AROUND THE SUMMER LEAGUE

Staff

14 years ago

“When you come off the pick-and-rolls and have somebody who’s athletic that you can throw it up to and get it, or if you miss a shot, it’s good to have somebody like that.”

JOhn Wall

Washington WIZARDS ROOKIE GUARD, on his budding chemistry and highlight-reel alley-oops with third-year center JaVale McGee, a former UNR standout who is averaging 16.3 points and 9.7 rebounds at the Summer League

“That’s for you guys to argue. There are certainly a lot better teams in the East than there were like five years ago. That’s definitely changed and become more even. There was a time where there wasn’t much going on in the East, and that’s not the case anymore.”

Gregg Popovich

SAN ANTONIO SPURS COACH, On whether the balance of power in the NBA has shifted to the Eastern Conference

“Right now, it’s actually worked out better that I haven’t been drafted. I’m able to come out here (with Phoenix) and showcase and get a little buzz going. The phone’s ringing, and as long as the phone’s ringing, that’s a good thing.”

Scottie Reynolds

PHOENIX SUNS ROOKIE GUARD, the first Associated Press All-America first-team selection to go undrafted since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976, on his future

“It can’t be any worse than last season, with the luck we had. I missed a career high in games, Rip (Hamilton) missed a career high in games, Tayshaun (Prince), Will Bynum. It seemed like everybody at some point had their own injury issue they had to get through. Hopefully this year as far as health is concerned, that’ll make a big difference in the success of our team.”

Ben Gordon

DETROIT PISTONS GUARD, on his team coming back from an injury-ravaged season. Gordon was in town for National Basketball Players Association functions.

BY THE NUMBERS

300

More than 300 media credentials have been issued so far for this year’s Las Vegas NBA Summer League, the most since its inception in 2004, according to the NBA.

28,605

Total attendance through Thursday for the first seven days combined, which is up 8 to 10 percent from last year, said the event’s vice president of business operations, Albert Hall. It equates to about 4,086 fans per day.

Number of former UNLV players (Denver’s Romel Beck) who played at this year’s Las Vegas NBA Summer League, compared with four from UNR. (Portland’s Luke Babbitt and Armon Johnson, Washington’s McGee and Minnesota’s Mo Charlo)

15-11-10

Phoenix Suns rookie forward Gani Lawal pulled off a triple-double you’ll only see in the Summer League, with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 fouls in Monday’s victory over D-League Select. Players foul out on their 10th personal at the event.

Points per game after two games for Cleveland’s J.J. Hickson, who leads the event in scoring average. The third-year forward is also among rebounding leaders with 9.0 per game.

COMPILED BY TRISTAN AIRD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL