I just read that dominic james will be playing for the bucks on their summerleague team...

Also, Mcneal and Mathews are BOTH going to be on Sacramento's summer league team...

Im still shocked mcneal didnt get drafted, he must have done pretty bad in those pre draft workouts..

Yeah I really thought Mcneal would go somewhere in the second round

You gotta believe he was one of the those top prospects who don't get drafted that everyone is calling as soon as the last pick is in.

Its a shame but i'm happy with meeks, From what i've read meeks is a solid to good defender.

Wesley Matthews will be pulling double duty as he will be with Utah in the Orlando League and with Sacramento for the Vegas League

Local Stars in NBA Summer League

I thought it would be a stretch for Mathews and James (especially after his injury) to get drafted but I thought they would get a look in summer league for some teams, spend a year or so in Europe and maybe have a real shot in a year or so.

I was shocked McNeal, an AP All American and the career leading scorer for a program from a major conference, was not selected.   The guards that went before him were, frankly, surprising.  I do understand the college game does not always translate into the NBA, but, McNeal seemed to prove himself on plenty of big stages, especially his senior year.   I think the NBA tends to take a lot of the European "potential" players as they can hold their NBA rights, have them play oversees, and not pay them until they are ready.   I can't imagine some of the players taken in the 2nd round would have had nearly the success McNeal did at MU.   But, again, economics do play a role and if they can select a foreign player, not pay them, have them develop and keep their rights....seems like a sound business decision.   A guy like McNeal, a GM probably figures they don't have to draft, can sign him for summer league without a lot of financial exposure, and if he is good enough to make the team, sign him then with relatively small risk along the way.   It would suck if you were in McNeal's shoes, but, he does have a chance to make a squad, although, displacing a draft pick is tough as well for various reasons.

 I do think he was overlooked compared to a lot of other college players as well, but, if he is good enough....he will find a roster spot somewhere.  If not, it does not diminish the fantastic career he had at MU (same goes for Mathews and James).

 

tiny08:

I just read that dominic james will be playing for the bucks on their summerleague team...

Also, Mcneal and Mathews are BOTH going to be on Sacramento's summer league team...

Im still shocked mcneal didnt get drafted, he must have done pretty bad in those pre draft workouts..

I told you all he was not what you people thought he was. I told you he is a great college player who was in the right system, with the right coach, and right players around him who respected him and played off of him for 4 years and made it easy for him to contribute and excel in a big time conference. You saw that and got carried away in his abilities like many will with DeJuan Blair in the NBA who landed with the perfect team in the Spurs. But individually on his own in those workouts when you put him up against other players, I'm sorry, he is just.... "a guy."

No offense talent that stands out one one on one or three on three situations. He has to find a niche on a team with a set offense. Everyone is fast in the NBA. Yes he can come off curls, pin downs, and that wheel offense Crean ran. But slow him down in a half court set and you can shut both him and Wesley down.  

Don't get me wrong, great young man and excellent player. If I was an NBA GM I would trip over myself to try to help him find a job as a 11th or 12th man on my bench, just because of his character and hard work and he played 4 years in college which anyone would have to respect. But, his skill set does not translate to the NBA other then in a specific role. He does nothing that sets himself apart that he can hang his hat on the NBa level IMHO.

Yes he is a good defender in that he anticipates well and can get out in the passing lanes and at times guard the ball. But he does not deny well and loses his man in some defensive sets. And you can shoot over him at will because he is only 6'2 or 6'1 and not very fleet of foot.

Dominic James on the other hand is an excellent defender and I am more shocked that he did not get drafted although I realized he would not once he got hurt. He has some bounce, wiggle, and sauce to his game that will translate well and seems fearless, tough and loves to compete.  

Now Dominic he has some NBA skils like explosion, change of direction, and quickness and overall athleticsim that will give him a chance to eventually make the NBA, hopefully of all team with the Bucks! 

I would take him over Ramon Sessions now. Only knock on him is his consistent jump shot and range and hit those free throws. But that maybe something that can be remedied simply with a shot doctor and repititions. But he can find seams and get in the lane at will, and with the no touch rule in the NBA he can excel. But James has to learn to relax and hit those free throws or you can't play him a long time. Because he will get to the line...  

Wesley has some size a team can use but he too is D-League material until he can find the perfect fit. He has NBA size  and pedigree that some team will value and give him an extra look, and he is a smart kid as well with some feel for how the game should be played. But he can't shoot to save his life either.

The college 3 is one thing folks, but the NBA 3 is quite another. The only one who can make up for not excelling in one dominant skill out of the 3 of them is James. Many of you said just the exact opposite and said McNeal. Well, we shall see...I might go down to Vegas and check them all out next week.