Note to Sixers fans: Since I'm here at the Summer League without a team to cover, I've adopted the Pistons for the week. Feel free to read. It might not be Sixers coverage, but it's still your boy jsams. By the way, Dionte Christmas will be hearing from me when he arrives, so think of questions you want to hear him answer.
The Pistons lead 23-22 after one.
Austin Daye has looked like an All-Star in all facets of the game. His only minor flaw has been his ability to dribble in traffic. He finished with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists on 3-4 shooting. Very Lamar Odom/Tay Prince-like.
The Cox Pavillon is filled with about a thousand fans, and since most of 'em are from Vegas (like me) they don't know how to react to real live basketball -- it's pretty quiet in here. That is, except for one rabid fan, keeping us all entertained from section 106. This dude is rockin' an Eddie House jersey, claiming to be his cousin. He continuously screams "All day!" every time Austin Daye is near the ball, he taunts the refs, he taunts the fans, he's applauding obnoxiously -- it's awesome. "That's what happens when you bustin' somebody's azz."
Austin has slowed down considerably, but it's somewhat understandable since he hasn't taken a breather all half. He heads to the "locker room" (a curtained area with a bunch of chairs) with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists on 4-5 shooting. Austin has been really impressive thus far. He reminds me a lot of Lamar Odom. He's pretty athletic, and possibly has the longest arms I've ever seen. Although he's slowed down, it's not because of poor play, it's because he's gotten less aggressive -- which can either be good or bad, depending on how you look at it.
DaJuan Summers has had a couple real nice plays. Everyone around me is raving about how good he is. Personally, I don't have the same man-crush on him as every other media guy around me. The best word to describe him is "solid". He should find a way to make an impact in the League.
Deron Washington is super-aggresive and possibly the best athlete in Vegas. I'm not sure he'll ever make in the NBA, but man, if he finds his game and combines it with his athleticism... wow, just wow. The best NBA comparison is Rodney Carney. I mean, he was 4-12 from the free throw line. That's awful.
The crazed dude in the Eddie House jersey has been invited to compete in the halftime dance-off. He is booed by the fans, and comes in last place. Surprisingly, he's a good sport about it. Thank God for this guy -- some serious entertainment in between Deron Summers dunks. Speaking of...
Deron Washington has won me over. He just threw down a NASTY putback slam -- one of the best dunks I've ever seen in person. He follows the slam by blocking someone (oh, like you care) on a fast break. My D-Wash jersey has officially been ordered.
Daye still hasn't sat in three quarters. He has 19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, on 8 of 12 shooting.
Fast forward to the end of the game.
Daye played the entire game, but looked considerably tired in the fourth. He finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists on 8 of 14 shooting. The Pistons definitely have something in Daye. He looks like he needs to get bigger and stronger, but who knows, he might have Tay Prince-syndrome (looks a lot stronger than he is).
Overall, a very impressive performance from the "big 3" (Daye, Summers and Washington).
Bonus: My boy and fellow blogger Wayne, from Pounding the Rock had a nice interview with the Swedish sensation, Jonas Jerebko. Check it out.
If you guys (Pistons fans) wish, I'll continue covering the Pistons games here in Vegas. I might even go as far as interviewing some people for you guys :) Drop some questions in the comments and I'll do my best. Sucks the Sixers aren't here.