Official Summer League Thread...

[IzakDavid13]

Introducing the Houston Rockets Summer League Team!

No. Name

13 Zoran Dragic



14 Kyle Fogg



9 Courtney Fortson



45 Jerai Grant



16 Manny Harris



32 Eli Holman



6 Terrence Jones



1 Jeremy Lamb



10 Jai Lucas



15 Scott Machado



2 Marcus Morris



20 Donatas Motiejunas



26 Diamon Simpson



0 Greg Smith



30 Royce White




I would love to know your thoughts on our summer league team, and who you believe has the best potential to make the Roster.

[IzakDavid13]

And of course....

25 Chandler Parsons

[Cstyle42]

Ok... This team rocks we're going undefeated.

[Moonscope]

I find it interesting that 2 players in our roster have played in the Australian basketball league - NBL.

Jerai Grant - Sydney Kings
Diamon Simpson - Adelaide 36ers.

[rocketblaze]

I can see us keeping one of the PG's ... outside of that and of course our rookies and sophomores, I don't see anyone else making the roster.

However I do look forward to seeing how Motiejunas, Lamb and White play together.

Also can't wait to see some of the match ups this year, like Lamb vs. Beal or Jones/White vs Robinson. Should be great!!

[IzakDavid13]

Originally Posted by Moonscope I find it interesting that 2 players in our roster have played in the Australian basketball league - NBL. Jerai Grant - Sydney Kings Diamon Simpson - Adelaide 36ers.

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

We use to have an awesome league Down Under, but recently due to mismanagement, and lack of marketing insight it has been on the decline.

Sad really.

[Krizzle]

Macadonia

[rocketblaze]

Also did anyone notice that Jeremy Lamb's jersey# is going to be the infamous #1

That number has been associated with some of the most talked about polar figures on the BBS (McGrady, Ariza and T-Will). Hopefully Jeremy Lamb breaks the trend that's been going on since McGrady had that micro-fracture knee surgery in 08-09.

[True Rocket]

Nice thread...Rep'd.

Scott Machado will be our summer league starting Point Guard and should make the team seeing the Rockets don't have a lot of options at the point on our current roster. Scott is a true play maker who will have a fun time with this team. I expect him to average 7-10 APG with all of his scoring weapons in Lamb, Morris, Harris, Donuts, ect. This is the best team the Rockets have brought to Vegas.

[IzakDavid13]

Originally Posted by rocketblaze I can see us keeping one of the PG's ... outside of that and of course our rookies and sophomores, I don't see anyone else making the roster. However I do look forward to seeing how Motiejunas, Lamb and White play together. Also can't wait to see some of the match ups this year, like Lamb vs. Beal or Jones/White vs Robinson. Should be great!!

I really like Eli Holman, He is a 6'10" 260lb beast!

Zoran Dragic and Scott Machado also look good.

I am also very excited about our rookies, would've liked to have drafted a center but can't cry over that now.

Go Rockets!!!

[zzpot]

Does any one have the stream links for watching the summer league games?

Have the schedule's for the games been posted yet? Who plays when, times, dates.

Thanks.

zzpot.

[T-Yao]

LOL first of all love the pictures you chose..hahaha
second. just get dragic, forget the other one, we'll take Z Drag

[J-Red]

I Hope Lamb, White, And D-Mo prove to be great pick-ups and Parsons will be there to show them the ropes at summer league I guess. If White can prove to be able to run a little point, which so many people are hoping he can given our current situation, we may not keep anyone from summer league who we did not draft. Whatever we do, I don't want us to keep Fortson on board. A smaller Aaron Brooks type player without AB's scoring and Predator Hair... No Thank You

[DAROckets]

Originally Posted by zzpot Does any one have the stream links for watching the summer league games? Have the schedule's for the games been posted yet? Who plays when, times, dates. Thanks. zzpot.

They are supposed to show all of the games on NBA TV ... Not sure if those guys have anything online.

[IzakDavid13]

Originally Posted by zzpot Does any one have the stream links for watching the summer league games? Have the schedule's for the games been posted yet? Who plays when, times, dates. Thanks. zzpot.

http://www.nba.com/rockets/sites/roc...league2012.pdf

[JayGoogle]

Have to wait until Friday :/

I think Forbes, Machado may make the team. Smith may make it as well if we go into the season without a center...

[IzakDavid13]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Eli-Holman-6231/

Eli Holman 6'9" 260lbs


By Joey Whelan.

Eli Holman's collegiate career - though blessed with quality play each of the last two seasons - has been a rollercoaster of off the court troubles. Following his freshman season at Indiana, the former top-100 high school recruit decided to transfer to Detroit under the suspect circumstances, allegedly being involved in a tantrum with Hoosiers coach Tom Crean. Then, this past off-season, Holman was involved in an undisclosed incident at a Detroit fraternity house that currently has him suspended indefinitely from the Titans roster. In spite of all that, his size, production and potential are enough that pro teams will at least have him on their radar should he return to the court this season.

Standing 6-9, with a chiseled frame and an excellent wingspan, the senior has the necessary build to handle the physicality of being a frontcourt player in the NBA. He's also an above average athlete, running the court well and elevating quickly off the floor for strong finishes at the rim.

Holman spends the majority of his time around the basket, with 91.1% of his shots coming around the rim or from posting up according to Synergy Sports. His efficiency numbers on the block are excellent (.966 points per possession, 57% shooting), but he is certainly able to get away with more at this level than he would against NBA level defenders. He seals exceptionally well thanks to his large frame and strength, establishing position inside is no problem for him. Holman's back-to-the-basket game isn't all that refined however. He is much more comfortable going to dominant his left hand inside and regularly goes to a jump hook which has nice touch when he isn't rushed, but he tends to force the issue sometimes.

There are two main areas where he gets himself into trouble presently when posting up - first is awareness. There are times where Holman receives the ball and immediately begins attempting to execute a move without establishing his place on the court. This often yields poor angels on shots or turnovers along the baseline when he realizes he's trapped himself. He also needs to significantly improve how he handles double teams - plain and simple, he can't. When defenses came with a hard double team Holman tends to either shuffle his feet in panic or force errant passes.


He's a tireless offensive rebounder – ranking as one of the top returning players in our database in this respect. His high intensity level, combined with his excellent length and strength allow him to excel on the glass. In order to have any chance at the NBA he will have to continue to attack rebounding with this same fervor.

When stepping away from the basket there is a definite drop off in productivity. Holman's shooting numbers aren't great, just 30% shooting on jumpers on 69% shooting from the free throw line. Still these marks are improvements from the previous season, at least showing some degree of progression. The thing is, Holman's shooting form isn't all that bad when he's comfortable and can catch the ball in one fluid move. His motion is a bit long, but he hurts himself with an inconsistent release point. Becoming a little more regular in this regard would surely help his numbers. He also isn't much of a threat to attack off the dribble from the mid-range, looking out of place and uncomfortable here.

Thanks to his physical tools, Holman has excellent potential on the defensive end. It hasn't all come together for him at this stage, though. In the post he has the bulk to hold his own and has no problem bodying up opposing players and changing shots with his smothering length, but his poor fundamentals often work against him. His awareness is average and he doesn't always put the work in early enough to prevent opponents from getting off good looks against him. When stepping further away from the basket though he is very much out of his element, often getting burned by his indecision on when to close on shooters versus playing the dribble drive. He isn't quick or smart enough to consistently guard face-up power forwards away from the paint, but shows enough prowess to handle playing fifteen feet and in.

Holman currently faces an uphill battle to the NBA. His physical profile are very good for a power forward, but his average skill-level and advanced age don't work in his favor. There's also the big question of his off the court issues that have been somewhat of a trend in his career. Pro teams may take a chance of a physical specimen with massive upside or a supremely skilled player with these kinds of issues, but for a borderline at best player like Holman, they could prove his downfall if he doesn't get his career together.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz206kgkWfv
http://www.draftexpress.com

[Juxtaposed Jolt]

Kyle Fogg's picture = wtf

[IzakDavid13]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jerai-Grant-5523/

Jerai Grant, son of Harvey Grant. 6'8" 220lbs


When we last checked in on Jerai Grant back in October, we reflected on the very basic role he played offensively in his first three seasons at Clemson. Feeding almost exclusively off hustle plays at that juncture, Grant has continued to do the dirty work for the Tigers down low this season, but has seen his role expand significantly in the wake of Trevor Booker's departure. Though the expansion of his role hasn't meant much to his NBA potential, it played a significant role in Clemson's surprise NCAA Tournament bid.

Seeing nearly twice as many possessions this season than he did last season, Grant carved out a niche for himself as Clemson's top interior scoring threat. Spending the spring and summer working on his post repertoire, Grant showed developing footwork and the ability to score with basic drop-step and up-and-under moves. Converting 47% of his 3.2 post-up shot attempts per-game according to Synergy Sports Technology, Grant showed the ability to have his way with small front lines on the college level, but struggled against more athletic front-courts.

Grant's increased usage also extended to the midrange, where he attempted less than one jumper per-contest, but flashed the ability to step away from the rim for the first time. Lacking a degree of fluidity in his release, Grant didn't spend too much time facing up and putting the ball on the floor despite his quickness, but knocked down an occasion catch-and-shoot jumper and made significant strides at the charity stripe—boosting his percentages from 59% last season to 71%.

While Grant showed some degree of development in his skill level, his role at the next level won't include situations where he'll be creating offensive chances for himself, making his development as a post threat and jump shooter more of a bonus than a selling point. Ultimately, Grant will be asked to do many of the same things that we described as his strengths in our last report when he was playing next to Trevor Booker: catch and finish, rebound, set screens, and defend.

An explosive athlete, Grant is at his best when his teammates are creating shot for him at the basket. Finishing at a 62.4% rate around the rim, Grant is a hard-worker and does a nice job staying active down low. Showing very solid quickness, he does a nice job filling lanes in transition and flashing to the rim when he sees an opening.

A capable rebounder on both ends, Grant does a fantastic job pursuing the ball off the rim, has very good hands, and is capable of rebounding outside of his area. This season, Grant's rebounding numbers on the offensive end have slipped a bit. A lot of that has to do with his increased usage, as he isn't the type of DeJuan Blair-style rebounder that can hold position and regularly cleans up his own misses. He's at his best when he can crash the glass from the midrange and use his speed to his advantage.

Grant's mobility is a key part of his defensive presence as well. Possessing good lateral quickness and playing with very strong intensity, the Maryland native can hedge the pick and roll very effectively out on the perimeter, and deny penetration consistently from the midrange. He does a fine job in the post thanks to his length and leaping ability, but struggles to hold position against stronger players and is too susceptible to fakes at this point in his career. It will be important for him to continue to add the bulk necessary to defend the post in one-on-one situations and box out stronger forwards to augment his presence as a shot blocker and versatility on that end of the floor.

By no means is Grant a glamorous NBA prospect, but he has experience doing a number of things that NBA teams value, and has a strong pedigree coming from a family of professional basketball players. His lack of size and offensive polish are limiting factors, but if he can showcase his talents against his peers like he'll have the opportunity to at the Portsmouth Invitational, he could endear himself to NBA decision-makers with his work ethic.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz206mX4qnJ
http://www.draftexpress.com

[Dreamin]

WTF??? NBL players? Can you name a weaker league?