Behind The Box Score

Even when my main focus isn’t on my NBA team, the Nuggets, they seemed to have picked up a great player. It pains me to say what school he is from–he lit up my beloved Blue Devils this year twice, but UNC grad Ty Lawson is really shining in his last three games in the NBA’s summer league, averaging around 24 ppg. All three have resulted in victories, and Lawson has recovered from his first appearance on the hardwood, in a game he went 0-7 from the field, with 3 assists and 4 turnovers. However, NBA analyst David Thorpe had positive things to say about Lawson.

“When he has to be your best offensive player, he’s going to look average. This is one of the reasons he didn’t stand out in the pre-draft camp a year ago in Orlando. But give him four talented players around him, and he’ll make that collective group better than most other point guards could — especially if those players can run.”

Honestly, I don’t know how much of an effect Lawson is going to have next year. But when Billups needs a breather, he could step in and be an assist man to Carmelo, and K-Mart. He could be an excellent backup for Denver, if he can accept the role, and really keep the energy at a high level for the fast-paced Nuggets, who averaged last year around 104.3 ppg.