Adams’ delayed debut is brief
As a UNLV star, Wink Adams always was in the middle of the action. As an NBA rookie, he’s buried on the bench, and he says his butt is “a little” sore from all the pine time.
Adams did not play Tuesday in the New York Knicks’ first summer league game. He finally got the call today, but his appearance was a cameo. Adams played two minutes in the first half and made marks in the box score with one rebound, one turnover and two fouls.
He got in again in the second half, and finished with two rebounds and an assist in 7:02 of playing time. He missed his only shot attempt. The Knicks were blown out 96-73 by the Detroit Pistons.
“It kind of felt like my freshman year at UNLV. I had an adrenaline rush and I was kind of nervous,” said Adams, unfazed by his extremely limited role.
“It’s not really the NBA yet. It’s the summer league. But these are some of the best players in the world. I try to always stay positive. I’m always smiling.”
The 6-foot Adams, a shooting guard for the Rebels, is transitioning to the point guard spot for his pro career. He basically has no chance to make the Knicks’ roster in the fall, yet he plans to play somewhere, and the NBA Development League might be his destination.
“Any league is going to be good for me, whether it’s overseas or the D-League,” he said.
Media crush
Adams has been interviewed by about 10 members of the Las Vegas media the past two days, unofficially setting a summer league record for most interviews done by a player who has not scored a point.
Who’s got next?
Five more games are on today’s schedule, and some recognizable players will be on display. But the Los Angeles Clippers, featuring No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin, are getting the day off.
The Chicago Bulls play the Milwaukee Bucks at 3 p.m. Lorrenzo Wade, from San Diego State and Cheyenne High School, is on the Bucks’ roster.
Lee Cummard, a former Brigham Young star, and the Phoenix Suns face the Toronto Raptors at 5 p.m. Cummard’s wife, if she attends the game, probably won’t brawl with any UNLV fans.