Adams’ debut abbreviated
Wink Adams had to wait an extra day before getting his first playing time of the NBA Summer League.
The former UNLV guard was scoreless in seven minutes for the New York Knicks in a 96-73 loss to Detroit on Wednesday at Cox Pavilion.
Abbreviated though it was, Adams was glad to get on the court after sitting out New York’s opener against Memphis on Tuesday. He missed his only shot and compiled two rebounds, one assist, two fouls and one turnover.
"It felt like my freshman year," Adams said. "In my first game at (UNLV), I had the same adrenaline rush and I turned it over. It was the same thing in this game."
Adams said Tuesday marked the first time in his basketball life he never got off the bench. But he understands his status as a rookie free agent here only at the Knicks’ invitation.
"At this level I accept it," he said. "You know the draft picks are going to play a lot, and they bring in free agents who play a lot of minutes. You understand your role. But I’ve always had a positive attitude, so I’m not going to complain."
Adams knows he’s a long shot to be invited to the Knicks’ training camp in October, but he hopes to convince some other team he’s worth a look. But with so few minutes available, Adams realizes he must make the most of his playing time.
"You can’t put that much pressure on yourself," he said. "All you can do is go out there, do the best you can and hope it’s good enough."
• IBEKWE HURT — Toronto forward Ekene Ibekwe sustained a head injury when he hit the floor after blocking a shot in the final seconds of a 74-73 victory over Phoenix.
Ibekwe was off balance and was undercut on the play. He was carried out on a stretcher and taken to University Medical Center for observation.
• D-LEAGUERS WIN AGAIN — The D-League Select squad is 2-0 after beating Sacramento, 105-89. Othyus Jeffers scored 21 points for the D-Leaguers before exiting with a groin injury with 2:04 remaining.
Kings rookie guard Tyreke Evans did not start because of an injured right index finger. He played 24 minutes and had five points and eight rebounds.
• STAT LEADERS — Washington’s Nick Young leads the league in scoring with 36 points per game. Golden State’s Anthony Randolph is averaging 26.8 and Evans 24.3.
Houston’s Joey Dorsey is the top rebounder at 14.3 per game, followed by Phoenix’s Earl Clark at 12.0 and the Clippers’ Blake Griffin at 10.5. Marcus Williams of Memphis leads in assists with 11.0 per game, followed by Minnesota’s Jonny Flynn and New York’s Toney Douglas at 10.5.
• ATTENDANCE UP — Through four days, summer league attendance is averaging 4,100 a day, up from 3,600 last year.
