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The Summer League is in full swing and there are a bunch of former Big Ten players in action. Though this is not an NBA site, many of these former Big Ten players are fighting for a roster position in the Summer League. Success in the pros is highly related to a program's success, which makes the Summer League highly relevant for many of the programs in the Big Ten. Here are some of the highlights from Day 1 and Day 2.
We detailed the full Summer League rosters last week and now we are going to be following those players during their games this summer.
2014 NBA Summer League Day One & Two Stats
Detroit Pistons
- Brian Cook - Illinois
- Game 1 - 22 mins, 10 pts, 5 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Game 2 - 19 mins, 4 pts, 2 rebs, 1 ast, 0 blks, 1 stl
- David Lighty - Ohio State
- Game 1 - 20 mins, 1 pt, 1 reb, 0 asts, 0 blks, 4 stls
- Game 2 - DNP
- Christian Watford - Indiana
- Game 1 - 17 mins, 11 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts, 0 blks, 1 stl
- Game 2 - DNP
Houston Rockets
- Chris Kramer - Purdue
- 18 mins, 3 pts, 3 rebs, 7 asts, 0 blks, 2 stls
Memphis Grizzlies
- Kalin Lucas - Michigan State
- Game 1 - 12 mins, 11 pts, 2 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 1 stl
- Game 2 - DNP
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Mitch McGary - Michigan
- Game 1 - 21 mins, 8 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl
- Game 2 - DNP
Orlando Magic
- Roy Devyn Marble - Iowa
- 16 mins, 13 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts, 0 blks, 3 stls
- Victor Oladipo - Indiana
- 26 mins, 18 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts, 1 blk, 1 stl
Philadelphia 76ers
- Aaron Craft - Ohio State
- Game 1 - 10 mins, 2 pts, 2 rebs, 1 ast, 0 blks, 2 stls
- Game 2 - 7 mins, 1 pt, 0 rebs, 1 ast, 0 blks, 1 stl
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Thoughts
First, please insert a "grain of salt" warning with everyone of my statements regarding the Summer League. The competition is much different than your typical NBA regular or postseason game. Frankly, you just aren't going to run into your LeBron or Durant type of players in the Summer League. This means that there are some weaknesses in players that just don't get exposed in these type of scenariors. Having said that, there were a few things worth noting in the first two days of Summer League action.
How about Mitch McGary? That wasn't an epic stat-line and he got a good deal of time due to some injury concerns with Steven Adams, but for his first real game action since his back injury, that's a pretty good performance. He was active on offense and defense and if he can continue to move forward, he could be a big time steal for OKC.
Both of the Big Ten guys on the Orlando Magic also had big games. Victor Oladipo continues to show why he was an NBA Lottery pick in 2013 and Roy Devyn Marble is showing people why he was drafted. Marble still has some work cut out to make the Orlando roster, but that's a good start.
There were a few "older" players that had some big performances in Kalin Lucas and Christian Watford. Both are at least a year removed from their college days and it's good to see them getting another go at the NBA this summer. Both will need to continue to put up these types of performances to really have a shot.