Cousins carries Kings to victory

DeMarcus Cousins continued to display the skills that have made him the top player in town this week.
The Kentucky alum and No. 5 pick in last month’s NBA draft capped a 22-point, 12-rebound performance by hitting a jumper with 2.8 seconds remaining to lift Sacramento to a 79-78 win over Minnesota in Wednesday’s final game at Cox Pavilion at the NBA Vegas Summer League.
Cousins’ shot got all three Maloof brothers, who own the Kings and the Palms, out of their courtside seats slapping fives and hugging jubilantly.
Cousins also added five assists and wowed the crowd by taking a rebound and dribbling the length of the floor around three defenders before drawing a foul.
Omri Casspi and Donte Greene each added 13 points for Sacramento.
Wayne Ellington had a big game of his own for Minnesota, tossing in a game-high 24 points.
Over at the Thomas & Mack Center, action concluded with Miami’s 92-83 victory over the Pistons.
Weyinmi Efejuku scored 19 points and Davon Jefferson and Garret Siler added 15 apiece for the Heat.
DaJuan Summers and Greg Monroe, a pair of former Georgetown Hoyas, each scored 20 points for Detroit.
Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko didn’t play for the Pistons after participating in the team’s first three games this week.
The Heat also rested several players that were in action earlier in the week. Dexter Pittman, Jarvis Varnado and Shavlik Randolph all go the night off. Jon Scheyer was not dressed after being poked in the eye last night.

Snack Time

The broadcast area for NBATV is stocked with snacks for the on-air talent during the telecasts of the summer league games.
Apples and packages of cookies are readily available for munching on during commercial breaks.
As I walked by at the end of the night, I saw several apples still untouched next to a bunch of empty cookie wrappers.

Put me in, coach

It’s tough to get noticed by NBA scouts and executives when you never get on the court.
Lee Cummard is stuck in that boat right now.
The former BYU forward was released by the Utah Flash of the D-League early last season, but was hoping to make an impression at the summer league by showing his skills with the Sacramento Kings.
He has not been able to do that just yet.
Sacramento summer league coach Mario Elie has yet to put Cummard in either of the team’s last two games. He played just four minutes in the opener, but did not attempt a shot.

Mismatch

DeMarcus Cousins has overmatched just about every opponent that has dared stand in his way this week, but one player found himself especially out-classed.
Cousins absolutely abused Patrick O’Bryant on a consistent basis.
O’Bryant is a former lottery pick who has played four disappointing seasons for three NBA teams. He was no match for this year’s No. 5 selection.
Cousins blew by O’Bryant on the baseline on three straight possessions in the first half, and on a fourth-quarter possession he received the ball at the top of the key and pump-faked right past the supposed defensive specialist for an easy layup.
Down the stretch, the Kings were going to Cousins on every trip down the floor.
O’Bryant once said he wanted to be a chef when his playing days are over.
Any restaurants out there hiring right now?

New accessory

DeMarcus Cousins was wearing a mouthpiece on Wednesday night, something he did not do in either of his first two summer league appearances.
Cousins was pounded by defenders in his first two outings, and suffered a bloody lip in his debut.
It’s a good thing he decided to wear the protection.
If he continues to play like he has this week, Cousins will need to keep his smile intact for all the commercials he will be starring in during his career.

Familiar foe

Reggie Theus was coaching the Minnesota summer league team.
The former Rebel was right at home on the sidelines in Las Vegas, but you couldn’t blame him if he was confused as to which team he was coaching.
Theus is the former head coach  of the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota’s opponent on Wednesday night.
He was fired early in the 2008-09 season after one disappointing season and the start of another one.
There is apparently no animosity between Theus and Kings’ ownership. He was all smiles as he walked across the court before the game and offered handshakes and hugs to the Maloof brothers, who were seated courtside.

Cooler heads prevail

Sacramento guard Tyrese Rice was in a heated conversation with a member of the Timberwolves as the teams walked off the court at halftime.
It was unclear who he was talking to or what the Minnesota player said, but Rice didn’t want it to escalate any further.
“Come on man, settle down,” Rice said. “It’s not like we’re going to fight in front of all these people.”
Why not?
This is Vegas. The fight capital of the world.
The fans would have loved a good brawl, though it probably wouldn’t have impressed too many of the coaches and scouts.