Despite standing at just 5-9, New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson came up big in the 2007 NBA Summer League. In five games, Robinson averaged 19.6 points per game, 6.0 assists per game and 3.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 48% from the field and 81% from the foul line. The young Knicks were perfect in those five games and relied heavily on the small guard.
The Dallas Mavericks were the only other team to go undefeated through five games. Led by forward Brandon Bass (14.8 points per game in four games), guard Jose Juan Barea (14.4 points per game in five games) and guard Maurice Ager (12.4 points per game in five games), the young Mavericks showed they could come through in the clutch.
The New Orleans Hornets and Seattle Supersonics were the only two winless teams. Yet, both squads had many bright spots. The Hornets got great play out of guard Anthony Roberson (19.5 points per game in four games), who played for the Golden State Warriors last season, as well as forward Hilton Armstrong (15.8 points per game in four games). Rookie forward Julian Wright struggled, averaging just 8.6 points per game while shooting 39% from the floor. The Supersonics saw much promise in rookie standout Kevin Durant, who averaged 24.0 points per game, though shot just 33% from the field. He will need to continue to get stronger if he wants to develop as an NBA star as is expected of him. Rookie teammate Jeff Green averaged 14.6 points per game in five games, while shooting 44% from the field.
Among the other youngsters that shined included:
- Louis Williams, G, Philadelphia 76ers. 25.2 ppg, 49% fg, 5.4 rbpg, 5.0 apg
- Von Wafer, G, Denver Nuggets. 24.2 ppg, 54% fg
- Marco Belinelli, G, Golden State Warriors. 22.8 ppg, 44% fg
- Craig Smith, F, Minnesota Timberwolves. 21.8 ppg, 63% fg, 6.0 rbpg
- Aaron Brooks, PG, Houston Rockets. 21.4 ppg, 46% fg, 5.2 apg
- Kelenna Azubuike, F/G, Golden State Warriors. 21.0 ppg, 47% fg, 6.0 rbpg
- LaMarcus Aldridge, F/C, Portland Trail Blazers. 21.0 ppg, 59% fg, 11.0 rbpg, 3.0 bspg
- Francisco Garcis, G, Sacramento Kings. 20.5 ppg, 3.5 apg
- Rodney Stuckey, G, Detroit Pistons. 19.0 ppg, 46% fg, 4.0 rbpg
- Randy Foye, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves. 18.4 ppg, 44% fg, 3.6 rbpg
- Rudy Gay, F, Memphis Grizzlies. 18.2 ppg, 42% fg, 5.6 rbpg
- ZhiZhi Wang, C, China. 17.4 ppg, 55% fg, 6.0 rbpg
- Alando Tucker, F, Phoenix Suns. 17.4 ppg, 42% fg
- Javaris Crittenton, PG, LA Lakers. 17.0 ppg, 49% fg, 3.0 apg
- Spencer Hawes, F/C, Sacramento Kings. 16.6 ppg, 44% fg, 5.4 rbpg
- D.J. Strawberry, G, Phoenix Suns. 15.6 ppg, 3.0 rbpg, 6.4 apg
- Demetris Nichols, F, New York Knicks. 15.6 ppg, 53% fg
- Randolph Morris, F, New York Knicks. 11.2 ppg, 63% fg, 9.2 rbpg
- Justin Williams, F, Sacramento Kings. 11.8 ppg, 51% fg, 10.6 rbpg.
Among the youngsters that struggled included:
- Yi Jianlian, F, China. 12.4 ppg, 26% fg
- Josh McRoberts, F, Portland Trail Blazers. 4.2 ppg, 36% fg
- Marcus Williams, F/G, San Antonio Spurs. 3.6 ppg, 25% fg
- Greg Oden, C, Portland Trail Blazers. 9.5 ppg, 60% fg, 3.5 rbpg
- Derrick Byars, F, Philadelphia 76ers. 0.7 ppg, 20% fg
- Johan Petro, C, Seattle Supersonics. 3.4 ppg, 25% fg
From recently drafted rookies to Coach George Karl's son, Coby, recently battling serious thyroid issues, to NBA star Ron Artest's 300-pound brother, Daniel, the 2007 NBA Summer League provided much entertainment and generated a whole lot of interest.
However, keep in mind that statistics from the Summer League are not always the most telling about how well a player will do during the NBA regular season. For instance, LeBron James only averaged around 15 points per game in his first summer league and even struggled through the exhibition games before starring in his first regular season.
There's a lot of time between now and the tip off of the first NBA game on Halloween, but the NBA Summer League provides a glimpse of some of the younger players in action.
