Fans planning to attend Las Vegas summer league over the next two weeks would be wise to bring plenty of sunscreen and bottled water, measures to combat the desert’s customary 110-degree July temperatures. They’re also encouraged to get their hands on the event’s game program – listing the rosters of all 30 teams – because unless you’re an international basketball scout, chances are at some point you’ll ask yourself “Who are these players?”
Fortunately for New Orleans fans, that should be a far less common question at Pelicans games, because unlike many Vegas squads comprised of relatively anonymous and unproven pros, the Crescent City’s entry features a series of familiar names. Three members of New Orleans’ summer roster were part of the team’s 2022 playoff rotation, a trio that includes wing Trey Murphy (120 minutes in Round 1 vs. Phoenix), point guard Jose Alvarado (117) and defender Naji Marshall (56). Three others make up what’s been a widely-praised and top-graded ’22 draft class, from lottery pick Dyson Daniels (eighth overall selection) to second-rounders E.J. Liddell (41st) and Karlo Matkovic (52nd). Two-way contract signee Dereon Sebron – who received considerable pre-draft buzz before going unselected – is a fourth rookie acquired on draft night. Pelicans devotees will also recognize guard Jared Harper, who played five official games for New Orleans in ’21-22, including his 10- and 12-point outings on the final weekend of the regular season.
Another familiar name will be summer head coach Jarron Collins, a 10-year NBA player and eight-year assistant coach who won three NBA titles in the latter role with Golden State. Collins noted after the team’s first practice that summer league will represent another step for second-year pros Murphy, Alvarado and Marshall.
“All of our young guys from last year, you saw how important they were for us coming down the stretch, making the playoff run we did,” Collins said. “This is an important time of year, going back to the foundation that we built, continuing to grow from there.”
Those players are not expected to appear in more than a couple Vegas games, allowing other players to fill larger roles perhaps after NOLA’s initial matchups vs. Portland (Saturday) and Atlanta (Monday).
Meanwhile, Daniels, Liddell, Matkovic and Seabron have already begun learning the finer points of the NBA game during practices this week.
“They’re picking up our language,” Collins said of adjusting to the team’s specific terminology. “There is so much teaching, as far as what’s our verbiage, where they need to be on the floor.
“You don’t want them out there (primarily) thinking. (You want them) going out there and just playing basketball. But all of them have done a really good job, (with) really good energy, high motor and high basketball IQ.”
Regardless of the combination of players New Orleans puts on the floor as the league progresses, the Pelicans will maintain a primary objective of trying to win each game. After going undefeated last year, New Orleans has not lost a summer league game since July 14, 2019. The Pelicans’ 5-0 mark a year ago served as a springboard and confidence-builder for several young players, who proved to be vital pieces in the team’s stunning second-half turnaround and hard-fought first-round series vs. Phoenix.
“The bar is set pretty high,” a smiling Collins said, referring to the ’21 summer club’s unbeaten run. “We’re just going to try to win our games. That’s our approach and mindset in every single game. Can we go 5-0? That’s the goal.”