NBA Sophs Breaking out in Summer League

[OutletPass]

Second-year summer standouts who could make big strides this season
Summer of the Sophomore

By Randy Kim

SECAUCUS, N.J., July 26 -- Dirk Nowitzki. Cuttino Mobley. Antawn Jamison. Gilbert Arenas. Troy Murphy. The list of players who saw a dramatic improvement between their rookie and sophomore seasons is lengthy and impressive. And in many cases, players use summer-league play to springboard themselves into the NBA's upper-tier. So which overlooked rook from last season is set to explode onto the scene this year? Check out these sophomore summer standouts to get a sneak peek at who is most likely to have a breakthrough season.

LONNY BAXTER, F, Chicago Bulls
Rookie season: 55 GP, 4.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .466 FG%, 12.4 mpg
This summer: 6 GP, 18.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, .620 FG%, named MVP of the Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue
Breakdown: Due to some impressive outings last season -- including 17 points and five rebounds against the Kings -- it wouldn't be a huge surprise if Baxter stepped up for the Bulls this season. But the challenge for LB is going to be finding minutes, as the Bulls are deep up front. Still, it says something that the Bulls built their offense around him this summer.



MIKE DUNLEAVY JR., F, Golden State Warriors
Rookie season: 82 GP, 5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, .403 FG%, .347 3P%, 15.9 mpg
This summer: 6 GP, 23.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.7 apg in Southern California Summer Pro League
Breakdown: "Junior" is showing the swagger -- if not the hair -- that might make him the next Warrior (after Jamison, Arenas and Murphy) to explode in his second season. Dunleavy's strong finish last season has carried over into this summer, as he appears to be growing more assertive and confident with each minute he plays.



MELVIN ELY, F-C, Los Angeles Clippers
Rookie season: 52 GP, 4.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .495 FG%, 15.4 mpg
This summer: 5 GP, 14.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, .500 FG% in Southern California Summer Pro League
Breakdown: Along with second-year big man Chris Wilcox, Ely is the reason why the Clippers could have a deceptively deep frontline this season, despite losing the 'Kandi Man. Simply put, Ely plays big, he likes to mix it up down low, and he'll help take pressure off of rookie big man Chris Kaman.



JANNERO PARGO and KAREEM RUSH, G's, L.A. Lakers
Rookie season: Pargo -- 34 GP, 2.5 ppg, 10.1 mpg; Rush -- 76 GP, 3.0 ppg, 11.5 mpg
This summer: Pargo -- 7 GP, 18.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.0 apg; Rush -- 7 GP, 19.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.7 apg in Southern California Summer Pro League
Breakdown: With all of the attention on new arrivals Gary Payton and Karl Malone, it was easy to overlook the fact that Pargo and Rush tore it up in SoCal this summer. But, combined with rookies Brian Cook and Luke Walton, these two backcourt sparkplugs should give the Lakers unrivaled depth next season.



JOHN SALMONS, F, Philadelphia 76ers
Rookie season: 64 GP, 2.1 ppg, 7.9 mpg
This summer: 5 GP, 19.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.8 apg, .518 FG% in Reebok Pro Summer League (Boston)
Breakdown: Last season was a swim upstream for Salmons, who was tabbed "the next Pippen" as a rookie. Now he might start delivering on that promise. Even with the Big Dog in town, look for Salmons to contribute this season, as not only was he named the Most Outstanding Player of Boston's Reebok Pro Summer League, but he averaged 19.2 ppg in the Rocky Mountain Revue.



NIKOLOZ "SKITA" TSKITISHVILI, F, Denver Nuggets
Rookie season: 81 GP, 3.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 16.3 mpg
This summer: 3 GP, 18.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4-for-11 3Ps in Southern California Summer Pro League
Breakdown: Skita bulked up this summer, and his game is all the better for it. While he might be hard pressed to find minutes over 'Melo in Denver, odds are he'll make more of the time he does see. His solid play in SoCal carried over to the Rocky Mountain Revue, where he averaged 11.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg.



JIRI WELSCH, G, Golden State Warriors
Rookie season: 37 GP, 1.6 ppg, 6.3 mpg
This summer: 7 GP, 18.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.6 apg in Southern California Summer Pro League
Breakdown: With Arenas off to Washington, Welsch should see more minutes in the Warriors backcourt this season. Welsch will give Golden State size and rebounding at the point, which will make him the perfect complement for newly acquired Speedy Claxton.



FRANK WILLIAMS, G, New York Knicks
Rookie season: 21 GP, 1.3 ppg, 1.6 apg, 8.0 mpg
Summer stats: 6 GP, 14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg in Reebok Pro Summer League (Boston); 5 GP, 11.0 ppg, 4.6 apg in Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue
Breakdown: Could compete with Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley for the starting point guard slot in New York this season. Williams is the most explosive scorer of the three, but he needs to show himself to be a capable, and willing, distributor to win the job outright.

[MavsFanFinley]

Two of the most talented players wasted last year were on the same team. Golden States Dunleavy and Welsch.

Nice to see them have a good showing in the summer league, but they are still stuck behind players that have there position locked up.

Dunleavy is behind Jamison and Mills still has a year left on his contract. Even if they were to trade Mills, Dunleavy is too talented to be stuck behind Jamison.

Welsch will still have to find minutes behind Richardson. Plus, they drafted Pietrus. This article suggests Welsch can handle some of the point. I'm not sure they can strike gold twice and turn Welsch into a pg like they did Arenas. Besides, he'll still have to find minutes behind Claxton and Sura (whose in his last year of contract).

[uberfan]

Gee, where are the Mavs second year players?

Oh yeah.....

[JoshHoward5]

Don't worry uber, next year Josh Howard will explode in his 2nd year. (If not his first.)