[cbs sportsline] Summer grades: Charting youngsters' progress

Didn't see this posted yet, but lock it up if it has.

http://sportsline.com/nba/story/9580017


First of all, there are two things to keep in mind before reading this column. One, this is about summer league play. Two, there are no certainties ever in summer league play commentary.


Marvin Williams is taking on the role of Atlanta's go-to scorer. (Getty Images)
Cats playing in Europe are often summer league heroes. Then they end up earning an overseas paycheck. Rookies who are written off turn around to dominate and excite.

That said, we're heading into August, so let's focus on what (and who) went down the past two months (outside of free-agent negotiations and the Olympic tryouts):

The red marker is out.

Atlanta: Marvin Williams, MVP of the Rocky Mountain Revue, played aggressively and became comfortable as a go-to scorer. That's big. Atlanta can feel more at ease with Al Harrington's impending departure. Top pick Shelden Williams had his moments and appears to fill the bill as the defender/rebounder Atlanta covets. Southpaw Salim Stoudamire's shooting elbow helped rack up a few big scoring nights, and the right one that forced him to end last season on IR is now healed. Grade: A.

Boston: The Celtics probably didn't expect Rajon Rondo coming on so quickly, and he might barge into Doc Rivers' rotation on defense alone. Sebastian Telfair factors into the equation, too, and is working hard to shore up his weaknesses. Telfair's summer play was erratic, but there were flashes of brilliance that speak of his promise. Ryan Gomes' emergence last year was no fluke; he was Boston's top player and figures to only get better. Rookies Allen Ray and Leon Powe hoped to follow Gomes' footsteps as steals and represented themselves well. Al Jefferson's ankle wasn't back at 100 percent, so he was rusty. Fellow promising young big man Kendrick Perkins couldn't participate but is on schedule to return this season following shoulder surgery. Clearly, the Celtics are stocked with young talent, and most everyone is taking steps forward. Grade: A-minus.

Charlotte: If nothing else, Bobcats fans can be genuinely impressed with the caliber of players the organization is bringing in. Adam Morrison lit it up in Orlando, scoring nearly 25 a game. He then competed and qualified for the Olympic Team, so he's getting a lot of run. Raymond Felton joined Morrison out there despite not being obligated to play, which shows you where his head is. Sean May's surgically repaired knee responded well, and he should be an offensive threat around the basket. Emeka Okafor was practicing but didn't play in games, presumably taking it easy on his ankles. You have to like the direction Charlotte is going in. Grade: A.

Chicago: Early reviews on Tyrus Thomas indicate he might have some Shawn Marion in him. His athleticism dropped jaws, even if his offense appears raw. Fellow first-rounder Thabo Sefolosha showed great versatility and athleticism too, so the Bulls feel good about their draft picks potentially being able to make an immediate impact. Grade: B.

Cleveland: Shannon Brown impressed enough that you can't rule out him receiving immediate playing time. The wing might end up replacing disappointing Sasha Pavlovic, who took a step backward. Grade: C.

Dallas: Like his former teammate did in Cleveland, Maurice Ager represented Michigan State well by being the story of his team's summer squad. He was explosive and shot it well. D.J. Mbenga didn't dominate but continues to work and make strides. Those two were the lone participants who figure to make a dent on the reigning Western Conference champs. Grade: B.

Denver: A love story developed between George Karl and Yakhouba Diawara, a Frenchman who has been playing in Europe and played college ball at Pepperdine. Diawara has great size and skills that excited Denver so much they promptly handed him a contract. Grade: B.

Detroit: If it matters, Amir Johnson, Alex Acker and Jason Maxiell all had some really nice moments. That said, it's hard to imagine any of them cracking the Pistons rotation. Grade: C.

Golden State: It was another painful Summer League stint for the Warriors, who nearly lost major piece Monta Ellis to a knee injury. Thankfully, his problem ended up being a bruise rather than anything major, so all that was really lost was experience. Ike Diogu, cautious with his knees, also missed key playing time. So did Chris Taft. Andris Biedrins strained a groin muscle and rookie Patrick O'Bryant has a ways to go. It hasn't been a good start to 2006-07. Grade: D.

Houston: The Rockets dominated in Vegas and might have uncovered some gems that will work their way into Jeff Van Gundy's rotation. Chuck Hayes and John Lucas III resembled veteran young players, the type that give the effort and do the little things Van Gundy craves from his reserves. Rookie Steve Novak shot the lights out and also figures to be a part of the 15-man arsenal. Grade: A.

Indiana: Rawle Marshall, one of the young pieces hauled in for Anthony Johnson, played well for Dallas before coming over and could surprise. Orien Greene, likely beneficiary from Johnson's departure, signed but didn't play. Top pick Shawne Williams missed all but one game with a hamstring injury. The Pacers have the look of a team attempting to rebuild with some gambles. Grade: C-minus.

L.A. Clippers: Shaun Livingston is obviously better than most players competing, but disconcertingly didn't show that this summer. Russian project Yaroslav Korolev is also in development and pretty far away. On the bright side, Daniel Ewing continues to look like he'll pull a Chris Duhon and become a major contributor as a second-rounder, while James Singleton continues to improve. Grade: C-minus.

L.A. Lakers: Smush Parker might need to watch his back; Jordan Farmar is on his tail. The Lakers' first-round pick led the summer league squad in scoring and assists and looked increasingly comfortable. Andrew Bynum looked like a better player, although he did tweak a knee. Undrafted free agent Danilo Pinnock played dynamically to merit a look. Grade: B.

Memphis: Hakim Warrick and Rudy Gay had their flat periods, but for the most part, the dynamic young forwards did enough to get fans excited about a potentially explosive combination of matchup problems. The Grizzlies also like how PG Kyle Lowry could develop. Next season's team will definitely have a younger feel. Grade: B.

Miami: Dorell Wright and Earl Barron were again the key cogs for the champs as the vets vacationed. Wayne Simien, who likely would've anchored the team and figures to get more minutes next season, got married and didn't participate. Grade: C.

Milwaukee: The Bucks didn't have a summer entry. Ha Seung-Jin, acquired in the Jamaal Magloire deal, showed in Portland that he's got a ways to go. David Noel played for Dallas' squad and made a strong showing. Grade: N/A.

Minnesota: Randy Foye has the look of a future star, earning Dwyane Wade comparisons. Seriously. On that prospect alone, Minnesota's summer was extra sunny. Grade: A-plus.

New Jersey: The good news: UConn products Josh Boone and Marcus Williams gave great previews of themselves, starring at times. The bad: Only Williams figures to be a part of the team's immediate plans. Boone tore the labrum in his left shoulder and required surgery. He's likely out until January, if not longer. Grade: C.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City: Draft picks Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons had their moments, but both are definitely projects who figure to be buried way behind Tyson Chandler and David West. Nothing overly exciting happened in this neck of the woods. Grade: C-minus.

New York: The Knicks are good in July, when teams filled with veterans that play well together don't exist. Channing Frye looked solid, but Renaldo Balkman, this year's draft pick, produced and displayed a scrappy style. There's hope the Knicks can turn it around, but the possibility exists that summer is their only bright spot. Grade: B.

Orlando: So, J.J. Redick missed summer action with a back injury, but might be in the mix to start at shooting guard when camp opens? Interesting. The Magic must be sold on him, but not seeing proof in live action is unfortunate. Psychologically, it was the right move for the Magic to hold him out, because if he had gone out there limited and struggling, the naysayers would've jumped all over him. Still, he remains a mystery. Grade: D.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia really has to be excited about the development of Louis Williams, part of the final crop of preps to make the jump into the league. The 19-year old dominated the Rocky Mountain Revue, scoring, penetrating and passing. Williams has to command a longer look behind tutor Allen Iverson. Bet on Rodney Carney's athleticism to make him an early contributor. Grade: A-plus.

Phoenix: Amare Stoudemire was the lone story of importance for the Suns this summer, and all signs pointed to him on the road back to being the player he was before knee surgery. Grade: A.

Portland: Brandon Roy is mentioned right up there with Foye as the early Rookie of the Year favorite. The two were arguably the best players all summer. Martell Webster, last year's first-round pick, got along with Roy famously and excelled as well. Another top rookie LaMarcus Aldridge, had a few strong outings but like most big men, wasn't the sharpest. Grade: A-plus.

Sacramento: Although Ron Artest played briefly, the Kings were expected to be carried by second-year wing Francisco Garcia, but he struggled with a bone spur in his foot. Kevin Martin did his part, continuing his ascent, while rookie Quincy Douby lived up to the billing of having unlimited range. Grade: C.

San Antonio: If anyone who played for the Spurs this summer is going to make a dent on the roster, it will be 19-year old former draftee Ian Mahinmi, and that might not be for another year or two. Grade: C.

Seattle: Mouhamed Sene has people excited. He came into the league blocking shots and performed far better than last year's draft picks, teens Robert Swift and Johan Petro. Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen, but the early returns on the Sonics' big draft gamble are positive. Grade: B.

Toronto: Although the Raptors were busy adding foreign imports, the only one who debuted was the one that truly matters, No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani. He's got game. He's got a lot of obstacles to overcome, and that was expected, but the upside is evidently there. It's probably best he didn't come in dominating immediately; that would have set his bar unrealistically high. He'll need an adjustment period. Grade: B.

Utah: Deron Williams went out and did what he had to do: Take advantage of less talented players. Rookie Ronnie Brewer was fantastic and probably passed second-year guard C.J. Miles. New acquisition Rafael Araujo got out there and competed, but wasn't dominant. Grade: B.

Washington: Andray Blatche showed up and played very well. He may be a major factor for the Wizards earlier than most expected. First-round pick Oleksiy Pecherov showed he might belong on the roster instead of in Europe. He'll be starting an apprenticeship, but he's got game. Grade: B.