Summer League: Biggest Day 1 Surprises
The 2008 Orlando Pro Summer League kicked off on Monday and the NBA wasted no time showcasing its most talked about match up. Michael Beasley and the Miami Heat defeated Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls in Day 1 action. The Indiana Pacers also topped Oklahoma City while the Orlando Magic fell to the New Jersey Nets. HOOPSWORLD takes a look at the biggest surprises from Day 1 in Orlando …
Game 1: Indiana Pacers 95, Oklahoma City 78
OKC Quiets Skeptics in Loss: The former Seattle SuperSonics raised eyebrows when they selected Russell Westbrook with the fourth overall pick out of a pool of highly touted guards. On Monday's debut with Oklahoma City, Westbrook proved his worth. With the Pacers up 21-8 in the first quarter, he scored eight consecutive points to keep his team in the game. Westbrook finished with 18 points off of 7-for-13 shooting, five assists, and four rebounds. The Pacers may have got the 'W' but Westbrook had a winning performance.
Five Pacers Score in Double Digits: The Pacers do not boast a true headliner on their summer league roster, leaving the star of the game up for grabs. On Day 1, nearly half of the team fought for the title. Starters Stephen Graham, Shawne Williams, Courtney Sims, Earl Calloway, and reserve Andre Emmett each scored more than 12 points. But it was Calloway, who played for the NBDL's Fort Wayne Mad Ants last season, who led the way with an additional seven assists in nearly 30 minutes of play. If he continues to have this success in Orlando, the former Indiana Hoosier may find success with the Pacers next season.
Game 2: Miami Heat 90, Chicago Bulls 74
Beasley vs. Rose Isn't Even Close: Derrick Rose nabbed the first pick but Michael Beasley stole the first win. The aggressive forward, who is playing with a slightly cracked sternum, posted 28 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes for the Heat. He got looks with ease, getting off 21 shots from the field and 12 from the line. Rose, on the other hand, took longer to warm up. He shot just 1-for-3 during 15 minutes of first half play. The point guard came alive in the third to score seven points and finished the match up with 10 points, four assists, and five turnovers. Rose is also playing injured (sore right knee) and this match up is sure to be even more competitive when both rookies compete healthy.
Chalmers Wins Again: It was only three months ago that Mario Chalmers dominated the NCAA Championship game to lift Kansas to an overtime victory over Memphis. His late shots crushed Derrick Rose and the Tigers' hopes for a title. He got the best of Rose again on Day 1. Chalmers, the 34th overall pick in this year's draft, held the top pick to 10 points and four assists while he contributed 11 points and six assists himself. The Heat may landed a bargain (and proven winner) in the second round.
Game 3: New Jersey Nets 86, Orlando Magic 74
Magic Invisible in the Paint: It is ironic that a team led by one of the best big men in the game would be pummeled down low. The Nets outscored the Magic 40-18 in the paint and outrebounded them 39-28 as well. The imbalance on the boards is even more notable considering that Nets first round pick, 7' Brook Lopez didn't grab a single rebound. Marcin Gortat added eight rebounds for the Magic but no one on the team was able to grab more than one offensive board. The Magic could have used Dwight Howard to help them out against the Nets on Day 1.
Nets Go Carroll-ing in July: Less than two weeks after Jaycee Carroll went undrafted, he wasted no time proving himself at Summer League. The guard from Utah State and 2008 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year led all scorers with 22 points in less than 20 minutes of play. He also added seven rebounds and five assists. Carroll got to the line more than anyone else and shot 8-for-9 from the charity stripe. The unsigned free agent made a strong impression on a team in need of back up help in the back court.
Stay with HOOPSWORLD for continual coverage of the NBA Summer Leagues from Orlando and Las Vegas.
About the Author: JESSICA CAMERATO
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Jessica Camerato is a member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association and has covered the NBA for HOOPSWORLD for two years, powering HOOPSWORLD.COM and HOOPSWORLD Magazine.
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