Autograph seekers get plenty of opportunities at NBA Summer League
They came holding Sharpie pens, basketballs, posters, hats, trading cards and many other artifacts looking to take home a memory.
Moments after noon Saturday when the doors opened to the NBA Summer League, autograph seekers of all ages congregated at the bottom of Section 118 at Cox Pavilion.
And with good reason. Various NBA coaches, players and executives, past and present, sat in nearby Section 119. The section is taped off from the public, but many famous faces stopped on their way in or out to meet with fans.
For most in attendance, such as Lakers fan Michael Mandelblatt, the value of obtaining autographs wasn’t about money.
The 42-year-old Las Vegas resident has been working for about 10 years on what he calls the “Laker Project,” a large felt logo adorned with more than 20 signatures from historical Lakers figures. One came from Byron Scott at the Summer League several years ago.
“The value is not monetary,” Mandelblatt said. “It’s the heart and soul that went into putting this together.”
The fan-friendly atmosphere of the league provided those in attendance with plenty to remember. Following is a timeline of some of their moments:
■ 12:15 p.m. — Toronto-area resident Chris Macdonell arrived in Las Vegas for the first time Friday to celebrate his 30th birthday. A day later, the die-hard Raptors fan landed gifts he’ll never forget.
Wearing a No. 8 Jose Calderon Toronto jersey, Macdonell caught the attention of Raptors guards DeMar DeRozan and Jarrett Jack. Both players signed his cap.
“It’s the first time I’ve been able to meet the Raptors and be so up close and personal,” Macdonell said. “It’s a pretty good 30th birthday.”
Macdonell said he’ll continue to root for Chris Bosh despite the star power forward bolting Toronto for Miami.
“He did a lot for Toronto and Toronto fans,” he said. “You just have to move on.”
■ 3:30 p.m. — Mandelblatt beamed as his son, 11-year-old Hayden, won a free-throw shooting contest after the first quarter of the Lakers-Nuggets game.
Michael Mandelblatt, who has been attending the league for the past six years, said the event has become a father-son bonding experience.
“One thing that stands out about this event is the ability to meet various NBA stars and future stars,” he said. “You don’t get this kind of access at (regular-season) NBA games.”
Hayden Mandelblatt didn’t just get an autograph from Toronto rookie forward Ed Davis. The No. 13 overall pick in this year’s draft gave him advice. “It’s kind of fun talking to them and them showing me all the moves so when I play I can use it,” Hayden Mandelblatt said.
■ 5:20 p.m. — Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson signed autographs at a booth near the entrance to Cox Pavilion, and the line stretched the length of the concourse.
Henderson resident Tedros Kebede got Lawson’s autograph along with his sons, 7-year-old Caleb and 6-year-old Yaphet.
“They’re having a good time,” Tedros Kebede said of his sons. “It’s a good opportunity for them to come out and meet the guys they see on TV. It’s pretty accessible.”
■ 7:30 p.m. — Jeremie Harris traveled from Sierra Vista, Ariz., to watch his beloved Pistons play.
He wound up with more than that, walking away with a signed Greg Monroe poster after the Detroit rookie center signed autographs and posed for pictures with every fan in line in the lobby.
“I’ve been to a few regular-season NBA games, but this is nice and accessible,” Harris said. “(Dallas owner) Mark Cuban’s out here, and some of the nonrookies are here watching, so it’s nice to get close to them.”
Harris, 32, was making his first visit to the league. He said it won’t be his last.
“As long as the Pistons keep coming out here,” he said, “I’ll keep coming out, too.”
Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.
