Vegas Summer League Blog
July 17, 2006
LAS VEGAS – I had the great fortune (or misfortune – as my body would tell you) to recently spend 14 days in Las Vegas attending the Toshiba Vegas Summer League. Now, I know most of you will want to hear about all of the adventures of my time in Sin City, but my days were comprised of sitting in the 70-degree Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV, as I watched 12 hours of NBA basketball each day for nine straight days. You math wizards can figure out that I still had 12 hours left in each day after the basketball marathons, but as they say: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
I have also had the great opportunity to get a sneak peek at our two young rookies, Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons. Through five games and numerous practices, these guys have definitely gotten better from start to finish and have been looking a lot more comfortable out on the court.
Cedric started slow in the first couple of games, but showed progress in the last three games. He averaged close to eight points and six rebounds per contest (in 20 minutes of play). Ced is explosive, often following up shots with a hammer dunk or swatting an opponent’s shot into the stands. As his body fills out, watch out. Remember this kid only played two years at North Carolina State, including limited minutes in his freshman year.
Hilton, on the other hand, looked solid in each outing, pouring in 13 points and seven rebounds per contest, not to mention his 60-plus percent field goal shooting. As ESPN.com pointed out when it had a front-page article on him, “So far in Vegas, Armstrong’s athleticism has been the most eye-popping.”
Hilton plays the game smoothly and his basketball IQ is very high (something that is important in Coach Scott’s offense). In addition, he has that fire inside (kinda like CP3, but a lesser degree) that helps spark a run or provide a lift off the bench.
And now…I will let you in on a couple of non-basketball Vegas adventures (but no more). Since I have spent a large amount of time in Vegas the past few years, even calling myself Mr. Papa Georgio at times, I decided to take Hornets.com writer Jim Eichenhofer on an excursion through this great city. We started our night at around 10 p.m. (after a full day of NBA basketball), eating at the greatness of Chin-Chin in New York New York casino, my favorite Chinese restaurant in Vegas. Afterward, I took Jimbo to the best, most happening place: the Palms casino. Even though it is owned by the Sacramento Kings, it is the greatest. Plus, aren’t we kinda like the Kings of old with B. Scott, Peja and Bobby Jackson? Rooftop drinks at GhostBar (56 floors high overlooking the strip), was followed by Jimbo showing off his moves in a soul train line at Rain. The night ended late, or should I say early (since the sun was up), and Jimbo couldn’t get enough.
I also had a few nights on the Roulette table at the Mirage. I played five numbers (3, 16, 24, 30 and 1), hitting on numerous occasions. All you Hornet fans out there may wonder why I played those numbers? Well, those are the jersey numbers of next year’s starting lineup.
I have also enlisted the help of Hornets strength and conditioning coach Jack Manson to help me with a new workout program once back in OKC. After eight In-N-Out trips (yes, it is the greatest) in two weeks, there seem to be a few extra lbs. on the frame.
As the summer league draws to a close, it will be nice to return to OKC and get back into the grind of a normal life. After all, it sure has been hard to introduce myself as such people as Larry David, Austin Powers, Turtle, Michael Scott, Barney Rubble or Dennis Maloof each night on the town.
The Hornets’ manager of basketball communications, Rogers’ Vegas Summer League articles were featured on ESPN.com.
LAS VEGAS – I had the great fortune (or misfortune – as my body would tell you) to recently spend 14 days in Las Vegas attending the Toshiba Vegas Summer League. Now, I know most of you will want to hear about all of the adventures of my time in Sin City, but my days were comprised of sitting in the 70-degree Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV, as I watched 12 hours of NBA basketball each day for nine straight days. You math wizards can figure out that I still had 12 hours left in each day after the basketball marathons, but as they say: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
I have also had the great opportunity to get a sneak peek at our two young rookies, Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons. Through five games and numerous practices, these guys have definitely gotten better from start to finish and have been looking a lot more comfortable out on the court.
Cedric started slow in the first couple of games, but showed progress in the last three games. He averaged close to eight points and six rebounds per contest (in 20 minutes of play). Ced is explosive, often following up shots with a hammer dunk or swatting an opponent’s shot into the stands. As his body fills out, watch out. Remember this kid only played two years at North Carolina State, including limited minutes in his freshman year.
Hilton, on the other hand, looked solid in each outing, pouring in 13 points and seven rebounds per contest, not to mention his 60-plus percent field goal shooting. As ESPN.com pointed out when it had a front-page article on him, “So far in Vegas, Armstrong’s athleticism has been the most eye-popping.”
Hilton plays the game smoothly and his basketball IQ is very high (something that is important in Coach Scott’s offense). In addition, he has that fire inside (kinda like CP3, but a lesser degree) that helps spark a run or provide a lift off the bench.
And now…I will let you in on a couple of non-basketball Vegas adventures (but no more). Since I have spent a large amount of time in Vegas the past few years, even calling myself Mr. Papa Georgio at times, I decided to take Hornets.com writer Jim Eichenhofer on an excursion through this great city. We started our night at around 10 p.m. (after a full day of NBA basketball), eating at the greatness of Chin-Chin in New York New York casino, my favorite Chinese restaurant in Vegas. Afterward, I took Jimbo to the best, most happening place: the Palms casino. Even though it is owned by the Sacramento Kings, it is the greatest. Plus, aren’t we kinda like the Kings of old with B. Scott, Peja and Bobby Jackson? Rooftop drinks at GhostBar (56 floors high overlooking the strip), was followed by Jimbo showing off his moves in a soul train line at Rain. The night ended late, or should I say early (since the sun was up), and Jimbo couldn’t get enough.
I also had a few nights on the Roulette table at the Mirage. I played five numbers (3, 16, 24, 30 and 1), hitting on numerous occasions. All you Hornet fans out there may wonder why I played those numbers? Well, those are the jersey numbers of next year’s starting lineup.
I have also enlisted the help of Hornets strength and conditioning coach Jack Manson to help me with a new workout program once back in OKC. After eight In-N-Out trips (yes, it is the greatest) in two weeks, there seem to be a few extra lbs. on the frame.
As the summer league draws to a close, it will be nice to return to OKC and get back into the grind of a normal life. After all, it sure has been hard to introduce myself as such people as Larry David, Austin Powers, Turtle, Michael Scott, Barney Rubble or Dennis Maloof each night on the town.
The Hornets’ manager of basketball communications, Rogers’ Vegas Summer League articles were featured on ESPN.com.
