NBA Summer League 2010: Examining the Philadelphia 76ers Roster

The Philadelphia 76ers will have a lot on display when they begin play in the Summer League.

The 76ers as a team are in a massive flux right now. They brought in coach Doug Collins to right the ship and drafted Evan Turner with the second pick.

So far this off-season, the 76ers have traded away Samuel Dalembert for Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes.

The team has a lot of question marks and possible moves left to go this season. Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand remain members of the team, but rumors persist that one or both will be traded before the season.

The talent level is decent, but finding a way to mix all the players together will be key for Collins.

On their Summer League squad, many talented players will get a shot to show what they can do. Highlighted by first-round picks from the past few years, they hope this can only improve team chemistry.

Schedule:

July 5- New Jersey 7 p.m. EST

July 6- Boston 5 p.m. EST

July 7- Oklahoma City 3 p.m. EST

July 8- Charlotte 7 p.m. EST

July 9- Utah 10 a.m. EST

Evan Turner, Guard/Forward

Age: 21
School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 214 lbs

Stats for 2009-10:
35.8 MPG, 20.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 6 APG, 1.7 SPG, .9 BPG

Scouting Report:

Evan Turner proved throughout college, he can play multiple positions. Turner is a solid ball handler, an extremely intelligent player, and knows how to find his teammates. Turner can take over games, finish strong at the hole, and shoot a decent mid-range jumper.

Turner's defense is also good. He has a long wingspan and never gives up on a play. He can guard on the perimeter and has good strength underneath against big players. He also rebounds extremely well for his size.

Projection

There is only one way Evan Turner will not play for the 76ers this season (see Blake Griffin). Depending on Doug Collins, Turner may start the season on the bench before working his way into a starters role. The most likely scenario has him thrown into the fire immediately and see how he can help the team improve.

Jrue Holiday, Guard

Age: 20
School: UCLA Bruins
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 180 lbs

Stats for 2009-10:
24.2 MPG, 8.0 PPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.6 RPG

Scouting Report:

Jrue Holiday started 51 games for the 76ers last season and was their first round pick in 2009.

He proved to be a solid ball handler, but has some work to do in his overall game at the pro-level. He has good speed and can finish well at the hoop. Holiday is more of a combo guard than a true point guard and sometimes needs to seek teammates first.

Growing into the point guard role, Holiday definitely showed flashes of being able to run a team. With Evan Turner able to handle some point duties and Doug Collins coaching, Holiday's overall game should take a big step. He shot well from long range and played good defense.

Projection

Unless there is a last minute trade, he will be starting at point guard for the 76ers. Either way, Holiday has a promising NBA career ahead of him and won't have trouble in this year's Summer League.

Marreese Speights, Forward/Center

Age: 22
School: Florida Gators
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 245 lbs

Stats for 2009-10:
16.2 MPG, 8.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG

Scouting Report:

Marreese Speights is entering his third year in the NBA, and will have his best shot of making an impact. The 2008, first round pick, has shown spurts of becoming a solid center or power forward in the NBA. With Samuel Dalembert departed, Speights must continue to step up this year.

Speights has very good length and is a talented scorer. He catches the ball well and knows how to finish around the hoop. His big body helps him pushes around defenders underneath and maintain position on the defensive end. He can shoot a decent jumper as well.

His overall defense needs some work and he needs to turn some of his weight into muscle, but he has improved. His rebounding and blocking could be better and should be a main focus this summer.

Projection

Speights will attempt to replace Dalembert for the 76ers. He will be given many opportunities this year to succeed, and it will be up to him to take advantage.

Jodie Meeks, Guard

Age: 22
School: Kentucky Wildcats
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 208 lbs

Stats for 2009-10:
Played for both Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers
12 MPG, 4.7 PPG, 0.7 APG, 1.6 RPG

Scouting Report:

Jodie Meeks is another current NBA player on the Philadelphia roster. He is versatile on the offensive end and knows how to score. His shooting was inconsistent last year, but improved in his 76ers stint. He can drive to the hoop, create his own shots, and run off of screens. But he is purely a scorer.

Meeks handles the ball well, but doesn't pass too often. He also is a moderate rebounder. Meeks can play defense and keep up with opponents but isn't particularly flashy on that end. He was good at reading players at college and anticipating moves.

Projection

Meeks should be able to stick on the 76ers roster for another year. His scoring ability is worth taking a chance on. If he doesn't initially make the squad, don't be surprised to see him back and forth with the D-league. If, for some reason, the 76ers feel no need for him at all, another team would have no problem taking him off their hands.

Ndudi Ebi, Forward

Age: 26
School: Westbury Christian HS (TX)
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 200 lbs

Stats for 2009-10: (Played for Riviera Solare Crabs Rimini in Italy)
34.0 MPG, 15.3 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 3.2 SPG

Scouting Report:

For those unfamiliar with Ndudi Ebi, he is the defender on the T-Wolves in that picture. And no, it's no pronounced how you imagine (IN-dee).

Ebi was drafted in the first round way back in 2003. He was raised in Nigeria before heading to Houston as a child. He entered the NBA draft straight from high school.

Ebi has always been a solid finisher around the basket and a very athletic player. When he decides to venture outside his comfort zone, he tends to throw up a lot of bad shots.

Ebi can rebound extremely well and has good timing with his blocks. His defense is solid and aggressive, but often finds him in foul trouble.

Projection

Ebi won't make the 76ers roster, but he may be able to surprise some NBA scouts. If he can use his energy to show his rebounding and defense can make an impact, the still young player may get a second chance. He is ineligible for the D-league, so it will most likely be back to Europe.

Cedric Simmons, Forward

Age: 24
School: North Carolina State Wolfpack
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 235 lbs

Stats for 2009-10: (Idaho Stampede D-League stats)
31.3 MPG, 14.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.9 BPG

Scouting Report:

With the amount of NBA experience on the 76ers Summer League roster, if would be considered cheating if these games mattered.

Cedric Simmons is another young player who has dabbled in the NBA. He has bounced around quite a bit, never finding a good fit.

Simmons has always been known as a rare physical specimen. His strength, length, and athleticism for someone his size always has NBA scouts drooling. He is a decent scorer around the hoop and can shoot a mid-range jumper. Simmons, however, never developed into that great of a post up player.

Simmons' defense and rebounding are what keeps him in discussions today. He has a tendency to foul a bit too much but manages to get quite a few blocks. He is aggressive and puts in effort on defense, helping show he still wants it.

Projection

Simmons has been trying to latch on for years, but it probably won't be with the 76ers. He needs to continue showing he can defend without fouling and still maintain his blocks. The NBA is all about potential, and if he shows what first impressed scouts back in 2006, he will be given another shot.

Obi Muonelo, Guard/Forward

Age: 22
School: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 220 lbs

Stats for 2009-10:
30.6 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.4 APG

Scouting Report:

Obi Muonelo is a solid long range bomber who likes to shoot the ball. He shot 42.6 percent from deep last season. He is a decent finisher around the rim with a slightly weak mid-range game. Muonelo can draw the occasional foul, but he lives and dies by the three. He also isn't a fan of getting others involved. When he has the ball, it's a good bet to say he'll shoot it.

Muonelo rebounds extremely well for a player his height. He can play defense when he chooses to, but like his three point shots, he makes many bad decisions.

Projection

There is zero chance Muonelo will make the 76ers squad. His only option to remain with the team could be joining the team's day care to learn proper sharing techniques. Muonelo's best bet is to head on a plane to Europe to improve various aspects of his game.

Ryan Brooks, Guard

Age: Unknown
School: Temple Owls
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs

Stats for 2009-10:
36.2 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.3 APG

Scouting Report:

Ryan Brooks was a solid college player at Temple. He can handle the ball well, and, despite a slump last year, shoots well from long range. He rarely turned it over last year and hit his free throws at the line.

As a local Philadelphia boy, many fans will be rooting for Brooks to make the squad. The tough Owls defense, which he encompasses, will have to be in top form. He can stay with defenders on the perimeter and has good enough size to compete with bigger players.

Projection

While it would be a nice story for Temple fans, don't expect Brooks to make the squad. The logjam at the guard position will keep him on the outside. Brooks will have the chance to go to the D-league or Europe and keep fighting for the NBA dream.

Trent Plaisted, Center

Age: 23
School: Brigham Young Cougars
Height: 6'11"
Weight: 245 lbs

Stats for 2009-10: (Played in Croatia for KK Zadar)
16.3 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 4 RPG

Scouting Report:

Trent Plaisted was originally drafted by the Seattle Supersonics and then traded to the Detroit Pistons in the second round in 2008. He's a strong player who plays very good defense underneath and on the perimeter for a big man. He can rebound well and plays with intelligence.

On offense, Plaisted can shoot a short jumper and finish around the rim. However, he has always had shaky hands and tends to turn the ball over. He was often questioned in college about his effort. He also has dealt with various injuries over the past few years, including a back problem.

Projection

Plaisted has been in the D-league and in Europe over the past few years. That won't be changing. The 76ers already have enough young front court players with potential to examine. Plaisted will try to catch on with another team, but the odds have him back overseas for another season.

Jason Love, Forward/Center

Age: 22
School: Xavier Musketeers
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 265 lbs

Stats for 2009-10:
27.8 MPG, 11.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.4 BPG

Scouting Report:

Jason Love is a big body that can engulf a lot of space under the hoop. He has always had incredible strength and that helped him in college. Love rips down a high volume of rebounds and won't get pushed around often.

Love doesn't have a very polished offensive game outside of directly around the hoop. He can grab offensive rebounds with the best of them and cashes in on put backs. Love can't step out and hit a jumper, but has good enough hands to take advantage when receiving the ball down low.

Projection

Don't expect Love to make much of an impact in the Summer League. His rebounding and defensive efforts could excite some, but his game lacks in other departments. He could make a D-league squad or head over to Europe to work on his game. He needs to become a better blocker and scorer if he wants to have any chance of making it in the NBA.

DeVon Hardin, Center

Age: 23
School: California Golden Bears
Height: 6'11"
Weight: 250 lbs

Stats for 2009-10: (Tulsa 66ers, D-league)
20.3 MPG, 6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG

Scouting Report:

Devin Hardin is a tall, strong player who puts in solid effort nightly. He has never been a good offensive player, dating back to his Cal days. His game is all defense and strength.

He can finish around the hoop when the rare opportunities come about, but never developed any sort of jumper. He has had some injury issues in the past, including a stress fracture that led to his release in Europe.

Hardin is a very intelligent player, but may lack the overall skills needed to make the ultimate step.

Projection

At age 23, Hardin still has a couple more shots to try to make it in the league. Unfortunately, this won't be the year. He plays good defense, but until that becomes spectacular, there is too much of his game that must be made up.

Mike Green, Guard

Age: 25
School: Butler Bulldogs
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 175 lbs

Stats for 2009-10: (Played for Belgacom Liege Basket in Belgium)
31.1 MPG, 13.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.6 SPG

Scouting Report:

Mike Green is one of those players who does a little bit of everything. In college, he ran the point well, rebounded well, and added in a tiny bit of scoring. Green has always had a nice jump shot and good strength to add to his offensive game. Since college, Green has become a more aggressive scorer to aid his game.

On defense, Green excels as a hard worker and quick player. He reacts well and stays in front of opposing players. He plays the tough physical defense that Butler displayed during this past year's tournament run.

Projection

Green is an interesting case. Although the 76ers have a lot of guards, Green has the potential to be a solid backup point guard somewhere in the league. He can run an offense and handle himself on defense.

He won't make a roster immediately, but if he can use these games to impress, he may get a training camp invite. Look for him to maybe try the D-league this year instead of Europe and latch on to some team.

Vernon Goodridge, Forward

Age: 26
School: La Salle Explorers (transferred from Mississippi State)
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 220 lbs

Stats for 2009-10: Played for Miramar in Domincan Republic
Final college Season (08-09): 21 MPG, 6.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG

Scouting Report:

Vernon Goodridge is somewhat of a late addition to the 76ers roster. There was some confusion as to what team he would be playing for this summer. He is a decent rebounder who can finish around the hoop.

He has a big body that allows him to play sufficient defense, but averaged over 3 fouls a game per college in those 21 minutes per game.

Projection

Goodridge is very unlikely to make the squad, but if he can perform well in Summer League, he may be able to parlay that into a D-league or Euro League appearance instead of the Dominican Republic. He's another big body for teams to look at, but at age 26, it's doubtful he will ever play in a real NBA game.