A look at the top performers from the Summer League championship game in Las Vegas:
Jerian Grant, Chicago Bulls
The point guard struggled to get playing time in his rookie season with the New York Knicks, but following an offseason trade to the Bulls, Grant has anchored Chicago’s summer squad, which finished the Vegas schedule 7-0. Grant plays a fundamentally sound game, and helped lead the Bulls to the 84-82 win and the Las Vegas Summer League championship. Grant finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, with a +23 plus-minus rating, earning championship game MVP status.
Tyus Jones, Minnesota Timberwolves
The overall MVP of Las Vegas Summer League once again came to play, draining a long three-pointer over a double team with 3.6 seconds remaining to give the Wolves a 77-74 lead. Jones finished with a game-high 27 points and nine assists, and got to the free-throw line 10 times. Jones also again displayed his knack for getting to the line, going 8-for-10 on free throws.
Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls
Portis showed off his improved versatility, not only grabbing boards and controlling the paint but also stretching the defense with three-point attempts. After going for 16 points and nine boards Sunday, Portis finished 4-for-7 behind the arc for 26 points and added 10 rebounds.
Adreian Payne, Minnesota Timberwolves
In his third trip to Summer League, Payne saved his best for last. The Minnesota big man repeatedly displayed his sweet shooting stroke, knocking down long jumpers off pick-and-pop plays with Jones. Payne finished with 22 points and grabbed 16 boards, and went 3-for-6 on three-pointers.
Denzel Valentine, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls rookie finished with just seven points, but no shots were bigger than his three-pointer at the end of regulation with 0.2 seconds remaining to tie the game at 77, or his two with 0.1 seconds on the clock in overtime to win it for the Bulls.
Lang Whitaker has covered the NBA since 1998. You can e-mail him here or follow him on Twitter.
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