Belinelli's Hot Again in the Las Vegas Sun

From Warriors.com

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Apparently, Keith Smart did not get the memo.

Las Vegas is a destination location for visitors all over the world to experience fun, good times and relaxation. And, if they can mix in a little good luck inside the casinos, all the better.

Well, under the tutelage of Smart, the Warriors' Summer League coach, the players might be gaining some valuable experience in this city, but not necessarily of the fun variety. Smart has made it very clear why the Warriors are spending part of July in this desert metropolis - to work. And work. And work a little more.

Prior to Tuesday's game against the Charlotte Bobcats, Coach Smart took advantage of the late 7:30 p.m. start time and scheduled an 11:00 a.m. shootaround at the Thomas & Mack Center. That's right, a shootaround at the Summer League. Shootarounds are typically reserved for regular season games and provides teams a chance to run through the scouting reports of that night's opponent and, in general, gives the players a chance to get loose in the morning (and out of bed). Tuesday's shootaround and subsequent game marked the eighth-consecutive day the Warriors either practiced or played a game in Las Vegas. Eight days. Nine practices (or shootarounds). Three games. And, with two days off prior to the next game on Friday, the Warriors are scheduled to practice on Thursday.

The message from Bob Knight's Disciple: This is a business trip.

The hard work and determination continued to pay dividends on Tuesday, when the Warriors defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 99-93, and improved their Summer League record to an unblemished 3-0. Marco Belinelli, who might petition the NBA to move Golden State's home games to Las Vegas, scored a team-leading 30 points, including 21 in the first half, on 9-of-15 shooting.

Of course, we are not serious about the potential of a petition, but we certainly get the sense that Mr. Belinelli enjoys playing on the UNLV campus. Dating back to last July's Summer League, the Italian star has averaged 22.9 points in seven games in Las Vegas, including a pair of 30-point outings.

Marco Belinelli continued to light up the Las Vegas scoreboards with 30 points on Tuesday against Charlotte. (warriors.com photo)
Other than his 37-point outburst in the opening game last year, Tuesday's performance might have been his most efficient. In addition to shooting a high percentage from the floor - including 3-of-4 on three-pointers - he was perfect from the charity stripe (9-of-9) and converted a few critical freebees from the line in the decisive fourth quarter. All in all, a very nice outing for Marco as he continues his quest to prove to Don Nelson that he deserves a chance to play when the 2008-09 regular season rolls around in November.

Belinelli, who is not expected to join the Warriors in the second half of the Summer League in Salt Lake City, has scored a total of 55 points in the last two games (25 and 30, respectively).

Smart, meanwhile, continues to push Belinelli and the other 13 players on Golden State's Summer League roster. He did elect to give the squad a much-deserved day off on Wednesday, but the teaching will continue to Thursday when the team holds a practice at Cox Pavilion at noon. Smart has indicated that part of the reason for the near regular season-like ritual is to try to acclimate the players - including rookies Anthony Randolph and Richard Hendrix - to NBA life. You can't argue with that rationale, especially when a player like Brandan Wright has suggested that his biggest challenge during his rookie season last year was overcoming the grueling schedule. Now, there are no road trips or 2,000-mile flights to make during the Summer League, but pushing the players during July with hard practices, shootarounds and a packed schedule is certainly one way to help ease the transition in October and November.

One player who is looking forward to the transition is Randolph, who had one of the most interesting comments during the team's meeting with NBA executives last Saturday. As part of the meeting, each player was asked what he hoped to accomplish both on and off the court in the future. The overwhelming majority of the players simply said they hoped to continue to improve as a player. Randolph, however, went a little further. The 6'10" rookie, who officially signed with the Warriors on Tuesday, said that he "wants to be one of the best ever." The words slid off his tongue rather easily and you can certainly see the confidence and desire in the young man from LSU. Part of being a great player is to want it and if he continues to work - especially with his talent, ability and youth - the sky is the limit. Randolph spoke to our very own Tim Roye yesterday, and you can listen to the interview by clicking here.

Several reputable basketball observers, including longtime scout Marty Blake, believe that Randolph will eventually grow to be a 7-footer. The last time I looked, there were not many small forwards in the NBA in the 7-foot range. If that scenario develops, he'll have a much better chance of achieving his "one of the best-ever" tags, especially with his skill set. I'm sure Nellie (or whoever might be the coach at that time) would find a way to utilize a player of that size at small forward. The possibilities, really, are endless, especially in the type of fast-paced system the Warriors currently utilize.

C.J. Watson will host a basketball camp later this week in his native Las Vegas. (warriors.com photo)
Guard C.J. Watson, who is a native of Las Vegas and has helped fill the stands with family and friends, has performed admirably during the Summer League, highlighted by a 23-point, seven-assist effort during Tuesday's win over the Bobcats. Watson and Charlotte's first-round pick, D.J. Augustin, staged a nice battle throughout the game. The two aggressive point guards combined for a total of 27 free throws attempted (16 by Watson) and you could certainly sense a little pride and competitive fire emanating from Watson, who went undrafted out of Tennessee in 2006. Augustin, as you might recall, was the 9th player chosen in the 2008 NBA Draft in June.

After joining the Warriors in the middle of last season, Watson has proven to be a more-than-capable NBA reserve. He averaged 3.7 points and 1.1 assists in 32 games with Golden State last season and is trying to earn a spot on Don Nelson's squad again in 2008-09. He has shown the ability to run an offense and has demonstrated a knack to score via his aggressiveness at the offensive end of the floor. Prior to his D-League call-up in January, he ranked third in the league in scoring, averaging 26.2 points per game and earned D-League Player of the Month honors in December. However, he will not be required to be a big-time scorer in the Warriors' system; the team would be happy with a player who can be a calming influence on the floor and distribute the ball to the players who are paid to light up the scoreboard. C.J has the tools to do just that and will get an extended look during the remainder of the Summer League.

Watson is scheduled to hold a basketball camp for local Las Vegas children later this week (July 17-19) at the Doolittle Convention Center. The camp - referred to as "Hoops for Hope" - has been partially organized by his mother and is an avenue for C.J. to give back to a community that has been a part of his life for many years. (He attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.)

Notes: One positive sign derived from our stay in Las Vegas has been Randolph's presence in the buffet line at the team hotel. On Sunday, the 200-pound rookie informed me that he ventured back to top off his plate three different times. I assume he did it to aid his growth (and satisfy his appetite); I did it because I wanted to get my money's worth from the $29 price tag ... On the bus ride back to the team hotel following Tuesday's shootaround, Coach Smart had the players sing happy birthday to Randolph, who turned 19. Let's just say the results of Tuesday night's game against Charlotte were much more impressive than the singing exploits of the Warriors' players ... Randolph did not play in Tuesday's game, as he rested a sprained left ankle suffered during Sunday's contest vs. Dallas. He is questionable for Friday's game against Sacramento ... Forward Richard Hendrix (strained left quad) continues to make progress and remains hopeful that he'll be able to play at some point during the Summer League, either in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.</div>

 

I don't remember Jonathan Bender too much as a player, since he was mostly injured all the time. But I remember he had huge potential. That is the only other player that I can think of as a 7 footer SF or even SG. Also I guess Dirk may go into that category.

 

Jonathan Bender, I believe might still be the highest scoring player ever in a McDonald's high school all-star game. Dirk Nowitzki is probably the best example of an over-sized small forward that can feel right at home as a power forward (thanks to his rebounding, adequate post game, the ability to drive to the basket, and ability to block shots). Dirk year 1 was obviously different than Dirk year... right now. Same with skinny Pau Gasol who moved from SF to PF. I'd like to see how Chris Bosh develops because talk about skinny. If Bosh fills out to 235 or 240 then there's hope for Wright and Randolph. Wasn't Bosh drafted at 210? I remember thinking, "how can this guy compete right away?", but Bosh did it because he's so finesse and skilled. Wright's got really good moves like Bosh, but his finesse is not as good and he's not really that aggressive. He barely did anything last night. I bet Randolph would have tried to take over, but with Wright I get the feeling that he needs to be properly motivated.

Maybe I'm expecting way too much out of Wright when these guys are working their butts off. I bet Wright and some of the others they're tired and other players like Belinelli and CJ Watson have more conditioning and strength.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>One summer-league game doesn?€™t guarantee greatness. Gallinari can ask one of his countrymen about that. Golden State?€™s Marco Belinelli scored 37 points in his Vegas debut a year ago then spent last season shackled in Don Nelson's rookie dungeon.</div>
Shackled in Don Nelson's rookie dungeon...I love that phrase.

Source: Johnny Ludden, Yahoo! Sports

 

If not playing is Nelson's "Rookie Dungeon," I wonder what metaphor "D-League" would have. I think O'Bryant and Perovic were the only ones that got sent down if we're counting active nba players.