Summer League Wrap

By Adam Kiefaber

The Summer League in Las Vegas ended on Sunday. Mike Conley Jr. showed that he might be ready to lead a team as a point guard during his rookie season. However, will have to split time with Kyle Lowry. Greg Oden showed that he could be in foul trouble this year by committing 19 fouls in two games (summer league rules allow a player 10 fouls before fouling out). And Ron Lewis might have not done enough to make the Houston Rockets’ roster.

The Pepsi Pro Summer League ended on Friday. Daequan Cook showed that he had the ability to be a big scorer (21 points in one game). However, Cook also showed that he might not be ready for the NBA as he struggled with his jumper (28% FG percentage in five games).

Mike Conley Jr. and his Memphis Grizzles played in two games this weekend. On Friday night, Conley finished with nine points, eight assists and four rebounds in over 26 minutes of playing time. On a negative note, Conley only hit two of 10 shots from the floor and committed six turnovers.

Throughout summer-league play Conley has been battling Kyle Lowry for what looks to be the starting point-guard spot. On Friday, Lowry came off the bench, finishing with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists in over 25 minutes of playing time.

Oh yeah, Memphis lost the game 90-84 to the Los Angeles Clippers.

On Saturday, Conley came off the bench in Memphis’ 102-91 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In over 29 minutes, Conley scored 15 points and dished out six assists. Again Conley struggled with his shooting (3-for-12) and his turnovers (4).

In the same game, Lowry scored 15 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists. Lowry committed five turnovers in just over 30 minutes of play.

In five games, Lowry averaged 16.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.8 turnovers.

During that same span, Conley averaged 11.4 points, 3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1 steal and 2.6 turnovers.

In Orlando, Daequan Cook’s Miami Heat wrapped up their summer-league play on Friday with a 63-57 win over the Magic.

Cook struggled from the floor, hitting only one of eight shots. He finished with five points, four rebounds and four turnovers.

In five games, Cook shot a terrible 28% from the floor (15 for 53). If you take out his best game (8 for 16 on Thursday), Cook’s FG percentage would be below 20%.

In five games, Cook averaged 9.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.8 turnovers.

Ron Lewis didn’t play in the Houston Rockets 74-69 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

Lewis did play in Saturday’s 90-76 win over the Sacramento Kings. In over 19 minutes, Lewis scored seven points, had two steals and three assists.

Last night, Lewis had his best game of summer-league play. He scored nine points in the Rockets 98-93 win over the New Orleans Hornets. In just over 20 minutes of playing time, Lewis grabbed two rebounds, had one assist, one steal and turned it over once.

Overall in four games (two starts), Lewis averaged 6.2 points, 2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, .8 steals and 1 turnover. During those four games, Lewis only averaged 18.2 minutes of playing time.

Greg Oden played in only two games for the Portland Trail Blazers before undergoing a tonsillectomy. During that span, Oden averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, .5 assists, 0 steals and 4 turnovers. Also, he averaged 24.5 minutes, 3 blocks and 9.5 fouls. Oden (1-for-8) shot 12.5% from the free-throw line.