It was quite a different scene from the big boys matchup we see in the regular season.
The Spurs and Lakers met for a rumble to kick off Thursday at NBA Summer League Las Vegas. Still there were some things of note.
Alonzo Gee, a D-League call-up to the Wizards who later signed with the Spurs (he played for the Spurs’ D-League affiliate Toros) continued his overwhelmingly impressive play, even with a diminished line. 10 points on 4 of 12 shooting certainly doesn’t sound like much, but it was how Gee was able to get to the rim whenever he wanted, and his vision in both the full and halfcourt sets. His halfcourt game was remarkably improved today, as he played more as a combo-forward, backing down smaller players and whipping past larger ones. Gee looks primed for a breakout season off the Spurs’ bench.
Gerald Green stole the show for the Lakers, and finished with 18 points on 8 of 17 shooting, seven rebounds and the play of a game: a block on a corner three attempt that utilized every inch of his canoe-like frame. Green showed off the same athleticism that got him into the league and made him one of the elite dunkers in the league (remember the cupcake dunk?). But he also focused on leadership and elusiveness. Finishing with no turnovers certainly helped, as did responding from a cold streak in the second quarter.
The surprise was Gary Neal for the Spurs, an overseas player out of Towson. Neal finished with 20 points on 8 of 16 shooting, including 4 of 9 from the arc. Neal especially showed off elite perimeter speed, and his baseline screen cuts almost always gave him wide open looks with feet to spare. With his lack of size, Neal needs to look more for assists to prove he can play points, but it was an especially strong outing for him.
- Derrick Caracter had a quiet game with 10 points, 6 boards and 7 fouls, but showed a lot of promise, as he’s done throughout Summer League. His frame is well suited to play inside, and the raw materials are definitely there, as all the scouts in town will tell you.