Entries Tagged 'Mike Conley Jr.' ↓

By Adam Kiefaber

Daequan Cook and Mike Conley Jr. both had their best performances in summer-league play on Thursday.

Cook led Miami with 21 points in the Heat’s 78-66 win over the Indiana Pacers. He didn’t just led his team in points, he also led his team in minutes played (35+), FGs made (8), FGs attempted (16), and he tied one other player on his team for the most threes made (2), most assists (3) and most steals (3).

On Wednesday, Cook struggled from the floor hitting one of seven shots for only three points. In over 23 minutes of play, Cook had three steals and committed a team-high six fouls. The Heat lost 77-66 to the Chicago Bulls.

Cook’s last game of the Pepsi Pro Pro Summer League takes place this afternoon. The Heat will play the tournament’s host, the Orlando Magic.

Mike Conley Jr. was impressive on Thursday night in summer-league play in Las Vegas. Conley led Memphis with 7 assists in the Grizzles 100-76 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. In just over 22 minutes of playing time, Conley scored 13 points, grabbed four rebounds and committed only one turnover. He was five of nine from the floor and he hit all three free throws.

Currently Conley is battling summer-league teammate Kyle Lowry for the starting point guard spot. In 23 minutes, Lowry scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds. However, Lowry had only two assists, hit only one of six shots from the floor and turned the ball over a team-high four times. Overall, Lowry is averaging 15.7 points in summer-league play compared to Conley, who is averaging 11.

Memphis’ point guard last year, Damon Stoudmire, figures to get less playing time this season.

Conley Jr. and Lowry will continue their battle when Memphis squares off with the Los Angeles Clippers tonight (FRI the 13) at 6pm EST.

Ron Lewis didn’t help his chances of making the Houston Rockets roster in their 98-94 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.

Lewis missed all seven shots he took from the floor. However, he did hit all four free throws, finishing with four points and three rebounds in just over 12 minutes of play. Part of Lewis’ struggle to score could be related to the impressive play of summer-league teammate and guard Aaron Brooks (Oregon). Last night, Brooks scored 28 points and in the Rockets’ first game he scored 21.

The Rockets play tonight (FRI the 13) at 10pm EST against the Washington Wizards.

The 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas ends this Sunday- July 15th.

By Adam Kiefaber

Daequan Cook was the second-leading scorer for the Miami Heat in their first Summer League game against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Cook scored 13 points in Miami’s 88-74 loss to Charlotte. In just over 22 minutes, Cook hit three of four three-point shots, was four of four at the free-throw line and had two assists. Cook played well on the defense side of the ball while guarding Adam Morrison. Morrison hit only two of six shots from the floor. However, Cook did commit six fouls and Morrison scored 10 of his 14 points on the free-throw line.

Mike Conley Jr. is writing a blog detailing his Summer League experience at Conley Jr. Summer League Blog.

It is unclear how Conley Jr. did in last night’s 80 to 78 loss to the Detroit Pistons. I believe these stats are correct: Conley Jr. scored eight points and had three assists with two turnovers. However, NBA.com (one of the worst sites ever) has Conley Jr. listed as the center and had him playing 92 minutes for the Memphis Grizzles last night. Conley’s next game will be Thursday evening at 6pm EST against Cleveland.

Ron Lewis will see his first action tonight when the Houston Rockets face the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30pm EST. Hopefully, Lewis will receive some good playing time.

Oden’s next game is Wednesday night at 10:30pm EST when the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Los Angeles Lakers.

By Adam Kiefaber

The NBA Draft will take place a week from today on June 28th. The coverage will start at 7:00 p.m. (eastern) on ESPN.

Normally, the Buckeyes are not known for producing NBA talent. In the last five drafts Ohio State has not had a single player taken in either the first or second rounds of the draft. Also, no Buckeye in the last 14 drafts has been taken in the first round.

This year’s draft is practically guaranteed to have the first ever Ohio State player to be taken first overall in Greg Oden. Another Buckeye, Mike Conley Jr., should be selected in the top ten. Also, Daequan Cook is expected to go in the first round while Ron Lewis might be picked in the second round.

The last first round pick from Ohio State was in 1992 when the Dallas Mavericks picked Jim Jackson fourth overall. The last Buckeye to be drafted was in 2001 when the Miami Heat took Ken Johnson 49th overall. Johnson played in only 16 games in his NBA career. In 2000, Ohio State had two players taken in the second round. Michael Redd was taken 43rd overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and now is an NBA all-star. Scoonie Penn was the second to last pick of that draft and couldn’t make the Atlanta Hawks roster.

NBA.com features a consensus mock draft that lists 16 different mock drafts from all over the Internet. In all 16 mock drafts, Greg Oden is listed as the first overall pick, which belongs to the Portland Trail Blazers. At worst Oden could end up being the second overall pick if Portland chooses Kevin Durant.

In the 16 mock drafts, Conley’s draft position ranges from third to 11th overall. The Atlanta Hawks hold the third and 11th picks in the first round. There is no chance that Atlanta will pass on Conley twice.

Many Buckeye fans question the choice Daequan Cook has made by leaving Ohio State for the NBA (see Should Daequan Cook Dip Out of NBA Draft?). According to the mock drafts (14 of 16 have listed picks past the top 14), Cook’s draft position ranges from 23rd overall to not being taken in the first round. Four mock drafts have Cook going to the New York Knicks (23rd overall). Other mock drafts have Cook going to Philadelphia (21st overall), Phoenix (24th and 29th overall), Utah (25th overall) and Houston (26th overall). Two mock drafts have Cook being passed over in the first round.

In my mind, Ron Lewis could be the steal of this draft. In Ohio State’s last 10 games (including the NCAA tournament) Lewis averaged 17 points a game. Also, he scored 27 points in the overtime win over Xavier in the NCAA tournament as well as 25 points in the one-point win over Tennessee in the Sweet 16. However, Lewis could be the steal of the draft because no one thinks that he will be drafted. Only five of the 16 mock drafts list a complete rundown of the second round and none of them have Lewis being selected.

ESPN.com lists 100 prospects in their draft database and Ivan Harris is not among them. There are only 60 picks in the draft.