Players Notes
Anthony BennettThe rookie who was most affected by free agency was the #1 overall pick, Anthony Bennett. Bennett was drafted into a front-court which already boasted Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao, and Tyler Zeller. New head coach, Mike Brown commented that Bennett would have to *earn* his minutes. What limited minutes Bennett could have earned was then further cut by the signing of Earl Clark. The Cavs have also extended a two year offer to Andrew Bynum. Bynum has yet to sign the deal, but regardless, Bennett will be lucky to crack 15 minutes per game this season.
If you believe the "Bennett to play some SF" stories, just remember the Cavs already have Gee & Miles, stated Clark will get SF minutes, and drafted Karasev. Given the Cavs playoffs-or-bust mentality for this upcoming season, when push comes to shove, Clark and Gee will get the SF minutes.
Kelly Olynyk
The player who helped himself the most during summer league was Kelly Olynyk. In a matter of a few games, he went from being super ridiculed (including by me) to the next Dirk Nowitzki. I am holding off judgement for now, but I would have still preferred Antetokounmpo.
Regardless, Olynyk showed off a polished offensive game. Given the Celtics rebuild and the lack of overall impact of this draft class, he should rate very high in his rookie season.
Dennis Schröder
I had high hope for Schröder, but after Danny Ferry matched the 4 year offer to Teague, he became an afterthought. In a blink of an eye, he went from potential starter to potential forgotten man. Kendall Marshall went through the same thing last year. It's never a good situation when a rookie is draft behind a young starter like Teague. Derrick Williams went through the same thing in Minnesota. Perhaps Danny Ferry can do us all a favor and trade Schröder to a team who will develop and use him.
Rookie Of The Year
Ben McLemore
Outside of Marcus Thornton (more suited as a 6th man), McLemore has little competition for the King's starting SG job. McLemore should start and get all the minutes that he can handle. He didn't handle the draft pressure all that well, but perhaps he is more suited to the NBA.
All Rookie - First Team
Top players who have clear paths to minutes and production.Trey Burke - Starter in Utah, but will struggle a bit.
CJ McCollum - Not a starter, but should play big minutes
as a Harden'esque 6th man.
Victor Oladipo - Dominated summer league. The Magic will
find major minutes for the #2 pick.
Cody Zeller - Makes a nice inside-out combo with Big Al.
He should get a lot of minutes.
Otto Porter - Should start from day 1, but may lack
the stats to remain on the first team.
All Rookie - Second Team
These players are talented, but lack the starting job/big minute role to slide into. However, each should get better and acquire more playing time as the season progresses. Depending on injuries and opportunities, one or more of these players could move up to the All Rookie Team.MCW - Picture Rondo without a jump shot. His
over/under for FG%, is 37%, but will
leads all rookies in assists.
K. Caldwell-Pope - Pistons guard rotation is still a bit
murky, but KCP has a chance at big
minutes.
Kelly Olynyk - Was I so wrong about Dirk Olynyk?
Archie Goodwin - Great summer league so far. Suns starting
SG job is up for grabs.
All Dark Horse Team
These players are talented, but are later picks who lack the starting job/big minute role to slide into. However, each should get better and acquire more playing time as the season progresses. Depending on injuries and opportunities, one or more of these players could move up to one of the All Rookie Teams.Ray McCallum, Jr. - Opening some eyes in the summer league.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. - Knicks rookies always seem to have impact.
May get some early PT with Smith out and
Shump playing poorly.
Rudy Gobert - Playing well in the summer league. He's
better than I thought.
Glen Rice, Jr. - Lottery talent, but fell b/c of off court
issues. Solid summer league so far.
All 'Uh Oh' Team
In such a flat draft with so many questions lingering on some of the top players, a few of these guys will undoubtedly flop. These are your primary candidates.Alex Len - Bad sign, typed "Alex Len" into Google &
"alex len injury history" came up first.
Nerlens Noel - Undersized & 2 bad knee injuries.
Shabazz Muhammad - Poor summer league so far.
Shane Larkin - Broken ankle is a bad way to start off
an NBA career, especially for an undersized
PG.
All "Wait Until Next Year Or The Year After" Team
Euro stashes, DLeaguers, and raw prospects. When these players make thier impact on the NBA, it will likely be during the 2014/15 season... or beyond.Anthony Bennett - The Cavs overstuffed their front court.
No easy playing time for the #1 pick.
Dennis Schroeder - Stuck behind Teague for 4 years. Boooo!
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Giannis, welcome to the pine.
Sergey Karasev - Sergey Novak
Steven Adams - Your Austin Toros starting center!
Reggie Bullock - Good summer league, but buried on
the Clippers.
Livio Jean-Charles - In R. C. Buford we trust. Livio will
probably end up the best player in
the entire draft.
All Uninspiring Team
Player who lack star power and at best will become role players in the league. Yawn.Gorgui Dieng - Bad summer league so far.
Solomon Hill - Add the text 'DNP' next to his name.
Mason Plumlee - Championships aren't built on 23 y/o rookies.
Tony Snell - Summer league FG% 37, 3PT%: 18... yikes!
André Roberson - André, meet Kevin Love, now go grab some pine.
