Getting there - Portland Trailblazers ' Center Greg Oden has spent the majority of his Summer in Rip City, Oregon, Indianapolis, & his hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana. Greg said back in April that he expected to be ready for Portland''s fall training camp before pre-season, and as of late July everything seems to be on schedule for an unimpeded return.
According to reports, a slimmer Oden is moving freely in rehabilitative workouts & on the court. Greg said himself in a recent interview that he feels 100%, but it is just about trusting his body more and more as the weeks close to camp. While G.O. has been working on getting his mind, body & soul right for the 2010/2011, he has already had the hair game locked up this summer with the fresh old-school high top fade! Check him out in this video interview at the Reggie Wayne Charity Event in Indianapolis.
-Latest episode of 'On The Go with G.O.' - Home Away From Home - The Ohio State Edition!!
In an effort to replace former All-Star Carlos Boozer, the Utah Jazz traded Kosta Koufos & two future first round draft picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson shortly after Summer League Play on July 14. Jazz GM Kevin O'Connorexplained the decision to move the club's 2008 first round draft pick by saying,“It’s a situation where we felt we had too many at that position now. Hopefully, it’s a good opportunity for him wherever he winds up.”
Classy comments from a classy organization. Utah certainly did not have to spell out a justification for seeing an opportunity in Al Jefferson to stay in Western Conference contention . On Koufos' end of the deal, his 36 games played for the 2009/2010 season was more than a slight indication that a a young, inconsistent big might not be the best of fits for a Jerry Sloan coached playoff team.
Kosta displayed some flashes in his rookie season, but his two year progression was not sufficient enough to be a trusted member of the rotation.In our opinions the lack of playing time revealed that Utah felt the game was not slowing down for Koufos, especially defensively. (..after the draft they remarked about liking his size as possible help, but he was not ready to defend & board at a high level to have any kind of significant role)..And there lies the risk/reward for talented offensive prospects like a Koufos 0r Daequan Cook.
Few if any are ready to satisfy the defensive expectations of playoff level teams at age 19 or 20. ( which brings up questions about management decisions..hey front offices..hire us! we can scout players lol) We are talking about programs under the guise of defensive principled men like Jerry Sloan & Pat Riley...with them it seems like if you are inconsistent on offense, you better show good capability on defense to see the floor. Koufos & Cook barely saw the floor last season. And in Kosta's case it is rather ironic that his audacious high school coach would question Thad Matta's use of Koufos in his lone season at Ohio State; Why because the young man had more freedom to express his game in Columbus than in any other place he has been since (more freedom than what he received from Utah & the Greek National team combined)
Harsh realities, but these young players are obviously well aware of the professional climate.“I understand it’s a business, and I feel confident wherever I end up,” Koufos said after the deal. “I feel like I’ll be very successful in this league as long as I stay focused and continue to work. This is a one-day-at-a-time league.”
So what is next for Kosta? We know he has ability..we viewed games during his rookie season where he looked like he belonged on an NBA court. He shined in his occasional NBA Developmental stints , and the biggest Koufos story this summer before the trade was his good play at the 2010 Orlando Pro Summer League (led Utah in scoring & rebounding in Orlando). However, with progression comes uncertainty as a new member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Looney Minnesota GM David Kahn has already hinted on dealing Koufos to a team where he could have a better opportunity at playing more, but they could also evaluate him as someone they would like for depth. As Kosta awaits a definitive decision, you have to think he is not feeling Minnesota's crowded front court with Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Darko, and their newest center Nikola Perkovic who is coming over from PAO.
The best situation for Koufos is obviously one where he can find himself on an NBA court more because he has already proved himself at the Developmental/Summer League level. Kosta can help teams, he's a crafty hybrid center/power forward with face up skills, he did learn how to play the game in Utah, and while not a big time leaper, is still capable on the boards. his biggest weakness in our opinion is his defensive recognition/presence (that will only improve with experience) What is next for Kosta Koufos? A pivotal season in his young career.
The Next Chapter: Italian A club Vanoli Cremona announced the addition of Buckeye Je'Kel Foster on July 7th, 2010. The 27 year old guard will arrive in the basketball tradition rich country of Italy for the 2010/2011 season as an experienced & battle tested European player. The former Bundesliga Champion spent his last two seasons with German club Baskets Oldenburgwhere he participated in pressure filled playoff contests and intercontinental competitions such as the EuroChallenge & Euroleague. Cremona is Foster's fourth professional club & Italy his 3rd European country he will play in.
The Italian Serie A is known as one of the three premier Basketball leagues in all of Europe. We currently rank Italy second only to Spain as far as\domestic leagues go. This league has several formidable squads that boast great national & foreign talent. The Serie A receives a significant amount of coverage in Italy & abroad, many of the arenas have hot atmospheres as well, so it will definitely be fun to follow Je'Kel as he takes on the new challenge that is the Italian League. Foster will have a familiar teammate in Italy as his new club has also announced the signing of former Oldenburg forward Jasmin Perkovic.
Buckeyes in Italy: While Foster has never played for an Italian club prior to this point, he is not exactly a stranger to country. With Oldenburg Je'Kel traveled to Italy to compete against Serie A clubs Virtus Bologna (2008/2009 Euro Challenge) & Milano (2009/ 2010 Euroleague -- video..Foster hits game winner vs Bologna)
Brent Darby spent a majority of his European career (2004 through 2009) in Italy. He played for Lega2 clubs Trapani (2004-2005) & Ferrara (2005-2006) before moving up to the Serie A with Air Avellino for the 2006-2007 season. The next two seasons (2007/2008 - 2009) were back in the Lega2 with Carmatic Pistoia. Darby then played for Serie A club Caserta (Also in 2009) and has most recently played for Lega2's Reyer Venezia (2010) - (video - Darby interview before his 2009 frech campaign where he explains where he has played)
-Redd taking it nice & slow: According to this Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee) article Michael Redd will not rush his comeback in time for fall training camp. Instead the Buckeye great & NBA veteran has set a time table for February to return to the court from his knee injury. Several questions remain concerning where Redd fits with the Bucks next season, but right now we are glad that Mike is simply planning a comeback.
(Daequan Cook in the Thunder huddle: Summer League 7.7.2010)
-A Fourth Buckeye in Orlando - recently traded guard Daequan Cook joined his new Oklahoma City Thunder teammates in Orlando at Summer League on July 7th. Cook worked out with Thunder Star Kevin Durant, Byron Mullens & the rest of the Summer League roster & sat on the bench for two games.
-Buckeye Sightings - Several Buckeye Ballers have been sighted on campus & around town training with current & future Buckeyes. Some include Brent Darby, Evan Turner,Mike Conley, Ron Lewis, Jamar Butler, Ivan Harris, Matt Terwilliger, Scoonie Penn.
And lastly, July seems to be a big birthday month for former Buckeye hoopsters. Tony Stockman, Terence Dials, Je'Kel Foster, & Ron Lewis have already celebrated or will celebrate birthdays later this month. Happy Birthday Bucks!
A different kind of microscope - Rookie Evan Turner quickly found out about the beast that is professional scrutiny in his first week against next level competition. The headliners going into the Orlando Pro Summer League were Turner & the #3 pick Derrick Favors. While both showed flashes, neither looked dominant..and it was ET who especially looked like he was carrying a lot pressure to perform. The collegiate player of the year was noticeably rusty from having not played in a real game in months, and the new role of playing off talented Jrue Holiday & other guards prevented Evan from finding a consistent rhythm to have a true breakout that week.
As new 76ers head coach Doug Collins has explained, Turner will be off the ball at times & on the ball other times. The rest of this calender year will consist of getting Evan acclimated to the system, and Summer League was just the first week. However, right now Turner is obviously more effective with the ball, so in Orlando we think when Evan was not Evan off the ball he ended up forcing some things when he did have the rock. And it is also worth noting that every team played him tight as one would expect. Overall he did not look overwhelmed ability wise, but he did get a good idea of the necessary adjustments needed for his new role.
Despite his struggles, Turner still showed signs of his all around game...from game one we thought he looked adequate & engaged on defense (he guarded small guards & big sfs). He got into the passing lanes and disrupted teams on occasion & also showed his ability with the ball in transition. In the half court he was at his best when he wasn't going too fast. Turner draws so much attention & traffic that he usually sees the open men when he is under control..but he ran into trouble in instances where he rushed his move.
With a week of the basketball world watching behind him, Evan Turner can now exhale, analyze the miscues, and continue to get comfortable. We saw his struggles as typical rookie uneasiness. It is only going to be a matter of time for ET to get comfy (..and with his work ethic & aptitude we say sooner than later..) (2010 Summer League Central)
We were definitely eagered to see how Columbus native Byron Mullens would look at Summer League. We thought the young big made some noticeable strides in the D-league starting around Spring 2010, but many in the basketball community simply had not seen him play. Byron ended up having a good week in Orlando, and he probably benefited most from playing his best game on day one when everyone was watching. Mullens was apart of the loaded OKC Summer League roster which included regular rotation guys like James Harden , Eric Maynor. and Serge Ibaka. This team already had a buzz going around it; Byron was able to seize the moment on the first day and open up some eyes.
Oklahoma City opened Summer League on July 5th vs the Celtics. Mullens immediately displayed his offensive potential on the first play with a midrange J in the face of Boston's new Turkish Center Erden. He did work in the 3rd quarter with 12 points which included a nice reverse layup plus another lay in off a pick & rock with Mustafa Shakur. Byron's 24 points (led everyone on Day 1) & 7 rebound effort made him one of the storylines of the first day of Summer League play. He went on to have some good games (12 pts vs Charlotte, 12/9 vs Orlando) & just decent games later in the week, but it was that Day 1 performance that many saw and will remember.
It was definitely a positive week for Mullens perception wise. It seems like many have went from viewing him as a hapless project to a young athletic big with potential yet again. Will Byron break into the rotation this season?...it is still a bit of a long shot, especially with Cole Aldrich coming in, but he's on the right track. This was a great week because we think Byron is figuring out that he is most effective running the floor and being assertive inside rather than long jump shots.
What we liked:
-Soft shooting touch, but Mullens did not fall in love with his jump shot. The Thunder coaches pounded the pick and roll into his head and he was assertive in cutting to the basket and looking to get inside buckets.
-Showed a couple post moves
-This guy can really run the floor, was really assertive and shined in this aspect.
-Very good from the free throw line
-Defensive awareness is getting better, he is challenging more shots and blocking his man out most of the time..still looks young out there at times when he gets lost in zone defense.
Needs improvement in:
-Need more rebounds
-He is playing tougher, but still needs to use his size more. Gets out-positioned in needless fashion at times
-Mullens is a big with great touch around the basket, he can shoot jumpers, do reverse layups, and occasionally might try a hook shot, a drop step move and or a spin, but still does not have a true go to move yet. He's athletic and can run the floor, now he is a go to move away from being a real bonafide offensive threat on an NBA floor.
-He will be a player if he ever matches defensive intensity with his interest in offense...this is what we think Oklahoma City is teaching him.
-Need more rebounds! we keep stressing this because Mullens actually has rebounding potential.
Kosta Koufos, yet another guy who has been absent in the consciousness of many due to the lack of playing time. Summer League was an opportunity to show what he can do and prove to Utah that he is a rotation player. Kosta played in four of Utah's five games and led the Jazz in scoring and rebounding throughout the week. His biggest game was a 19 point effort on July 7th vs Indiana, he also had a double double (13/11) on July 6th vs Orlando.
When we look at Koufos we see a guy who can be effective when confident. That is interesting because Kosta was an extremely confident player at Ohio State, but his situation in Utah has clearly affected his mental game. In the first summer league contest vs Charlotte, he did not look confident out there. He brought down 7 boards but looked a step slow on offense and only scored 4 points. But after that game he got more comfortable and played like he is capable of playing. In fact, Kosta looked like one of the better players in Orlando by the end of the week. Koufos shined in matchups vs big men Brian Zoubek (Duke) and Connor Atchley (Texas) in his final game vs New Jersey (July 8th). One of his more memorable plays was a nice base juke on Zoubek for an and one layup/foul.
Pros:
-This guy has skills, he can shoot the ball, and has more inside moves than Mullens. He's not an explosive finisher or jumper but has crafty shots in his arsenal.
-Again, not a big time jumper but is willing to get physical and rebound.
-Good free throw shooter
-His size is an advantage when he uses it
-Koufos knows how to play the game. He's also an unselfish player who has really matured from this amateur days.
Cons:
-Not sure if Koufos will ever he a big presence on defense. Any blocks you get from him is a bonus.
-Just needs to get meaner & nastier than he already is. These are just meaningless cliches but this is what we see when we watch him play. We just want to see dominance from our Bucks & Koufos needs to impose his will on the game more..he is a capable player.
-The first huge international transfer of the Summer became official on July 7th, 2010 when Argentinian powerhouse club Peñarolannounced the addition of former Ohio State guard Tony Stockman.Penarol of the city of Mar Del Plata are like the Los Angeles Lakers of Argentina. They won the 2009/2010 LNB Championship (Argentina's top league), the 2009/2010 FIBA Americas League Title, and the 2010 Interliga Championship. Their head coach is Sergio Hernandez who is also the current coach for the Argentinian National Team (coached at the 2008 Olympics). And their leader has been Leonardo Gutierrez who is thought to be the best player in the LNB.
Penarol now adds another weapon in the form of Medina's Tony Stockman. The 29 year old veteran guard has long proven himself as a dynamic scorer & playmaker on several international levels. He played his first professional years in the French Pro B League & in Israel's top league. With Israeli club Hapoel Galil Elyon Stockman would participate in the Eurocup Competition against clubs from Greece, Cypress, Czech Republic among other countries. After a few seasons of proving himself in European style of basketball, Tony's basketball journey took him to the country of Mexico where he played for Venados (2007/2008) of the LNBP & Nogales (2008/2009) in the Cibacopa.
The next destination for the 2009/2010 season was further south in the Brazilian NBB with Vivo/Franca. Stockman was one of Franca's fan favorites & helped the club in their run to the quarter finals of the playoffs before a hand injury. Tony will now take his talents & experience to the best team in Argentina with an eye for a Championship. The extensive coverage of the LNB coupled with the various tournaments & leagues Penarol plays in will give us lots of chances to see Tony on the big stage next season, lets get it!
One quick peak at the current WNBA standings reveals where the majority of action is at, and this season it is definitely in the Eastern Conference. The East has six of the WNBA's top eight teams including four with a winning record compared to only one winning team in the Western Conference. No one is really putting up a fight against Seattle (16-2) & the East after Phoenix (7-11). Yet the treacherous Eastern Conference includes the tough Atlanta Dream (14-5), the Washington Mystics (12-5), the defending conference Champion Indiana Fever (11-6), and Connecticut Sun (10-8).
The main aspect consistent which these Eastern Conference teams is solid defense followed by balanced scoring. Gritty team defense has been a key component in making the Washington Mystics one of the league's top teams. The Mystics have won 8 of their last 10 games (holding their opponents to an average of 70 points per game in those wins). 11 year pro Katie Smith has been a big part of the Mystics' success with her familiar defense & heady leadership. The former Buckeye star recently had one of the best back to back stretches of the summer vs Indiana on June 29th and at Phoenix on July 1st. Smith's 21 points helped lead Washington past the Fever, she then followed that up with 25 points in a wild 107-104 victory over the Mercury. The Mystics are a versatile team style wise in that they are prepared for a defensive Eastern conference game, but can also win in west coast shootouts.
7.15.2010 - at New York Liberty 7.18.2010 - vs Chicago Sky 7.21.2010 - vs Atlanta Dream
The reigning Eastern Conference Champion Indiana Fever got off to a slow start due to the quick turnover from overseas play for four of their starters, but their play in the summer months has announced them as another contender. The same core that made it all the way to Finals is back with the addition of guard Shavante Zellous. We have been to a couple live Fever games and it is great to see how comfortable back up center Jessica Davenport is out there. The third year pro from Ohio State is running the floor very well, is super confident with her post moves & mid-game, and also has exceptional chemistry with her teammates. Jessica had a franchise record setting day on June 11, 2010 at Connecticut when she scored 18 points off a perfect 8 of 8 from the field in just 19 minutes! Davenport along with Ebony Hoffman, Tammy Sutton Brown & Jessica Moore make up one of the most formidable front courts in the women's game.
Indiana's next three games -
7.14.2010 - vs Connecticut Sun 7.16.2010 - vs Atlanta Dream 7.18.2010 - at New York Liberty
Summer Basketball: The first week of the 2010 NBA Summer League season has arrived. The Orlando Pro Am Summer League will begin on July 5th & end on July 9th, the same day the Las Vegas Summer League kicks off.
For a couple weeks out of the Summer, Orlando & Las Vegas turn into the epicenters of the Pro Basketball community. Several scouts & team personnel from the around the world converge to evaluate prospects. An NBA Summer League roster spot is definitely on demand in the current climate & is a great opportunity for any player who is fortunate enough to participate.
As hardcore Pro Buckeye fans, Summer League viewings have been bittersweet over the years. Teams are mainly interested in the guys they have invested in. So the top draft picks like Greg Oden & Evan Turner will obviously be featured. It is great for the fans because these are the big name guys. Yet, it is a different story for the un-drafted free agents and journeymen ballers looking to snag an improbable NBA roster spot. These players are willing to lay it on the line, but they are 'playing' under the mercy & discretion of their Summer League coaches, who may or may not be that interested in their capabilities.
Watching our big name stars during the summer has been enjoyable, but we have also had to watch some of our other Buckeye favorites get the short end of the playing time distribution. Terence Dials played with Toronto after his final collegiate season, and then for Cleveland the next year. Je'Kel Foster played for the Cavaliers Summer squad in 2006...and Ron Lewis played with Houston in 2007. We believe all three would have showed out *if* they were given adequate shots, but we remember each getting minimal playing time. It is what it is, but it just goes to show you that simply getting an opportunity is huge in a game were there is an enormous pool of talented players.
The Next Level: Rookie Evan Turner will play his first official Summer League contest on July 5th vs #3 pick Derrick Favors & the New Jersey Nets. The Ohio State sensation will headline the Philadelphia 76ers roster along with smooth guard Jrue Holiday and Marreese Speights. Thought upon first look, the rest of theroster is suspect..so these guys will have to put in work in Orlando.
Evan Turner is going to have to battle three obstacles in his first foray into the next level. First, it has been three months since he has played in a official organized game. Most of these guys have at least played in semi-serious scrimmages in recent weeks. But high draft picks such as Turner are always advised to shut stuff like that down to minimize draft risk. After Turner conquers the rust, he will have to confront the biggest adjustment of playing off the ball. Currently he is most dangerous with the leather in his hands, but he won't be at the one out of necessity in the big league like Ohio State..so he will have to learn how to hurt teams without the ball. It will be interesting to if he can impose his will on the game at the two so early. And lastly, Evan is going to have to deal with guys coming at him hard for simply being a high draft pick. Oden went through it when he came out, the big man won & lost some battles in Vegas, Turner will experience being a 'target' as well.
Time to Shine: As mentioned earlier, the Summer league experience can vary from player to player. Evan Turner will feel a lot of pressure to perform as a top draft pick, but his rookie Summer League will amount to a friendly learning experience for a guy who figures to be a big part of the Philadelphia rotation 2nd season. But some other guys are feeling the pressure to actually make squads or prove their worth as a long term piece of the puzzle.
This is an incredibly important Summer for young bigs Kosta Koufos & Byron Mullens. Koufos is coming off a stagnant season development wise. We say this because you are only as good as the games you play. Kosta could have gotten better, but many did not see it..hence why he needs to perform at Summer League where people are watching. Byron Mullens made strides in the D-League last season & is itching to show people his improvement. The center will certainly want to give his staff something to think about for fall camp with rookie Cole Aldrich joining the front court. As always we will want to see a presence with both of these guys in Orlando. Rebounding, blocking & challenging shots, and some post moves.
Young Byron remains quite a prospect as an athletic seven footer with some hops, good hands & a shooting touch.
The Bright Lights of Vegas:Forward Othello Hunter will be the lone Buckeye participant in the Las Vegas Summer League. As you may remember, O played the first half of the 2009/2010 with the Atlanta Hawks before a stint in Greece. The current free agent recently worked out at camps for the Raptors & Charlotte Bobcats. Hunter revealed the Denver Nuggets as his 2010 Summer League team in this video interview at the Charlotte camp.
Othello Hunter & the Denver Nuggets (roster) will play the Dallas Mavericks in the opening game of the Las Vegas Summer League on July 9th at 4pm.
This is Hunter's fourth career Summer League team.
2008: Charlotte (Las Vegas), Atlanta (Rocky Mountain Revue - Utah) 2009: Golden State (Las Vegas) 2010: Denver Nuggets (Las Vegas)
On June 10th 2010, German club EWE Baskets Oldenburg announced the departure of rising guard Je'Kel Foster on their official web page. The classy organization of the Bundesliga (BBL) lauded Je'Kel with many thanks & praise including these statements from the team's managing director Hermann Schuller.
"Je'Kel was a role model of commitment, enthusiasm and team spirit. Now he is looking for new challenges, and we wish all the best to Je'Kel. "
In just two short years (sounds familiar), Foster left a long lasting legacy with the Thunderbirds (team nick). The 26 year old guard out of Natchez, Mississippi arrived in Oldenburg for the 2008/2009 season. With EWE Baskets he would reach new individual milestones while at the same time joining a history making core which consisted of fellow Americans Jason Gardner (Arizona), Rickey Paulding (Missouri) , & Reuben Boumtje-Boumtje (G-Town).
Je'Kel was introduced to intercontinental European play for the first time at the 2008/2009 Eurochallenge where he performed well. Oldenburg then capped off the season in style with its first ever German League Championship (#8 hit the game winning free throw) The 2009/2010 campaign was a test in mental will with Oldenburg's first ever entrance into the famed Euroleague and season long defense of the German Championship. Foster was reputed as one of the best players in the German League, he played much of the season including important Euroleague games at point guard with Jason Gardner out with a back injury. And on October 21st, 2010, Foster's 20 points helped Oldenburg to a monumental victory over Polish club Asseco Prokom in Oldenburg's first ever Euroleague contest. Furthermore, Je'Kel would later play in the German League All-Star game.
The Next Chapter: We definitely enjoyed following Foster at Oldenburg. We will remember that club for their passionate fan base & great media coverage. The big question now is where will Je'Kel end up? Not sure but if the last two years were any indication, it will be a league or location with a high level of play. Go Foster! :)
Several videos featuring some of Je'Kel's greatest moments with Oldenburg!
(Eurochallenge 2008/2009 - Je'Kel hits the game winning 3 at the buzzer to beat Virtus Bologna who would go on to win the Eurochallenge)
(promo spot - ill dunk)
(BBL Championship - Foster hits GW Free throw!)
(Euroleague Debut)
(Je'Kel vs Russian Club Khimki)
(BBL All-Star Promo)
(2010 BBL All-Star Game)
(2010 Euroleague - Je'Kel vs Greek Champions Panathinaikos)
(Various news bits, both Foster intros from the start of his two seasons plus some foreign euroleague interviews. One is from the Khimki game where it sounds like they are asking him whether he would consider leaving.)
(Greg Oden 2010- Sweet logo by blazinwroy)
