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Summer League - Day 1 Posted: July 7 5:00 p.m. ET
Sixers Down Spurs
Starring: Williams and Amundson
With 29 second remaining, Louis Williams threw down a slam dunk to lift the Philadelphia 76ers over the San Antonio Spurs, 65-61, in NBA Summer League opener. Williams finished with a game-high 19 points, while Louis Amundson added 16 and 11 rebounds. Their stellar play made everyone take noticed. In addition, Bobby Jones tallied a surprising 11 and five, for the Sixers.
C.J. Watson and James White both posted 13 points apiece, while Jackie Butler chipped in with 11, five rebounds and six assists, for the Spurs.
However, huge disappointments came from the Sixers picks Thaddeus Young (#12) and Jason Smith (#21). Young and Smith registered five and two points, respectively.
The game moved relatively slow and was unenthusiastic.
Mavericks Stun Sonics
Durant vs Ager
Kevin Durant showed he was worth the 2nd pick - maybe even the 1st - as he fluently exeucted a plathera of moves, but it was not enough as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Seattle SuperSonics, 77-66. Durant scored a game-high 18 points, while Julius Hodge tallied 14 and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, Jeff Green's game made it look like Hodge will take his spot as Durant's sidekick.
Maurice Ager had a superstar performance as he scored 17 points. Ager managed to dunk on three of the Sonics starting five. Jose Juan Barea proved that he needs more minutes with the Mavericks with his 14 points and nine assists. Barea run the offense well as the point guard. He made sure that his teammates got the ball where they could score. As a result, Brandon Bass and Clay Tucker scored 12 points a piece.
Grizzlies Defeated Team China
Rudy Gay All Day, Yi Got Game
Yi's (Jianlian) got game, but it was (Rudy) Gay all day as the Memphis Grizzlies edged Team China, 86-77.
Gay had an all-around performance as he scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, stole the ball three times and dished out two assists. Gay showed an inside-out effort that did not appear for the Grizzlies last season. Tarence Kinsey contributed 20 points, which shows he's yet to cool off since this breakout games at the end of the season. Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry are the future floor generals for the squad and display nice talents as a tandem. Conley had 12 points and five rebounds, while Lowry tallied 13 and five assists.
Yi Jianlian is no bust. He showed versatility on the wing and post with 23 points and four boards. Wang Zhi Zhi, a former NBA player, scored a night-high 27 points and he grabbed seven rebounds, including three treys from downtown.
The Los Angeles Lakers' second-round pick Sun Yue (#40) dished out an impressive nine assists.
On another note, Arthur Johnson threw down a ferocious two-handed jam on Yi, as his legs went around Yi's shoulders. What a way to be welcomed in the league.
Celtics Slow Down Blazers
Oden Flutters in Debut
Greg Oden fouled out of the game as the Portland Trail Blazers fall to the Boston Celtics, 74-66. Oden had six points two blocks and two rebounds. It appears that Oden was either nerves or the next Kwame Brown. For his sake, I will go with nerves. LaMarcus Aldridge registered game-highs with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Aldridge, who had a heart condition that caused him miss most of the season, looks to be a perfect replacement or Zach Randolph. Martell Webster tallied 18 points and eight boards, while Taurean Green added seven and seven.
Gang green run wild in their up-tempo offense led by Leon Powe's 19 points and nine rebounds. Powe, a former California Bearcat, displayed good footwork on the block and used his upper body strength well.
Gerald Green and Allan Ray added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The talents of Glen Davis and Gabe Pruitt took the night off.
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By Anthony Smalls | Ball Above All's Blog Archive
Click here to watch, "Ball Above All," the weekly Basketball TV Show for the latest on the NBA and basketball information every Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET, and read the blog below...
Starring: Williams and Amundson
With 29 second remaining, Louis Williams threw down a slam dunk to lift the Philadelphia 76ers over the San Antonio Spurs, 65-61, in NBA Summer League opener. Williams finished with a game-high 19 points, while Louis Amundson added 16 and 11 rebounds. Their stellar play made everyone take noticed. In addition, Bobby Jones tallied a surprising 11 and five, for the Sixers.
C.J. Watson and James White both posted 13 points apiece, while Jackie Butler chipped in with 11, five rebounds and six assists, for the Spurs.
However, huge disappointments came from the Sixers picks Thaddeus Young (#12) and Jason Smith (#21). Young and Smith registered five and two points, respectively.
The game moved relatively slow and was unenthusiastic.
Durant vs Ager
Kevin Durant showed he was worth the 2nd pick - maybe even the 1st - as he fluently exeucted a plathera of moves, but it was not enough as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Seattle SuperSonics, 77-66. Durant scored a game-high 18 points, while Julius Hodge tallied 14 and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, Jeff Green's game made it look like Hodge will take his spot as Durant's sidekick.
Maurice Ager had a superstar performance as he scored 17 points. Ager managed to dunk on three of the Sonics starting five. Jose Juan Barea proved that he needs more minutes with the Mavericks with his 14 points and nine assists. Barea run the offense well as the point guard. He made sure that his teammates got the ball where they could score. As a result, Brandon Bass and Clay Tucker scored 12 points a piece.
Rudy Gay All Day, Yi Got Game
Yi's (Jianlian) got game, but it was (Rudy) Gay all day as the Memphis Grizzlies edged Team China, 86-77.
Gay had an all-around performance as he scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, stole the ball three times and dished out two assists. Gay showed an inside-out effort that did not appear for the Grizzlies last season. Tarence Kinsey contributed 20 points, which shows he's yet to cool off since this breakout games at the end of the season. Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry are the future floor generals for the squad and display nice talents as a tandem. Conley had 12 points and five rebounds, while Lowry tallied 13 and five assists.
Yi Jianlian is no bust. He showed versatility on the wing and post with 23 points and four boards. Wang Zhi Zhi, a former NBA player, scored a night-high 27 points and he grabbed seven rebounds, including three treys from downtown.
The Los Angeles Lakers' second-round pick Sun Yue (#40) dished out an impressive nine assists.
On another note, Arthur Johnson threw down a ferocious two-handed jam on Yi, as his legs went around Yi's shoulders. What a way to be welcomed in the league.
Oden Flutters in Debut
Greg Oden fouled out of the game as the Portland Trail Blazers fall to the Boston Celtics, 74-66. Oden had six points two blocks and two rebounds. It appears that Oden was either nerves or the next Kwame Brown. For his sake, I will go with nerves. LaMarcus Aldridge registered game-highs with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Aldridge, who had a heart condition that caused him miss most of the season, looks to be a perfect replacement or Zach Randolph. Martell Webster tallied 18 points and eight boards, while Taurean Green added seven and seven.
Gang green run wild in their up-tempo offense led by Leon Powe's 19 points and nine rebounds. Powe, a former California Bearcat, displayed good footwork on the block and used his upper body strength well.
Gerald Green and Allan Ray added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The talents of Glen Davis and Gabe Pruitt took the night off.
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