I’m breaking my word.
I swore to some Kings fans Tuesday that I wouldn’t share the secret that is summer league, but it just doesn’t seem fair not to. For NBA lovers who don’t love the outrageous prices at NBA venues, this should be an annual affair. Games all day long, the best and the brightest of the young draft crop, all in a setting that’s no grander than a Granite Bay High School varsity boys’ game.
Tuesday, for example, Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin not only signed autographs for seekers, but he walked to their seat in the stands of UNLV’s Cox Pavilion to do it. Ron Artest said hello to kids as they walked by, and the Kings players actually playing weren’t bad, either.
Between Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby, Spencer Hawes, Justin Williams – and a host of hopefuls that includes Artest’s brother, Daniel – the Kings’ roster is among the more exciting in the 21-team bunch. Hawes, the University of Washington center who was taken with the Kings’ No. 10 pick, has been the early leader for standout summer league player. And despite his 4 of 16 performance against Washington on Tuesday, he still has Kings folks buzzing about how good he can be. Martin said Hawes “scored at will” in a Monday scrimmage.
Kings scout Scotty Stirling noted that – even though he struggled against the Wizards – the fact that nearly all of Hawes’ shots were around the rim was a sign of his potency.
And should Hawes develop quickly and actually produce this season, Kings fans can pat themselves on the back. Those around Hawes are saying the massive skepticism he was greeted with in Sacramento has him plenty motivated to prove doubters wrong.
– Sam Amick
News, observations and reader questions about the Sacramento Kings and the NBA.
July 10, 2007
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