Summer League: Day 4

Will Andray Blatche return to Summer League action?
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Oleksiy Pecherov picks up his first double-double for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Andray Blatche rumored to make an appearance on the Wizards Summer League squad, and Fabricio Oberto on his way to a deal sheet?  All this and more as Washington ends mini-camp to begin their first Summer League exhibition against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It's hard to believe Oleksiy Pecherov played in 32 games last season for the Washington Wizards, although in five of those games Pech only clocked 1 minute per (and scored a 3 in that one minute against Miami).

Now Pech, Etan Thomas, and Darius Songaila are in Minnesota, and of the three of them, Pech is the only one on the Timberwolves' Summer League team.  The Summer League T-wolves, now 0-2 on the season, aren't quite getting it done, but Pech picked up 15 points and 10 rebounds in their last game Monday afternoon in a loss to the D-League Select Team (which featured Will Frisby of the Dakota Wizards, a D-League team co-owned by the Washington Wizards and the Memphis Grizzlies.  Yep, we co-own a D-League team with Memphis.  That practically makes us basketball blood brothers.).

Of the remaining Wizards, it seems like Andray Blatche might be on Washington's Summer League squad after all.  Washington Post's Michael Lee reports Coach Flip Saunders has hinted on the return of Blatche for select games.  Blatche played last year for the Wiz and did quite well on a per game basis, but the guy has played four seasons.  Eventually, if you're Ernie Grunfeld, you have to decide to develop JaVale McGee, who looks like he has some serious potential, and remove focus on Blatche.  While McGee and Blatche should practice together, as they'll likely be the duo coming off the bench (saving Oberto rumors for later), this summer needs to be about McGee.

However, Bullets Forever, and a source in San Antonio, are suggesting Fabricio Oberto, that dirty Argentinian power man, is heading to Washington.  Oberto came into the league when he was 30, so he's no spring chicken at 34, but his showcase in San Antonio suggests he would be a great pick-up for a Washington team serious about playoffs contention.  Maybe Ernie wants to see what Blatche can do before he seals the deal.  Maybe.  Or maybe it's a deal not going to happen.  We'll find out shortly.

And don't expect Blatche today at 6:30 p.m. ET as Washington challenges the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first of five Summer League games.  You can watch the 2008 game against Cleveland to get your Blatche fix (22-and-9, 2 blocks), but Blatche probably won't play today.  Unless the Fabricio deal is official.  We shall see.  And after listening to Washington's young duo of guards, it should be a fun game.

I'll be back pre-game for a live examination of the most heated rivalry in Wizards basketball history, and one last reminder, all games are viewed over NBA.com broadband service, which costs a one-time fee of $14.99 in order to watch all 55 Summer League games live and "on-demand" until July 26th, 2009 (a week after Summer League ends).

Also be sure to catch the MLB All-Star Game, tonight at 7 p.m. ET on FOX .  Did you miss the Home Run Derby last night?  Not as good as last year's, but man can Prince Fielder hit.  And what a cool first name.  I like this Prince's hits better, but still.

Live Game Examination:
Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
[Final Boxscore]

Update 6:20 p.m. ET: Under 10 minutes till tip-off.  Cleveland fell to Washington in a close contest back in the 2008 Summer League, 72-69.  This season, Cleveland's rook Christian Eyenga is their primary weapon, and the Cavs have no returnees from 2008.  The Wiz have three returnees--Dominic McGuire, JaVale McGee, and Nick Young--with a possible fourth in Andray Blatche (he's currently "Andre Blatch" on their roster, so I guess he is a possible for tonight).  The Cavs are 0-2 in 2009 Summer League play after losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Update 6:31 p.m. ET: Opening line-ups: Javaris Crittenton (PG), Nick Young (SG), Kyle Spain (SF), Andray Blatche (PF), Javale McGee (C) (feels like a regular season game).
Update 6:35 p.m. ET: 9-2 Washington: Javaris 4 pts (JS, reverse), Young 3 (three), McGee 2 (dunk).
Update 6:38 p.m. ET: Nick Young hits another three, he's heating up (12-4).  Quick note: Summer League games are 40 minutes long, about two hours in duration overall.  Four 10 minute quarters, and 10 fouls per player allowed per game rather than 6 in a regular game.
Update 6:48 p.m. ET: With Blatche in the game, is the Fabricio deal legit?  So far Blatche is looking to facilitate; 0 points and 3 turnovers in 7:30.
Update 6:52 p.m. ET: Young nails a sweet fade, Cavs take 21-20 lead with a three, Wiz get it right back 22-21 to end the first quarter.
[End of 1st; 22-21, WAS]

Update 6:56 p.m. ET: Young nails another shot.  12 points on 5-for-7. 26-21 WAS.
Update 7:00 p.m. ET: 39-25; Washington pulling away from Cleveland.
Update 7:03 p.m. ET: Tyrese Rice having a nice game, 11 points on 4-for-8 in just under 5 mins.
Update 7:08 p.m. ET: Washington 3-for-7 as a team from behind the arc.  39-31 with just under 3 mins to go in half.
Update 7:18 p.m. ET: I like how Washington calls a timeout with a ten point lead and 27.7 to go in the half.  For all of those people who don't think the Summer League is important, these guys want to win every night. 47-37, Washington, at half.
[End of Half; 47-37, WAS]

Update 7:30 p.m. ET: Antawn Jamison sat down with the Summer League squad, says team is 100% healthy from Arenas to Haywood.  Likes Foye, likes the trade and watching the young guys get it.  Says Andray is the "wildcard."
Update 7:37 p.m. ET: Dominic McGuire not playing today in accordance to a 4-player NBA rule, thanks to Bullets Forever for the response.  Bullets Forever and DCBog's Dan Steinberg live over at Las Vegas on Twitter.  Also follow NBASummerLeague.  Washington 60-44 with 5:07 to go in third.
Update 7:39 p.m. ET: Young has 21 points on 9-for-12, 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in just over 17 minutes.  0 assists from the shooting guard.
Update 7:52 p.m. ET: 75-61 Washington, end of third; Young has 31 points on 13-for-16.  On fire?
[End of 3rd; 75-61, WAS]

Update 7:54 p.m. ET: Flip being interviewed now, follow-ups from Antawn and the health of the team.  Criticized Young for being inconsistent at times, despite his current game.  True; Young did have a few inconsistent games, but of the Wizards last year off the bench, if Young was inconsistent, ouch.
Update 7:54 p.m. ET: 79-69, Washington cruising; 5:46 to go in fourth.
Update 8:05 p.m. ET: 84-78; almost three minutes left and the Cavs on the Wizards heels, Young tries tough shot gets fouled and heads to the free throw line for the first time.
Update 8:12 p.m. ET: Tied 84, J Critt dishes to Blatche for the and-1.  Cleveland answers, 87-86.  41.3 to go.  Now would be a good time for Young to pick up his first assist, but he will likely shoot until the end of the game.
Update 8:14 p.m. ET: Washington gets some leg room, 90-86.  Young will be interviewed post-game.  34 points on 13-for-19, but Washington playing ugly defense at the end here.  As noted by Truth About It and DCBOG, not the best fourth quarter for the Wiz.
Update 8:19 p.m. ET: 96-93, Washington, Final Score.  36 for Nick Young, 21 for Blatche and 10 rebounds.  6 points and 8 assists for Critt.  Cavs' Kinsey with 22 points, Eyenga with 17 points off the bench.  Young on deck, cut out for ... Mike D'Antoni?
[End of Game; 96-93, WAS]

Well, the end of game Young interview was cut off for New York Knicks post-game chatter (their game ended about a half hour earlier), so I'll check tomorrow morning after NBA.com recodes the video to see if the clipped interview is still there.  But I will say this, Young's performance tonight was by far the best of the Summer League, soured by poor defense, but Washington hangs on to win their first of five games.  More tomorrow.

Summer League Schedule:

Summer League Scoreboard
Monday, July 13th, 2009
• Game 13: D-League Select vs MIN (96-91)
• Game 14: PHX vs DAL (95-90)
• Game 15: POR vs TOR (87-92)
• Game 16: LAL vs LAC (82-93)
• Game 17: DET vs GSW (69-97)
• Game 18: MIL vs SAC (91-86)
[Complete Scoreboard]

Other than Pech's double-double, Minnesota got another nice performance from point guard Jonny Flynn, who had 12 points and 14 assists, but his 6 turnovers give him an average of 6.5 over two games.  Dakota Wizards player Will Frisby scored 8 points and picked up 5 rebounds in just over 17 minutes of play for the D-League Select.

Robin Lopez had an outstanding debut game for Phoenix with 24 points and 16 rebounds in a victory over Dallas.  Those Lopez brothers can play.  Ahmad Nivins picked up 3 blocks for Dallas but didn't capture the offensive edge he showcased earlier in the Summer League.

The Lakers' Adam Morrison stay ahead of the Summer League pack with his experience.  After three games he is averaging 22 points and 5 rebounds per game.  Stephen Curry isn't far behind with 22.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while Warriors' teammate Anthony Randolph has an amazing 21.7 points and 10.3 rebounds average after three games. 

The Warrior duo absolutely demolished Detroit, however, Morrison and the Lakers had no answer for the 27 points and 12 rebounds performance by Blake Griffin in his debut for the Clips.

After a first game let-down, Jennings has turned it on for the Bucks.  In his third game, his line of 13 points, 14 assists, and 7 steals proves the 19-year-old will have plenty of room to grow in Milwaukee.  Teammate Joe Alexander also had a break-out game with 24 points and 7 rebounds.

Monday's Player of the Day
While everyone is looking at Griffin and expecting the world, I have to give Monday's honors to Robin Lopez.  24 points and 16 rebounds to go along with 2 blocks and a steal, 10-for-12 at the free throw line.  More dominant than Griffin's performance and more efficient (although Griffin's commanding 7-0 start in the first quarter was pretty impressive).
 

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