Heard about this from Skeets, via the NBA Summer League’s Twitter, and what we have is Air Canada 2.0 — rookie Toronto Raptor DeMar DeRozan — dunking over Milwaukee’s Joe Alexander. The video, at least on my end, is a little choppy but the result is still the same. DeRozan has had an effective Summer League experience, averaging 17 points and almost 5 rebounds a game. Not only that, but, with a little help of Draft Day boasting, is making his new team forget all about the old Air Canada, Vince Carter.
While DeRozan doesn’t quite have the electrifying hops Carter’s blessed with, it’s close. The good thing is, unlike Carter, DeRozan seems more willing to use his. We’ll see if that mentality remains after he gets knocked on his behind a few times; however, so far, so good. Here are a few more highlights of DeRozan’s productive afternoon against the Bucks’ summer team.
Just remember, let’s keep a level head about these Summer League outbursts and not let expectations grow in an “out of control” level.
Today is the last day you can vote for which NBA player you’d like to see in the upcoming Dunk Contest, which takes place during the NBA’s All Star Weekend celebration. By now, you probably know the players you can vote on–Milwaukee’s Joe Alexander, Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City and Rudy Fernandez of the Trail Blazers. All three of these players have been featured here at IF in one form or another, if that helps your decision any.
Contrary to the stories told to us by Sidney Deane and Billy Hoyle, some white kids can indeed jump. Well, if their names are Joe Alexander, I guess. It’s not often we find a 6-8 white guy with a 40-inch vertical. But when we do, it can lead to thunderous things. Like so:
Tom Chambers anyone? Of course, Alexander didn’t jump over and through anyone there but the fact he was almost head-high to the rim did remind me of Chambers destroying Marc Jackson.
I would say something like, “ain’t dunking a wonderful thing,” but I’ve never known the joy — unless we are talking 8-foot rims.
Were taking a look at all four games this evening and with some things you might want to watch for, starting with the Xavier/West Virginia game.
Outlook
This is an intriguing match-up because on one side you have the balance and tenacity of Xavier going against Joe Alexander, Alex Ruoff and the rest of the Bob Huggins crew.
While the Mountaineers are probably more dependent on their two biggest stars on offense than Xavier is, the match-up still looks like it’ll be too close to call. The Musketeers have six different players averaging in double-digits while WVU has four. Xavier is known as a patient team that’s committed to defense and will not waver from their game plan, even when they are trailing.
As for West Virginia, well, they play in the Big East, one of the more physical and demanding conferences in college basketball.
Our call
IF (big if) Stanley Burrell can defend Joe Alexander well enough to bother him and Xavier can match the Mountaineers’ outside shooting, or at least weather it, they have a great chance of moving on to the Elite 8. However, if Ruoff and Alexander start bombing 3s, they are as dangerous as any team left in the tournament. This is one of those games that’s too hard to call. Because of that, we’re going with a hunch:
I suspect the Musketeers defense will be bothersome for the Mountaineers and while Alexander will keep his team in it, Xavier’s balance on offense (led by Josh Duncan) and their commitment to defense will win out. Narrowly.
