Summer League Preview

Draft picks with the most to prove:
Gordon Heyward, Jazz (9)
Heyward was taken higher than expected by the Jazz, and with big men like Cole Aldrich and Ed Davis on the board, which is Utah's biggest need, they might regret taking Heyward. He didn't go up against high level athletes consistently in college, so it'll be interesting to see how he does.

Paul George, Pacers (10),Luke Babbitt, Trailblazers (16)
Neither George or Babbitt was considered any more than a borderline first round pick at the end of the season, but workouts and revisions were favorable to them, and they went much higher than expected. George needs to show he can use his many skills consistently while Babbitt has to show he's got the physical abilities to compete in the NBA.

Larry Sanders, Milwaukee (15)
No one is expecting Sanders to come in and be dominant, he's more of a project, but he needs to show he's got the potential he was drafted on. Another question about him is if he's strong enough to guard 4s, and just how far he has to go in that respect.

Eric Bledsoe, L.A. Clippers (18), Avery Bradley, Boston (19), Elliot Williams, Trailblazers (22)
Bledsoe, Bradley, and Williams are the three highest profile combo guards in the draft, and each one will be under pressure to prove that they can either run the point or produce as undersized 2 guards. Bledsoe is the most experienced point guard, while Bradley is expected to learn and be able to check 2s. Williams is interesting because we don't know Portland's plans for him.

Trevor Booker, Washington (23)
Brooker owes DeJuan Blair one. Because of the success that the undersized Blair had last year, using only length, muscle, and desire, the Wizards took a chance on him in the first round. Booker doesn't have the crazy length of Blair, but he's a better athlete. He needs to show he's not going to be a liability on defense while also being able to produce on offense, despite giving up inches. By the way, Booker has a better standing and max reach than Blake Griffin.

Greivis Vasquez, Memphis (28)
Vasquez clearly lacks the footspeed to be a good defender in the NBA, but he needs to show to be able to do an okay job. He may have to do it with smarts and within a system of team, but he can't be a sieve, Memphis can't afford it.

Lazar Heyward, Minnesota (30)
Heyward was a borderline mid second round pick, so taking him at the end of the first was an interesting move by Minnesota. Especially because they have to give him guaranteed money. He needs to show he's worthy of the pick. Does he have the size to play the 3? Or the quickness for the 2?

Daniel Orton, Orlando (29), Hassan Whiteside, Sacramento (33), Jerome Jordan, Milwaukee (44), Ryan Richards, San Antonio (49), Solomon Alabi, Toronto (50)
Call this the mystery (big) man group. Orton had limited production, got a lot of hype, but fell. Whiteside has all the physical tools, but had character issues. Richards impressed people at the Combine, but didn't excel in low-level Euro leagues. Jordon and Alabi have great size and emerging skill sets, but questions about their toughness and motors dropped them. They all have something to prove this summer.

Dexter Pittman, Miami (32) and Tiny Gallon, Milwaukee (47)
Both Pittman and Gallon are very talented players, Pittman is unstoppable if he catches the ball near the rim, and Gallon is a very good shooter. However, neither guy is in great shape. Both guys top 3 bills and that may limit their ability to produce consistently. If they can stay in shape and show they can play good minutes, they'll get a shot to make the roster.

Devin Ebanks, L.A. Lakers (43), Willie Warren, L.A. Clippers (54), Stanley Robinson, Orlando (59)
Ebanks, Warren, and Robinson all would have been lottery picks if they declared last year. They didn't, and they fell a lot. Needless to say, they have a lot to prove this summer.

Undrafted players who can make a roster:
Brian Zoubek, New Jersey
Zoubek isn't ever going to be more than a rebounder, but to make a roster he has to show he can rebound and defend at the next level and that his rebounding numbers weren't just a result of the system he played in.

Jon Scheyer, Washington
Scheyer is another guy who doesn't really do much except one thing: shoot. He's an ok passer, but not great, more solid. Plus he'll never be able to be a great defender. He may have a shot to make a roster based of IQ and intangibles however. Even if he's not the most talented, you know he'll always be ready to play.

Wayne Chism, New Jersey
Chism has a great motor and can shoot, rebound, and bang. He just doesn't have the athleticism. If he brings the same intensity and leadership to the summer league, he has a chance to make a roster.

Sherron Collins, Charlotte
Collins has a good chance to make the Bobcats because he's got the skills to be a solid backup and the Bobcats need a backup point guard. As long as his weight isn't an issue, and he doesn't have an alpha dog mentality, he should make the team.

Mikhail Torrance, Miami
Torrance claims he went undrafted because of concerns about his heart. Well, he better back that up and play like a player worthy of being drafted. And he certainly has that ability and can make a lean Heat team.

Charles Garcia, New York
Garcia has a lot of talent and could excel in the Knicks system because he can fly up and down the floor. Plus the Knicks need to add players because they only have a few now.

Sylven Landesburg, Sacramento
Landesburg has the body and game of a pro player, he just has some character concerns too. If he shows he not a headache, he has a great chance of making a team.

Manny Harris, Cleveland
I don't get how he went undrafted. He's super talented and has a game suited for the NBA. He should make a roster because he should have been drafted and is a better player than a lot of those drafted, including ones in the first round.

Jerome Randle, Washington
Randle is a impressive player. He's and excellent shooter (he shot 40 and 46% from the 3 the last two years), is a good passer, and get to the rim by anyone, the problem is he's only 5-10, 160. If he shows that size won't be a huge issue, he should make a team.

Art Parakhouski, Boston
Parakhouski has a nice inside game and could be a force on the boards as a backup for someone. If he shows that his quickness won't be an issue, I can see him making a team. Especially one like Boston, who need a backup center.