Summer League tips off
The Denver Nuggets are showcasing some serious talent in the first game of the NBA Vegas Summer League at Cox Pavilion.
The Nuggets, led by point guard Ty Lawson and veteran Coby Karl, used a 16-3 run to close the first half and hold a 47-27 lead on the Dallas Mavericks.
Shane Edwards leads the Nuggets with 13 points, but Karl had nine points and three assists and Lawson flawlessly ran the Nuggets fast break.
Former South Florida standout Dominique Jones has 11 points to lead Dallas, while former New Mexico star J.R. Giddens is scoreless.
Welcome to the league
Omar Samhan was the darling of the college basketball world when he helped lead Saint Mary’s to the Sweet 16 in March.
There was always a question about his speed and defensive footwork, however.
He has shown why those doubts existed here in the first half.
Samhan committed five fouls before intermission his first time taking the floor with pros.
Fortunately for him, it takes 10 to foul out in the summer league.
Locals highlight Denver staff
Tim Grgurich, the best assistant coach in UNLV history and a longtime NBA assistant, is on the Nuggets bench taking copious notes.
He is part of a Denver staff full of UNLV connections.
All-time Rebel great Stacey Augmon is Denver’s player development coach and is part of the Summer League coaching staff.
Also, former Rebel player and assistant coach John Welch is a Denver assistant coach and is seated behind the Nuggets’ bench.
The Nuggets even brought former Rebel Romel Beck along, but he did not see any action in the first half.
