10 Things We Learned from 2016 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas

What happens in Vegas shouldn’t stay there when it’s as thrilling as the final game of the Las Vegas Summer League experience. 

The championship contest between the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves turned into a slugfest down the stretch Monday night. Tyus Jones and Denzel Valentine exchanged blows until Valentine answered a banked-in overtime three-pointer from Xavier Silas with a turnaround jumper that preserved Chicago’s undefeated record and gave it the title, 84-82. 

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It was an unforgettable finish…except that many NBA fans probably won’t be able to tell you who won by the time the regular season begins in late October. 

They will, however, remember these 10 emerging storylines from our time on the Strip. 

        

Bobby Portis Is Ready to Thrive

Every once in a while, a sophomore emerges who clearly doesn’t belong on the Las Vegas stage. 

Bobby Portis was that man for the Chicago Bulls, shouldering hefty responsibilities on each end of the floor and refusing to succumb to the pressure. The power forward looked fantastic in small doses during his rookie season. But his chiseled frame—he wasn’t out of shape before, though it seems like he’s replaced some fat with muscles—and all-around skill have him poised to compete for Most Improved Player in 2016-17. 

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During the championship game, Portis recorded 26 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and four steals while shooting 11-of-21 from the field and 4-of-7 from downtown. He kept showing off his improved speed as he darted around the court, getting to rebounds quicker than anyone else and constantly getting open on both the perimeter and the interior. 

Bobby Portis with the putback dunk in the final seconds of the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/eq0HgMSBNu

— Jimmy Carter (@NWAJimmy) July 19, 2016

And this was nothing new. 

“I’ve always been a big-time rebounder,” Portis told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune before Monday night’s contest. “I’m trying to be a complete player.”

A complete player is exactly what he’s been throughout his time in Vegas:

It’s tough to complain about that, and Chicago won’t as it prepares for a season in which it’ll rely on the sophomore from Arkansas. 

Joakim Noah has left the Windy City for the Big Apple. Pau Gasol has signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have both come to town, which means the need for a floor-spacing big is even more dire. 

Portis should receive every opportunity to take over as the Bulls’ next frontcourt stud. So far, it seems like he plans on doing exactly that. 

         

Minnesota Adds Another Promising Name to List of Young Talent

Karl-Anthony Towns. Andrew Wiggins. Zach LaVine. Kris Dunn. Ricky Rubio. Tyus Jones. Shabazz Muhammad. Gorgui Dieng. Nemanja Bjelica. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are overflowing with young talent and potential stars. But is it time to add another name to that list? 

Heading into Monday’s championship game, Adreian Payne was averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.9 blocks in Las Vegas. He’d shown off an improved mid-range jumper and better instincts as he moved around the court and opportunistically inserted himself in the action. 

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After a disappointing first season in Minnesota, it looked like he was finally making some progress. 

But Monday, he took yet another step.

Though he couldn’t lead the Wolves past Chicago, he thrived as an individual, getting off to a hot start and finishing with 22 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block while shooting 7-of-16 from the field. His range extended beyond the arc with a trio of treys, and his rebounding chops allowed him to end plenty of the opposition’s possessions before hitting an outlet for a quick transition opportunity. 

Right now, it’s unlikely he gets much run during the regular season. Minnesota is a candidate to utilize some small-ball lineups and get its many guards and wings on the floor simultaneously. Its bigger lineups will feature Towns, Dieng and Bjelica before he gets on the floor. 

But this was still an important experience for Payne, who should now have the confidence that he belongs against NBA-caliber competition. If injuries plague Minnesota or head coach Tom Thibodeau wants a little extra frontcourt depth, his name could be called. 

         

Hello, Ben Simmons

The 2016 NBA draft’s No. 1 pick didn’t take long to justify his selection. From Ben Simmons’ first game for the Philadelphia 76ers through his last summer appearance, he thrived as a creative facilitator who was never afraid to make flashy feeds. 

All the typical summer-league caveats apply, but it’s tough to watch this and not think of an oversized Hall of Fame point guard named Magic Johnson. Yes, we’re going there. 

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Simmons has a long developmental road to travel in the quest to justify that ultra-lofty comparison, and he’ll need to continue working on his shaky jumper.

But the Sixers’ potential superstar made the most of his first opportunities. Even his averages of 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists sell him a bit short. They don’t fully capture the excitement he brought to the hardwood, or the ease with which he led the offensive show. 

“You see flashes of why he was No. 1 with his ability to pass the ball, his athleticism, his size, his …

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