Through nine seasons with the Cavs, I’ve traveled almost everywhere with the club – from preseason games in Columbus to exhibitions in Shanghai and Macao. Summer League in Las Vegas is one experience I’ve never had.This year’s Cavaliers summer league squad, as everyone knows by now, is completely different than any we’ve had in the past. This year’s team – minus a veteran or two and Kyrie Irving – shouldn’t be all that different than the team that takes the floor in November.
I arrived at Cox Pavillion just in time to catch Monday night’s win over the D-League Select Team. And, like Carrot Top, I’ll be here all week. I’ll check back throughout, but here are some first impressions from my first foray into Vegas Summer League …
* After witnessing games at The Q for almost a decade, I’m used to my games being LOUD. As you can imagine, the crowds are small and about half of the spectators are GMs, coaches, media – and networkers looking to access the NBA world. That means when a fan heckles a ref or when a player drops a big F-bomb after a missed free throw – like the D-League’s Jerry Smith did on Monday – everyone hears it.
* Tristan Thompson got the night off on Monday. He’s perfectly fine, but coaches wanted to get an extended look at Luke Harangody. The former Domer had a nice night, going 4-of-6 from the floor for 12 points. (During the game, another writer leaned over and said, “Everything he does looks like a collision.” He’s right – Luke goes full-bore at all times and never shies from contact.)
* A lot is going to be made about Samardo Samuels’ weight loss – and it should. He looks like a different person and is down to 243 pounds. But the difference is obviously more than cosmetic. He runs the floor better and gets off his feet much quicker. He also seems to have a calmer, veteran demeanor. He’s a different player on both ends of the floor.
* I know the Cavs miss Kyrie, but only one player (Dion Waiters) with more than one assist? Let’s attribute it to (working out the kinks in) Summer League.
* If you’ve ever seen a Toronto Raptors game on TV or certainly if you’ve ever seen one in person at the Air Canada Centre, you’ve seen their “super fan.” He’s a bearded guy in a black turban and he never misses a game. (Even summer league, apparently.) I saw him as I was entering the arena on Monday and he waved at me. I actually felt like I had a brush with greatness.
* I’m not going to see Carrot Top or the Jersey Boys or Celine Dion while I’m out here. But I am interested in the Guns and Ammo Garage that’s advertised all over town. I’m not a gun guy and I don’t own one, but the billboard ad – featuring a girl in a bikini holding an AK-47 – promises to let you fire off a real machine gun. It’ll be tough to resist.
* Three summer league Cavaliers that are going to make their bones on the defensive end are Micheal Eric, Justin Holiday and Garrett Temple. Holiday – who, at 6-6, is much longer than his brother who plays for Philly – was a standout defender at Washington, as was Temple at LSU. Eric is raw but aggressive and the coaches seem to like his tenacity. I mentioned how quiet Cox Pavillion can be during a game. You could hear Cavaliers assistant Aubrey McCreary praising Eric's hustle from the bench.
* One strange aspect of Summer League is how the games are stacked, like a college or high school tournament. As the Cavaliers were taking on the D-Leaguers, the Timberwolves and Clippers were flowing into the arena – gear slung over their shoulders.
* Some high-profile players from last year’s Draft are here, making this summer league slightly unique. Kyrie and Tristan were here for the Cavs. Derrick Williams, last year’s No. 2 overall, is going for the T-Wolves.
* Speaking of former high draft picks in action: Adam Morrison looks completely different without his trademark mustache.
* Tyler Zeller has impressed everyone so far in Vegas. It was cool to hear his teammates calling him “Z” on the floor. And maybe that sounds strange to …
* The newest member of Cleveland’s front office – Zydrunas Ilgauskas – was in the stands with the rest of the Cavalier brain trust last night. He was joined for a bit by former teammate (and current Maine Red Claws assistant) Donyell Marshall.
* Finally, big-time congratulations to Cavaliers assistant coach – and one of the nicest and funniest guys in the league – Joe Prunty. On July 13, he and his wife Laura (and their son, Luke) welcomed the newest member of the Prunty family, Emma Loraine, into the world.
Congratulations, Coach!