Las Vegas Weekly

July 22, 2008 · 2:05 PM

What happens outside of the NBA Summer League, stays off the record (almost)

By Andy Samuelson

NBA veterans like Golden State’s Corey Maggette and Sacramento’s Brad Miller were seen out and about in Sin City last weekend. So too was recently crowned Boston Celtic Paul Pierce, who after throwing his own party for his Finals MVP performance at Jet on Friday, took in a UFC fight the next night at the Palms.

It seems like the pros know how to party Vegas-style, but their NBA Summer League counterparts were either mildly pathetic or very smart in keeping a low profile.

“I guess you can go out if you want to, but it’s tiring,” said Minnesota’s second-year guard Corey Brewer (who we will catch-up with in just a bit). “You really don’t feel like doing nothing after playing basketball all day.”

Sure Corey, we believe you. It’s not like you’re young, rich, and crashing at the totally sedate Hard Rock. The 1 p.m. daily game start is hardly an early morning.

At least rookie and USC stud O.J. Mayo’s excuse was a little more legit.

“C’mon I’m too young to gamble,” said the Memphis Grizzlies guard — who had two of the Summer League’s top plays in a big dunk over New Orleans’ Hilton Armstrong in his debut and a 70-footer to beat the first-quarter buzzer later in the week vs. the Spurs. (Don’t be surprised if Mayo makes another Vegas visit sometime around November 5th to celebrate the big 2-1.)

Then there are the few local guys like Golden State’s C.J. Watson.

The Bishop Gorman product said most of his time back home was spent catching up with family and friends.

“It’s been fun, I’ve had my family and a bunch of friends at every game,” said Watson, who averaged 18.8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists a contest. “It’s always nice to get that nice boost from the crowd.”

Don’t tell that to Nick Fazekas.

The Nevada-Reno product heard just as many jeers as cheers. The boos didn’t bother the 6-foot-11 forward, but Fazekas admitted losing a chunk of change in the casinos was a bit disheartening.

“I do a lot of gambling, we kind of just go around and play here and there,” he said. “It’s my own money, I can only be upset at myself if I lose.

“Plus it gives me something to do when I’m not on the court. I feel like I’m gonna stay out of trouble doing that, instead of being in the clubs.”

Which brings us back to two-time NCAA champion Brewer, who was spotted celebrating at Pierce’s party on Friday.

Perhaps the excursion was a precursor to his 4-of-13 shooting performance in Minny’s loss to Milwaukee on Saturday. Then again, Summer Leaguers have been known to be “tired.”

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