The post-practice workout had been without flair, and Spencer Hawes stood calmly at the free throw line and buried many attempts while reporters waited nearby to catch up with the second-year Kings center.
But as Hawes finally approached, he grabbed the ball and leapt for a mini-windmill dunk that most wouldn't imagine in his repertoire. Let the second impressions begin.
Starting today with the Kings' summer league debut in Las Vegas, Hawes is looking to showcase his improved body of work after his rookie campaign ended with aplomb. As if the spotlight wasn't already going to heat up, Brad Miller has made it hotter for Hawes right here and now.
Thursday, it was announced Miller had violated the league's anti-drug policy and would be suspended for the first five games of the season. The NBA did not disclose the type of drug - per league policy. Numerous sources close to the team, however, confirmed that Miller had tested positive for marijuana for a third time.
Thus came the reality that Hawes would be taking Miller's place come November. That was the long-term goal as it was, with the length of that plan depending on Hawes' ability to assert himself like a quality starter. The expediting of the process, in other words, starts now. And it starts with Hawes' first act of assertion.
"(This summer league) will be a continuation of last year," Hawes said. "The way my game is suited, I think I'm better off if I'm one of the primary options, and I think that's going to be the case again this summer.
"So whether it's scoring or distributing, I expect a lot to go through me. That's a good way to improve my game."
Onlookers at UNLV will see a 7-footer who's a bit more toned and perhaps that much tougher. Hawes said he dropped body fat and added muscle while maintaining his weight during these summer months, answering the organization's call to do just that by becoming a weight room regular while back home in Seattle.
Hawes said he returns with stronger skills as well. There's the sky hook that he's determined to make the signature move of his career, and the confidence gained from holding his own against one of his childhood idols.
Hawes, who grew up rooting for the SuperSonics, worked out with Shawn Kemp during his time at home.
"I had a little head-to-head with (Kemp)," Hawes said. "I think I ran him off for eight (points) in a row at one point, so it went all right. He couldn't quite get up like he used to, but he looked good out there."
There was more to Hawes' offseason than hoops, though, as he has continued taking courses at the University of Washington with the eventual goal of earning his degree. The politically minded Hawes quipped that it's the only way he'll ever reach his dream of becoming a senator, and he plans on continuing courses online during the season.
Yet over the next 10 days, the only crash course that matters is the one in Vegas. Hawes said his most important lesson may be learning the game of rookie forward Jason Thompson, the other half of the Kings' hoped-for frontcourt of the future.
"(Thompson) has come out and played well and really proven himself," Hawes said of the player picked 12th overall out of Rider in the June 26 draft.
"From what I've seen, he's very skilled. For someone like me, that's a great person to play off of when I know the other big (man) I'm playing with can shoot, can pass, can dribble and make plays."
Roster reductions - The Kings narrowed the summer league roster from 18 to 14, cutting Zabian Dowdell, David Johnson, Lawrence Roberts and Darnell Jones.
Read Sam Amick's Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.
