SUMMER PRO LEAGUE: PENBERTHY GREW IN SPL PROVING, IMPROVING KEY IN SUMMER LEAGUE.

Byline: Sean Kearns Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Mike Penberthy stood outside the Lakers practice facility on Friday and talked about how the thrill of making the NBA has worn off, how he plans to build on this season and how he's proved that he belongs in the NBA.

The location, words and uniform are a far cry from last July, when Penberthy played in the Summer Pro League in Long Beach needing to show that he could play in the NBA.

He wasn't on an NBA team, instead playing for Nutriola, a team sponsored by his agent, Joedy Gardner.

A year later, Penberthy, who worked his way through foreign countries and the now-defunct CBA, returns to the summer league after playing a surprising but important role on the NBA champions.

``You should never expect to make an NBA team in a summer league because that's not what they are used for,'' Penberthy said. ``They are there to develop players already in the league, not to showcase players. If you are going to the SPL thinking you are going to make an NBA team, you are going to have some trouble because not many guys do. Of course, I didn't expect it at all.''

Penberthy averaged five points a game in 53 games with the Lakers. He is a restricted free agent this offseason but said he's 95 percent sure he'll re-sign with the Lakers, who start the summer league with their first game at 7:30 tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.

``I'm not in the honeymoon anymore,'' said Penberthy, who will play some point guard and plans to work on his defense. ``I had to play this year. I couldn't sit back and enjoy. I had to play some important minutes. I'm thrilled not to have to go through what some of those guys have to go through (as SPL free agents). That is a thrill.''

The 32nd Summer Pro League starts today at the Pyramid on the campus of Long Beach State and runs through July 29 with five games every day starting at 10:30 a.m. The league features rookies, free agents and NBA players on teams sponsored by 10 NBA franchises, foreign teams and agents.

Out of the 13 lottery picks in the June draft, six will play in the summer league: Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Jason Richardson, Shane Battier, Eddie Griffin and Vladimir Radmanovic.

Both the Lakers and Clippers have teams, with the Clippers using the summer league to help Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson and Keyon Dooling develop. In addition, up-and-coming NBA players Baron Davis, Shawn Marion and Paul Pierce are on teams.

Plus, Magic Johnson will play one game in the SPL: on July 14 at 12:45 p.m. against the Young Guns, who feature Davis and Marion. The league always has the occasional surprise, like Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss trying out his game for three days last year.

But the SPL has more players like Penberthy was last year, those simply trying to catch the eye of NBA scouts.

The Lakers knew about the sharp-shooting guard heading into the league last year.

Gardner played for Lakers assistant Tex Winter at Long Beach State in the late 1970s. The two have remained in contact. Gardner, who runs his own agency, Global Team/Works, discussed Penberthy with Winter, who watched the Master's College graduate in workouts and at the SPL.

``It gave the Lakers coaching staff a chance to watch him in a game setting, instead of workouts and scrimmages,'' Gardner said.

GAMES TO WATCH AT THE SPL

--1. July 14, 12:45 p.m.: Magic Johnson will play for his team, the Great Danes, against the Young Guns featuring Baron Davis and Shawn Marion.

--2. July 11, 3 p.m.: Ex-Dominguez High center Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry make their debuts with the Bulls against the Grizzlies and rookie Shane Battier. A must-see for the Warriors is Kendrick Johnson.

--2a. July 11, 10:30 a.m.: Provided everyone shows up, this is a feature matchup: Young Guns with Baron Davis, Shawn Marion and Chris Mills against NBA Pros with Penny Hardaway, Paul Pierce, Bo Outlaw and Bruce Bowen.

--3. July 9, 5:15 p.m.: See the young talent on both L.A. teams plus the possible matchup of players who entered the NBA out of high school: Korleone Young, who is out of the league, and Darius Miles, a young player on the rise.

--4. July 7, 7:30 p.m.: Lakers play on opening night against the recently relocated Memphis Grizzlies.

--5. July 10, 5:15 p.m.: A battle of NBA rookies with Jason Richardson making his Warriors debut against the Grizzlies and Battier.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Lakers guard Mike Penberthy earned a spot with the team through his play in the Summer Pro League. However, most aren't so lucky.

Edna Trunell-Simpson/Staff Photographer

Box: GAMES TO WATCH AT THE SPL (see text)