For the last few years, I tried to broach the idea to the wife of letting me go to a night of summer league games. I have yet to succeed.
For some reason she has a hard time seeing the logic in coming home early from work, dealing with the kids for the whole night without me, taking care of their dinner, letting me spend some $40+ in gas and tolls driving nearly 300 miles just to watch what is essentially a few high quality pick-up games.
When I discussed it last week, once more it predictably failed. I followed it up with, “Okay, but this means I definitely get to go to the Thursday night Miami-Pitt game.” A night on the couch is definitely more painful as I get older.
So, it looks like more reliance on other reports will continue.
Can’t wait for a puff piece on Gary McGhee. Seriously. I want to hear from the big guy about getting to go to the Amare Stoudemire Nike Skill Academy. They do measurables of all the players in sneakers. McGhee measured at 6-11 with a wingspan of 7-1.
He got back from the camp and was apparently dominant in his game.
On the opening play of the second half, Pitt center Gary McGhee ran a pick-and-roll with Duquesne guard Eric Evans for PGT and delivered a thunderous dunk after the Evans pass. From the sidelines Gilbert Brown and Brad Wannamaker showed their support by singing the “Sportscenter” theme.It was that kind of night for PGT’s Gary McGhee.
“I had a size advantage. So I tried to make myself available, and then attack the rim,” said McGhee, who scored 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds. When PGT ran their offense through McGhee last night, they were unstoppable.
Have to wonder if he got a little more confidence while at the camp. Hope so.
Gilbert Brown had a good night when he played. Exciting news. That means two games in a row where he had it going. Sure it’s summer games, but he’s gotta start somewhere.
Then there’s Ashton Gibbs doing what he does best. Hitting a buzzer beater for the win.
UPMC was up by as many as 10 in the second half, as they built a 55-45 lead with 10 minutes left. Gibbs went to work, scoring 11 consecutive points, including three consecutive three-pointers. After his scoring spree, Center Court was up 60-59.
Woodall answered, taking a strong drive to the hole, tying the score at 64-64, with two minutes left. From there, both players went back and forth making plays. With under a minute to play, looking to ice the clock, Gibbs was called for a five-second call.
On the ensuing possession, Woodall was fouled, where he connected on both of his free throws. His free throws put UPMC up 72-70 with eight seconds left. That gave Gibbs just enough time to bring the ball up and take a spot three-pointer, which he connected on, with just a second left on the clock.
The final tally–Gibbs with 23 points and one assist, on 8-of-19 shooting. He was perfect on his final seven shots of the game.
Woodall also had a very good shooting night and nailing 2 FTs late, is a good sign. Otherwise, trying to remember that this is summer league so defense is optional for both Woodall and Gibbs.
