I watched the Mavs summer league team play Team China last night with great interest since we're putting our future into these guys. Here's my scouting report: Devin Harris - Major quicks, like Spiderman quick. Looked good on D too. He had six turnovers (Nash was so good at protecting the ball). His shot looks good but he was put in some bad situations and had to force it. He'll be a good player, but it will take time for him to start playing HIS game. Not afraid to be a leader. Our best player on the court, it was obvious (Howard had a bad game). Perfect fit for Mavs up tempo offense. Pavel Podlolzine - Poor man's Greg Drieling. He is about the same size as Yao Ming. He held his own physically, but he can't get off the ground. I don't think he has the quick hands or jumping ability to be a good shot blocker. He fought hard for rebounds and could be a good rebounder and pick setter. His shot looked a little better than expected, he hit a ten footer. Major project. Best towel waver I've ever seen. Other players of note: Justin Brown - Seven footer from UConn. He has a nice stroke. 3-4 with a couple 20 footers. Moves really well, made some great hussle plays. He looked the best of the big men, although he's not really big, Yao and Bateer pushed him around. I may be insane, but this guy is better that Christian Laetner. DJ Mbenga - Seven footer from Congo. Really more like 7'3". He has no neck and long arms so his size is deceiving. Absolutely no lack of mobility or coordination. He is skinny though. He plays a little like Najera, but unfortunately, he just seems to have no feel for the game. He crashed the boards from every direction, but the ball always bounced the wrong way. He went for every block, but missed by inches every time. Just mentally a step slow. Maybe it was an unlucky game. Great athlete. Keep an eye on him. Like a cross between Samuel Dalembert and Darius Miles with a touch of Evan Eschmeyer. Luis Flores - Rookie Guard. Nice looking little guy. He probably has no chance to make the team, but he'd be better than Travis Best at least. He can lead a team. Jon Stefansson - Poor man's Steve Nash. Nice stroke. Good player. But probably just not good enough. I see why the Mavs kept him around last year. I bet he's a great practice player. Confident. Might be a Kerr like player some day.
Thanks for the heads-up, great descriptions. I hope Harris can hold is own right off the bat. And about Pavel.. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Best towel waver I've ever seen</div>
Just a brief followup after three games against Team China. Devin Harris led the team in scoring in each game, scoring 21 and 18 in the final two games. He's a heck of a player and should be the starting point guard for next season. Recall Tony Parker. Justin Brown had a 20 point, 10 rebound game. There is something about this guy. Podkolzin and Mbenga each had big performances in the absence of Yao Ming.
Devin Harris sounds like he can be something big in the future, and Podkolzine sounds like a project worthy of developing. Justin Brown sounds like another Marquis Daniels, but in the form of a big body. If he can play like Daniels did in the regular season, the Mavericks might not be so weak at the center spot after all, with Brown, Podkolzine, Bradley and Nowitzki.
It really seems like a good draft for the Mavericks so far. I hope they continue to progress as the regular season gets closer.
Donnie Nelson today on The Ticket made comments that implied that the Mavs have agreed to a contract with BJ Mbenga. We'll have to see, but it seems Harris, Mbenga and Podkoline, at a minimum, will make the roster. I've love to see Justin Brown, Flores and Stephanson given consideration, but with like 16 people already on the roster, it will be tough. Let's just hope that some of the riff raff on the roster will be moved along in trades before the end of summer so some of these exciting young guys can find a spot. Mbenga is 7 foot with a 7-6 wingspan and awesome hops.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SunshineRain:</div><div class="quote_post"> Mbenga is 7 foot with a 7-6 wingspan and awesome hops.</div> But i guess he is another project?
Can you tell us any more about Justin Brown? As I believe he's Australian... He was a benchwarmer for Connecticut this past season was he not?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting WhiteManCanJump:</div><div class="quote_post"> But i guess he is another project?</div> Well, maybe, maybe not. It's not like we have a bunch of great centers on the roster. If polished low post moves is a criteria for playing, then no, he won't make an impact. If diving after loose balls and swatting shots into the third row is important to Don Nelson, he'll contribute this year. But you know how he is about rookies. Well, he better get over it because Devin Harris MUST be huge for the Mavs as well. And yeh, if anyone knows anything about Justin Brown, please post it. He looks like a real player to me.
http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/spt/basket...ncol.13f95.html Good article on D. J. Mbenga, who can touch the rim standing flat footed. And Donnie Nelson on The Ticket compared him to Kevin Willis and said he will be on the team this year. Charlie Parker, the Mavs summer league head coach, calls him the best athlete on the team! I don't know what that says about the rest of the team? Well, us Mavs fans need something to cheer for.
Yep, I got the tip-off.. he's from Perth, Australia. Think he may have red-shirted last season. Keep us updated
For Mav's Summer League Stats: http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/maverick...gue_roster.html Devin Harris has been solidly leading the team. My Man D. J. Mbenga is really coming around. He's averaging about eight blocks per 48 minutes!!!! This guy is gonna be the next Ben Wallace, a Ben Wallace that can touch the rim standing flat footed!!!! And Podkolzine is putting up consistent stats when he's healthy. Big guys like him kinda scare me when they start having foot trouble. What happened to Justin Brown? He started off great, now he's getting DNP-CD. Bummer. Maybe he's hurt.
