NBA Summer League: Miles Simon coaches Lakers to the Finals

It was a nailbiter in Las Vegas as the Los Angeles Lakers, coached by Miles Simon, won their semi-final game in the NBA Summer League tournament to advance to finals.

It was Colin Sexton, and the Cavs versus Josh Hart and the Miles Simon coached Lakers in the Semi-Finals of the NBA Summer League tournament. This was Simon’s first head coach job in the NBA, and he is killing it! The former Arizona Basketball player and NCAA Champion can taste another championship now as a coach.

Before Simon brought his team to Vegas, the Lakers competed in Sacramento, but without Caruso. They lost three games in a row. That did not happen in Vegas.

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Lakers did not have Alex Caruso in their line-up for the semi-final game. AC is on his second two-way contract with the Lakers. He has been on the road for awhile playing with team USA; his body needed some rest, so he watched it from his hotel room as his team stepped up. They won their 12th game in a row and beat the Cavs in double-overtime to advance to the NBA Summer League Finals.

A very very happy Simon had this to say to Mike Trudell on Sportsnet after his win as he could do everything possible not to let his smile be too big:

"It was a fun game, there was high scoring at the end, but I really felt it was a gritty game, a super physical, it was chippy. There was some trash talk going out there and both sides really enjoyed it. But the heart that our team showed to continue to get up off the canvas when sometimes it didn’t look so good, they just made on to the next play mentality it was a lot of fun to watch and a great group to coach."

Simon took some credit for a little struggle on one play for Josh Hart, who he feels has his vote for MVP and should get everyone else’s vote too although he thought it was a total team effort.

Simon is credited for developing Kyle Kuzma and Hart last season as well as the rest of the youth on the Lakers, and that is not lost on Kuz!

How fun is it for Miles to coach a player like Josh Hart who rises to the occasion?

When asked about his feelings about Colin Sexton, he said he wasn’t surprised because he had coached him in the USA 17U and won a gold. Aha! So he knew Colin’s game! That must have helped.

Simon said there is a reason they call him the Young Bull. He felt his players sacrificed their bodies and that helped the team win. It showed how much they wanted to win and compete and they pick each other up when others are down according to Simon, “The Lakers have a championship mentality every time they step on the floor.”

Here’s a taste of Simon’s coaching style:

Simon’s jersey was retired recently in McKale. It was emotional for him and fans because Simon has a very special place in fans hearts.

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The Lakers will face either the Memphis Grizzlies or Portland Trailblazers in the Finals. We are pulling for Miles Simon in his NBA Debut as head coach. Let’s see if he can follow in Jud Buechler’s footsteps and repeat with the Lakers for a back-to-back Summer League Championship.