LAS VEGAS -- The NBA's Las Vegas Summer League tipped off Friday in Las Vegas, and there's no better place to get an early indication of what some of these rookies are bringing to the table, and how much some of the second- and third-year players have developed.

Here's what we saw from Day 1 of Las Vegas Summer League.

MAJOR TAKEAWAYS

1. Kris Dunn was your first-day rookie MVP

The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard, who went No. 5 overall in the draft, went off for 27 points. Dunn was the top guard on my board going into the draft exactly because of what he showed in his first game vs. Denver, the versatility. Who knows how things will turn out in the end, but at the moment I have to wonder if the Celtics will end up really regretting not taking Dunn with the No. 3 overall pick, where he was projected to go by many.

In his Summer debut, Dunn attacked the rim, trying to dunk on any any and all of the countless Euro centers Denver has drafted and employs for these events, hit turnaround jumpers, nailed catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, crossed over JaKarr Sampson into ankle oblivion, and just generally took over the game.

Even more notable was his attitude. From the start, Dunn took it to Emmanuel Mudiay, who was clearly caught off guard by a rookie coming at him with that kind of aggression. (Eventually, Mudiay took control of the game and got the win thanks to his size and control).

Dunn glared at and mouthed off to the Nuggets' bench (in a Summer League game!) and flexed on fellow rookie Jamal Murray after bodying him out of the way for a layup. It wasn't just Dunn's play, but his persona that left the mark.

2. The Lakers have some hope

Rookie Brandon Ingram's game was smooth and versatile, and all the things you would expect from the No. 2 overall pick. Ingram didn't look like a dominant superstar, but he looked like a guy who can be whatever you need him to be in a particular game or matchup, and that is very valuable in the modern NBA. Watch below as he grabs the rebound, handles the ball up the floor, and smoothly dribbles into a mid-range jumper.

Pretty promising stuff.

Meanwhile, D'Angelo Russell also looked good for the Lakers. he kind of slid into his game, but once he got comfortable and settled in, he was just a step above. It makes sense that second-year NBA guys like Russell would be ahead of the competition, but it's still great to see what Russell is capable of after all his struggles in Vegas last year and then his difficulties in getting playing time under Byron Scott (let alone his fiasco with Nick Young).

Russell's handle continues to be very underrated.

3. Thon Maker looked ... his age

Say whatever you'd like about the unfounded rumors that the No. 10 overall pick is actually older than the 19 years he claims, but he definitely looked like a young, raw player in his debut for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Maker had a terrible start with an air-ball and a shot that glanced off the backboard, then he was blocked at the rim. He settled in and finished with 15 points and 13 boards and he definitely made a few solid plays (which you would expect from a top-10 pick), but not near as many as that kind of double-double box score would indicate.

Ultimately, Maker still looked like a player that is going to take time to fit in. That's totally understandable for a guy that everyone knew was a project coming in. The good news is that everyone says his work ethic is great.

On the other hand, Ra'shad James had a quality performance for Milwaukee. The 26-year-old overseas veteran from Iona was aggressive, and that, plus being able to chew gum and dribble at the same time, will get you a long way in Summer League. James wound up with 14 points, even if he forced it a bit at times. That's part of the tough dichotomy several coaches commented on: You have to be aggressive if you're on the outside looking in so that you can make a mark, but then you're just getting yours and not really helping the team function. It's an impossible conundrum for a lot of guys.

4. The Grizzlies have some good young talent

This is a weird thing to say. Former Kentucky star Andrew Harrison has likely secured a roster spot and coach Dave Fizdale suggested he could be working his way toward the back-up point guard spot in Memphis. Harrison's shot has turned smooth. All the roughness that was present at Kentucky has been sanded down by consistent time in the D-League last season. He's just 21 but his body looks like a pro's and his game has caught up with it.

Rookie Wade Baldwin also flashed some really great stuff. Baldwin has an instinctive knack for finding the ball on both ends. He was a little out of control at times but you'll take that aggressiveness over fading into the background. He fell into a coma on weak-side defensive coverage, however.

Other Notes ...

  • Wolves forward Adreian Payne scored 17 points on 20 shots, though several of those were on missed put-back attempts in succession. Payne is 25, and going into his third season. Hopefully he can rebound a little better than the five boards he carded in just under 35 minutes for Minnesota.
  • Ivica Zubac for the Lakers was a fan favorite from the start. He altered so many shots. Just raw size at Summer League will take you a long way, but he looked really strong and his awareness on weak-side movement helped stifle the Pelicans' movement entirely.
  • No. 6 overall pick Buddy Hield had 13 points on 20 shots (!) and only two assists, though much of that was because nobody could finish for the Pelicans. Still, Hield was forcing it. Not a great debut.
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The Lakers have to like what they've seen from Brandon Ingram. Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS ...

I've already stopped counting the number of times I've said to myself, "Only at Summer League." For instance, the halftime entertainment for Nuggets-Wolves was a Prince look-alike who sang with a falsetto. He had the look down, right to the studded purple pants. That's Summer League, and a cool tribute to the incredible artist we all lost this year.

Here are a few more Vegas observations:

1. Joel Embiid has a lot of fans

For a guy who has never played a single second on an NBA court, Embiid has this weird mythical quality to him and there was a buzz in the arena when he walked in. He's like Mr. Snuffleupagus from "Sesame Street" -- big, lovable, and somewhere between real and imaginary as an NBA player. The good news for Lakers is he was smiling, had no limp, and was beloved and embraced by everyone he encountered.

2. Jim Buss doesn't have a lot of fans

The Lakers owner was shown twice on the Jumbotron, and was loudly booed each time. It was raucous. The second time, he realized it, and put his arms up to encourage the vitriol. It's crazy to see the Lakers owner, the son of the most beloved owner in NBA history, treated with such deep disdain by a crowd of mostly Lakers supporters.

3. Throwback heaven

Your best jerseys from Las Vegas Summer League: a Tracy McGrady Spurs uniform, a Milwaukee Bucks Tony Kukoc jersey, and a Pistons Darko jersey. The worst? A knock-off Durant Warriors shirsey.

4. "Larry! Larry! Larry!"

You hear this chant, you think Larry Bird, or maybe Larry David, has just entered the arena. Instead, it's Larry Nance Jr.

Yes, Larry Nance Jr. gets raucous chants. That's Summer League.