Ken Berger

LAS VEGAS -- Some news, notes, and observations from Day 3 of the Las Vegas Summer League:

* Marcus Thornton, the 43rd pick acquired by New Orleans from Miami, filled it up in the first game against San Antonio with 22 points on 8-for-19 shooting. The Hornets' first-round pick, Darren Collison, impressed the assembled scouts and GMs with his quickness. Collison had 19 points and six assists, and also got to the line and made all seven free throws in the Spurs' 92-86 win. San Antonio is going to love second-round pick DeJuan Blair, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds in only 22 minutes. George Hill, one of the biggest disappointments of the 2008 Summer League, shined with 25 points (7-for-13 from the field, 11-for-11 from the line).

* Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor was on hand to watch his summer league team lose to the Rockets 79-65. Some execs in the stands were disappointed with first-round pick Jonny Flynn's performance. "Played small," said one. Houston's Chase Budinger had another efficient performance with 11 points, three assists, and a steal in 21 minutes.

* The Grizzlies beat the Thunder 86-57, getting a solid performance from No. 2 overall pick Hasheem Thabeet, who had nine points on 3-for-4 shooting (all in the first half) but only two rebounds (both offensive). He handled Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka, who struggled to a 1-for-7 shooting performance after making progress in the Orlando Summer League. No. 3 overall pick James Harden didn't do much for the box score -- he was 1-for-5 with four points and three assists -- but had the scouts and GMs buzzing about his burst and playmaking ability. Marcus Williams, trying to give his career a spark, dished out an incredible (even by summer league standards) 17 assists for the Thunder.

* In the final game of the day between Milwaukee and Cleveland, Brandon Jennings filled up the box score but didn't impress scouts with his shot selection and exaggerated gift for swagger. Jennings has 28 points, eight assists, and five steals in the Bucks' 80-69 victory. But it's frightening to contemplate how he is going to co-exist with Scott Skiles, who preaches defense and unselfish play. Jennings is an electrifying talent, but that's going to be a union worth watching.