Chris Lofton, Celtics
91-88 loss vs. Pacers
21 pts, 6-8 3-pt FG

Roy Hibbert, Pacers
91-88 win vs. Celtics
28 pts, 10-16 FG, 7-7 FT

Derrick Brown, Jazz
92-84 OT win vs. Magic
21 pts, 6-12 FG, 8-9 FT

Byron Mullins, Thunder
83-62 win vs. Nets/Sixers
18 pts, 9-12 FG

By Josh Cohen
Injuries are an unfortunate component to sports. But, if health didn’t impact individual performance, there probably wouldn’t be any NBA roster spots open. Many veterans are forced into retirement due to injury or are just slowed down to the point they can’t keep up at the professional level.

While the competitors at the summer league may be benefiting from others’ health problems, some in Orlando are dealing with their own.

Lester Hudson broke his left index finger Wednesday, while Kosta Koufos also has a finger problem and Josh McRoberts is dealing with a sprained left ankle. Ouch!

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Nets/Sixers
83-62 loss vs. Thunder
2 pts, 0-4 FG

Eric Maynor, Jazz
92-84 OT win vs. Magic
2 pts, 1-5 FG

A.J. Price, Pacers
91-88 win vs. Celtics
8 pts, 3-9 FG

Gary Forbes, Nets/Sixers
83-62 loss vs. Thunder
3 pts, 1-6 FG

By Josh Cohen
Sometimes it can be difficult for young players to think about competing in an entire 82-game NBA regular season. Most of the participants at the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League have never appeared in half that amount during one season.

Fitness, nutrition, psychological clarity and sufficient rest are essential during the summer for all NBA hopefuls.

Just like students preparing for a strenuous final exam or eating specialists training to indulge 68 hot dogs (like Joey Chestnut), basketball players, and especially rookies, must properly strategize their off-season plans.

“I’m ready to do what coaches tell me to do as far as training and being prepared,” 76ers point guard Jrue Holiday said.

“We have the best people down at Oklahoma City,” said Byron Mullins, who previously was nicknamed B.J. before informing everyone he wants to be called Byron from now on. “We have a massage therapist with us. And a lot of ice as you can see.”

By Dan Savage
Some players are in it for the money, some for the fame, but for Orlando Magic Summer League center Lance Allred locking on to an NBA roster would mean a huge opportunity to give back to a community.

Although the 6'11 big man played through two 10-day contracts with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he's yet to find a permanent home in the league. And he's hoping this shot with the Magic will give him a chance to fulfill a few altruistic goals.

"Basketball is more than just the fame, the glory and the money, the glitz and glamour," Allred explained. "It's about community and giving people in the community a way to alleviate the pain of their everyday life and escape reality and come and be a part of something greater than themselves."

It's hard to determine which is more rare; his life story or his attitude toward playing the NBA.

Watch Lance Allred's interview with OrlandoMagic.com.

By Josh Cohen
You know it’s summer hoops when sophomore sensation Russell Westbrook asks Dan Savage about the official game ball at the scorers table and when teammate Kyle Weaver asks me about what he is permitted to wear on the court.

Thanks Russ and Kyle for making us seem important. Dan and I will definitely utilize that down the road.

The ‘W’ express, nonetheless, didn’t need to ask us about how to electrify a crowd during Oklahoma City’s convincing 83-62 triumph over New Jersey/Philadelphia on Thursday at the RDV Sportsplex practice facility.

Westbrook erupted for 19 points and nine assists, while Weaver, who became known in college for helping rejuvenate the program at Washington State, was stat sheet stuffer-like with five points, five boards, three dimes, two steals and two blocks.

“I try to take a challenge every game,” Weaver said. “Whatever it takes to win, I can do that. That’s my job.”

By glancing at many of the attendees during the action, it is apparent everyone is very impressed with the Thunder. Eyeballs are popping, jaws are dropping and timeout chit chats are breeding OKC optimism.

By Dan Savage
Every day of the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League has been filled with surprises.

The biggest shocker of Day 4? Orlando's inability to hold on to a 23-point second-half advantage.

Despite getting another sensational 26-point effort from emerging star Ryan Anderson, the Magic couldn't slow down a resilient Utah Jazz squad.

"It's tough," Anderson said following the contest. "They really took over the game at the end."

The former hosts of the Rocky Mountain Revue went on a 20-7 rampage to start the fourth quarter led by an unexpected source, former Xavier standout Derrick Brown.

It's not that anyone doubts Brown's ability. Instead it's just surprising that he's even on Utah's roster. Brown holds no allegiance to the Jazz and following the conclusion of the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League, he'll return to the Charlotte Bobcats, who nabbed him with the 40th overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft. Just consider this Utah's payment for being a kind organization and helping another promising star develop.