Vegas Summer League 2012 Stats: Rookies Putting on a Show in Vegas
NBA fans who have followed summer league play throughout the years know that a player's stats should be taken with a grain of salt.
On the other hand, that doesn't mean it's not encouraging when a rookie goes off in summer league.
Even though many NBA stars are limited in the summer, it's still important to note that rookies are still facing many NBA players. And when these rookies start exploding in Las Vegas, you simply can't ignore it.
Here's a look at some of the top rookies in summer league through Wednesday.
Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers
Well, we knew Damian Lillard could score, right?
Lillard is averaging the second most points through Wednesday out of all summer league competitors. He's averaged 26 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Obviously, Lillard needs to prove he can dish the ball at the point guard spot, too, but there is no denying his scoring talent. He backed up Sunday's 25-point outing against the New Orleans Hornets with a 27-point effort against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
John Henson, PF, Milwaukee Bucks
John Henson is going to have to bulk up to avoid being pushed around in the paint come the regular season, but he certainly isn't getting pushed around in summer league.
In his summer league debut against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Henson exploded for 20 points, nine rebounds and a block. He shot 8-for-17 from the floor and made all four of his free-throw attempts.
The former North Carolina star has gotten off to a very good start.
Jeremy Lamb, SG, Houston Rockets
In my opinion, Jeremy Lamb was a better prospect heading into the 2012 NBA draft than Austin Rivers and Terrence Ross.
Nonetheless, the silky-smooth shooter dropped behind both players to No. 12 overall and the Rockets were happy to grab him.
Through five summer league games, Lamb averaged 20 points and 4.4 rebounds, while shooting 46.7 percent from the floor. The former Connecticut star also chipped in five steals, showing how his length could make a difference on the defensive end.
Terrence Jones, F, Houston Rockets
I've been raving about Terrence Jones ever since his play in the 2012 NCAA tournament, and his summer league stats give even more reason for Rockets fans to be excited.
Jones averaged 18.2 points and and 8.6 rebounds in five summer league games, shooting an even 50 percent from the field. He posted 24 points, 12 rebounds (seven offensive) and three assists against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Charlotte Bobcats
And, of course, how can we forget about No. 2 overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?
Kidd-Gilchrist was deemed to be one of the greatest talents headed into the 2012 NBA draft, and his summer league debut backed that up.
MKG stormed out of the gates in his first game against the Sacramento Kings last Friday, posting 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals while shooting 7-for-12 from the floor and knocking down his sole three-point attempt.
There are many who believe that will be the norm for Kidd-Gilchrist down the line.
Oh yeah, and he also did this.
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