It was late during one of the two NBA Summer League matinees Monday. Guys still were hacking on defense. The refs still were calling it.
NBA Summer League
Former UNLV forward Khem Birch compiled 13 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans in a win over Brooklyn. Birch, who played for Sioux Falls in the NBA Development League last season, has averaged 9.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in three games for New Orleans.
The new Chicago Bulls head coach watched the final minutes tick down and the Bulls were comfortably ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the team was off to a good start in the NBA Summer League.
The sting of disappointment and disrespect Wood felt on draft night in late June is sticking with him this week at the NBA Summer League.
It took three days but the summer league finally had its first ejection as Hasheem Thabeet of the D-League Select was sent packing after picking up a pair of technical fouls in the second quarter Sunday against Washington.
Becky Hammon, the former Colorado State and WNBA star, became the first woman in NBA history to be named a full-time assistant coach, before the start of the 2014-15 season. If you think it was a publicity stunt, you’re nuttier than Dennis Rodman.
Rookie forward Kevon Looney realizes being a first-round pick who will get guaranteed money doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be a factor with the Golden State Warriors in the 2015-16 season. Looney is getting his first taste of professional competition in the NBA Summer League.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Seth Curry had a big day offensively for the second straight game. He scored 25 points in New Orleans’ 90-86 victory over Dallas on Saturday after pouring in 30 in Friday’s win over Milwaukee.
Driving to the lane and spinning right, Rashad Vaughn floated by a defender and finished by banking in a shot. It was the type of play he executed several times as a UNLV freshman. It’s also why he never made it to his sophomore year.
Seth Curry, little brother of Steph, showed he can score too as he poured in 30 points in the Pelicans’ 101-89 win over Milwaukee in the NBA Summer League on Friday
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the marquee game on opening day of the NBA Summer League, playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The game will feature No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns and No. 2 pick D’Angelo Russell, if he signs his rookie contract with the Lakers.
In all, 23 NBA teams, plus an NBA Development League team, will play 67 games in 11 days at Thomas & Mack and Cox Pavilion beginning Friday. It’s $28 at the door per person for a day’s worth of NBA summer games.
There will be plenty of interesting storylines when the NBA Summer League begins Friday. No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves and No. 2 selection D’Angelo Russell of the Lakers will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Becky Hammon will make some NBA history in Las Vegas where she’ll be the first female head coach in summer league history.