out for awhile they got guys who could cover but Williams is probably a better defender than any of them.
I just made one last pass on the free agent market and that is all I came up with that was semi-realistic.
@Crow
Yep, real good player for Midwest City High School. Teammate of current Los Angeles Dodger Matt Kemp.
I assume you could get him for about $2 mil a year or maybe less. Probably a 2-3 year deal with somebody having an option. Last year he was better on some things (blocks, steals, rebounding) and worse on shooting but the first items are probably more important. How many bigs have a personalty type and a pedigree that Presti would like and is cheap and presumably willing to come to OKC?
Just a thought. Maybe not considered a need. Depends on the availability of a roster slot. Presti anticipated he could do something with Atkins. Not yet.
Can Williams play the 5? He’s only 6’9″, so I wouldn’t think so. Seems to be a bit redundant with Collison and White behind Green. Plus, he went to Duke, so he can go…well, you know.
In all seriousness, I always liked him as a prospect — I’m suprised he’s struggled as much as he has. After all the hoopla over the recent draft, it just goes to show how little we really know right now. Who’d have guessed Paul Millsap (drafted 47th in ’06) would be getting $30M+ and Shelden Williams (drafted 5th the same year) would be praying for a phone call?
Shelden Williams and JJ Redick were both on TV a LOOOOttt that year, as was Adam MOrrison.
Millsap was on the radar though. He led the NCAA’s in rebounding three straight years.
Also, The guy we traded for Mullens, Dubios (don’t care to look up spelling) had a stellar game last night, the injured his knee. It looked pretty bad.
@Vince
No, Williams can’t really play the 5. That was his problem. In college, he could muscle his way to rebounds. However, despite his wide wingspan he had a very short vertical reach (very broad shoulders). His standing reach was shorter than any other PF ever drafted in the top 15, and his vertical wasn’t great either! In truth, he could scarcely play the 4 in the pros, either, due to his lack of footspeed. A productive college player, but without the ability to translate that to the pros.
On second look I probably could have passed on mentioning Williams. He can defend the center but he really can’t score as a center. As I said the defense might matter more, especially for a spot minutes guy but it is unlikely they go for him. If you could get him at the minimum he might be a good practice player making players work to score and making them defend.
As I threw in earlier his health / weight / conditioning would be the determining factor. In college he did much of what Blair did. I’d at least be willing to work him out to guess whether there is any real chance of a change to the better. Probably not but you want to look for the surprises.