News & Features

NBA Summer League: Two Days Left, First Win in the Books

Still Learning

The 76ers got their first win of Summer League last night, 81-73, over the Lakers. Staying in rhythm, the team hit the floor at COX Pavilion today for shootaround at 9:00 a.m. At this practice, Sixers Summer League Assistant Bernie Smith took the reigns and brought the team together, breaking down the last game and touching on the first two.

"Last game, our first win, was the most unselfish basketball we’ve played so far," Smith said. "On the other hand, the first two games out here, both losses, were two very selfish games. If somebody scores 40 points and we lose, that’s no good. When we share the basketball, move it around and push the ball off an opposing miss, we’ll keep playing like we did last night."

The Sixers will have a chance to test that theory against the Wizards tonight.

The Boss is in Town

Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski arrived in Las Vegas Monday afternoon and he has been hard at work with Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager Tony DiLeo and Director of Player Personnel Courtney Witte as they evaluate the talent on every team participating in the Vegas Summer League.

With games tipping-off each day 1:00 p.m., Stefanski, DiLeo and Witte can be seen scattered throughout the gym, keeping an eye on the players on the floor and holding conversations with other front office executives.

Rated Rookie

Sixers rookie Marreese Speights has shown improvement with each game, and he is posting averages of 17.3 ppg and 9.0 rpg, the latter of which is good for 4th in Summer League.

You Again

Last night’s game against the Lakers saw former St. Joseph’s teammates square off, as well, with the Sixers Pat Carroll facing the Lakers Pat Calathes (the two spent one season together at St. Joe’s). Carroll started against the Lakers and scored three points, while Calathes was held scoreless.

Sly as a Foxx?

Another celebrity sighting took place at the Palms Tuesday night, as Jamie Foxx was seen making his rounds with what looked like a member of his security detail and a friend. Some of the guys argued over whether it was Foxx or not, but when the star stopped to sign a few autographs it was all but confirmed.