[ANALYSIS] Post summer league critique of the youngsters

Clutch, I didn't see a similar thread. If i missed it, please merge.




Now that Summer League is over (for the Rockets anyway), would like everyone's thoughts (good and bad) on our youngsters.

My observations are based on no Howard, no Bynum so take with a grain of salt as things may change of course.


Jeremy Lamb - A-

Offense - Lamb is indeed a flat out scorer. He can score outside, inside, on the break, you name it. Kevin Martin clone? Pretty close. He is a bit of a black hole, forcing some shots that in summer league he can get away with against lesser defenders. He had a couple of nice passes in traffic, would like to see more of that. As of now, would appear he is the default starter at SG. With Lin as his backcourt partner, it would seem there is a high probability that the ball will be dominated by the backcourt. If Martin was gone and we had kept Lee, it would have been neat to see Lee start and Lamb come off the bench in a James Harden like offensive role.

I missed about 8-10% of the summer league games, but I don't recall seeing Lamb run off screens at all or spotting up looking for passes out of the post (double teams). This may not be his game.

Defense - His body reminds me of Stacey Augmon. Wirey, skinny, long arms. Point here is, he can separate himself from the K-Mart comparisons if he puts the work in. IMO, no reason for him not to be a plus defender (ball hawk?) in time. Other summer league guards seemed to penetrate at will on him. If he improves on D, with long arms, he could not only be a good defender on other 2s, but think he could seem some time guarding 1s depending on matchups.

Again, will be interesting to see how Lin and he co-exist in the backourt together if both play big minutes.

Royce White - B

Offense - In the last game against Chicago, someone had mentioned how much more effective he can be if he could draw double teams in the post. I think he is a long way away from that, but there is potential. He definitely has a knack for low post scoring (off of put backs mostly), but his moves appear to be limited. If he works on his post game (especially if he plays the 3), he could be a serious weapon. As far as an outside game, I saw zero mid range game from him. If he is indeed a 3, he is going to have to develop a respectable mid-range game.

Defense - He can definitely hold his own down low and I think he will be a good rebounder. Guarding 3s out on the perimeter? Like Lamb, quite a few folks just drove right past him. Some have mentioned that his body type reminds of Charles Barkley. I think that is spot on. Barkley was a bit "pudgy" when he came into the league and really toned up as he entered his prime. Would like to see him tone up and maybe lose 10 lbs or so so he is a little quicker on the perimeter. For now, I think he has a chance to lead the league in fouls per minute.

White definitely has the make of a leader and maybe even an enforcer type. Every great team needs someone like him.

T. Jones - A

Offense - I had no idea this guy had the ball handling abilities that he has. Saw him grab rebounds and take the ball up leading the break. Was very impressed with his ability to take his man off the dribble. Being left handed, he is obviously most comfortable going left. He will need to develop the ability to go right to keep his man honest. His jumper, well, its slow and ugly, but like White, if he can develop one out to mid-range, he will be fine. Had a couple of nice passes that I recall after facing up and taking his man off the dribble. Read some things that say he is a tweener. I don't agree at all. IMO, his future is at the 4, with spot minutes at the 5 depending on matchups. I think he is tough enough to handle the 5 on occasion, and his ability to face up and drive it inside could create a huge matchup problem at times against big plodding centers.

Defense - Love his rebounding, especially offensively. Appears to be plenty strong and athletic, so despite being "undersized" (hey since when is 6'10" 252lbs considered undersized? lol), I think he can handle the 4 just fine. Like White, I don't see him being able to handle the 3 postion at all defensively.

Not sure how effective he would be as a starter, at least, for the near future. I think he has the potential to excel off the bench next year. He reminds me of Roy Tarpley for some reason. Tarpley was a bit leaner, better jumper, but was super 6 big man off the bench for some of those great Mav teams of the late 80s.

D. Montiejunas - A+

Offense - Unlike most on here, I haven't see him play or even highlights. All I have to go off of is what I saw in summer league and I was impressed. I see folks sticking him at the 5 and I know he played there in SL, but I just don't see it in the regular season, not mainly anyway. He needs another 15 lbs or so to play there consistently. His offensive game, wow, way more diverse than I could have imagined, almost Scola like in that he is a scorer and can hurt you many different ways (much better range than Scola though). McHale is a perfect coach for him to work with. His release is very quick for a big man. His flat footed jumper worries me against long athletic big men. Wouldn't surprise me to see him averaging between 14-18 PPG if he is a 2nd or 3rd option this year.

Defense - I like his hustle. Moves his feet real well and I like how he consistently flashed out when defending the PnR, although he got caught out of position a few times when doing this (no big deal IMO). Good rebounder obviously, he has a nose for the ball but he needs a bit more weight as he was pushed around battling for position, especially in the Sacramento game. I think his pride alone will eventually allow him to be a slightly above average defender, at worst.

Overall, I love his attitude and confidence. He has a really nasty disposition and I think he is going to regularly get under people's skins (which can be a good thing). Also love that he is a lefty. I think he could be a real matchup problem for opposing 4s with his ability to work outside and inside.

M. Morris - Inc.

Offense - Not going to say much here because quite frankly, he didn't play as much as our "Big 4". He showed flashes of some decent offensive. He can obviously play/shoot outside and has adequate range. Made a few nice passes, but I don't think you want the ball in his hands creating his own shot or leading the offense. His future may be most effective off the ball spotting up mid-range or cutting to the basket. Curious as to why he didn't see as much time as some of the others as you would think the Rockets wanted to "showcase" him for a trade. My conclusion was he hasn't been serious discussed as part of a Howard/Bynum trade.

Defense - I am going to let someone else grade him here. Nothing of note stuck out to me.

S. Machado - B-

Offense - If he is your starter, you are in trouble. I think he could carve out a fine career in limited minutes as a backup against lesser PGs. His outside game is solid, but I think most teams will play him straight up, not fearing his shooting or his driving. Was able to get by his man and into the lane a few times, but I don't see that happening much against legit competition.

Defense - Not much observation here, but he does not appear to be either quick or athletic. Again, if Lin is injured and Machado has to guard starting 1s for big minutes, we are in trouble.

I really think Morey may try to find a veteran point guard for 12-13 to backup Lin and keep Machado in street clothes or the D league to see if he can grow into a competent backup PG for 13-14 and beyond.

Z. Dragic - D

Offense - I may have missed it, but did he make any outside shots? He seemed to be more comfortable mid-range/inside. Didn't observe anything good/bad as far as passing.

Defense - Nothing of note on my end.

His future is D league fodder or bust. Like Machado, maybe Morey can find a veteran backup for Lamb as I don't see any other candidates to play the 2.

G. Forbes - unk

Offense - Nothing of note stuck out, but seemed to recall him being active.

Defense - Again, nothing of note stuck out.

Based on what he did at the end of last year, can this guy play 2 at all? lol I wish. Definitely a keeper it seems and should be in uniform every game.

 

Edited thanks.

 

..I had you in mind buddy when I made it.

 

Yeah obviously White's passing was a joy to watch. McHale mentioned during the Chicago game that he felt White is much more comfortable passing than scoring.

Anyway, sorry I left out White's passing. His handles/passing are his biggest asset by far, although he tries to make the spectacular pass a bit too often for my taste.