2010 NBA Summer League: Meaningful Players For the Cleveland Cavaliers

Yes, the title is redundant, and for the first time in the history of the NBA Summer League the words "meaningful" and "Summer League" have been mentioned in the same sentence.

However, I think there are some very important things that can be gleaned from the five game stretch played in Vegas.

So, without further ado, here is a random number of things that have stood out in the bright lights of Las Vegas.

JJ Hickson Fits the System

Byron Scott made it evident from day one that he has an offense that doesn't filter through one player.

He has voiced that his team is going to run, and then run while their running, and when they're done with that, they're going to run some more.

His desire for constant motion, along with back-door cuts and teamwork above all else is a perfect offense for JJ.

JJ has slick off-the-ball movement which we have seen in the past few years. Plus he has the endurance to outrun many defenders in the league.

JJ is a hard worker and seemingly will do anything to improve his game, just the type of player Scott has a knack for coaching. 

Those willing to learn, such as Jason Kidd and Chirs Paul, have thrived under Scott. However, the more stubborn players such as Mike James and Tyson Chandler have had their differences with the man.

JJ has shown his willingness to learn and has become an impact player. However, he is still not all the way there as he showed in Saturday's game against the Heat in which he was held to four points in 20 minutes.

Pooh Jeter is Blossoming

The man is quick as lightning, skillfully deceptive with the ball, has a pretty jump shot and quite possibly has one of the best names since Mookie Blaylock.

Coming into the Summer League I assumed former UConn guard Jerome Dyson to be the guard to make the most noise, but Jeter has taken his game to another level and it is obvious.

This has been his fifth Summer League and he is adamant about making an NBA squad this year. So he has been working hard to improve his game and it shows.

He is fast enough to run around anybody in the league and has body control to finish at the basket after ungodly amounts of contact.

He has put in his time overseas and has steadily improved his inside and outside shooting from year to year. It is time for him to get what he deserves.

So, unless the Cavs end up signing another guard in what is left of the off-season, I fully expect to see an invitation extended to Pooh, and look for him to be an exciting twelfth man.

And, who knows, if Mo Williams or Delonte West end up being traded, or an injury plagues a guard, look for Jeter to be high on the list to get some decent playing time.

Christian Eyenga is Close, But Not Too Close

I was baffled last year when the Cavs drafted Eyenga with their first pick when a plethora of players (Sam Young, Dejuan Blair, Jodie Meeks, Chase Budinger, and Patty Mills) could have came in and played immediately.

I have come to terms with that decision now, as he has shown himself to be a good, yet streaky three-point shooter and an intimidating defender.

He was described as raw when drafted a year ago and at this point he has been thrown on the grill and is beginning to sizzle.

His time in Europe is helping him become a steady shooter and round out his basketball IQ to go along with his freak athleticism.

He is being molded from the lump of clay that he was a year ago into the promising young man with arms that nearly hang down to his knees.

When he finally does make it to the NBA (probably next year or even in 2012) look out for him.

Where is Sasha Kaun?!

The guy was drafted by Seattle back in '08 and then we weaselled away his rights.  Since then he has fallen off the face of the Earth (OK so he went to Russia, but is there really a difference?).

If there is one position the Cavs need to fill it is the big man right under the basket.

I'm not saying this guy could come in and be our center, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to bring him to Vegas to at least see him against NBAish competition.

At least find out if he is the center he was when he was a Sophomore at Kansas or the center who relatively disappeared shortly thereafter.

I Wish Rashard McCants Would Have Shown

He has reportedly been at the side of his sick mother, and lets hope for his case that it's true.

He has been a strange player ever since college, showing flashes of brilliance, great three-point shooting and a me-against-the-world mentality.  A high basketball IQ and a hard outer shell.

As McCants has shown in the past few years there are not good combinations to make and stay on an NBA roster.

He has a knack for shooting and a knack for getting kicked off teams.

Whether or not you think he would have played well enough to be part of the new Cavs, it is impossible to deny that he has talents, and I only wish we would have been able to see if those talents were still there.

With any luck the Cavs will extend to him an invitation to training camp where he will begin to get his act together and get back to being a good NBA player.

So, there you have it, in a five-game stretch, where the games are meaningless, and the stats are pointless, there are some important things that come from the NBA Summer League.