Younger Hornets looking to shine
The New Orleans Hornets head to the Las Vegas desert for the 2007 NBA Summer League this week with a roster anchored by the team’s two 2007 draft picks and three second-year players looking to solidify their roster spots.
Julian Wright, chosen 13th overall last week, and second-round pick Adam Haluska headline the Hornets’ contingent. New Orleans begins play at 3 p.m. Saturday against the Golden State Warriors.
While those two begin their careers, three players who arrived in 2006 will be trying to extend their time with the franchise.
Forwards Cedric Simmons (6-foot-9, 235 pounds) and Marcus Vinicius (6-8, 225), along with center Hilton Armstrong (6-11, 235) all played sparingly last season and could secure better positions with a strong showing in Vegas.
Armstrong, the Hornets’ first-round pick in 2006, averaged 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds a game last season but averaged only 11.3 minutes a game. Vinicius, the team’s second-round pick, saw action in 13 games. Simmons made the roster as an undrafted free agent and produced 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds a game.
One player who apparently won’t get another shot with the Hornets is former LSU standout Brandon Bass. The 6-8, 240-pounder was invited to play for the Dallas Mavericks summer team in Las Vegas and has not been tendered a contract with the Hornets since the free agency period began Sunday.
Bass played 21 games with the Hornets last season and averaged two points and two rebounds.
In 50 games (four starts) during two seasons, Bass averaged 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds a game.
In addition to the two rookies and three second-year players, New Orleans’ summer roster features eight free agents. Included in that mix is former Florida star Anthony Roberson and former Wake Forest guard Justin Gray, a backcourt mate of Hornets point guard Chris Paul.
New Orleans will play five games over 10 days.
Glen Davis gets crack at Greg Oden
Former LSU star Glen Davis will also be in Las Vegas with the Boston Celtics summer league team.
Glen Davis and the Celtics begin play at 9 p.m. today against Portland, which features No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden.
Bass and the Mavericks play at 5 p.m. today vs. Seattle, which features the second overall pick, Kevin Durant.
Glen Davis and Bass will square off on July 14 when the Mavericks and Celtics tangle at 3 p.m.
Read more at www.2theadvocate.com
