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Men's Basketball

Monday, July 14, 2008

Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore

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Vegas summer league notes

Former Kansas University forward Julian Wright of the New Orleans Hornets had 11 points off 5-of-12 shooting with six turnovers in Sunday's 77-75 victory over Charlotte. Wright had a whopping 11 turnovers in Friday's 88-75 loss to Memphis. He also had 12 points off 4-of-17 shooting with five boards. : Former KU guard Aaron Miles had six assists, six points and two turnovers in Dallas' 86-69 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. On Sunday, he missed five of six shots and finished with two points, three assists and three turnovers in a 95-86 loss to Golden State. : Former KU guard Keith Langford had 14 points in the Denver Nuggets' 99-85 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday. He had three assists and one turnover.

Orlando wrap-up

Former KU guard Mario Chalmers of the Miami Heat was named second-team all-Orlando pro summer league. He averaged 15.8 points a game off 40 percent shooting. He made 16 of 40 shots, including four of 17 threes. Chalmers also made 43 of 47 free throws for 91.5 percent with 5.4 assists, 3.2 turnovers and 2.0 steals in Miami's five games. : Playing for the Chicago Bulls, Langford averaged 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.3 turnovers. He hit 17 of 25 shots and five of 11 threes.

Recruiting update

KU coach Bill Self scouted point guard John Wall and shooting guard Xavier Henry last weekend at the Peach Jam AAU Tournament in North Augusta, S.C. Wall, a 6-foot-4 senior from Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., told SI.com his finalists are KU, Memphis and Kentucky. Rivals.com reports that Henry, 6-6 senior from Putnam City (Okla.) High, scored 36 points in Athletes First's victory over Minnesota Howard Pulley. Henry, who recently added Texas and UCLA to his list of schools, reportedly will wind up at either KU or Memphis.

Simien chooses Hawks

Former KU power forward Wayne Simien won't be playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers' summer-league team in Las Vegas, after all. The former KU power forward instead has accepted an invitation to play for the Atlanta Hawks' summer-league team in the Rocky Mountain Review, July 18-25, in Salt Lake City.

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Comments

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Julian is devolving: TOs high and Shooting percentage low. KLangford is finally showing his stuff.Mario punks NBA defense. Who was the #1 PG taken again?

July 14, 2008 at 3:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Seriously, jaybate. Mario shows with each outing that the Heat got a STEAL!!!!

July 14, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkitup (anonymous) says...

I really hope Simien ends up making an NBA roster. Also, I really hope we land Xavier Henry. Wall would be nice too.

July 14, 2008 at 8 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...

If we land Henry AND Wall, we will have bascially the #1 and #2 recruits in the country, not to mention the sickest scoring back court KU has ever seen.

July 14, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku98 (anonymous) says...

Wayne has a good chance to make the Hawks lineup. Josh Smith is their own legitimate PF, and he has been courted by a bunch of other teams. I am rooting for you, Big Dub!

July 14, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says...

Sounds like JW was enjoying Vegas too much off the court and it translated to lazy passes and stupid turnovers.

July 14, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

afilmer (anonymous) says...

wall is the stuff. he's unfortunately a one and done type of player, but my gut says that if wall sees the light on the hill, henry will follow, and one is all we will need for another NC. good luck to all the former hawks in the NBA. we're proud as snot of you guys.

July 14, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

avaholic (anonymous) says...

Billy Packer is done with the final four!!!!One year too late.

July 14, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

I thought the Hawks had a guy named Al Horford. Also, I didn't watch the Vegas game where Julian had 11 turnovers, but maybe he was just being too creative with his passing for his summer league teammates. He has a tendency to make those no-look surprise passes that his teammates aren't ready for.

July 14, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

I worry that Darrell is going to try "too hard" and not just let the game come to him. Of course a great counter-argument would be that Darrell was not assertive enough at Kansas so maybe he NEEDS to try harder. Id just hate to see him try to push his development too fast and end up making game mistakes that might form a bad impression of him from a coaching standpoint or get into bad habits that wont serve him well.Who knows?

July 14, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

I bet Wall ends up staying home and goes to school down the road in Chapel Hill. Thats okay though because from what Ive seen from Tyshawn Taylor, we have a heck of a PG for the next few years.

July 14, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...

All I know is that the top five 2009 recruits not commited on Rivals ALL have KU as one of the teams on their list. We will have two available scholarships and possibly more if Collins or maybe Aldrich were to leave. Wall looks a lot like Derrick Rose in his floor vision, speed and body strength. He will be one and done but he's talented enough to take a team to the National Championship as a freshman. Same goes for Xavier Henry. That kid is so solid, he would definitely be in the NBA Draft next year if it weren't for the one year rule. Hopefully we can keep the incredible recruiting going. Coming off a championship, now is the time for KU to finally get on par with UNC and Duke in recruiting top five players.

July 14, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

yovoy (anonymous) says...

have any of you watched the d-league games? i thought i might see something good so i've been watching some in the middle of the night as well as dvr-ing some of them. the quality of the games is horrible. when you are used to some sort of 'structure' offensively, it seems hard to show your stuff. besides dumb fouls, the only thing that really made da look bad was his delay in going to get the high pick-and-roll set. that said, the guards are dominating the majority of the shots, and many of them can't really shoot. the other thing is that many of them can't/don't pass after the pick, so i'm almost sure that da feels like there's no use in hurrying to get the pick set. i saw numerous times where a mario/russ/sherron/whoever would've given him the ball, but he was looked off in favor of forced shot (missed), or a crappy pass. mayo is NOT the star he should be, maybe he's taking it easy, but he's overrated. when he's in the reg season, i'm sure he'll improve, but he's not impressed me once. his decision-making is spotty at best. da DID make his first shot which was his sweet, turn-to fadeaway (i call it the 'spacemaker'). he didn't force that, but it was one of the few times he got the ball in rhythm and in a position to score. he can create a little bit, but the spacing is so terrible in this league that during the odd-times he does get the ball, there's no room to operate so he has to force something or give the ball up. if he gives it up he's not going to see it for another 8-10 possessions. i'd guess his fouling is his attempt to get involved. just the way he's been taught.i haven't seen mario, but i'd like to. he seems to be the biggest surprise. as for julian, i'll ask again: has anyone watched any of these games? we've all played in games where the talent is below what we can do, and it's hard to play in that crap. he's nba-ready (with experience), so i'm not sure what the logic behind having him play a class down really is. the talent-level or level of play in this d-league is almost laughable. i'd almost swear that a solid college team could play with these guys. a memphis would give these guys problems. honestly. watch the games - if you can. you'll want to tune out early.horford is a hawk, and from what i've seen, i would play him in front of dub. sorry, but he's waaaay better than i ever thought he could be.

July 14, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

"Billy Packer is done with the final four!!!!One year too late."You are so right. The most painful part of repeatedly watching KU vs. UNC and Memphis is having to listen to that bozo over and over. And when you know what he's about to say, it's SO much worse than hearing it the first time. (I guess in a way it's better, because at least you can prepare to cringe.)Do you know who's going to replace him as the main analyst?

July 14, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

yovoy (anonymous) says...

clark kellog, i believe.

July 14, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

yovoy (anonymous) says...

it's only better now because you know the outcome. is kellog that much better? he's a dufus - imo.

July 14, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

actorman,From what I've heard, Clark Kellogg appears to be the guy to succeed Packer.

July 14, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

yovoy (anonymous) says...

ahem....

July 14, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kupops (anonymous) says...

You mentioned Mario was second team in Orlando. Please publish the entire first and second teams.thanks

July 14, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Here it is, kupops:first teamg Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma CityG Courtney Lee, OrlandoF Jeff Green, Oklahoma CityF Michael Beasley, MiamiC Brook Lopez, New Jerseysecond teamg Mario Chalmers, MiamiG Earl Calloway, IndianaF Jaycee Carroll, New JerseyF Chris Douglas-Roberts, New JerseyC Marcin Gortat, Orlando

July 14, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kansaspike (anonymous) says...

This Billy Packer move has been long over due. Now I don't have to mute the final four games!How about when he ripped the Missouri Valley a couple years back, then they shoved it in his face? What a dufus. Congrats Special K!!!!!!!!

July 14, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

In my opinion, Kevin Harlan should be calling the Final Four with Jim Nantz.His voice is great, and he can call exciting parts of a game without making your ears split or nearly give you a heart attack, or both.

July 14, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Harlan and Nantz are both play-by-play guys. They need a new color guy to replace PACCker. I could see Gus Johnson eventually replacing Nantz (hello friends).

July 14, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

OmahaKUAlum (anonymous) says...

Trust me, I'm no Billy Packer fan, but i can't stand Clark Kellogg...he is a complete moron and never has any insight to add. Packer sucks, but Kellogg is a million times worse!!!

July 14, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

yovoy (anonymous) says...

omaha, you're not the only one that feels this way about kellog...isn't harlan a ku alum?

July 14, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Don't get too hung up on Summer League performances, positive or negative. The only thing summer league has done for Mario is insure that he will have a contract when the Heat go to camp this fall. Whether he will get floor time this season depends entirely on how he performs at camp. I'm not saying this because I think Mario will fail (quite the opposite), but because I think people often over emphasize a big summer showing. This is 5 games, sometimes against legitimate NBA talent, sometimes not. The summer rosters are made up of recent draftees, free agents and guys just trying to make a roster. There are some second year pros in there (like Julian) who a there specifically to work on a facet of their game. The rest are there trying to position themselves for October. If Miami signs a veteran PG, Mario may get knocked down the depth chart. If they stay as they are, I could see Mario starting. It's that tenuous right now because Miami could go in a different direction personnelwise at any moment.

July 14, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

yovoy,I didn't mean to repost what you said about kellogg. Was typing my post when I got distracted and came back to it about 10 min. later. Then I saw your post.justanother,Word out of Miami today is that Riley is looking at possibly signing Tyronn Lue as a veteran presence. A veteran signing would definitely affect Mario, though some sports guys are saying Mario will be the starter by December. I guess we'll see.

July 14, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mpann1818 (anonymous) says...

DA keeping up his talent and penchant for getting only himself in foul trouble. Good thing he signed that contract already. Langford will be a Michael Finley. Miles won't cut it with those numbers. If Big Dubs can stay healthy and get mins he can be of service off the bench for any team. Henry...hmmm what are you gonna do!!!! KU is home! What else are we doing about big men???

July 14, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

stravinsky (anonymous) says...

They need to put Gus Johnson as a Final Four commentator. Can you imagine if he was in the box when Mario hit the shot? Nothing but gibberish would have come through the mic for a solid 5 minutes.And it woulda been awesome.

July 14, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )