One Game Down For Two Rookies

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One Game Down For Two Rookies

Written by wendell maxey

Tuesday, 14 July 2009 01:27

jeff

Here’s the beauty about working for a national media outlet that covers the whole league year round.

We usually have people in markets willing to get you a scoop (or throw you under the bus, depending on the latest LaMarcus Aldridge trade rumors floating around) regardless what or where it is.

For the past few years, we’ve (meaning HOOPSWORLD) covered the Las Vegas Summer League to the fullest extent. That goes for summer leagues in Orlando and the Rocky Mountain Revue too. I wouldn’t have gotten exclusives with Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum and Petteri Kopenen last July without having guys on the ground for me putting in work.

Same goes for this year. That explains how the featured story about Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph came about (“Vegas: Cunningham, Pendergraph Working”) long before I ate three hamburgers and large french-fries from Burgerville. I still have to write the story though, and with these two rookies the story is starting to write itself.

Many around Portland – including myself actually – was unsure about Kevin Pritchard’s selections back on draft night, but was there really any doubt? From what Dante and Jeff did on Monday night in Las Vegas in their pro debuts, I guess not. They both gott after it their first time out. If you are Nate McMillan, you have to like that despite their lack of seasoning.

Okay, it was one game. One “meaningless” game in July. But here are two kids trying to earn a job and their keep on an NBA roster stacked with youth and a franchise trying to distance themselves from that fountain.

You can't overlook that.

“I’m trying to get a job. Just because I got drafted doesn’t mean anything. I’m trying to prove something,” Pendergraph said after the loss to the Hedo-less Toronto Raptors on Monday night.

I think Jeff spoke for himself and Dante when he spit that game.

Thought they made a good first impression all considering. Now they just have to do that every time out….and then some.

Is that too much to ask?

pic via: alex mcdougall

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Comments (3) Add Comment

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written by Will Wiens, July 15, 2009

I am excited to watch the game tomorrow night. I didn't get to watch it on Monday cause of work... I'm very interested in these two players, they had successful college careers and seem to have drive to be successful in the league to, very interested in their development. By the way, what kind of music do you listen to? Because you put in those one liners in your pieces that indicate some type of music....

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written by wmaxey, July 15, 2009

i hear you will....

i think jeff and dante will be nice additions to the blazers if they can play like they did on monday, even in spot minutes. but again, they'll have to earn it in vegas and training camp when it comes down to it.

as for music, my taste is pretty extensive as long as i can feel it.....

was raised on everything r and b and old school hip-hop, and still partake in both now with some random 70's/80's am radio tunes sprinkled about.....combine that with some underground hip hop or vintage soul i'll dig through the vinyl crates for. ...and i'm golden.

kind of a junkie like that.

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written by Will Wiens, July 15, 2009

I feel ya on the old school stuff... I'm only 20 but i like a lot of the Hip-Hop from the late 80's and early 90's.. 2pacalypse Now is one of my favorite albums..

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