well, ok
After watching the tape, Diop, Gooden, Boozer, and Barton looked good. My opinion on each:
Diop did not look as wild as his 7pf's in 27 minutes indicated. He was aggressive, but it didn't seem like the refs were targeting him or making outrageous calls. The lost weight suits Diop well. He still kinda lumbers/lopes down the floor, but he has good timing on his blocks, and was getting decent position on his rbs. Will be interesting to see him against the top centers, and with a decent PG getting him the feeds. He didn't take many shots, but all the shots he did take were within the flow and his range, and he had good form even when he missed.
Gooden looked very fluid and comfortable on the offense. He did nothing outstanding on def., and it was a good match-up with Boozer. To all the Gooden nay-sayers, sorry... from what you could read from a summer league game, Gooden has the ability to play in the league. Clearly the best player on the floor (considering Wagner was hurting and didn't play much).
Boozer looks great! Man, did the weight loss do wonders for his physique and mobility! I saw enough games of Duke to know the Boozer was a decent player, but he looks renewed! He could be an Elton Brand type player in the NBA! His first game he showed that he was not in over his head at all. Good court smarts, decent shot, good positioning and rebounding.... I was very surprised and pleased with what I saw of him.
For the Cavs, #17, Barton? or somebody like that? I'll have to look him up, but he can shoot the 3. Oh yeah, for Memphis, the Czech guy Giorili or something like that..... keeper. He has a nice stroke too, and has that wonderful talent of being able to create enough space to get his shot off.... little step in, little step out, space and shoot. Something a lot of spot-up shooters (Trajon Langdon) never learned or are able to do.
