Rookies in Summer League Action

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 17, 2008

Rookies in Summer League Action

Derrick Rose

The top pick in the draft appeared in only two games at the Orlando summer league before being shut down because of tendinitis in his right knee.

Michael Beasley

Beasley, who played in Orlando despite a sternum injury, averaged 19.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in five games. He was part of the all-tournament first team, while second-round pick Mario Chalmers (15.8 ppg, 5.4 apg) made the second team for Miami.

Russell Westbrook

Westbrook was one of the standouts in Orlando, averaging 16.5 points, 3.5 assists and 1.5 turnovers while shooting 50 percent from the field in four games.''I'm excited to play with him next year,'' Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant said. ''He's a fun player to watch, and he's even [more fun] to play with.''

Brook Lopez

The 7-footer averaged only 4.8 rebounds in five games (including zero in his 20-minute Orlando debut), but his scoring improved each game, from 10 in the opener to 25 in the finale.

O.J. Mayo

In his NBA debut at the Las Vegas summer league, Mayo announced his arrival with a huge dunk in transition over 6-11 Hornets big man Hilton Armstrong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTs-2raFAFo). In his fourth game, Mayo, the highest-drafted player (third overall) competing in Las Vegas, made a 69-footer to beat the first-quarter buzzer against the Spurs. ''I like his drive and desire to be a great player,'' Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni said. ''You can sense it.''

Danilo Gallinari

Gallinari distinguished himself just by playing unselfishly -- a rarity in summer league games. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said of the rookie and his team-oriented approach: ''I don't want him to change. I want to get the team to be like him.''

Courtney Lee

Lee, a four-year starter at Western Kentucky, showed why the Magic believe he can help fill their need at shooting guard sooner rather than later. Lee, the 22nd pick, averaged 20.2 points and made 8-of-17 three-pointers in five games for host Orlando.

Kevin Love

Love said he was "shaking out there a little bit" during his first game in Las Vegas, where he committed four fouls in the first quarter. But he rallied to finish with 18 points and 13 rebounds for a Minnesota team that also includes last year's first-round pick, Corey Brewer.

Anthony Randolph

Given the freedom to create as a point-forward, the 6-10 Randolph scored 30 points in his Las Vegas debut. Coach Don Nelson has been gushing about Randolph, who was considered one of the biggest ''upside'' players in the draft (he was selected No. 14). Keep in mind that Nelson had high praise last summer for 2007 first-round pick Marco Belinelli, who rarely got off the bench as a rookie.

Darrell Arthur

Arthur has taken full advantage of the summer league's 10-foul rule, nearly fouling out a couple of times. The former Kansas big man acknowledged that he's playing with a chip on his shoulder after slipping to No. 27 in the draft, in part because of rumors about a kidney issue.