Buzzer-Beater Stuns Lakers in SPL Finale

After Will Conroy’s buzzer-beater crushed the Miami Heat a week ago, Wayne Simien returned the favor.

Simien’s jumper as time expired gave the Heat a 78-76 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in their final game of the Summer Pro League.

After Eric Sandrin’s 20 foot jump shot clanged off the rim, Miami had a chance to win the game.

The Lakers’ Carlos Powell’s failed suicide steal attempt left Simien wide open, burying the dagger as the horn sounded.

Although the Summer Pro League finished on a bitter note for the Lakers, coach Kurt Rambis was still pleased with his team’s efforts.

“I just told them all in closing remarks that I thought they did one heck of a job,�? Rambis said. “We mentioned to them early on that most guys in the triangle don’t really feel comfortable until their second or third year and they’ve had about ten days of it. So we’re very pleased with the progress that they all made and their understanding of it. It’s something for them to grow on if they get invited to veteran camp this year, but overall we’re extremely pleased with their attitude [and] their active work ethic. All the guys were good guys. I told them it was a real joy to coach them this summer.

The Lakers’ prized possession, Andrew Bynum, struggled against the Heat, scoring just four points while grabbing 7 rebounds. Shooting just 2 of 9 from the floor, Bynum struggled to find a rhythm during the game and often was unable to move close to the basket in the post.

“He learned an awful lot,�? Rambis said of Bynum. “He got packed full of new information and new ideas and a better understanding of what it takes to play at this next level. Just the physicality of the game is something he’s going to have to make a big adjustment [toward]. He’s going to have to make that big adjustment dealing with bigger ballplayers.�?

“It’s a continual process. Every day there’s something new that comes up. He’s a willing learner and that’s what makes it fun.�?

“Tonight I came out and played terrible,�? Bynum said. “It’s a lot of basketball [in a short period of time], but that’s not an excuse. I just came out and played bad. Everybody plays bad sometimes.�?

Bynum soon will attend Big Man Camp in Las Vegas as he routinely watches game film and continues to polish his game.

Smush Parker added 12 points and 7 rebounds off of the bench as well. I asked Parker to rate his Summer Pro League Performance.

“From a scale of 1 to 10, I rate myself a 7,�? Parker replied. “I felt like I could have done a lot better. But I went out there and played hard and that’s all you can ask for.�?

I wanted to know what Parker felt he needed to improve on most, considering he’s a likely training camp invite.

“Being consistent. Being a consistent player as far as shooting the ball well, playing defense hard, getting the guys in the right spots, you know, running the offense.�?

Parker donned an “I’m Rick James, Bitch!�? t-shirt after the game.

“Oh yeah. I’m definitely a big Dave Chappelle fan.�?

When I asked Sasha Vujacic to assess his own performance, he provided a similar response.

“Summer League was okay,�? Sasha said. “I’m happy for the team. We had a pretty good record. As far as individually, it wasn’t great and everybody knows that. But the thing I’m counting on is training camp and to come in the new NBA season with some minutes. And hopefully I will get that because our coach is back, one of the best coaches, so hopefully I will have a chance to have a good relationship with him off the court and on the court.�?

I asked Sasha what he learned from this year’s SPL.

“I just learned [that] I have to be patient for training camp. Like I said, I can’t wait to start training camp to see Phil Jackson and to see all his guys that will be on our team.�?

“Rudy Tomjanovich just put me out of the rotation the first game. So I had my rookie year pretty messed up.�?

Lakers’ second-round pick Von Wafer put up 10 points for the Lakers, but shot just 4 of 12 on the night.

While Wafer proved to be a solid scoring option for the Lakers, I asked him how he felt he performed defensively.

“Defensively I think I can get a little better. I struggle with the pick & roll, but as far as containing my man I think I’ve done an alright job. But I have to get some help on guarding the pick & roll.�?

Has coach Shaw helped him with that?

“Yes, every day we go over it before and after practice. [He] just tries to show me little tricks.�?

I also asked him what he thinks about the possibility of bringing the ball up during the regular season.

“Real good,�? Von acknowledged. “My trainer’s at the game. He told me we’re going to get a lot of work on that. So I feel like hopefully I’ll be able to come into camp [and] I’ll be ready and I’ll have my handles solid. Because they were a little shaky, I admit. But we’re going to work on that and get them where they need to be.�?

Ronny Turiaf missed the final game, apparently still held up by the results of his physical.

The Lakers finished the Summer Pro League with a 5-3 record and look toward training camp in the coming months.

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