It takes 10 fouls, not the usual six, for an NBA player to be disqualified from a Las Vegas Summer League game.
Relaxing of the foul rules has been a blessing for former Kansas University basketball power forward Darrell Arthur of the Memphis Grizzlies, who was whistled for nine fouls Friday in his pro debut against New Orleans.
He had eight Saturday against Milwaukee and nine more Sunday versus the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-9, 225-pounder was asked Sunday if he was concerned about his hacks.
“Nah, I got 10 of them so I can use them,” Arthur said, expounding on why he has been whistled so often. “(I’m) just playing real aggressive, going after the ball a lot, just trying to transition from college to the NBA.”
Arthur scored 18 points off 9-of-12 shooting Friday and 10 points off 3-of-11 shooting Saturday. He had just three points off 1-of-7 shooting in 22 minutes versus the Lakers. Memphis was 2-1 in those games.
“I’m just going with the flow, just trying to pick up everything I can, learn as much while I’m here, listening to my teammates and following their lead,” said Arthur, the 27th pick in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. He wound up with Memphis after a series of draft-night trades.
“I’m not doing anything special, just going out there playing my game. Right now, I’m going to just keep running the floor, get as many rebounds as I can and easy buckets in transition. Once I get in with the whole team and learn the system (in fall camp), I’ll find out what my role is.”
Arthur had one rebound Sunday after grabbing seven total in his first two summer games.
“I’m playing with a chip on my shoulder every night. I want to go out there and show people I can play,” Arthur told the Las Vegas Sun, indicating he’s still disappointed he was not a lottery pick.