Jordan Crawford's Review From ESPN's David Thorpe

[AHF]

Top 20 Rookies:

18. Jordan Crawford, Hawks

Summer-league stats: 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

Crawford is viewed as a pure scorer, and he showed that in Vegas. Alhough he didn't shoot well overall, he displayed his ability to shoot from 3 and exhibited solid court vision and feel. I also liked the fact that he looked to make plays on D. I liked him better than I expected to.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=Rookies-100723

[Chinky_eyed_hawk]

Top 20 Rookies:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=Rookies-100723

Could you post the entire list?? I would be interesting to see where James compares on the list, as well as if any players chosen after 31 made the list.

[spotatl]

James was #2 on the list.

James started off just OK in Orlando and then took off from there. His great energy combined with a solid outside stroke and lots of confidence makes him a scoring machine who just keeps coming at his opponent. It's fair to expect rotation minutes for him at the start of the season.

Harangody was #4

Caracter was #5

Landry Fields was #6

Stephenson was #9

Lawal was #13

Rolle was #15

Ebanks was #17

Evan Turner was #20

Edited July 23, 2010 by spotatl

[HawkItus]

Rookie Watch: Best of summer

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Thorpe By David Thorpe

Scouts Inc.

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John WallGarrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty ImagesAfter an impressive summer showing, Washington's John Wall remains the frontrunner to win ROY.

How players perform during summer league depends on many variables besides their own talent level. How much run do they get? Who are their teammates, and how good are they? How hard have they prepared?

The NBA is filled with players who struggled in previous summer leagues, including Stephen Curry, Omri Casspi and George Hill. Others have played well in July but have not done so when it counts. This is not to say that summer league is worthless. On the contrary, failures and successes can give the rookies a better glimpse into their future and help them plan their pre-training camp routine.

So after two-plus weeks of watching games in Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas, here's my take on the top-performing rookies of the summer.

1. John Wall, Wizards

Summer-league stats: 23.5 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4 rpg

Wall struggled as a shooter and was caught looking to score more often than I expected, but he was still nothing short of spectacular most of the week. He's just faster than everyone on the floor and is excited to share the ball (most of the time).

He's also totally OK with the idea of being a star and loves putting on a show. Don't read that the wrong way -- he's all about winning, he's a selfless player and he's a huge favorite to win rookie of the year.

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

James started off just OK in Orlando and then took off from there. His great energy combined with a solid outside stroke and lots of confidence makes him a scoring machine who just keeps coming at his opponent. It's fair to expect rotation minutes for him at the start of the season.

[+] EnlargeDemarcus Cousins

Jack Arent/NBAE/Getty ImagesDeMarcus Cousins was the center of attention at summer league.

3. DeMarcus Cousins, Kings

Summer-league stats: 14.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg

In a league that values franchise centers so much, it's still hard to accept how Cousins fell to the fifth pick. We all know about his faults, but his hands, reach and feel will make him a dominant rebounder immediately, and his touch as a finisher is impressive. On top of that, his passing -- both out of the low block and in starting the fast break -- is what has me most excited about him.

4. Luke Harangody, Celtics

Summer-league stats: 16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 apg

He doesn't pass the eye test as far as NBA players are concerned, but he passes everything else. He shot the ball well, rebounded like a beast and played just about as well as any rookie could hope to. I'm not sure he'll play in the NBA at all this season, but he certainly showed that he has a future.

5. Derrick Caracter, Lakers

Summer-league stats: 15.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.4 bpg

Here was my checklist when watching DC this week: Did he rebound ferociously? Did he compete hard on defense? Could he finish shots around the rim? Did his body look ready? Check, check, check and check. The Lakers have to be thrilled they found an NBA player so late in the draft. Now they have to keep him moving in the right direction.

6. Landry Fields, Knicks

Summer-league stats: 15.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 spg

Like Harangody, Fields does not yet look the part of an NBA player, but his game is spot-on for the Knicks' style. He runs, shoots and finishes, and he has a great feel for the game overall. When considering talent plus fit, I think this may be the best overall draft selection of all 60 picks.

[+] EnlargeEd Davis

Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty ImagesRaptors fans are hoping Davis will help them forget about Chris Bosh.

7. Ed Davis, Raptors

Summer-league stats: 12.6 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.8 bpg

Davis seemed to get better all week, which was not surprising considering he had not played since a midseason injury. He has a great feel around the basket, which we already knew, but he also showed a somewhat surprising ability to be a solid rim protector. Plus, Davis displayed a very nice pick-and-pop jumper, which will help him earn minutes in November.

8. Larry Sanders, Bucks

Summer-league stats: 14 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3.2 bpg

Sanders helps prove a point I always like to make: In the NBA, the first guy to the ball normally wins. Sanders is still thin, but his bounce and energy get his hands to the ball first most of the time. Those two talents also earn him quality shots inside. Although he's not a finisher yet, that kind of upside is exciting to Bucks personnel.

9. Lance Stephenson, Pacers

Summer-league stats: 14.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.5 apg

He might be young, but he showed better shot selection than anyone else I saw these past two weeks. He missed only eight shots in four games and still averaged almost 15 points per game (it would have been more had he played more than eight minutes in his last game). He did this all while playing a lot of minutes at the point guard spot, which was an experiment that turned out to be a successful one. I loved how competitive he was as well.

10. Dominique Jones, Mavericks

Summer-league stats: 16.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.4 apg

Jones is super competitive on both sides of the ball and capable of putting up points in bunches. Possessing a great frame for a combo guard, he has every chance to be this year's Marcus Thornton -- ready to play from day one and having the confidence to play in the fourth quarter.

[+] EnlargeDerrick Favors

Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images Drafted third by the Nets, Favors showed he has star potential.

11. Derrick Favors, Nets

Summer-league stats: 10.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.2 apg

In most cases, teams draft players because of what they'll be able to do in a year or two. Guys like Cousins and Wall, who can have an immediate impact, are exceptions, whereas Favors is more of the rule. He showed plenty of upside during summer league, both as an athlete and with his skills (specifically his face-up game). Did he get lost some, lose physical battles and generally zone out during games? Of course. He was the youngest guy on the court almost every time out. But the Nets have a lot to look forward to.

12. Greg Monroe, Pistons

Summer-league stats: 14.6 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.8 spg

Monroe continues to be a bit of an enigma for me. He is a fluid athlete, and I love his ball skills and size. In summer league, that combination is enough to put up some good numbers. But he was not a player that looked to have an impact on every possession the way guys like Wall and Cousins did. Until he grows into that guy, he will frustrate Pistons fans as much as he will make them smile.

13. Gani Lawal, Suns

Summer-league stats: 15.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1 bpg

Lawal represents the highest-ranked player here that is going to have the toughest transition to the real show. He's a back-to-the-basket banger, and those guys rarely make it as second-round picks. On the other hand, he locked in as a rebounder during summer league, and that is the best way he can assure himself opportunities to stick in the NBA.

14. Gordon Hayward, Jazz

Summer-league stats: 10.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.4 apg

Get used to lofty praise for Hayward, despite somewhat pedestrian numbers. He does all the little things that don't show up on stat sheets -- smart help on defense, toughness in digging out loose balls inside and great awareness of whom to move the ball to in their offense. He's really a 2 who can play the 3 and even some 4 within a few years. How many guys can we write that about?

[+] EnlargeMagnum Rolle

Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images The 51st pick in the draft, Rolle turned some heads in Orlando.

15. Magnum Rolle, Pacers

Summer-league stats: 13.4 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 bpg

Rolle was a long, tall bundle of energy all week. He made countless plays above the rim and challenged shooters in the paint on seemingly every shot. I liked the way he got some of his dunks by running rapidly to the rim when a crease opened.

16. Patrick Patterson, Rockets

Summer-league stats: 9.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1 apg

After the first game, it looked as if Patterson would use the week as his personal showcase. However, his energy just disappeared after that. He's very talented, so he can put up decent numbers without much effort … in summer league. But playing for a team hoping to contend in 2010-11, Patterson will need far more focus and effort in order to earn minutes. He was the second-most disappointing rookie of summer action relative to my expectations for him.

17. Devin Ebanks, Lakers

Summer-league stats: 15.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg

Ebanks came into the week with something to prove, and he used that edge to separate himself from many of the other second-rounders. I liked how he slashed hard to the rim, but I was more impressed with his perimeter game, which showed signs of progress and included some long-range buckets. It's fair to say he could be a poor man's Trevor Ariza.

18. Jordan Crawford, Hawks

Summer-league stats: 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

Crawford is viewed as a pure scorer, and he showed that in Vegas. Alhough he didn't shoot well overall, he displayed his ability to shoot from 3 and exhibited solid court vision and feel. I also liked the fact that he looked to make plays on D. I liked him better than I expected to.

19. Quincy Pondexter, Hornets

Summer-league stats: 15.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 apg

As expected for a four-year player, Pondexter looked like a man among boys for much of the week. His shot looked smooth, and he slashed and dashed all week, even breaking down a few smaller players off the dribble. He looks to be an excellent defensive player as well.

20. Evan Turner, 76ers

Summer-league stats: 9.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.8 apg

Turner was, at best, a poor player in Orlando compared to any reasonable expectation -- not locked in, bad body language and poor skills. But don't get too alarmed. It's a testament to his talent that he still made plays on the glass and had some good offensive moments. I suspect that while almost every other player spent three to eight weeks before July working on their games and working out for teams, Turner did little on-court stuff. No doubt he'll look better in preseason and beyond.

[Vol4ever]

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

James started off just OK in Orlando and then took off from there. His great energy combined with a solid outside stroke and lots of confidence makes him a scoring machine who just keeps coming at his opponent. It's fair to expect rotation minutes for him at the start of the season.

Didnt we draft James and trade him to the Nets?????????????????

[Buzzard]

We could have had about 1/4 of these guys at 31 and I am so hating the Sy pick over Caracter right now.

[TheTruth]

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

James started off just OK in Orlando and then took off from there. His great energy combined with a solid outside stroke and lots of confidence makes him a scoring machine who just keeps coming at his opponent. It's fair to expect rotation minutes for him at the start of the season.

Didnt we draft James and trade him to the Nets?????????????????

Yep...

[HAWKSFAN89]

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

James started off just OK in Orlando and then took off from there. His great energy combined with a solid outside stroke and lots of confidence makes him a scoring machine who just keeps coming at his opponent. It's fair to expect rotation minutes for him at the start of the season.

Didnt we draft James and trade him to the Nets?????????????????

Of course :thumbsupsmileyanim:

But don't worry, we get Josh Powell and Jason Collins back instead!

[HawkItus]

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

18. Jordan Crawford, Hawks

Summer-league stats: 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

The stats are very comparable so I don't see why James is so highly rated over Crawford other than the writers admitted bias coming in.

[BusBoyIsBack]

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

18. Jordan Crawford, Hawks

Summer-league stats: 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

The stats are very comparable so I don't see why James is so highly rated over Crawford other than the writers admitted bias coming in.

Well I think Damion James did have a really good field goal percentage as well.

Regardless I still am aboard the Jordan Crawford pick and like it even more that he showed such surprising ability to create for his teammates. He's not a PG by any stretch of the imagination but he's also not a ball hog who will ruin the flow of the offense

Edited July 23, 2010 by BusBoyIsBack

[Buzzard]

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

18. Jordan Crawford, Hawks

Summer-league stats: 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

The stats are very comparable so I don't see why James is so highly rated over Crawford other than the writers admitted bias coming in.

One of the oldest sayings in the NBA, " You can't teach size". The rebounding numbers stick out like a sore thumb. James has true SG size at 6'7" and 225 lbs. Crawford is only 6'4" and 195 lbs.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Buzzard

[GABALLA]

2. Damion James, Nets

Summer-league stats: 18.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1 apg

18. Jordan Crawford, Hawks

Summer-league stats: 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg

The stats are very comparable so I don't see why James is so highly rated over Crawford other than the writers admitted bias coming in.

Finally someone who knows how to read and doesn't just look at the number ratings!

"Oh no James is at 2 and Crawford is 18, WHAT HAVE WE DONE!? Oh and Pape Sy sucks, I'm boycotting the Hawks for the rest of my life! Just imagine if we had those two extra points and two rebounds, we would have 3 championships by now!!!"

:shake_puter: :beathorse: :angry22: :beat: :slap1:

[Jody23]

One of the oldest sayings in the NBA, " You can't teach size". The rebounding numbers stick out like a sore thumb. James has true SG size at 6'7" and 225 lbs. Crawford is only 6'4" and 195 lbs.

Very true. If only the Hawks believed that. Sigh. That said, I really do like Jordan Crawford though.

[tremor]

I'll keep an eye on Sanders. He looked like an NBA starter playing against Hawks SL "bigs". He dominated both side of the court, his defensive skills will elevate his career.

[KB21]

One of the oldest sayings in the NBA, " You can't teach size". The rebounding numbers stick out like a sore thumb. James has true SG size at 6'7" and 225 lbs. Crawford is only 6'4" and 195 lbs.

James isn't a shooting guard though. He's a college power forward that is making the conversion to NBA small foward, a position where his size doesn't quite give him the advantage it would have if he were a guard.

One thing I pointed out in my blog recently was this. The players the Hawks focused on with their pick, or at least the players we heard a lot about the Hawks focusing on, have all done well so far. Whether it was Jordan Crawford, Dominique Jones, or Gani Lawal, these were guys the Hawks had on their board for their pick. This shows me that, at the very least, the people in the scouting department do have a good eye for talent, and they should be allowed to use that eye instead of giving away picks like the 31st pick in the draft. We could have had Jordan Crawford and Gani Lawal, two of the better rooks in the summer league circuit. Instead, we have Jordan Crawford and $3 million that we cannot use to acquire a player.

[hawkman]

James isn't a shooting guard though. He's a college power forward that is making the conversion to NBA small foward, a position where his size doesn't quite give him the advantage it would have if he were a guard.

One thing I pointed out in my blog recently was this. The players the Hawks focused on with their pick, or at least the players we heard a lot about the Hawks focusing on, have all done well so far. Whether it was Jordan Crawford, Dominique Jones, or Gani Lawal, these were guys the Hawks had on their board for their pick. This shows me that, at the very least, the people in the scouting department do have a good eye for talent, and they should be allowed to use that eye instead of giving away picks like the 31st pick in the draft. We could have had Jordan Crawford and Gani Lawal, two of the better rooks in the summer league circuit. Instead, we have Jordan Crawford and $3 million that we cannot use to acquire a player.

Gani Lawal at 31 would have been a steal. I agree that the Hawks scouting department did very well as far as their target(s) for the draft. Every player they looked at would have been a good value. I wouldn't put too much into the Summer League rankings though. I'm pretty sure the Hawks not having a "marquee' guy coupled with the tape delays has a lot to do with why JC2 didn't get more buzz. The guy led the team in scoring for goodness sake. Only Wall and Jones had a higher ppg as "true" rookies to the NBA experience. I'm surprised more Hawks fans weren't all that excited with JC2's play. I understand it is only Summer League, but the guy showed some tools that let me know that he could actually contribute next season if given the chance. I wouldn't be surprised if he scored 20+ points in a few games. He's that natural of a scorer. Of course, I really wanted Dominique Jones at 24 but I've been impressed with JC2 so far. Besides their Summer League stats were nearly identical.

[DrReality]

Curious who Crawford reminds you of from the NBA, I mentioned Andrew Toney but that's been a long time ago. Don't know if that's very accurate.

[niremetal]

Summer league means less than nothing. Remember, Acie and Shelden made the all-revue team a couple years back.

[spotatl]

Juan Dixon to me is the best comparison for Crawford.

[Buzzard]

James isn't a shooting guard though. He's a college power forward that is making the conversion to NBA small foward, a position where his size doesn't quite give him the advantage it would have if he were a guard.

One thing I pointed out in my blog recently was this. The players the Hawks focused on with their pick, or at least the players we heard a lot about the Hawks focusing on, have all done well so far. Whether it was Jordan Crawford, Dominique Jones, or Gani Lawal, these were guys the Hawks had on their board for their pick. This shows me that, at the very least, the people in the scouting department do have a good eye for talent, and they should be allowed to use that eye instead of giving away picks like the 31st pick in the draft. We could have had Jordan Crawford and Gani Lawal, two of the better rooks in the summer league circuit. Instead, we have Jordan Crawford and $3 million that we cannot use to acquire a player.

I am not so sure you actually saw their board or for a fact James will be soley used as a 3. To me he can easily play the 2 or the 3 in the NBA, just like JJ or Caron Butler. The things we do know for a fact is who the Hawks worked out, some of them were still there at 31, and it looks like they had a shot at a few guys with talent at 31.

I like Crawford, do not get me wrong. But James does have NBA size for the 2 or the 3. I am not knocking our guy, just trying to answer sultanofatl question as to why James was taken before Crawford. And again my answer, you can't teach size.

Edited July 24, 2010 by Buzzard