NBA introducing more fan experiences for Summer League

By Justin Emerson Las Vegas Review-Journal

6 years ago

The court for the 2018 NBA Summer League basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 5, 2018. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Work continues around the court ahead of the 2018 NBA Summer League basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 5, 2018. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Fans attending the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas can expect more than just excitement on the court.

This year the league is creating what it calls the Budweiser Legends Lounge located at the end of Thomas & Mack. It is a high-end way of watching the games, and a ticket includes food, beverage and a Summer League program.

The concourse, like years past, will include activities for fans, such as an autograph stage and pop-a-shot booths.

And for those who don’t want to wait for the games to tip off, Mandalay Bay’s Daylight Beach Club will host a kickoff party on Friday from 2-4 p.m. with appearances from Golden State Warriors DJ D Sharp and former NBA All-Star Horace Grant. The cost is $30 for men and $20 for women.

Check out DJ D Sharp and NBA Legend Horace Grant at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League Tip-Off Party at Daylight Beach Club in Mandalay Bay on Friday, 7/6 pic.twitter.com/hKZsGJYO56

— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 3, 2018

Mandalay Bay will also feature a half-court that fans can interact with throughout the week, and Grant will also be at dinner at Stripsteak inside at 7 p.m. Friday.

At MGM Grand, the famous lion in the lobby will be decorated with a Summer League jersey and banners of the 30 teams will be hung around it. It will be the location for meet-and-greets throughout the week with guests to be determined. The TAP Sports Bar will be wrapped with a replica court and there will be a life-size Larry O’Brien trophy for fans to take pictures with.

New York-New York will be the venue of a basketball scavenger hunt, where three giant basketball will be placed around the casino. Fans finding all three and posting pictures to social media will be eligible for prizes.

The Summer League, which runs for 12 days, begins Friday at Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. The first game is scheduled for noon Friday between Houston and Indiana at Cox Pavilion. Toronto and New Orleans will tip off at 12:30 at Thomas & Mack Center.

More NBA Summer League: Follow all of our NBA Summer League coverage online at reviewjournal.com/summerleague and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.

Contact Justin Emerson at jemerson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2944. Follow @J15Emerson on Twitter.