Summer League Recap: Warriors 110, Hornets 102

by Atma Brother ONE on Jul 7, 2007 6:46 PM PDT in Recaps

We're about 3 months away from the start of the 2007-2008 NBA season, but that doesn't stop GSoMers from going absolutely nuts. Over 150 comments in an open thread (special thanks to nativeson and J Rich 4 MVP) for a meaningless summer league game? We really do love us some summer leage hoops. Summatime!

Boxscore
fullj.getty-75093134ge004_summer_league.jpg
The summer league's a promotion for DLeague balla POB.

Our SBN brother Dave from the mighty Blazers Edge is in Vegas right now and caught today's match between the Warriors and Hornets live. Here's his thoughts from the SBN media section:

Most of this game belonged to Marco Belinelli. He looks like a smart player. Very European style. Tough-nosed and aggressive. He absolutely owned the building with an array of one-footed leaning jumpers, three pointers, and even a breakaway dunk or two. He had decent court vision too. The Hornets started doubling him, the ultimate sign of Summer League respect, and he made some nice passes.

Patrick O'Bryant, on the other hand, is going to cause plenty of coaches' veins to bulge. He had difficulty rebounding. He got one board all game that didn't come right to him. He played flat-footed on both ends. He was constantly reaching for balls instead of moving for them. He got used like a cheap hanky by 6'2" Anthony Roberson while defending one on one. His dunk attempts are about as authoritative as a librarian at a Metallica concert. Compare him to a guy like New Orleans' Adam Haluska. Haluska has a motor. He's never still on the floor...always pursuing something. O'Bryant has two hamsters in a wheel. And one of them's sick.

Pierre Pierce displayed some interesting, if somewhat single-minded, offensive ability. Kelenna Azubuike was clearly the most aggressive player on the court. He knows what he's here for. Every Summer League game is available to be dominated and it always surprises me when guys come out passive. Azubuike looked like he wanted to leave an imprint.

Dave will be one of our main GSoM correspondents for the summer league, so make sure to drop him a thank you in the comments or even better on Blazers Edge for the great scouting report.

Whistle while you ball!

Marco... Marco... Marco... POLO! dropped 37 points on 14-20 fg's including 5 from downtown.

fullj.getty-75093134ge012_summer_league.jpg
Not quite JRich here, but nevertheless a very nice poster picture.

Also see:

Open Game Thread from the GSoM Diaries
First look at Marco Belinelli (and it's VERY good) and the Warriors' summer league squad [SFGate]
Game 1 Recap [Warriors.com]

Photos: Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

UPDATE 7/8/07 12:04pm: Also check out:

Viva Italia! - Analyzing the Belinelli Debut [Hoopsworld]
Warriors' top pick, Belinelli, makes a quick impression [SFGate]
Azubuike eager to stick around [SFGate]

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Comments

GO BELLINELLI AND BOOKIE

ha. i havent seen the warrior wonder in a while.

Bellineli > ODurant

><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/aznflipflava650/JR.jpg"> You could ride to this as modivationul muzik

by protac6 on Jul 7, 2007 7:04 PM PDT reply actions

As of right now

I actually agree. Oden played about as well as O'Bryant.

Tony aka Drawlz600 is AWESOME!!!!

by Zorgon on Jul 8, 2007 2:37 AM PDT up reply actions

"And one of them's sick"

lol! oh and why don't you just kick him in da balls while you're at it!

ah well, so much for hoping POB was the next AB

by hardcore on Jul 7, 2007 7:06 PM PDT reply actions

Does Belinelli shave his pits?

In that photo, he kind of looks like Brent Barry and Troy Murphy had a baby. With no armpit hair.

by bloodsweatndonuts on Jul 7, 2007 7:11 PM PDT reply actions

Europeans got it all backwards

by Jeremy Belvins on Jul 7, 2007 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

hmmm

im thinkin a lanky sly from rocky 1

by nativeson on Jul 7, 2007 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions

He kind of looks like Frank Stallone

http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/amg/pop_artists/P16556J26G5.JPG

by bloodsweatndonuts on Jul 7, 2007 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions

haha wow

yea, i see it

by nativeson on Jul 7, 2007 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions

The shave pits....

give him the aero dynamics! Look at those hops...but nothing like J-Rich. Bellinelli will be a stud and fit in fine with our team.

by DreDizz on Jul 9, 2007 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Man, POB was a terrible draft pick

I think Marco's gonna work out just fine, tho

by Jeremy Belvins on Jul 7, 2007 7:12 PM PDT reply actions

Bellinelli

is rockin' some all white jordan IIIs. the dude is a stud.

by dj fuzzylogic on Jul 7, 2007 7:40 PM PDT reply actions

Marco!

The guy played all 40 minutes of the game. And this is after a transcontinental flight barely 2 days ago. Gamer!

by Caught Backcourt on Jul 7, 2007 7:51 PM PDT reply actions

BELINELLI...37 points...5-6 3pt. shooting...

Its been about a year since I first saw his profile on nbadraft.net. I told my friends and fam that he would be an impact player in the league, and that I hoped the Warriors got him. They did. Now, watching him play against NBA players, my feelings are assured... kid can straight up play. I see some of Kobe's game in him, the way he plays out of triple threat, explodes with his first step using 1-2 dribbles and then pulls up quickly and accurately. He squares his body and gets a lot of lift on his jumpshot, very similar to the way Bryant does when driving. He is very smart, both offensively and defensively. Could anybody else see a Euro comparison to Kobe?

On offense, I saw him execute a move I thought was very impressive for a player of his age. He caught the ball with his back to the basket at the top of the 3 pt line. The defender crowded him, so he pivoted and turned holding the ball real low, threatening to drive. He bumped the defender with his shoulder to gain some space, and then used the space to jab step left, took one hard dribble right, and pulled up for a fadeaway 19 footer. Nothing but net.

He understands the game. He understands the simple things that make the difference between winning and losing.
On offense, he came off a screen and called for the ball. Instead they passed down low, and a Warrior began to post up, when Belinelli saw that his teammate had his man close to the basket and was most likely going to attempt a shot, He immediately began to back pedal towards the half court line, to get back on defense. Sure enough, the shot was attempted, but missed. The Hornets started a fastbreak going the other way. Belinelli was the only man on defense.

I loved Azubuike and his agressiveness as well. He has an NBA body. He has a nice set shot from deep that should serve him well in our system. Nelson said that Kelenna should have been a lottery pick last year. If that is the case, I expect to see him play some significant minutes for us this year.

It makes you wonder, if the emergence of Azubuike continues, if he impresses the coaches throughout the summer and through training camp, will that make Ellis expendable? If the Warriors were to package Ellis and Harrington for a big name like a Igoudala, Deng, Howard.. would you guys like it? Would you sacrifice Ellis to get better in other areas, if Azubuike were to rise beyond expectations? What do you think the Warriors will do with their overload of gaurds?(Davis,Belinelli,Ellis,Jackson,Azubuike,Pietrus)

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 7, 2007 7:58 PM PDT reply actions

Ellis Expendable?

I think it's a little early to be saying Belinelli or Buke can be starters in the NBA. Things do look promising though.

by jlagace on Jul 7, 2007 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I didnt say that...

I didnt say that Ellis is expendable right now at the moment. I agree with you, it is too early to tell. Although I will say this: Im not a betting man, but I would put my house up for Belinelli. I got mad faith in the kid.

What I did say is this: If Bookie, and Belinelli become what Nelson and company, (and I) think they will become, then it leaves someone expendable. Ellis? maybe, maybe not. But someone, thats for damn sure.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 7, 2007 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions

not a betting man

but you'll bet your house?

Nice to see such enthusiasm for summer league.

by ssmokinjoe on Jul 8, 2007 12:11 AM PDT up reply actions

exagerrating obviously

but I would bet a healthy sum on his success... I guess I just believe in him too much. Its just that my intuition has served me very well in the past, and the first time I saw Marco play about a year ago, I was impressed. And me thinks, ah man what if the Warriors got this kid, thatd be great. When they did, I took it personal, even though it really has nothing to do with me at all.. I feel like it was fate. So with that stupidty said, I feel Im 90% sure that he is going to be an all star some day...am I wrong for..."BELIEVING"???...hehehe

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 8, 2007 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

"90% sure"

What does that mean? Would you give me 10:1 odds -- say $1000 v. 100? I'd never bet against the Ws, but any sane person would take those odds, and much worse. Other guards in the West include Kobe, Nash, Parker, CP3, Deron, Ginobili, Roy, Baron, McGrady, Barbosa, Harris, and Iverson. Giving Beli even a 25% shot of being an all-star is pretty generous.

"Exaggerating obviously" sums up most of your recent posts (though I did really like your in-depth analysis of the intricacies of Beli's game). Lots of NBA scouts, having watched Beli extensively, considered him a late first-round pick. It takes more than one summer league game to negate that. In the end your feminine intuition, however well it's served you in the past, is no more valid than anybody else's.

by Sleepy Freud on Jul 8, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

hahaha...look

This is Justin of Oakland,
I guess a construction worker who trains in mixed martial arts is a fag all of the sudden. Haha I wouldnt verbally attack someone I didnt know on a website. Now thats some foolish feminine shit... When a man talks sh** to another man it should be exactly that, man to man, eye to eye. So, Im not even going to play that little game with you.

Hmmmmm...what does 90% sure mean? It means that I would make the bet 9 times out of 10... you get it? Sorry I didnt use the correct gambling lingo...like I said, Im not a gambling man.

Also, your little 25% chance of Belinelli making an all-star team being generous makes no sense...not even a little. First of all, half of the players you mentioned are point gaurds, and would not even be in contention with Marco for an all-star spot.

Second of all, Kobe, Manu, McGrady, and Iverson are all 30 or over by now... By the time Belinelli is in his prime, most of these names will be out of the league. So again, what are you talking about?
Belinelli is one of the most proven, young, fundametally sound, and experienced 2 guards to have hit the league as of late.

Im also curious to know what you mean by most of my posts have been an exagerration. Explain. The posts about Belinelli may have been an exagerration to you, since you dont believe that he will be a great player, IN TIME. Thats your opinion, nevertheless it holds no more merit than mine.

"Lots of NBA scouts, having watched Beli extensively, considered him a late first-round pick. It takes more than one summer league game to negate that."

When did I ever say that I think Belinelli will be an all-star because of his performance in summer league? The summer league game only supports my thoughts about him becoming great.

Also, the fact that NBA scouts think he should have gone in the late 1st-2nd round means absolutely Jack SH**. Manu Ginobili was selected in the second round, as was Arenas, Sprewell, and many other talented gaurds. I have the feeling that scouts are somewhat prejudice against Euro gaurds because they have this belief that they are less athletic and less qualified. I dont believe that to be true either.

Lastly, my intuition has served me well in the past your right, Ive had guns pointed at me,Ive been in street fights. I have come along way. YAY! good for me right? But lets stick to basketball. I can honestly tell you that the mistakes Ive made judging players talent is minimal. I have watched and played ALOT of basketball and I know the game. I see a player with potential, and Ill jump on him, if he sucks, (Patrick O'Bryant-the guy you put on the same field as Belinelli) than I will be the first to tell you.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 8, 2007 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Dude, chilllllll

First of all, I never called you a "fag" -- I don't use that word, and if I did I wouldn't use it as an insult. Some of my best friends are "fags." I guess that makes me closer to a "fag" than you. I'm happy to accept that. Chicks dig gay-friendly guys :-)

As for my "feminine intuition" comment -- my feminine intuition tells me you took it as an insult. You seem to be using it that way, anyway. I didn't mean it that way, at all. Women rule, in my book.

As for the other stuff: it's kinda hard for me to distill the actual hoops analysis from your all your chest-thumping. I'm excited about 'Beli too. -- all I'm saying is you're exaggerating his chances of NBA all-stardom, on the basis of one spectacular performance. 90% is way beyond what even the most optimistic scout would give him. If I were a betting man, and didn't mind betting against my team, I'd gladly bet you even money that he won't be an all star. As it is, we'll just have to see.

Anyway, 1Dub. Peace.

-- Dylan

by Sleepy Freud on Jul 8, 2007 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

ya, alright...

I wish you wouldve responded to the questions I left for you regaurding the B-ball. (all-star possibilities) as that was the basis of the conversation to begin with. I could really care less about the macho vs. girly B.S. I yam what I yam, and Im comfortable in my manhood. It just kind of rude and stupid to illude to my intuition being womenly.
Ill admit that I am thumping my chest a little too hard over the rookie, but realize how good it must feel, if you had him as your pick at 18 while nobody else did. Youve been checking for every little detail about him on the internet for months now.. You told all your friends and they were like WHO??? So nobody really talks about him, and sure enough, the team youve been pulling for since youve been pulling teeth, brings him in.
Its a good feeling, it feels like we cant go wrong with him. It really is nothing more than just a feeling, but I got my mind made up that Im going to hold onto it and believe in it. Call it exagerration, stupidity, whatever. Ill take the blame.
P.S. I dont mind "fags" either. Id prefer lesbians though.. or bi-sexuals.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 8, 2007 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

I looked back at my original post and saw how it could be interpreted as a more prickish than I intended. I was kinda rude about your intuition. Part of the problem is that we're having this little tete-a-tete across two separate forums; and in one of them the scrap was provoked by a comment from my boy Coma. (Damn you, Coma, running away in the middle of a brawl, leaving me to face the martial arts master on my own!!)

Anyway, sorry for any hard feelings. I've actually gotten into it before with other posters whose opinions I normally respect over the issue of "objectivity" -- so it's obviously a pet peeve of mine. Sorry if I kinda took it out on you. As I said, I really enjoy your hoops analysis -- before you got into all the hyperbole, I found your breakdown of Belinelli's game probably the most insightful and best written I've read on this board.

Peace,
Sleepy/Dylan

p.s. Lez, gay, bi, trans, whatever, they're all equal as far as I'm concerned (if we're talking about which I'd rather watch in action, that's another matter, but we can discuss that like men, over beers...)

by Sleepy Freud on Jul 9, 2007 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Im sorry too D. No hard feelings here.

didnt mean to come back atcha that rough... I was kind of shocked a little cuz I usually like your opinions more than anyone elses on this blog. Ill try to keep it down on Belinelli though...Im hyping the kid up a little too much Ill admit.
With that said, I once shared a beer with an african american midget transexual sporting a mohawk... and he had a goatee. Ill never forget. Back to basketball.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 9, 2007 1:13 AM PDT up reply actions

One more thing sleep

I may be exagerrating his chances, due to my own prejudices, but at the same time, do not fall into the mistake of negating that he does in fact have a good chance.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 8, 2007 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Rookie etc.

Just a couple things about Belinelli. It seems most are viewing him as a rookie, technically he is a NBA rookie BUT he does have a little experience playing against NBA players. Ask James, Wade, Anthony etc. about the 25 points in 28 minutes Belinelli dropped on them last year. Also as great as his game was today we must remember that the Hornets summer team couldn't go .500 at best, in any of the Euro Pro leagues. That said me thinks Marco was a great choice and I can't wait to the season starts.

by Ace Fury on Jul 7, 2007 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

Nice range

I was a little worried about Bellinelli's range on threes as euro leagues have a 20 foot 3 point line, but he showed crazy range today, he made one from at least 28 feet and a few others a couple feet back from the line. He looks like a great addition to the warriors.

by Elcold on Jul 7, 2007 9:23 PM PDT reply actions

i

was very impressed. The only thing I saw that he needed to work on was turnovers. He turned it over a few times when he was double teamed. But other than that, solid.

Nellie's Schmoes

by tadams1080 on Jul 7, 2007 9:27 PM PDT reply actions

The game is archived

at nba.com in case anyone wants to watch it.

by racsan on Jul 7, 2007 9:54 PM PDT reply actions

wow

Belinelli really teared it up. May not be a bad pick after all.

by jtoj @ Golden State Of Mind on Jul 7, 2007 10:43 PM PDT reply actions

Now the Question is...

If this performance was just a case of him catching fire at the right time. Lets cross our fingers and hope he can do this kind of thing (of course, no one is expecting 37 points every game) all the time.

If he does it on monday I'll be intrigued.

If he does at a third time Ill be the first to jump on the Marco Train.

"We STILL believe..."

by Da City1 on Jul 7, 2007 10:49 PM PDT reply actions

all he has to do

Is shoot about 48% FG, 75% or better FT, and around 40% 3p in 20 minutes per game, give us 10-15 pts, 2-3 boards, 2-3 assists, and sufficient defense

basically Mike Miller off the bench

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Jul 7, 2007 10:53 PM PDT reply actions

man pretty

not to sound gay or anything, but bellinelli is "man pretty". my guess is he will be pretty popular with the ladies

we will miss your j rich

by ripjrich on Jul 7, 2007 11:02 PM PDT reply actions

just a reminder...

ike diogu scored 37 points for summer league in 2005. i have a feeling ike is going to be a force next year in the nba. i think bellinelli has some damn good skills, but i still dont like his pull up 3-pointers in traffic. even though he was hitting them, i can see an nba guard stealing his dribbles pretty quickly. i hope im wrong

by lowchi on Jul 7, 2007 11:29 PM PDT reply actions

Can someone please....

Provide the link to the game? I looked for it on NBA.com but I cant find it... Can someone please post it? Thank you..

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 8, 2007 12:43 AM PDT reply actions

link

http://videosearch2.nba.com/search/?sp_a=sp10038c44&sp_t=video&sp_q=%22summer+league%22& sp_n=10&sp_s=postdate&sp_k=wmvasf&sp_p=phrase

by Psion on Jul 9, 2007 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank you.

I actually found it like a minute after I posted that. Thanks for looking out, man.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Jul 9, 2007 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions

hez good

'nd he'll became more better after 1/3 season

-the most important thing here is not hez offensive play

but
- hez defense and sense of field/team/ball

-i believe he can be a great nellieballer

by Lat We N Trash on Jul 8, 2007 1:56 AM PDT reply actions

Just Watched the First Half

over on nba.com and the long three he hit was RIDICULOUS. r-a-n-g-e people. a good 6 feet behind the nba three point line, set shot. it might be early, but i'm pretty excited to see him play with the real squad.