NBA Summer League: Previewing Biggest Games on Las Vegas Schedule
Welcome to the show, rookies.
Just weeks after being selected in the 2015 NBA draft, the league's most prominent rookies are set to take center stage when Las Vegas Summer League tips off July 10 at the Thomas and Mack Center and Cox Pavilion.
Thrusting a spotlight on prominent lottery picks like Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, Jahlil Okafor and Kristaps Porzingis, we've decided to take a look ahead toward their debuts.
For a complete overview of the Las Vegas Summer League schedule, consult the league's official press release regarding the mid-July festivities.
July 10: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m. ET
What a treat. Right off the bat, we've got No. 1 vs. No. 2.
While Towns was the consensus No. 1 overall pick entering the 2015 draft, Russell will be looking to make a bold statement when he takes the floor for the first time donning purple and gold.
So what can fans expect? How about heavy doses of Russell as a playmaker.
"The Lakers drafted him to put the ball in his hands and let him make plays," CBSSports.com's James Herbert wrote. "Sure, Kobe Bryant—if healthy—is going to do a lot of playmaking himself, but head coach Byron Scott would be crazy not to give Russell a steady diet of pick-and-roll plays every night."
Towns, on the other hand, should flash a bit of everything. Not only can he dominate opponents as a spring-loaded roll man in the pick-and-roll, but his developing jump shot should be thrust into action as well.
Less than 24 hours after getting drafted, he was already working on his stroke at the Timberwolves facility:
So that's terrifying.
If Towns can be used as more than a jump-hooking, lob-finishing machine below the free-throw line, the Timberwolves could have a foundational talent on their hands.
July 11: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 8:30 p.m. ET
Okafor is out to prove the NBA is still a big man's league, and he'll be able to do so for the first time when the Philadelphia 76ers clash with the Lakers at the Thomas and Mack Center.
"People get a little excited because of Steph Curry, and what those guys do is great," Okafor said, according to CSNPhilly.com's Dei Lynam. "It worked for them fantastic. But for as long as I can remember big men have been dominant and the result has been NBA championships."
Strong words from a strong center.
The anticipated focal point of Philadelphia's offense next season, Okafor will enter his inaugural professional season with strong odds to win Rookie of the Year for one major reason—he already has an elite NBA skill.
The 19-year-old absolutely obliterated opposing bigs at the collegiate level with his low-post savvy, and his back-to-the-basket brilliance should translate nicely to the next level.
"Extremely nimble, Okafor has outstanding footwork, and he does an excellent job of feeling out his defender and reacting appropriately, having all the countermoves in the book, and being capable of executing beautiful spin-moves with superb body control, often using the glass," DraftExpress.com's Jonathan Givony wrote.
Since the Lakers were deciding between Okafor and Russell at No. 2 overall, per Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding, the July 11 showdown will be packed with a little extra intrigue.
July 11: New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Knicks are hoping to make strides after accruing a franchise-worst 65 losses last season, and Porzingis' development will be front and center as the team enters a new era.
But after getting booed by Knicks faithful following his selection at Barclays Center, Porzingis is out to make believers of the team's skeptical fanbase.
Porzingis said, per Yahoo Sports' Dan Devine:
"I mean, a lot of fans weren't happy that they drafted me, but I have to do everything that's in my hands to turn those booing fans into clapping fans. There's nothing I can do. I was happy about it. I want to be a part of this organization, and I know the fans are a little harsh sometimes, but that's how it is here in New York, and I'm ready for it.
"
Porzingis' game may still be a work in progress, but his inside-outside versatility should prove to be an effective weapon in Las Vegas right off the bat.
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