ns grit Gary Anderson defeated fellow Scot Robert Thornton in a scrappy match (Pic by Lawrence Lustig) Reigning Premier

For someone like Juwan Howard Jr., summer league is a chance to experience his dream job.Same goes for his dad.Juwan Howard played 19 seasons in the NBA, but this summer hes been a rookie again. Howard, the Miami Heat assistant coach, is serving as the teams head coach for summer league -- a job that comes with long hours, little sleep and a chance to learn what it really means to oversee a roster.My goal is to get better and better as a coach, said Howard, whose son of the same name is also on the Heat summer roster. This is my first time being a head coach at summer league. Im happy that I had two years experience as an assistant so I had an idea as far as what it would be like ... but I want to be the most well-prepared coach as I grow, year after year until I get my chance.Such is the quest for plenty of people who were on the sidelines in Orlando and Salt Lake City, and now in Las Vegas this summer. Everyone is getting experience in this hectic few weeks of games -- that goes for players, referees and coaches, many of whom are hoping that what they do now might eventually get them into the NBA job they want.This is an experience you cant really get during the regular season, said Utah assistant Johnnie Bryant, the Jazz summer league coach. You can go work camps and its kind of not really real, per se. To have NBA referees, to have NBA fans in the building, NBA players out there on the floor -- theres no better experience than actually coaching summer league.The vast majority of summer league head coaches are assistants in the NBA. Some have been college head coaches, like Detroits Bob Beyer, the former boss at Siena. Sacramento coach Dave Joerger coached the Kings first games in Las Vegas before handing off the proverbial clipboard to move into more of an overseeing role, and newly hired Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton has been on his teams summer sideline as well. San Antonios Becky Hammon made headlines last summer for being a female coach, and then she guided the Spurs to a title.There is also something to the notion that when someone like Howard speaks, guys who are on summer rosters and looking for jobs will listen. Howard doesnt need to be working; he signed contracts worth more than $150 million in his playing career, and the guys on Miamis summer team are more than a little aware of who is taking time to teach them the nuance of the game.Hes new to head-coaching, Heat guard Josh Richardson said. But when he says something, you know hes been through it. When I got drafted by Miami he was the example they would use as a professional. So his credibility, you cant question it.Howard wasnt the only coach with an elite-playing pedigree this summer. Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing -- a longtime NBA assistant who has been a candidate for bigger jobs several times in recent years -- was Charlottes summer-league coach again, as he continues to wait for that opportunity to one day be a head coach for real.I use every day to develop myself as a coach. Right now Im the head coach, so that feels good, Ewing said. Its all about learning. I keep on learning. I try to learn every day, with every chance I get, and just try to be the best coach that I possibly can be.Howard can totally relate.He could be golfing or relaxing this summer. Instead he slept through July 4 fireworks that were going on not far from his window in Orlando because he had been up most of the night before working on sets and out-of-bounds plays, and confessed that its not uncommon for him to get only about four hours of sleep a night because his mind is spinning.I love basketball, Howard said. This is a passion of mine, from the time I was in sixth grade. I feel like this is my calling. I always said when I was done playing that I wanted to stay around the game. And before I arrived in Miami I always said front office, front office, front office. That might be something I explore later on, but for now I want to be in the trenches with this organization. I want to be a coach.---AP Sports Writer Kareem Copeland in Salt Lake City contributed to this report. Nicklas Backstrom Jersey . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Rod Langway Capitals Jersey . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. http://www.officialcapitalsfanstore.com/authentic-michal-kempny-capitals-jersey/ . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Dennis Maruk Capitals Jersey . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Nic Dowd Capitals Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans.Michael van Gerwen hit the top of the Premier League with another stellar showing, while Phil Taylor looks to be returning to his best - what did we learn from another thrilling night of darts? How were we going to follow Aberdeen and Van Gerwens record-breaking 123.4 average? Well the Dutchman dropped a cheeky 116.7 average, the fourth highest in the competition and the sixth highest in history.Mighty Mike dropped the first leg but found his rhythm soon after, winning seven of the next eight in scintillating style. It wasnt for lack of competition. Peter Wright averaged 109 and didnt miss a double, but Van Gerwen gave the flamboyant Scot very little opportunity to finish a leg. Having defended his Masters and Dutch Masters titles, Van Gerwen got back to where he feels he belongs in the Premier League with victory over Wright seeing him leapfrog Snakebite to take top spot heading into this weekends UK Open.Taylor looks like he is showing signs of being back to his very best following another commanding performance and there was a very welcome first victory of the competition for Michael Smith. But on a raucous night in Exeter, it was Van Gerwen who once again stole the show.Darts weve never seenVan Gerwen continued in imperious form, beating Wright 7-2 to take top spot for the first time and another incredible performance led Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle to question whether the Dutchman is overtaking Taylor as the greatest player ever.It is debatable because you cant compare the two. Phil Taylor was utterly dominant in an era of good players, but nowhere near the quality of today. Since October 2012, Michael van Gerwen has dominated like Phil Taylor did back in the day. He won 18 tournaments last year and looks like an absolute machine. No one on this planet has ever played darts like Michael van Gerwen is right now, including Phil Taylor. Wayne Mardle on Michael van Gerwen Van Gerwens 116.7 average means that his last two performances are the best of his Premier League career, and he was pleased with his form.Im really glad I brought the confidence through from last week, Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.You need to be confident and focused otherwise you cant perform at this level. Im always trying to do my best, and Ill try to do even better next week.Wayne Mardle was full of praise for the Dutchman, who will face heavy scoring Dave Chisnall in Nottingham next week.He said: Michael van Gerwen is becoming unplayable. Its darts like weve never seen. No one on this planet has ever played darts like Michael van Gerwen is right now, including Phil Taylor. Wayne Mardle and Rod Harrington debate whether Michael van Gerwen can replace Phil Taylor as the best darts player of all time Off the markMichael Smith won his first ever Premier League match, beating Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 to keep hopes of a play-off place alive.It was an edgy affair, with both players missing big opportunities. Smith, who went 3-1 up in the early stages, had chances for a 5-2 lead, but instead saw himself pegged back to 4-4 by the Dutchman.Nerves were evident in the ninth when Smith, only requiring double top, threw high to allow Barney in to steal the advantage. Bully Boy had the last word though, as he stormed back to grasp victory.The timing couldnt be better for Smith, as he faces mentor and manager Gary Anderson next week. Michael Smith recorded his first victory of his debut Premier League campaign (Pic courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC) Powers point to proveTaylor kept the pressure on Van Gerwen, beating Adrian Lewis 7-1 in the opening match of the night. The Power, whose average of 115 last week was overshadowed by Van Gerwen, followed it up with a 104 in Exeter, giving Lewis no opportunity to build momentum.It was a tough night for Jackpoot, who never found his rhythm, missing a few key doubles in the early legs.dddddddddddd After an opportunity to take the second leg went begging, Lewis quickly found himself 5-0 down and the contest was effectively over. Premier League Night Five Report from Thursdays action in Nottingham Lewis has still never won a match in Exeter but he did avoid the whitewash, taking the sixth leg, before Taylor took the last two, and the six-time Premier League winner was keen to eradicate the memories of watching last years finals on TV.Taylor said: I sat at home, watching the O2 last year, and I was gutted. Ive been practicing hard, changed a few things, and Im hoping for the O2. Thats what Im after.Friendship with no benefitsJames Wade kept pressure on those at the top of the table, beating close friend Dave Chisnall 7-4. Both players missed clinical opportunities, and Wade put the faults down to their friendship away from the oche.I spend a lot of time with Dave throughout the season, Wade told Sky Sports. James Wades sizzling 161 checkout against Dave Chisnall was the biggest finish of the night Its hard to play a true friend, and thats why I think Dave didnt play as well tonight, and maybe why I didnt play as well as I can.The win was important for Wade who, despite posting good numbers, had lost his last two matches. The result keeps him just two points from the top.A champions grit Gary Anderson defeated fellow Scot Robert Thornton in a scrappy match (Pic by Lawrence Lustig) Reigning Premier League champion and two time champion of the world Gary Anderson notched his second win of the season against an erratic Robert Thornton, claiming a 7-4 win as both players failed to punish the others mistakes.Anderson found himself 3-0 down, having failed to make a double in seven attempts. However the Flying Scotsman dug deep, punishing Thorntons inaccuracies to win seven of the next eight legs and take the game despite a sub-90 average.Both players have struggled for form, and it doesnt get any easier for the Thorn, who faces Phil Taylor in Nottingham next week. Premier League NIght Six - Fixtures Michael Smith v Gary Anderson Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade Robert Thornton v Phil Taylor Dave Chisnall v Michael van Gerwen Also See: MVG goes top after Wright victory WATCH: The best ever? Night five as it happened Premier League table ' ' '