Summer League 2022

Just a bit outside

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Apr 6, 2011
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Monument, CO
I am headed to summer league for the first time with my 18 year old son for his graduation gift. We are going to be there for 3 days, the 11th-13th. Any suggestions about how to make the most of the trip would be great. I am also thinking about getting a hotel close to the arena so we can walk. Is that a good idea?
 

HomeRunBaker

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Jan 15, 2004
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I am headed to summer league for the first time with my 18 year old son for his graduation gift. We are going to be there for 3 days, the 11th-13th. Any suggestions about how to make the most of the trip would be great. I am also thinking about getting a hotel close to the arena so we can walk. Is that a good idea?
I’ll be out there for WSOP and plan on being at T-Mobile on Friday, 7/8 and again after that depending on how my Main Event goes and if I stay for a day or two after I bust.

There are plenty of reasonably priced hotels near the area early in the week when you’ll be there. Park MGM & New York New York are reasonably priced (def not high end) and next to T-Mobile. If you plan on walking I’d recommend one of those considering it will be 104 degrees during the day.
 

nattysez

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Sep 30, 2010
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I am headed to summer league for the first time with my 18 year old son for his graduation gift. We are going to be there for 3 days, the 11th-13th. Any suggestions about how to make the most of the trip would be great. I am also thinking about getting a hotel close to the arena so we can walk. Is that a good idea?
My experience is a little outdated -- I last went to Summer League 5 years ago -- but a few thoughts:
- walking in Vegas is really, really hot, but doable. You can always take a cab there and then walk home when it's cooler (and harder to catch a cab)
- there are two attached venues -- the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion. The Thomas& Mack is a good-sized arena, but the Cox Pavilion is the same size as a nice high-school gym. It is incredible to watch NBA-level (or close to it) guys play in that environment. On the 11th, for example, my advice would be to go straight to Cox and watch the 3p game there, then stay in your seats (or move to better seats if you can) for the Celtics game at 5 (assuming you're a Celtics fan).
- there is usually a lot of stuff going on in the hallways -- players signing autographs, giveaways, etc. It's worth a stroll around during your time there.
- if you are a big NBA fan, keep your eyes peeled. I've never seen so many basketball "celebrities" in one place. There aren't a lot of back hallways or media entrances, so Rachel Nichols and I were walking to the same entrance door (up a long set of stairs) and then Chris Finch and Roy Williams were sitting by themselves waiting for the next game to start in Cox when I came in, so I was able to say hi to both of them. That all happened in about 5 minutes.
 
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Just a bit outside

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Apr 6, 2011
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Monument, CO
Thanks guys. That is great information. I was thinking of staying at a hotel like the best western by the gyms so the walk would be short. We bought the full day tickets and he is planning on us being in the gym from the start time of the first game of the day to the conclusion of the last game. We have been to Vegas a few years ago when he was in a basketball tournament but any suggestions about what to do with an 18 year old before or after the games would also be appreciated.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Jan 15, 2004
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My experience is a little outdated -- I last went to Summer League 5 years ago -- but a few thoughts:
- walking in Vegas is really, really hot, but doable. You can always take a cab there and then walk home when it's cooler (and harder to catch a cab)
- there are two attached venues -- the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion. The Thomas& Mack is a good-sized arena, but the Cox Pavilion is the same size as a nice high-school gym. It is incredible to watch NBA-level (or close to it) guys play in that environment. On the 11th, for example, my advice would be to go straight to Cox and watch the 3p game there, then stay in your seats (or move to better seats if you can) for the Celtics game at 5 (assuming you're a Celtics fan).
- there is usually a lot of stuff going on in the hallways -- players signing autographs, giveaways, etc. It's worth a stroll around during your time there.
- if you are a big NBA fan, keep your eyes peeled. I've never seen so many basketball "celebrities" in one place. There aren't a lot of back hallways or media entrances, so Rachel Nichols and I were walking to the same entrance door (up a long set of stairs) and then Chris Finch and Roy Williams were sitting by themselves waiting for the next game to start in Cox when I came in, so I was able to say hi to both of them. That all happened in about 5 minutes.
Great point about Cox Pavilion. It’s the only place of the two where you really want to be. It’s a small intimate high school setting than you look up and, in my case, Taurean Prince is sitting next to you.
 

NomarsFool

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Dec 21, 2001
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It's definitely not the norm, but Nesmith should go. The kid needs more in game reps to show what he can do.
 

128

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May 4, 2019
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It's definitely not the norm, but Nesmith should go. The kid needs more in game reps to show what he can do.
The thing is, we've seen that he can play well in Vegas. He made the all-summer league team last year. The question is, can he make shots in real games?
 

RedOctober3829

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Jul 19, 2005
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Thanks guys. That is great information. I was thinking of staying at a hotel like the best western by the gyms so the walk would be short. We bought the full day tickets and he is planning on us being in the gym from the start time of the first game of the day to the conclusion of the last game. We have been to Vegas a few years ago when he was in a basketball tournament but any suggestions about what to do with an 18 year old before or after the games would also be appreciated.
I'm sure the 18 year old will want to do a few different things than you have in mind :)
 

reggiecleveland

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Mar 5, 2004
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My experience is a little outdated -- I last went to Summer League 5 years ago -- but a few thoughts:
- walking in Vegas is really, really hot, but doable. You can always take a cab there and then walk home when it's cooler (and harder to catch a cab)
- there are two attached venues -- the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion. The Thomas& Mack is a good-sized arena, but the Cox Pavilion is the same size as a nice high-school gym. It is incredible to watch NBA-level (or close to it) guys play in that environment. On the 11th, for example, my advice would be to go straight to Cox and watch the 3p game there, then stay in your seats (or move to better seats if you can) for the Celtics game at 5 (assuming you're a Celtics fan).
- there is usually a lot of stuff going on in the hallways -- players signing autographs, giveaways, etc. It's worth a stroll around during your time there.
- if you are a big NBA fan, keep your eyes peeled. I've never seen so many basketball "celebrities" in one place. There aren't a lot of back hallways or media entrances, so Rachel Nichols and I were walking to the same entrance door (up a long set of stairs) and then Chris Finch and Roy Williams were sitting by themselves waiting for the next game to start in Cox when I came in, so I was able to say hi to both of them. That all happened in about 5 minutes.
Also dated, but to echo the informal setting.
1. My friend bumped Lute Olsen pretty hard with our car when Lute stepped off the curb.
2. Lebron opened the door to our rented SUV thinking it was his ride, then apologized closing the door.
 

nattysez

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Sep 30, 2010
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Thanks guys. That is great information. I was thinking of staying at a hotel like the best western by the gyms so the walk would be short. We bought the full day tickets and he is planning on us being in the gym from the start time of the first game of the day to the conclusion of the last game. We have been to Vegas a few years ago when he was in a basketball tournament but any suggestions about what to do with an 18 year old before or after the games would also be appreciated.
The Fremont Street Experience might be fun for an 18 year-old during the day. At night, your best bet may be to walk through one of the nicer casinos just to check it out. Cosmopolitan and Resorts World both seem pretty cool (I have not been to RW). I went to Holstein's Shakes and Burgers in the Cosmo after the games last time I went.
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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Resorts World is ok & probably worth checking out because it's new, but as a 1st time Vegas visitor, I think places like Venetian & Wynn would still be more interesting for him in terms of walkthroughs.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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End of the road for Mr. Madar?
It was unlikely he was coming this year anyway, he has 2 years left w/ Partizan, and honestly he wasn't good last year there. He makes too much in Europe to take a 2 way. He'll play in Israel, play for Partizan and if he has a good year, next offseason is the one where they might give him a roster spot.
 

128

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May 4, 2019
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It was unlikely he was coming this year anyway, he has 2 years left w/ Partizan, and honestly he wasn't good last year there. He makes too much in Europe to take a 2 way. He'll play in Israel, play for Partizan and if he has a good year, next offseason is the one where they might give him a roster spot.
All true. Still, it would have been nice to see him in Vegas again this year. If memory serves, he wasn't available for every game last summer.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Jan 15, 2004
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Same
He would be possibly our 2nd best shot blocker and best offensive rebounder. Great from deep and the ft line too, for a guy his size.
Dikembe is his Uncle is what I remember most about him. I think he came off the bench to limit his minutes due to injury or being foul prone I’d have to dig it up. He def was a presence in college though.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Will Trevion Williams be on the team? Does it matter?
If all else is equal he may favor signing with the Celtics who were willing to bring him in. He is as good a passing big man as there was last year. Court sense and floor vision incredible. Who is his agent?
 

Kliq

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Mar 31, 2013
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Williams has all the makings of a fun Summer League guy to watch.
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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He can't block shots, is immobile & can't shoot. He's a non-prospect.

He's basically Enes if instead of scoring Enes periodically passed the ball.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Jan 15, 2004
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He can't block shots, is immobile & can't shoot. He's a non-prospect.

He's basically Enes if instead of scoring Enes periodically passed the ball.
Trevion Williams can’t shoot? The kid from Purdue, right? He was their #1 offensive option in his 20mpg (over Jaden Ivey) bc he was virtually unstoppable on that end of the floor. He was a scoring machine inside of 15 feet which forced double teams to where he was arguably the best passing big in the country last year leading the team in Asst/40 with Ivey far behind him.

Now I don’t like how his game, or Zach Edey who he split minutes at the 5 with, translates but he was an offensive beast in college both shooting and passing the ball.
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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Trevion Williams can’t shoot? The kid from Purdue, right? He was their #1 offensive option in his 20mpg (over Jaden Ivey) bc he was virtually unstoppable on that end of the floor. He was a scoring machine inside of 15 feet which forced double teams to where he was arguably the best passing big in the country last year leading the team in Asst/40 with Ivey far behind him.

Now I don’t like how his game, or Zach Edey who he split minutes at the 5 with, translates but he was an offensive beast in college both shooting and passing the ball.
He can bully college players in his age 21 season. He's a career 53% free throw shooter with limited range.

He had a good college career but there's no skills that project to be useful at the next level. He's not forcing double teams from NBA teams & he absolutely can never be a plus defender.
 

HomeRunBaker

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He can bully college players in his age 21 season. He's a career 53% free throw shooter with limited range.

He had a good college career but there's no skills that project to be useful at the next level. He's not forcing double teams from NBA teams & he absolutely can never be a plus defender.
I agree about his future but like one of his greatest skills is his natural ability to score with jump hooks and face-up jumpers which is why I found that comment about his shooting interesting.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Mar 26, 2005
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Here's an article that has clips of some of Williams' passes: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/trevion-williams-thinking-outside-the-box. Boy can he pass the ball.

The article linked above is an outlier because it is somewhat optimistic on Williams' ability to play defense in the NBA. I did see somewhere that Williams averaged 1.7 steals per 36 minutes last year, which is promising.

Defensively, Williams has impressed from a prospect evaluation standpoint. He's not a traditional primary rim protecting 5-man, but he has remarkably quick feet and slides well laterally for his size.
Williams is very effective showing at the level and recovering or playing centerfield. He has really active hands and can blow up plays routinely before the ball-handler penetrates the paint. He's restricted as a leaper off his backfoot, but can makes good plays with his length at and around the rim when crowding shooters or drivers and is a solid weakside shot-blocker. Williams has versatility as a defender in spite of limitations.

And just for fun, here's a short video of Williams from a 2021 workout. He is very skilled as a basketball player. Ahh, it's always fun to dream, isn't it?

View: https://twitter.com/twill___/status/1397721818585313280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1397721818585313280%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fpurdue%2Fbasketball%2Ftrevion-williams-returned-to-purdue-basketball-to-be-part-of-something-special
 

BigSoxFan

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Here's an article that has clips of some of Williams' passes: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/trevion-williams-thinking-outside-the-box. Boy can he pass the ball.

The article linked above is an outlier because it is somewhat optimistic on Williams' ability to play defense in the NBA. I did see somewhere that Williams averaged 1.7 steals per 36 minutes last year, which is promising.

Defensively, Williams has impressed from a prospect evaluation standpoint. He's not a traditional primary rim protecting 5-man, but he has remarkably quick feet and slides well laterally for his size.
Williams is very effective showing at the level and recovering or playing centerfield. He has really active hands and can blow up plays routinely before the ball-handler penetrates the paint. He's restricted as a leaper off his backfoot, but can makes good plays with his length at and around the rim when crowding shooters or drivers and is a solid weakside shot-blocker. Williams has versatility as a defender in spite of limitations.

And just for fun, here's a short video of Williams from a 2021 workout. He is very skilled as a basketball player. Ahh, it's always fun to dream, isn't it?

View: https://twitter.com/twill___/status/1397721818585313280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1397721818585313280%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fpurdue%2Fbasketball%2Ftrevion-williams-returned-to-purdue-basketball-to-be-part-of-something-special
Man, first getting schooled by Yi Jianlian and now Trevion Williams. That chair fucking sucks!
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Mar 26, 2005
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Man, first getting schooled by Yi Jianlian and now Trevion Williams. That chair fucking sucks!
Yeah, well below is the full scouting report from Coach Spins. It appears that while Williams can score on the chair, the chair might be able to score on him.

The first four minutes of clips of his passing is gorgeous. The last four minutes of his defense are, well, not.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdby3kRv__s
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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I agree about his future but like one of his greatest skills is his natural ability to score with jump hooks and face-up jumpers which is why I found that comment about his shooting interesting.
Sloppy language on my part & was likely being unnecessarily grumpy & hyperbolic, but I don't really equate shooting with scoring in the paint.
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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The other thing about Williams is that he's 6'7 1/4 without shoes. If he had an NBA skillset he certainly would have been able to play in lineups with Edey.
 

chilidawg

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Jan 22, 2015
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Yeah, well below is the full scouting report from Coach Spins. It appears that while Williams can score on the chair, the chair might be able to score on him.

The first four minutes of clips of his passing is gorgeous. The last four minutes of his defense are, well, not.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdby3kRv__s
It's always surprising when a guy with his great touch on floaters and hookshots is such a bad free throw shooter.
 

lovegtm

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The other thing about Williams is that he's 6'7 1/4 without shoes. If he had an NBA skillset he certainly would have been able to play in lineups with Edey.
His standing reach is 9'0.5" though, which is less bad. For comparison, Grant is an inch shorter, but with a standing reach 4 inches less.

I'm not super interested in Trevion as a prospect, just trying to stay consistent as a standing reach maxi.
 

lovegtm

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HomeRunBaker

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Oooooof, you weren't kidding. That is one of the roughest 4 minutes of big D I've seen in awhile.
The crazy thing about Travion is that he was often the 2H option due to his DEFENSE over Edey who has worse lateral quickness to defend the PNR than that chair.