Return to Vegas pleases ex-rebel Nwamu
Ike Nwamu got to do something this week not many people get to do. The former UNLV guard is back in town with the Miami Heat’s Summer League team, so Thomas & Mack Center is quite familiar to him.
“Not many people can say that they’re able to come back to their alma mater during their pro career and play games, so it’s special to me,” Nwamu said after Thursday’s victory over New Orleans. “When we played there two days ago it was definitely an experience, an eerie experience for sure. I loved it.”
Nwamu has yet to play in the NBA after going undrafted in 2016. He has played two years in the G League with the Heat affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. This year he got invited to Las Vegas and though he didn’t play Thursday, had averaged 11.4 points in 23 minutes the last three games.
“This is my first Summer League so I’m looking to have some success,” Nwamu said. “The culture of the Heat is conducive to winning, so it’s a great place.”
As expected, his Heat teammates have made sure to ask the former valley resident about the best spots to eat. He said it varies depending on what part of town he is in, but has a go-to recommendation whenever he is around campus.
“I always tell people Tiabi (Coffee & Waffle), the waffle spot across from UNLV,” he said.
Brown hopeful Smart deal gets done
The Boston Celtics have reportedly sent restricted free agent Marcus Smart a $6 million qualifying offer, which has since gone unsigned.
Smart appears to be holding out for a better deal, and teammate Jaylen Brown said Thursday he hopes it gets done with Boston.
“When it gets into the politics and business and money of it, I have nothing but respect and understanding,” Brown said at halftime of the Celtics-new York Knicks game at the Thomas & Mack Center. “You really can’t get too emotional about it. It’s a business. A lot of guys get caught up because they get it in their heart. I would love to have Marcus on the team, and he makes my job so much easier defensively with what he does. We need him, but we’ll figure it out.”
Brown said his relationship with Smart has strengthened over time.
“He is my guy,” Brown said. “I go to his events, and he goes to my events. We started off with a rocky relationship, but we’ve definitely grown closer in our respect for each other.
“There are two types of players. You’ve got guys that sit back and let the game develop. You have guys that take it to you and throw the first punch, and me and Marcus throw the first punch.”
Divincenzo debuts
Milwaukee Bucks first-round pick Donte Divincenzo made his anticipated Summer League debut against the Spurs at Cox Pavilion.
He played 10:59 and did not score. He had two assists and two steals.
“This was my first time playing with those guys, I got to jell with them a little more,” Divincenzo said. “It was my first game back, so I’m not trying to go off for anything crazy.”
The Bucks won 83-75 in overtime.