Welcome to Vegas for the NBA Summer League

LAS VEGAS - OK Folks, we're giving some occasional reports from the NBA Summer League and we already have our first disappointing effort from a lottery pick. Stephen Curry scored 16 points in the first game a 73-69 Golden State loss to Houston. He finished 4-for-14 from the field with seven fouls (10 foul limit) and four turnovers. Curry missed five of eight 3-pointers and dominated the ball in stretches.

It's game one, so don't get too excited, but Curry got off to a slow start.

McNair Set the Groundwork for Black QBs

James Harris doesn't get the credit he deserves as the trailblazing black quarterback. In my childhood in Los Angeles, Harris was the starting QB for my Los Angeles Rams, and I remember a day he threw for 436 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-28 win at Miami in 1976. Harris, from Grambling State University, was eventually replaced by Pat Haden, a 5-foot-11 spark plug from USC who hardly had the physical tools of Harris.

Doug Williams continued that Grambling tradition by taking the Redskins to the Super Bowl, pushing aside Jay Schroeder and leading the Redskins over the Denver Broncos. Williams was a fine quarterback, but Steve McNair possessed awesome physical skills and a cannon arm. McNair, who passed away Saturday, rejuvenated professional football's interest in the black quarterback.


His success in the NFL paved the way for Donovan McNabb three years later, Vince Young and LaMarcus Russell currently. McNair proved black quarterbacks could be athletic (I think everybody assumed that), have the mental capacity to run an NFL team and be a leader (that was in major doubt for some reason) and had the toughness to play through pain and adversity (which will be McNair's legacy).

McNair might be the first major black athlete to be more regarded for his guile and endurance than his pure physical skills, which were also impressive. McNair is a trailblazer because he made black quarterbacking cool again and open the road for athletic black quarterbacks to be considered franchise players and allowed to utilize their skills in passing and running. No more wide receiver, defensive back or all-purpose player.


Black quarterbacks from high school, college and the NFL should praise McNair today because his skills -- and toughness -- put his brethren in a whole new category -- team leader.

Brockman goes to Kings

No one quite knew where Jon Brockman was going to go but the Blazers took him with the 38th pick and are expected to trade him to Sacramento for former Pac-10 rival Jeff Pendergraph.

More Picks; Rubio to the Knicks?

The Timberwolves have become the home of point guard as they have taken North Carolina's Ty Lawson and have collected three point guards this evening, so a trade has to be in the works. The rumor mill has Ricky Rubio going to the New York Knicks. Atlanta gets its Wake Forest guard three years too late in Jeff Teague at 19 while Utah takes Eric Maynor to learn from Deron Williams.

Chris Paul gets a capable backup in New Orleans with UCLA's Darren Collison while Portland takes Victor Claver, a little-known Spaniard. Sacramento gets Omri Casspi, Dallas takes B.J. Mullens but is expected to trade him to Oklahoma City for Rodrigue Beaubois at 25. Chicago nabs USC forward Taj Gibson; Memphis gets Missouri forward DeMarre Carroll while Minnesota takes Wayne Ellington at 28. The Los Angeles Lakers takes Toney Douglas at 29 but may trade the pick to the Knicks while Cleveland finishes the first round Christian Eyenga.

More picks, no big surprises

Earl Clark of Louisville goes to the Phoenix Suns while Gonzaga's Austin Daye is headed to the Detroit Pistons, who will be tutored by Tayshaun Prince. The Chicago Bulls take Wake Forest forward James Johnson at 16 while Philadelphia has Jrue Holiday land in its hands at 17. Holiday will be a standout player in Philadelphia if can withstand the pressure.

Hansbrough to Indiana

Tyler Hansbrough landed perhaps in the perfect place for him, the Indiana Pacers. He will play in a smaller market that appreciates hard workers and with Larry Bird as a GM. It's a great value pick for the Pacers but they still need a point guard.

Nets get Williams; Bobcats draft Henderson

Althought it appeared he had a guarantee from Charlotte, Louisville Terrence Williams was drafted by the New Jersey Nets, who dealt Vince Carter earlier in the day. And Charlotte stays local by taking Duke standout Gerald Henderson, who should make the Bobcats a freakishly athletic team.