NBA Summer League 2016: Saturday Schedule, Latest Las Vegas Standings and Stats
The 2016 NBA Summer League out of Las Vegas boasts the biggest rookie names of all.
It's early, but Las Vegas is the stomping ground for Kris Dunn and Thon Maker, not to mention other guys who hold the keys to the Association's future such as Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell.
That's just a small sampling, and while Orlando and Utah have plenty of worthwhile action going on, too, there's nothing quite like Las Vegas. Saturday is another chance for fans to grab a glimpse of the league's future while the next generation jockey for positioning in the standings.
Las Vegas Summer League Saturday Schedule
| Saturday, July 9 | 4 p.m. | Phoenix Suns | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Saturday, July 9 | 4:30 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers | Brooklyn Nets |
| Saturday, July 9 | 6 p.m. | Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls |
| Saturday, July 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz |
| Saturday, July 9 | 8 p.m. | Denver Nuggets | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Saturday, July 9 | 8:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Saturday, July 9 | 10 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks | Miami Heat |
| Saturday, July 9 | 10:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs | Golden State Warriors |
Las Vegas Summer League Standings
| Atlanta Hawks | 1 | 0 | 2.0 |
| Denver Nuggets | 1 | 0 | 3.0 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 1 | 0 | 3.5 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 1 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Toronto Raptors | 1 | 0 | 4.0 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 1 | 0 | 3.0 |
| Boston Celtics | 0 | 0 | |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 0 | 1 | 1.5 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 0 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Chicago Bulls | 0 | 0 | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 0 | 0 | |
| Golden State Warriors | 0 | 0 | |
| Houston Rockets | 0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| Miami Heat | 0 | 0 | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 0 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 0 | 0 | |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 0 | 0 | |
| Phoenix Suns | 0 | 0 | |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 0 | 0 | |
| Sacramento Kings | 0 | 1 | 0.0 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 0 | 0 | |
| Utah Jazz | 0 | 0 | |
| Washington Wizards | 0 | 0 | |
| NBA D-League Select | 0 | 1 | 1.0 |
The Stats to Know
NBA.com has the full list of stats out of Las Vegas, but a few stand out.
Like the Sacramento Kings only scoring 47 points. Here's Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal with some historic context:
The good news? Young guys Malachi Richardson, Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere led the way in scoring with seven points apiece.
Funny happenings aside, folks will want to pay attention to guys such as Dunn. The No. 5 pick this year scored more points than anyone else to start the league Friday, going for 27 in an 88-82 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
It was Mudiay, though, who posted a more well-rounded performance and got the win, going for 23 points, six assists and eight rebounds.
Also apparent is the fact folks will see Russell's name quite a lot this summer. He posted 20 points, six assists and 11 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers' 85-65 dismissal of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Saturday Matchup to Watch: Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are one of the most interesting teams around not just because of their moves this summer, but because of the young core the front office hopes to build around for years.
Said young core is on display in Las Vegas in the form of guys like Bobby Portis, Jerian Grant and Denzel Valentine.
The latter two are newcomers, with Grant having spent his rookie season with the New York Knicks and posting just 5.6 points and 2.3 assists per game. Valentine was the No. 14 pick in the draft this year after averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists during his senior year at Michigan State.
This matchup also marks the Las Vegas debuts of Boston's Jaylen Brown and Demetrius Jackson. The latter was the No. 45 pick out of Notre Dame, the former the No. 3 pick out of California.
Brown averaged 16 points per game in the Utah league and earned plenty of praise, such as this note by Bleacher Report's Howard Beck:
With the future of two of the NBA's most historic organizations on display, there's no reason to miss this encounter—especially with Brown attempting to prove he should have come off the board first in this year's draft.
Saturday Matchup to Watch Pt. II: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The guy who did go No. 1 deserves plenty of attention.
Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers averaged 8.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in Utah. The last number led the entire league, with the Association itself providing a nifty sampling:
Not bad for a forward.
Now he's ready to wreak havoc in Las Vegas, first going against the Russell-led Lakers. While the budding point guard stuffs the stat sheet, it's Brandon Ingram who gets the most attention.
The second pick out of Duke managed 12 points and four rebounds in his debut. More importantly, he's playing on a home floor and helping to revitalize another historic franchise, as ESPN's Marc J. Spears helped to point out:
It's always a good idea to check out a battle between the top two picks, but especially so when both look this great right out of the gates.
Maybe neither of these franchises contend for titles this year, but Saturday's game showcases loud and clear just how bright the future looks.
Stats and information courtesy of NBA.com unless otherwise specified.
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