The NBA Summer League is long in the books with training camp only days away, and despite noble efforts to the contrary, hyperbole has already run rampant in spectator circles. Every year the same scenario repeats itself; in the dark days of the offseason, viewers rush to wild conclusions based off a few quarters of exhibition action in light of actual regular season gameplay. The only absolute takeaways we can definitively muster from the event is that Isiah Thomas and Walt Frazier were much better players than broadcasters. Still, for the hoops-obsessed, it was refreshing to view NBA action in any capacity that didn’t revolve around the consequences of Melodrama, the Summer of Love or LeBron James‘ decision to return home.
In a tournament of bidding rookies, league journeymen and Brian Cook, the Detroit Pistons‘ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was truly sensational in his Summer League tenure, scoring 26, 30 and 26 respectively in three consecutive games, even hitting the game-winning three in his matchup against the Miami Heat. Pope was also dominant on the glass, finishing with nine rebounds in a loss to the Boston Celtics.
Overall, the Pistons finished with a 3-2 record in Summer League play, but Caldwell-Pope was undoubtedly the most successful player out of the ten guys who suited up. The 2013 NBA Draft will not warrant a 30 for 30 documentary or even a NBA TV special by any stretch of the imagination, but it may not be as ugly as people tend to believe.
There is hope in Detroit, and this has nothing to do with Joe Dumars finally giving up the reign on his executive position. Okay, maybe just a little. While they failed to make the playoffs in a historically bad Eastern Conference, the bigwigs in Detroit (or Auburn Hills) are banking on their franchise being a contender next year, especially with a somewhat depleted Heat team. Adding Jodie Meeks via a massive (or ridiculous) contract, Pope will have more than enough competition securing a prominent role in the Pistons’ rotation. With Rodney Stuckey now on the Indiana Pacers, both Meeks and Calrdwell-Pope will battle for the starting shooting guard spot, attempting to secure the good graces of newly instated head coach Stan Van Gundy. They will have plenty of time, as Van Gundy is already on record stating that he will extend the length of practice sessions this training camp.
Van Gundy was a top prospect for teams on the lookout for a coach this off-season, and if history is any indication, he will play a pivotal role in rebuilding one of the most storied franchises in the league history with The Pistons. A lot of people predicted the Pistons to make the playoffs last season, but with Van Gundy at the helm, the team definitely has the personnel to do so. The offense will likely revolve around Andre Drummond, who had a big year in a league that is increasingly coming up short on dominant big men. Joining Drummond in the frontcourt will be Greg Monroe if the Pistons are unable to find a way to ship him off to another team before the trade deadline (which is very likely).
It remains to be seen whether or not Caldwell-Pope’s Summer League momentum will carry over into his sophomore campaign. Despite early “bust” labeling from fans, he was very effective in the latter stretch of his rookie season. He now has a coach who knows how to get the best out of his players, and soon the fans will get a chance to see just how high his ceiling is. For the moment, we can content ourselves with other strands of hyperbole, such as hypothesizing about how great of a player Dante Exum will be based of Summer League play and contract with Adidas.
Kellan Miller is a Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellanMiller, on Facebook, or Google Plus.
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