Written by Demetri Inembolidis

---

The Orlando Pro Summer League is already underway, which means that the Las Vegas Summer League is just around the corner.  The latter is of a higher-profile than the Orlando League.  There will be 20 games played between the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder Indiana Pacer and Detroit Pistons.  Of all of those teams, the Pistons picked the highest with the 9th overall selection.  There simply is not as much intrigue in Orlando as there will be in Las Vegas.  The standout players in Orlando are Andre Drummond, Perry Jones III And Jared Sullinger.  The fact that John Stockton's son, Michael Stockton, plays for the Utah Jazz is interesting, but Las Vegas is where the really good players will be.

It is questionable if top pick Anthony Davis will lace up for the New Orleans Hornets because he sustained an ankle injury.  Whether he plays or not will have a major impact on the entertainment value of the Las Vegas league, but there are plenty of other reasons to watch.  Charlotte will be getting a look at Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for the first time as a professional and the Washington Wizards fans will be able to see how Bradley Beal does.

Perhaps no team offers as much intrigue as the Cleveland Cavaliers.  In addition to Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller, both players selected in the 2011 draft will be playing.  Kyrie Irving has created quite a buzz with his performance at the Team USA practices.  In addition, Tristan Thompson will be showing Cavs fans what he has been working on during the off season.  The fact that there will be three players selected in the top four in consecutive years on the Cavs summer league team is a welcome change from the cast of misfits and undrafted players that we have been accustomed to in the past half decade.  

Summer Leagues do not offer the best basketball.  They oftentimes feature players trying to do too much because their professional careers may depend on impressing the right people in attendance.  There are games where unknown players shoot almost every time they touch the ball.  Having said that, this Cavs roster will be more interesting than the typical Summer League because of all of the talent lacing up for the Wine and Gold.  It is not often that a rookie of the year award recipient participates.  

The Cavs roster and schedule are listed below (all times are EST):

• July 15: Charlotte Bobcats Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 8:30 PM*
• July 16: NBA D-League Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 8:00 PM
• July 17: Phoenix Suns Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 8:30 PM*
• July 19: Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 8:00PM*
• July 20: New York Knicks Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4:00 PM*

All games are available on the NBA Broadband League Pass and that can be purchased for $14.99.  The games denoted with an asterisk will air on NBA TV.