NBA Summer League 2009 - Las Vegas Sun

The second annual 'And the winners are ...'

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Golden State forward Anthony Randolph drives for 2 of his 42 points in Tuesday's 95-83 victory over Chicago. Randolph was the Sun's pick for 2009 NBA summer league MVP honors after averaging 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2.2 steals per game for the 4-1 Warriors. He also shot 60.9 percent from the floor through four games before sitting out Golden State's Thursday finale.

NBA names Griffin summer league MVP, but we’re going with Randolph

By Ryan Greene
Sun, Jul 19, 2009 (10:06 p.m.)

The sixth installment of the Las Vegas NBA summer league drew to a close on Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack, when the Suns and Clippers dueled to wrap 10 days of hardwood action. This may have been the most talent-rich field the Vegas league has seen of yet, with plenty of memorable performances and moments to show for it. While the NBA doesn't put together official post-summer league awards other than an MVP, the Las Vegas Sun certainly does. Keep reading »

Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 10: Somebody give Marcus Williams a job

By Ryan Greene · July 19, 2009 · 9:50 p.m.

2009 NBA summer league coverage 2009 NBA summer league schedule/results 2008 NBA summer league coverage A former standout at UConn and first round pick of the New Jersey Nets, Marcus Williams apparently has no desire to play another year of pro ball away from the ... Keep reading »
Adams upbeat at NBA Summer League as he waits for his chance

By Rob Miech · July 19, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

Wink Adams heard the chants — “We want Wink!”— early in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon against Chicago at the NBA Summer League inside the Cox Pavilion. However, for the third time in four New York games, Knicks summer coach Phil Weber did not play Adams. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 9: Beaubois leads Mavs to first summer victory

By Rob Miech · July 18, 2009 · 7:08 p.m.

One of our favorite players in the NBA Summer League finished with a flurry Saturday afternoon inside the Cox Pavilion. Rodrigue Beaubois, the first-round draft pick by Dallas, ensured that the Mavericks wouldn’t go winless this summer with 23 points in a 73-54 victory over ... Keep reading »
D-League underdogs turning heads at NBA Summer League

By Rob Miech · July 18, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

They don’t have their last names on the back of their jerseys, and that’s Dwayne Archibald – not Jerry West – on the logo on the front of the jersey. However, the D-League Select squad has become one of the more compelling topics here at the NBA Summer League on UNLV’s campus. Keep reading »
Charged-up Arthur ready to find his niche with Grizzlies

By Ryan Greene · July 18, 2009 · 2:25 a.m.

Most rookies at the NBA summer league learn that pro ball is whole different game compared to what they just came from playing. Memphis Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur was no different last summer in Las Vegas. But his true eye-opening experience came about six weeks later. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 8: Young misses key shot for Wizards

By Rob Miech · July 17, 2009 · 6:54 p.m.

Nick Young kept the heat on Friday against Minnesota in the NBA Summer League. The third-year guard out of USC who wears No. 1 on his Washington Wizards uniform had 21 points midway through the third quarter inside the Cox Pavilion. The lead see-sawed back ... Keep reading »
Scoring record belongs to summer league rags-to-riches story

By Ryan Greene · July 17, 2009 · 2:45 a.m.

If there's any true justice in professional sports, the NBA Las Vegas summer league's single-game scoring record will belong to Anthony Morrow forever. It was only a year ago when Morrow came to the summer league to play for the Warriors with nothing more than a sliver of hope to hold onto. This year, he arrived with a wealth of confidence and a mohawk. Keep reading »
Foreign teams scout NBA Summer League for next star players

By Rob Miech · July 17, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

Julius Erving battled Larry Bird in a HORSE competition. Well, a kid in a white Erving No. 6 jersey challenged his buddy, wearing a green Bird No. 33 jersey. A vendor tried to get anyone within earshot to try his La Veneto Italian ice. Steve Nash, Tony Parker and LeBron James jerseys were going for $100 a pop at a stand. The competition on the Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack Center courts has paled in comparison to what has transpired in the horseshoe-shaped concourse between the two arenas. Keep reading »
A skeptic returns for a day in the life of the NBA summer league

By Ron Kantowski · July 17, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

The first thing I notice upon dropping into the NBA summer league on Wednesday afternoon at Cox Pavilion is dozens and dozens of very tall men, most of whom are speaking foreign languages. It is hard to tell whether they are European scouts or Turkish power forwards. Keep reading »
Former UNR star battling for roster spot with Washington Wizards

By Steve Silver · July 17, 2009 · 2:15 a.m.

JaVale McGee caught the attention of many NBA scouts at the Thomas & Mack Center while battling UNLV as a standout at Nevada-Reno. But now McGee must fight to earn the confidence of his coaches on that same hardwood in Las Vegas, because Washington Wizards aren't exactly keeping it a secret that they are shopping around for an experienced big man. McGee, though, hopes to put an end to that free agent search. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 7: Mavs run suicides after dropping to 0-4

By Ryan Greene, Rob Miech · July 16, 2009 · 10:18 p.m.

Dallas wasn’t finished after it dropped to 0-4 in the NBA Summer League, as owner Mark Cuban watched from his courtside seat, with a 75-62 defeat to Cleveland at the Cox Pavilion. During the game, Cuban left to get some snacks. Five seconds after buying ... Keep reading »
Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier smooth as ever

By Rob Miech · July 16, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

Las Vegas sweltered in triple-digit heat Wednesday. Walt Frazier, as cool as ever, didn’t drop a bead of sweat. As he does everywhere he goes, his presence added a measure of class and respect to the NBA Summer League at Cox Pavilion. Wearing an untucked black polo shirt, fuschia shorts and white hand-woven leather slip-ons, “Clyde” glided across the bubbling Cox asphalt to the New York Knicks’ team bus. Keep reading »
For former MWC standouts, summer league minutes are at a premium

By Ryan Greene · July 16, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

Not walking off the court after a game in dire need of a shower is a new feeling for Lee Cummard. The former BYU guard -- who last season ranked in the top 10 in the Mountain West Conference in points, rebounds, assists, blocked shots, field goal percentage and free throw percentage -- left Cox Pavilion on Wednesday evening as clean as he was when he arrived. Keep reading »
Morrison transitions to NBA after Gonzaga stardom

By Rob Miech · July 16, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

Adam Morrison is supremely confident these days that he is quite tired of answering questions about his confidence. The former Gonzaga star is attempting to show his many critics that, after major knee surgery, he can still produce and be a viable weapon in the NBA. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 6: Raptors forward Ibekwe leaves Cox on a stretcher

By Rob Miech · July 15, 2009 · 7:03 p.m.

After a hard fall on his face and a long delay to allow medical personnel to check his condition, Toronto Raptors forward Ekene Ibekwe was wheeled off the Cox Pavilion court on a stretcher Wednesday night at Cox Pavilion. Ibekwe had gone up to defend ... Keep reading »
Once declared an NBA bust, Tskitishvili back to prove himself

By Rob Miech · July 15, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

The biggest bust in NBA lottery history. That’s a tough label to shake, but that’s just what Nikoloz Tskitishvili is trying to do here at the NBA Summer League with the New York Knicks. Keep reading »
NBA rookie’s roots in MMA, focus solely on hoops

By Ryan Greene · July 15, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

Chicago rookie forward James Johnson showed up to Cox Pavilion for his NBA summer league pro debut on Tuesday afternoon thinking much the same way his favorite fighter -- heavyweight mixed martial arts Frank Mir -- showed up to the Octagon for the UFC 100 main event down the street last weekend. Both came to win. Instead, both lost. That's not all that the two athletes have in common. Keep reading »
At age 79, Kings coach still in love with the game of basketball

By Rob Miech · July 15, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

After this season with the Sacramento Kings, 79-year-old Pete Carril likely will leave the game that, after a long stretch at Princeton, landed him in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “I think this might be it,” he says. “I’m not sure. You can never tell, but it might be the end. I don’t know. I’ll see how I feel.” Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 5: Randolph ties summer league scoring mark

By Ryan Greene, Rob Miech · July 14, 2009 · 11:31 p.m.

2009 NBA summer league coverage 2009 NBA summer league schedule/results 2008 NBA summer league coverage Golden State forward Anthony Randolph saw his streak of summer league double-doubles come to an end at 3 on Tuesday afternoon at Cox Pavilion. So what? In exchange, the second-year ... Keep reading »
In different positions, Griffin brothers begin summer journeys

By Ryan Greene · July 14, 2009 · 2:10 a.m.

After filling up the stat sheet with 27 points and 12 rebounds in his pro debut Monday night in NBA summer league play at the Thomas & Mack Center, Blake Griffin -- the top pick in last month's NBA Draft -- towered over a horde of cameras, notepads and recorders with questions fired at him in a cramped hallway. Just hours earlier, his older brother, Taylor, spoke in a similar tone with a much smaller group of reporters -- three, to be exact. Keep reading »
Milwaukee GM ‘back home’ while leading Bucks

By Rob Miech · July 14, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

John Hammond grew up listening to Hank Aaron play baseball for the Milwaukee Braves and watching Marquette coach Al McGuire stalk the court at The Mecca. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 4: Bayless is back; Bucks continue to roll

By Ryan Greene · July 13, 2009 · 9:51 p.m.

Typically, MVPs of the NBA summer league don't need an opportunity to defend the crown. Last season's winner -- Portland guard Jerryd Bayless -- is trying to do so as a completely different player. The 11th overall pick in last year's NBA Draft averaged just ... Keep reading »
From a fishbowl to Milwaukee, Meeks could be a steal

By Ryan Greene · July 13, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

Friday night, while all eyes were on Brandon Jennings during the U.S. pro debut of the most talked-about prospect in last month's NBA draft, Jodie Meeks flew under the radar. For the former Kentucky guard, who was the 41st overall pick in last month's draft by Milwaukee, he hadn't been in that position in awhile. Keep reading »
Iranian making his mark on basketball’s highest stage

By Rob Miech · July 13, 2009 · 2:04 a.m.

Hamed Haddadi returned home last month to Tehran as a hero, the first Iranian to play in the National Basketball Association. When, that is, he chose to venture outside his house and go to a restaurant or visit with friends. Keep reading »
2 years after injury, Livingston hopes full circle almost complete

By Ryan Greene · July 13, 2009 · 2:20 a.m.

Today, the NBA is more of a young man's game than it's ever been. That said, it may be tougher to find an older soul in the league than baby-faced, rail-thin 23-year-old Shaun Livingston. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 3: Jennings looks like a million Bucks

By Ryan Greene, Rob Miech · July 12, 2009 · 7:16 p.m.

Brandon Jennings continued to show that he just might belong in the NBA on Sunday night at the Summer League in the Cox Pavilion. Jennings led the way with 23 points, 5 assists and 4 steals in Milwaukee’s 80-69 victory over Cleveland in the day's ... Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: UNLV

Ex-UNLV swingman Beck playing for Spurs

By Rob Miech · July 12, 2009 · 4:21 p.m.

Romel Beck was taken out of the San Antonio Spurs’ lineup with two minutes left Sunday afternoon against New Orleans at Cox Pavilion. Yet, the former UNLV swingman couldn’t sit still. He stood, watching his teammates take control against the Hornets in the NBA Summer ... Keep reading »
Former BYU star back on track in NBA Summer League

By Rob Miech · July 12, 2009 · 1:55 a.m.

Former BYU center Trent Plaisted has simplified his basketball expectations. He doesn’t look beyond today, and today looks pretty good in the NBA Summer League. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 2: U.S. steak the best, says Ukic, but he’ll take Croatia

By Rob Miech · July 11, 2009 · 9:14 p.m.

Croatian point guard Roko Ukic is strong and confident, and he’s sure about one thing from his first tour of the U.S. this past season as a reserve point guard for the Toronto Raptors. “I like the steaks here,” he said Saturday afternoon after Detroit ... Keep reading »
One game in, Golden State’s Curry has look of a pro

By Ryan Greene · July 11, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

Don Nelson has coached in 2,482 NBA games dating back to 1976, and over that period of time, it was never a secret that he favored veteran players to rookies and other youngsters. Never one to go out of his way to pad a young ballplayer's ego or hand him too much praise during their development, what he had to say on Friday from the COX Pavilion stands while watching rookie Stephen Curry's pro debut in the NBA summer league came a bit out of left field. Keep reading »
Back on U.S. soil, Jennings anxious to prove himself in NBA

By Rob Miech · July 11, 2009 · 1:37 a.m.

Brandon Jennings shot his Under Armour ad campaign inside the Colosseum, and he got to see Greece and Spain during the season he spent in Rome. Now part of the Milwaukee Bucks, courtesy of the 10th pick in last month’s draft, he is anxious to play in the NBA. He is participating in the NBA Summer League. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Day 1: Jennings steady, Meeks smooth as Bucks cap opening day with a win

By Ryan Greene · July 10, 2009 · 9:30 p.m.

2009 NBA summer league coverage 2008 NBA summer league coverage 9:21 p.m. Brandon Jennings finally scored his first pro bucket with about a minute to go in the third quarter Friday night for the Milwaukee Bucks. Once he did so -- hitting a 3-pointer from ... Keep reading »
Names of local, national interest pepper rosters

By Ryan Greene · July 7, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

Rosters from nearly all 22 participating teams in the upcoming Las Vegas NBA Summer League are in. That said, here are some names that carry national and local interest that will be invading the desert July 10-19. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

Timberwolves release summer league roster; Rubio not included

By Ryan Greene · July 2, 2009 · 3:14 p.m.

It now appears certain that Spanish teen hoops phenom Ricky Rubio's pro debut in the United States will not take place in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, which comes to town July 10-19. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who selected Rubio No. 5 overall in last ... Keep reading »
Blog: The Greene Room

With NBA draft done, big debuts coming in Vegas

By Ryan Greene · June 25, 2009 · 10:57 p.m.

Everyone loves the buzz that comes hand-in-hand with an NBA lottery pick. Is he a star? Is he a bust? Well, first impressions are priceless, and, barring any more major trades coming up in the next few days, several of those bonus babies will introduce themselves to the pro ball world in Las Vegas next month. Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

NBA Summer League releases 2009 schedule

By Ryan Greene · June 22, 2009 · 12:04 p.m.

The 2009 NBA Summer League, which takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion from July 10-19, released its game schedule on Monday. The 10-day affair includes 21 NBA teams sending rosters filled with draft picks, other young prospects and free agents. ... Keep reading »
Blog: Sports: Upon Further Review

2009 NBA Summer League tickets on sale Monday

By Ryan Greene · May 29, 2009 · 5:37 p.m.

Tickets for the 2009 NBA Summer League, which takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion from July 10-19, will go on sale to the public on Monday at the UNLV box office and on unlvtickets.com. The summer league will feature 21 ... Keep reading »
Blog: The Greene Room

Red tux and 34 points from Houston’s Brooks provides Summer League flashback

By Ryan Greene · May 13, 2009 · 2:11 p.m.

Special summer league section NBA Day 10: And the winners are ... NBA Day 10: … then there were the little guys NBA Day 10: Have passports and visas, will travel NBA Day 9: Just crown him already NBA Day 9: Augmon happy to be ... Keep reading »