Stat of the Day:There was no shortage of entertainment or intensity in Saturday’s much-anticipated Samsung NBA Summer League match-up between the Sixers and Los Angeles Lakers — from the raucous atmosphere created by the thousands of Lakers fans in attendance, to D’Angelo Russell’s game-winning three-pointer as time expired that sent the Purple and Gold to a 70-69 triumph. Before the ball was tipped at Thomas & Mack Center, much of the build-up surrounding the game stemmed from it serving as a showcase for the top two picks from this year’s draft.How did they do? Ben Simmons, whom the Sixers chose number one, turned in another strong outing in his third summer appearance, posting eight points (3-8 fg, 2-4 ft), 10 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocked shots. Brandon Ingram, who went second overall to the Lakers, struggled to find his shooting touch for most of the evening, finishing with seven points (3-12 fg, 0-3 3fg) and four rebounds. All three of Ingram’s baskets, though, came in the decisive fourth quarter.Notable Quotable:Before Saturday’s Samsung NBA Summer League opener, the Sixers announced that they had come to terms on a free agent contract with Gerald Henderson. Over the course of his seven-year NBA career, the the off-guard has been productive, averaging 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 463 total games. Henderson, of course, grew up on the Main Line, and played his high school basketball at Episcopal Academy, before enrolling at Duke. His father, Gerald Sr., had a 13-run in the NBA, and spent the 1988-1989 campaign with the Sixers. The younger Henderson watched Saturday’s game at Thomas & Mack Center from a baseline seat next to Brett Brown. Based on his comments, he seems eager to suit up for his hometown team.”No other team could offer the feelings I have towards the organization, and where I would be playing. The Philadelphia fans, I played in front of them growing up, been one my whole life, and especially being in high school and watching A.I. [Allen Iverson] growing up, this is my childhood in a snapshot. It’s something I remember the most. It’s a dream come true. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”Did You See That?:After Saturday’s game, Jerami Grant said afterwards he’s been working on his explosiveness this off-season. Based on the footage below, the rest of the league might need to be on the lookout.NSFW. #SummerSixers https://t.co/2dpzfKU1VD— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) July 10, 2016 #SummerSixers Sounds:Following the Sixers’ 70-69 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers in their Samsung NBA Summer League debut, Lloyd Pierce, the rising fourth-year assistant on Brett Brown’s staff who’s coaching the team in Las Vegas, discussed the tone Saturday’s hard-fought tilt took on, and the impact of several key performances.Around Town:Devin Booker, the 13th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, put together a promising NBA All-Rookie First Team campaign last year. In Phoenix Suns’ 86-73 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday, he showed no signs of slowing down. With fellow Kentucky product and 2016 second rounder Tyler Ulis manning the point, Booker went off for 28 points (11-21 fg, 3-5 3fg), eight rebounds, and six assists. The 5’10” tall, 150 pound Ulis, meanwhile, didn’t do too poorly himself, tacking on 11 points (3-4 fg, 5-6 ft) and a game-high seven assists.On Tap:The Sixers, again taking the floor inside the 19,000-seat Thomas & Mack Center, square off with Chicago Sunday at 8:30 PM EST. The Bulls have so far had an active off-season, reflected in part by the presence of Jerian Grant on their summer league roster. Grant began his NBA career with New York last year, but was sent to Chicago in the trade that fetched the Knicks Derrick Rose. Grant was the 19th selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, and is the older brother of Sixers’ forward Jerami Grant.
NSFW. #SummerSixers https://t.co/2dpzfKU1VD
