Re: A report from the NBA Summer League

[Michael A. Cohen]

Great update.  Thanks.  Did you hear any rumors on Kenyon's situation?

Also, I don't know if anybody collects them, butmy wife just got me a 
beanie baby named Huggins.  It is a dog and I think it is a bull dog.

Mike in Fort Worth

Jon Macomber wrote:
> Currently in LA, I was able to check out the pro summer league at Long Beach on Sunday.  Thought some of the Bearcatnews folks would appreciate an account.
>
> I saw the Sunday game - Lakers (with Bobbitt) against the Knicks (with DerMarr).  The Knicks came back to take a late lead, but the Lakers won - for whatever that's worth in a summer league.  For those who didn't see the first day scores (Saturday) Bobbitt went 4-9 with 3 steals in 23 minutes.  DJ went 4-12 with 5 TOs in 28 minutes.  Scores and updates are at http://www.proexposure.com/.
>
> First, the Pro Summer League is EXACTLY like the Deveroes league in Cincinnati.  The arena is a little bit bigger (played at the Pyramid in Long Beach).  But the look, feel, and play was just like back in Cincinnati - if you've been to a summer league game then you're familiar with the atmosphere.  Except I sat behind Mark Cuban - that's a big difference.
>
> Anyway, DJ started for the Knicks, and Tony was the first sub off the bench for the Lakers.  DJ started off guarding Luke Walton and did a pretty good job, but later he had a hard time when matched up with quicker guards.  Overall, DJ had a horrible game.  On offense he just hung out on the perimeter a lot - rarely stepping in from the arc.  Made a couple shots, but had some VERY ugly turnovers when bringing the ball up in traffic.  He missed some lay-ups on breaks or on a rare drive to the basket.  A couple Knicks fans near me were not impressed.  I couldn't tell if he had lingering effects from his injury, but he played very soft. 
>
> On the other hand, Bobbitt played pretty well.  He was the Lakers' 2nd leading scorer (I think he had 19) and played a lot with the "1st teamers", including crunch time at the end.  He was typical Tony, shooting a lot of 3's and all over the place on defense - not necessarily a good thing, he loses his man a LOT on defense - and was burned a couple times (including once by DJ).  Tony and DJ matched up against each other for most of the 2nd half - and both DJ and Tony took most of the Technical FTs for their teams.  Tony ran around a lot on offense, running through screens and across the baseline, popping free for some catch and shoots.  He also streaked down the court for some fast breaks.
>
> As usual, Tony was talking and playing around a lot.  He was always talking with Lakers Walton and Rush, as well as a lot of conversations with the coaching staff.  After the game he headed for the Knicks' Ariza (they matched up a lot) - reminiscent of the Memphis game.  I also noticed that when on the bench he was either on the far end with a towel on his head, or sitting right next to the coaches.  I don't know what that says about his chances of making the Lakers' roster, but he fit in pretty well - other than some "arguing" with Vijacic and some general complaints about not getting the ball at certain times.  The fans took to him as well, and a couple people asked me about him.  Anyone with a sports page knows that the Lakers are very unsettled for next year and I have no idea what his chances are for a roster spot.  New coach Rudy T was there, as well as the Lakers GM.  Bobbitt played pretty well, so maybe he opened some eyes.  I don't know if anyone mentioned or saw 
this, but Tony was a 1st round pick for the Brevard Ducks of the USBL (7th overall pick!)
> Other players: The Lakers 1st round pick Sasha Vijacic (the Slovenian PG) was very impressive - he won a lot of people over with some great passes and good shooting.  I also saw the 2nd half of the Kings/Spurs game and Sato was pretty impressive from what I saw - very athletic.  Chalmers started for the Clippers, but I only stayed for the 1st part of that game.
>
> On a side note - I won one of the halftime giveaways - one of those "If you're in section X, row X, seat X" things.  Wow, what do I win?  A new car?  A vacation?, nope - just an ESPN T-shirt.  But everyone got a good look at my Bearcats hat when I got the shirt.  Oh well, no complaints.
>
>
> Jon M