By all accounts, the Vegas Summer League at Cox Pavilion was a success, receiving a thumbs-up from NBA officials, players, coaches and fans.

But the six-day event, which concluded Sunday, apparently did not bolster Las Vegas' chances of securing an NBA franchise.

"It's really apples and oranges," NBA director of operations Stu Jackson said. "When you talk about franchises, it comes down to the community's ability to support an NBA team over the long haul."

Summer League promoter Warren LeGarie agreed, but said he thought the event was a positive first step.

"The most encouraging thing is this showed the NBA there's life beyond the Strip," LeGarie said. "There's a market to one day support (the NBA)."

Jackson chuckled about a Chicago Tribune column last week that explored the possibility of Michael Jordan buying the Miami Heat and moving the team to Las Vegas.

"Not going to happen," Jackson said, reiterating Heat owner Micky Arison's statement that he has no intention to sell. "We have an expansion committee that's keeping an eye on what's going on (in Las Vegas)."

To Las Vegas Events president Pat Christenson, a better barometer of Las Vegas' ability to support the NBA is the annual preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center.  more »