| 14 July 2009
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 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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