Summer League

2010 Las Vegas Kings Summer League team roster has been finalized.

1. Omri Casspi SF 6'9 225 lbs. Israel
2. Donte Greene SF 6'11 226 lbs. Syracuse
3. DeMarcus Cousins C 6'11 270 lbs. Kentucky
4. Hassan Whiteside C 7'0 235 lbs. Marshall
5. Connor Archley F-C 6'10 225 lbs. Texas
6. Dionte Christmas G 6'5 205 lbs. Temple
7. Wayne Chism F 6'9 246 lbs. Tennessee
8. Devan Downey G-F 5'9 170 lbs. South Carolina
9. Lee Cummard G-F 6'7 190 lbs. BYU
10. Jason Ellis F 6'7 200 lbs. Boise State
11. Steven Hill C 7'0 245 lbs. Arkansas
12. Tyren Johnson F 6'8 204 lbs. Louisiana-Lafayette
13. Sylven Landesberg G 6'6 207 lbs. Virginia
14. Tyrese Rice G 6'1 190 lbs. Boston College
15. Donald Sloan G 6'3 205 lbs. Texas A&M
16. Ryan Thompson G 6'6 220 lbs. Rider

Before the actual analysis begins...am I the only one who thinks names will become an issue during practice and games? A Dionte and a Donte? A Tyrese and Tyren not to mention coaches in the habit of calling out to Tyreke? I'm confused just writing this! Thank goodness I'm not coaching!

I'm not going to sell you on current Kings players. If you haven't heard of the two returning players or read my opinions on the two newest members of the Kings...well read my previous posts and get with it! Kidding, but read up on who they are and what they bring to the team on mine and other sites!

Thompson:

A sentimental favorite of mine would be Ryan Thompson. I was hoping he'd get drafted on draft day, but it wasn't in the cards. I thought he would go to San Antonio personally, but I am happy he's playing on our summer league team. I figure we have brothers running things off the court why not have brothers on the court right? We did it once, well sort of, with Mike Bibby and Eddie House (yes they are brother-in-laws). Ryan has a good game, but it's not what I would consider well rounded. He has a good outside shot. Reviewing his sophomore and junior seasons he shot over 42% in both. He didn't have his best shooting year during his senior season. He has an established jumper and can take the ball inside and attack the basket. His biggest improvement needs to come in his defensive game. He has a realistic chance to make the Kings training camp roster, or any teams roster as he is confirmed for Boston's summer league team as well, by proving he can be that long range 3-point shooter in an NBA environment.

Landesberg:

When watching highlight videos, one could only notice the similarities between he and Tyreke. Not saying he's as good as Tyreke is, but he drives to the basket and scores a lot in the paint. He's a good rebounder and FT shooter. He lacks an outside shot shooting 38% 3 pt in his sophomore season.

Christmas:

High scoring ability. Like Kevin Martin, his shot is a little unorthodox, but he finds the bottom of the net more often than not so who cares what it looks like right? He's a good defender, but he lacks athleticism for a guard.

Chism:

He's QUICK!!! He lacks an outside shot with a 32% 3 pt in college and lacks the height and athleticism. The Kings have a pretty stacked front court already and he doesn't add enough to be a likely candidate for a Kings jersey.

Atchley:

Former D-League player for Iowa and Dakota teams. Decent numbers 16.1 ppg 9.5 boards, nearly a double-double. He lacks strength though.

Cummard:

Great shooter! While at BYU never shot under 51.7%, 85+% FT 2 of 3 years, 40+% 3-point shot. However, he's a spot-up shooter and it is unknown if he will be able to create his own shots in the NBA.

Downey:

Decent scorer, perhaps best known for his game against Kentucky in the SEC game. He's more of a SG than a PG and he's lacking size at 5'9"! Come on I'm that tall and I shouldn't be as tall as NBA players if you ask me! Unless your name is Nate Robinson or Muggsy Bogues!

Rice:

Moves well and is a good scorer. Again, he's not that athletic of a PF

Hill:

A former D-League player, did a short stint with Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. He's a solid defender, but again, Kings are loaded in the front court.

Ellis:

He rebounds well. Aside from that, there's virtually nothing out there on this guy.

Sloan:

Athletic enough, lacks defensive skill set and outside shooting ability.

Johnson:

Sort of athletic, decent off the boards for his senior season, but he has a problem with TURN OVERS! We need to value the ball more as we had an issue with that last season, we don't need another butterfingers on the court!

Some have asked me the following questions, where is Brockman, JT, and Reke? Well, I have the answer to some of those.

I am not sure why Brockman is not listed on the roster as most anticipated he would be. Maybe the Kings feel he doesn't need to prove himself for his spot since they locked him up at least as a restricted free agent going into this all important Summer of Lebron (AKA 2010 Free Agency). JT isn't joining his little brother on the courts in Vegas because he's considered a proven player. This isn't to say that his buddy Donte Greene isn't, but JT isn't leaving Sac in the foreseeable future, so he doesn't have to head to Vegas, but I'm sure he will be there to cheer little bro Ryan on. Tyreke....really? Do you have to ask? One, he's ROY is there any doubt of his skills? Two, he's working out with Team USA and the Kings decided not to take the risk of injuring their star player (see Clippers and Blake Griffin). Tyreke expressed interest in playing for the Summer League team, but the organization decided to protect their assets!