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A record 24 teams will compete at the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. From July 13-22, 23 NBA teams, including 11 that participated in the NBA Playoffs, as well as a team of NBA D-League Select players will compete in Las Vegas.
The 2012 competition will mark the eighth summer that the league has been held in Las Vegas since its inception in 2004. Each of the participating teams will play five game each for a total of 60 contests over the course of the event’s ten days.
The 2012 field for NBA Summer League (years participated) will be the following:
Atlanta Hawks (2010)* Boston Celtics (2004-07)* Charlotte Bobcats (2008) Chicago Bulls (2005, 2009-10)* Cleveland Cavaliers (2004-10) Dallas Mavericks (2005-10)* Denver Nuggets (2004-10)* D-League Select (2009-10) Golden State Warriors (2005-10) Houston Rockets (2006-10) L.A. Clippers (2005-10)* L.A. Lakers (2007-10)* Memphis Grizzlies (2007-10)* Miami Heat (2010)* Milwaukee Bucks (2007-10) Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-10) New Orleans Hornets (2005-10) New York Knicks (2005-10)* Phoenix Suns (2004-10) Portland Trail Blazers (2005-10) Sacramento Kings (2005-10) San Antonio Spurs (2007-10)* Toronto Raptors (2008-10) Washington Wizards (2004-10)
Kyrie Irving, Ricky Rubio, Kenneth Faried, Klay Thompson, Iman Shumpert, Kawhi Leonard and Brandon Knight have been voted to the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
On the All-Rookie Second Team is Chandler Parsons, Isaiah Thomas, MarShon Brooks, Derrick Williams and Tristan Thompson.
The following players also received votes:
Markieff Morris, Phoenix, 7 (1); Kemba Walker, Charlotte 7; Alec Burks, Utah 2; Norris Cole, Miami 2; Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte 2; Enes Kanter, Utah 1; Greg Stiemsma, Boston 1; Gustavo Ayon, New Orleans 1; Nikola Vucevic, Philadelphia 1.
Andre Miller, an unrestricted free agent, told Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri he wants to stay in Denver.
"I had a great meeting with Andre Miller," Ujiri said. "With Andre's comments, he wants to be respected as a veteran, which we feel he has to be respected as a veteran. He even said to me that Ty (Lawson) helped him, because the minutes he played, he took care of his body, he didn't play as many minutes. I think Andre's looking forward to being on this team, I think he likes the role. I can't discuss contracts but it's stuff we're going to talk about and figure out."
Miller earned $7.8 million during the 2011-12 season.
"Do we want Andre back? Yes," Ujiri said. "Collectively, the organization, ownerships, Coach Karl, teammates, we want Andre back, he was great for the team. Andre told me he wants to be in Denver. And all the contract stuff will take care of itself."
JaVale McGee is happy to be in a winning situation after experiencing four losing seasons with the Wizards.
"I'm just excited to be part of a great organization," said McGee, who averaged 9.6 rebounds, 8.6 points and 3.1 blocked shots in the Nuggets’ first round series against the Lakers, his first postseason after playing for Washington. "(Playing for the Nuggets) was the best experience I've ever had in basketball.
"It's just an honor to be a part of this team. This was a great team before I came, so I just tried to add to it. It's a great organization and coaching staff. They put me in more situations that were more suitable for my game."
Ty Lawson hopes to sign a long-term contract extension with the Nuggets this summer.
“It's definitely a goal,’ Lawson said.” I want to be here long term. I'm pretty sure my agent and Masai (Ujiri, the Nuggets' executive vice president of basketball operations) will talk this summer."
Lawson averaged 19 points on 51.4 percent shooting in Denver’s seven-game series against the Lakers.
Asked Sunday about Lawson, Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri said: "He's going to be a big part of the Denver Nuggets. We're excited. Ty is going to grow even more. He made a little jump, and he'll continue to make jumps as he gets older."
Rudy Fernandez can imagine re-signing with the Nuggets as a free agent.
"My time here was perfect," said Fernandez before leaving for Spain, where he plans to rehab from back surgery. "I'm so happy to be a part of this community and this team. I think I have a very good relationship with the coach. The dynamic from basketball to play, I think it's perfect for me, to run to play hard. When I was healthy and feeling good, I think I'm a good player for this team and I help this team win.
"If they offer a contract, I'll listen to stay here and play with the Nuggets."
Fernandez averaged 8.6 points in 22.9 minutes per game with Denver this season.
Andre Miller is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
"I'll keep my options open," Miller said. "At this point in my career, if I'm going to be a backup, I'm going to be a backup on a championship-caliber team. Obviously, this team is a good team that's going to get to the playoffs, but the thing is if they are committed to getting to that next level to compete for that championship."
Miller averaged 27.4 minutes per game, his second lowest average since his 1999-2000 rookie season.
"I want to be on a team that's going to compete for a championship, and not use youth as a crutch or inexperience as a crutch," Miller said. "This team does have guys that can compete and can get out of the first round. It's just whether I can swallow my pride and deal with being a backup point guard. I have no problem with it, but at the same time I definitely still see myself as a starter in this league. Like I said, you have to swallow your pride sometimes. These young guys are coming in and they're working for it. So, that's just part of the business that I'm learning."
Chris Andersen has been "excused indefinitely" from Nuggets' team activities while he is under investigation for unknown Internet crimes against children.
Andersen's home was searched on Thursday morning and property has been seized, but he has not been arrested or charged with a crime.
In Colorado, Internet crimes against children can include anything from exchanging pornographic images of kids to using chatrooms to lure children for sexual purposes.
Andersen has been under investigation since February.
JaVale McGee has totaled a combined 37 points and 29 rebounds in Games 3 and 4 of the Nuggets’ Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the Lakers.
"I don't think I've ever coached a guy like this," said Nuggets coach George Karl, who got his first NBA head coaching job in 1984. "He has the kind of moves of a 6-6 player. The guy he kind of reminds me of a little bit is (1970s star) Connie Hawkins. There's this long, unfolding one-handed stuff. He's got a long way to go to become Connie Hawkins."
McGee, who finished runner-up to Blake Griffin in the 2011 slam dunk contest, has a 7-foot-6 wingspan.
"There are not a lot of people like him in the world," Nuggets assistant coach Melvin Hunt said. "I mean, seriously. You can throw it up there, and he's so long, he can get to it. He's had six-block games, and also, just the number of shots that he alters, he's just a different kind of player. And when you have a guy who's unique, you got to give him opportunities."