Thanks Dr. of Dunk for those movies. From watching the movies, I was really impressed with Glover's abilty to create his own shot. I know it wasn't versus the best players, but he seemed better than the last time I saw him Atlanta. Baxter also looks thinner and a lot more mobile than his days in Maryland. Crispin has a nice touch.
DOD, you rule man! Thanks so much for the reacap and info. Man, it's great o read something about the team this time of the year. Everything is so slow right now, I love hearing something....anything, even if it's not good regarding out prospects. Thanks DOD! Go Rockets, and DoD!
**EDIT** - Now that I read it, it's mostly about Artest. WTF? Here's the Chron article: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3268705 Artest makes return as Rockets beat Indy MINNEAPOLIS — Shortly after Ron Artest knocked down his third jumper in four shots at the Minnesota summer league, one fan in the sparse crowd at Target Center leaped up to boldly proclaim, "Ron is back!" It was easily heard in the near-empty arena, and the Indiana Pacers couldn't be happier. The embattled forward returned to competitive action on Friday for the first time since being suspended for his role in the now infamous brawl with Detroit Pistons fans on Nov. 19. Artest had 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting, four steals and four rebounds in 35 minutes of a 72-64 loss to Houston. "It's been 73 games plus the playoffs, and finally to get back in front of some referees, that felt pretty good," Artest said. Artest missed the final 73 games of the regular season and all of the playoffs for fighting with fans in a frightening scene at The Palace. After tussling with Ben Wallace, Artest bolted into the stands after a fan whom he thought hit him in the face with a cup. The impending melee has been replayed endlessly on national television. Commissioner David Stern reacted swiftly and harshly, suspending Artest for the remainder of the season, Stephen Jackson for 30 games, and Jermaine O'Neal for 25, which was later reduced to 15. Now, Artest is trying to put that all behind him, playing with a group of rookies, unproven veterans and free agent journeymen in front of a smattering of fans in the NBA's summer league. "It's great to see him in a uniform," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's been a long time. This is a significant step, him being here, being back with the team." Even without Artest, Indiana gave the Pistons all they could handle, losing in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. With one of the best all-around players in the league back on an already talented roster, there are high hopes that the Pacers can join Miami and Detroit among the Eastern Conference elite. "I admire the kid," Pacers president Larry Bird said. "Not for what he did, but how he's come back and he's worked and he's done things to improve himself. I look for a great year out of him." Physically, he looked like he never missed a game. His trademark sculpted physique was there, as was the intensity in his eyes and the tirelessness of his work ethic. But he labored a little bit midway through the first half, breathing heavily and wound up with five turnovers. "Mentally I felt rusty because I haven't been out there in so long," Artest said. "I was thinking, 'Just take your time.' I was trying to approach it like a playoff game where you have to be poised." Artest hit the first shot he took, a 3-pointer from the left elbow and scored 11 points in the first quarter. He began to tire as the first half wore on, allowing an easy drive to the basket by Dion Glover, and forcing a few shots on the offensive end. "I think he was a little nervous," said Pacers assistant Dan Burke, who is coaching the summer league team. "He was pressing a little bit. I sensed he was jittery. I can't blame him. Even though it's summer league, it's a big step for him." But all in all, Artest looked similar to the player who won the defensive player of the year award in 2004, and just as mischievous. During one Rockets possession in the second quarter, Artest leaped out to the corner to try and block a 3-point attempt by David Bluthenthal. Artest slapped Bluthenthal on the arm as he let the shot go and it swished through without a foul being called. Artest flashed a devilish smile and headed back up court, clearly happy to be where he feels he belongs. Afterward, he was hesitant to talk much about his punishment or that fateful night, instead focusing on the future. "I'm not trying to think about happened," he said. "I just want to move on." "I think I missed him more than he missed us," Bird joked. Not likely. In other news • Report: Divac is done — Los Angeles Lakers veteran Vlade Divac will retire because of a back injury, ending a 16-year career, a Serbian news agency reported. Divac, 37, was quoted by Sportska Centrala as saying that he won't be able to return from a back injury that limited him to 15 games last season. He averaged 2.3 points. • Bogut sees action — Top draft pick Andrew Bogut blocked three shots, scored seven points and was called for five fouls while playing 28 minutes in his summer league debut for the Milwaukee Bucks against the host Minnesota Timberwolves.
Doc, I see you secretly recorded Jeff talking to Kevin McHale about the moochie for KG swap . Thanks for the great pictures and videos.
So Badman wasted 2 years in Europe learning NOTHING, except putting up 18 lb of fat? This is sad. Maybe he should play in NBDL or CBA for 2 years instead of spending 2 years in Europe.
I was at the game and have some photos too but I think I can't post them. Summary of the game for badiane: The good: - average position on the defensive end (good fronting defense on his man) - understands help defense (looks out for man getting in the lane) - great size and arms length. - good blocks - humble and seems eager to fit in - good effort and looks fit - Takes care of the ball when he has it (secures the ball and passes ok) The bad : - relies too much on his arm's length - slow leaper - slow reactions - 'steals' rebounds from his teammates (instead of focusing on blocking-out) - can be pushed out of position Bottom line, he really needs to work on his quickness (will be tough) and/or his bulk. I don't think he will be efficient at his current weight (a la Garnett). => He needs to bulk up I think it will indeed take 2 to 3 years before he can contribute in the NBA BUT I do not think he will not be able to develop this in a european league, his best bet here is to be actually groomed by the rockets staff (physical trainer especially) and train against tougher competition. He is wasting his time in a european league , he should be hired at the minimum to be on the injured list, or in NBDL. But it is the first game... About the game, Dion Glover and Lonnie Baxter are probably the least interesting to single out for this game. THey really brought things that were already known about them. I especially did really like how Dion lead (and he was the leader out there) the team. He was taking too much on himself. But this was probably caused by the system caused. I'll do individual recaps if I have time later on: Players that caught my attention were: Luther Head (now I know why he is draft selected! good player...) Hollis Price (too bad his face looks so much younger than his actual age) Cory Violette (didnt play much but I understand why he was selected when he played) David Bluthenthal (surprised he could keep up with Artest at times)
Can't edit so I 'll correct on another post: You have to read BUT I do not think he will be able to develop this in a european league, his best bet here is to be actually groomed by the rockets staff (physical trainer especially) and train against tougher competition. And I especially did NOT really like how Dion lead (and he was the leader out there) the team. He was taking too much on himself. But this was probably caused by the system caused.
Many thanks for the game recap DoD. It's things like this that make this site the best. Thanks for the pics also. ps... hope photographer isn't your day job.
lol. Hey man, they all looked good on the little lcd screen on the camera... then I downloaded them onto my laptop and said "what the heck happened?!". I dunno the difference between an f-stop and a shortstop.
The starters (and left to right in the pic above) were : #17 - Lonnie Baxter #16 - Malick Badiane #3 - Joe Crispin #4 - Luther Head #5 - Dion Glover
Glover is indeed #5. But what's funny is Glover is 6'5" but looks shorter than 6'3" Luther Head. Here's Glover's Yahoo Profile http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3343 Glover is more of a scorer type player and can create his own shot. He is pretty young so in the Rockets efforts to get younger and more athletic, they might be interested in giving him a serious look at training camp.
One thing I neglected to mention was that as I was walking across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe, I noticed none other than the great Dan Langhi and a bunch of 6'5"+ people walking towards me. He was with the Bucks team I guess and walking to their game. Interesting hair Dan had - blonde on top and dark everywhere else... looked like a big ol' Backstreet Boy. The sad thing was that Dan's knee was bandaged and he was hobbling. So there you go... my brush with greatness...
I've kinda always liked Glover also. In ATL when he started, he played pretty well. That one yr when they had sar and played pretty well down the stretch, he was a contributor
Yeah he is one of those players you could count on for double digit points...he is a scorer and not much else really...
