The past few weeks the NBA has been buzzing with news of LeBron James’ return to Cleveland, other shufflings during the free agency period, and unfortunately more Donald Sterling talk. All throughout the midst of all the rumors and unnamed sources there was a display of the up-and-coming talent in the NBA.
In Las Vegas, Summer League took place over a couple week period. Young talent, unproven names, and guys fighting for a roster spot competed in front of bored media members and half-filled gyms.
There were 24 teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers. Talents included Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Glen Rice Jr., Tim Hardaway Jr., Otto Porter, Doug McDermott, CJ McCollum, and many more. With all of this talent in one place, why is it so hard for the NBA to bring people into the arenas?
A few months ago, I had every intention to go cover Summer League for OSN. I had price alerts set up for all of the discount flight sites and I was just waiting on the schedule to be released. By the time that the schedules were released, only about 3 weeks in advance, the tickets were double the price they were just a week or two before. Why the schedule takes so long to release is a big question, one I think, if the NBA can answer it and resolve the issue, they can attract a lot of fans from around the league.
My proposal to the NBA would be to shorten Summer League from 10 days to 5, put the schedule out shortly after the season ended, and then plan Summer League to focus attention on the fans as much as the young talent. A Summer League “Fan Fest” in Las Vegas could be just what the NBA needs during the summer months when there is a lack of basketball activity.
Not many times does a fan get a chance to sit in a gym and watch NBA games the entire day. Even fewer times can you do it for a $25 ticket. The NBA could tailor this event to build excitement in the future of the NBA for years to come.
Serious basketball fans can watch basketball all day long, casual fans can participate in hands on events and attend meet-and-greets. Media members can cover it all and be able to rub shoulders with members of the league as well as fanatics from across the country.
As it is now, Summer League is not much more entertaining than watching a high school basketball team’s scrimmage. The talent varies from team to team but the atmosphere is completely lacking. Build some excitement with fans and give them an incentive to travel to Vegas every July and Summer League will become a must-see event.
Now my takeaways from Blazers’ Summer league:
- Will Barton has improved his ball handling, play making and distributing. But he is still the same Will the Thrill. At time he can be wildly inconsistent and streaky. Some shots and plays that he attempts can me you scratch your head or give a standing ovation. He will be a good spark plug off the bench, but until he can play a little more consistently and grounded, he won’t be able to be depended on.
- CJ McCollum can shoot the ball. Not only did he have a breakout game against the Atlanta Hawks when he scored 28 points and couldn’t miss from long-range, he shot over 47% over the 5 games. If McCollum can have a full training camp and preseason with the team, he will be able to get a better grasp on the playbook and flow of the offense. If he can continue to improve defensively, and get a better feel for the NBA game, CJ can be a solid rotation player this year.
- Thomas Robinson showed flashes of absolute brilliance. Robinson is going to be counted on to play solid minutes this year in the frontcourt rotation. Being in his third year, Robinson should have even higher expectations for himself than the rest of us do. The energy and effort that he brings off the bench is invaluable.
- Meyers Leonard is going to struggle to find time on the floor this season. He has no feel defensively and has a severe lack of instinct. With Chris Kaman now anointed as the backup center, Leonard would be better suited to find a D-League jersey and get some court time.
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