Summer League: Day 2

July 12, 12:25 PMWashington Wizards ExaminerGeorge Panagakos

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Without Etan Thomas (left) Washington is in need of a third
center/power forward to anchor the middle.  Will they find
one over the summer? (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Washington Wizards held their first mini-camp practice Saturday, with Dwayne Anderson in place of Jason Rich.  The team put their workouts to use and will begin their second day of training today.  Meanwhile, Washington's first Summer League opponent, the Cleveland Cavaliers, fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in their first exhibition.

Anderson, a four year prospect forward/guard out of Villanova, did a little bit of everything last year, as he averaged 9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.  The 6'6" Silver Spring, Maryland, native replaced Jason Rich, a smaller scoring guard out of Florida State. 

It will be hard for Anderson to find room on the Wizards' roster, which needs a decent third string center or center/power forward the most.  With Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton at point guard, Washington could still use a third string point guard, but the majority of guys on the Wizards' Summer League roster are combo guard types and forward/guards like Anderson.  Mike James and Randy Foye represent possible rotations at the Wizards' point for next season and Crittenton could very well battle it out with Foye for a final position.

Between Caron Butler, Dominic McGuire, and Andray Blatche, Washington has enough passing from their forwards to give them comfort come next season, but rebounding is a concern.  Last season the combo of Blatche and McGuire did not yield rebounds on a consistent basis and how McGuire responds over the summer will determine his new role on the team under Head Coach Flip Saunders.  Rebounding numbers change dramatically the higher the level of physical competition, but if Washington finds a diamond like the Lakers' Ben McCauley (any relation to Janie McCauley?) so far in this year's Summer League, the Wizards' frontcourt depth chart might change.

Over the summer, the referees, players, and coaches, are all getting warmed up.  In fact, the summer should highlight Washington's assistant coaches more so than Flip.  We might even see Wizards' assistant coach Sam Cassell break some headlines (I'm still not convinced Washington can keep the man off the court).

If you have Twitter, you can follow the Summer League action via NBA's own Summer League Twitter.  Yep, even their Summer League has a Twitter account.  Just whatever you do, don't mistake this guy for NBATV's Rick Kamla, or else he will go off on a Twitter rant.

Summer League Scoreboard
Saturday, July 11th, 2009
• Game 5: TOR vs DET (87-91)
• Game 6: LAL vs CLE (88-82)
• Game 7: GSW vs SAC (98-95)
• Game 8: HOU vs DAL (98-95)

Do you remember what I said yesterday about most of the Summer League games ending up dismal?  Saturday was unbelievable, and featured the first overtime of this year's Summer League as the Golden State Warriors went on to defeat the Sacramento Kings.

The Warriors have three prospects that shined yesterday in Anthony Randolph, Cartier Martin, and Stephen Curry.  Curry had a break-out game with 29 points and 6 rebounds.  This guy can flat out score.

And the Pistons are looking good.  Austin Daye (19 points, 8 rebounds) has Lamar Odom-like ball control in his 6'10" frame and Tayshaun Prince defense potential, while DaJuan Summers (19 points, 6 rebounds) did everything from reverse lay-ups to power jams (plus he knocked down all four of his free throws, something Daye couldn't quite manage).  In addition to their post play skills, both of the big men can knock it down from three point land with ease as well.  Scary.

Saturday's Player of the Day
It's hard to choose a best yesterday, but my pick has to be the Dallas Mavs' Rodrigue Beaubois.  This French kid is incredible, Tony Parker speed with a higher vert (39") plus a three point range.  The guy knocked down 7-for-12 from behind the arc yesterday against the Rockets, 12-for-21 from the field overall, for 34 points in just under 33 minutes of play.  Unfortunately for Dallas, the Rockets pulled away with a three point victory, and for that I have to highlight Houston's Chase Budinger, whose 25 points in about 22 1/2 minutes of play off the bench sparked the Rockets to victory.  Oh yeah, Beaubois also had 8 assists and 5 rebounds in the loss.

The Warriors Anthony Randolph also deserves a nod.  24 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks.  I bet NBATV's Rick Kamla was all over that one.  Tyreke Evans also had a better showing yesterday with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in the loss to Golden State.

 

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