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ktrain203 Sixth Man
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 45
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: Summer League Games = Basketball Lovers Paradise |
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For the longest time I never really considered going to any of the NBA Summer League games. I don't know why, but it just never really appealed to me. I always figured it was a bunch of guys lacking NBA talent scrapping and clawing, trying to make the highlight play that would grab some scouts attention. I imagined it was like garbage time in a blowout game, only worse.
Then I went to a game last year and was completely blown away. I'm not saying all of my assumptions were wrong. The players are less talented, the play can get sloppy with some ball hogging occurring and a lot of physical stuff being allowed to happen. That being said, it was such a joy to watch. Here are kids who have not only dreamed of playing the NBA, but have actually devoted all of their life to accomplishing it. The number of hours they've practiced and played to reach this point are unimaginable. This is their one shot and they know it.
It's a joy to watch Kobe or LeBron or Tim Duncan play because you realize that you're witnessing greatness. You're watching the best in the game do what they do. Still though, for all of the NBA games I've been to in my life, not one had the energy, the hustle, or the desire of the summer league games I went to last year. The best way I can describe it is that it's like watching a really good college basketball game, only instead of 3-4 players on each team having the ability to play in the NBA it's more like 7-8 and there are no scrubs on the court. The college crowd is absent, but that's expected, but the aggressiveness and enthusiasm is there. The players want it so badly they can taste it, and because of that they leave it all on the court.
I'm writing this mostly because I saw some video of the Lakers first scrimmage against the Clippers yesterday and it took me back.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lakers-strong-2088468
For years I isolated myself from this exciting, affordable attraction simply because I didn't think it would be any good. In a day and age where fans blast professional players for not running out ground balls and taking plays off, this is a refreshing sight. So if you have the opportunity to watch a summer league game this offseason, do it. Spend $10 and enjoy watching guys play like their lives depend on it, because in reality, they do. Immerse yourself in game and watch how it was meant to be played. All out, balls to the wall. |
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postandpivot Retired Number
Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 36822
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:57 am Post subject: Re: Summer League Games = Basketball Lovers Paradise |
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ktrain203 wrote: | For the longest time I never really considered going to any of the NBA Summer League games. I don't know why, but it just never really appealed to me. I always figured it was a bunch of guys lacking NBA talent scrapping and clawing, trying to make the highlight play that would grab some scouts attention. I imagined it was like garbage time in a blowout game, only worse.
Then I went to a game last year and was completely blown away. I'm not saying all of my assumptions were wrong. The players are less talented, the play can get sloppy with some ball hogging occurring and a lot of physical stuff being allowed to happen. That being said, it was such a joy to watch. Here are kids who have not only dreamed of playing the NBA, but have actually devoted all of their life to accomplishing it. The number of hours they've practiced and played to reach this point are unimaginable. This is their one shot and they know it.
It's a joy to watch Kobe or LeBron or Tim Duncan play because you realize that you're witnessing greatness. You're watching the best in the game do what they do. Still though, for all of the NBA games I've been to in my life, not one had the energy, the hustle, or the desire of the summer league games I went to last year. The best way I can describe it is that it's like watching a really good college basketball game, only instead of 3-4 players on each team having the ability to play in the NBA it's more like 7-8 and there are no scrubs on the court. The college crowd is absent, but that's expected, but the aggressiveness and enthusiasm is there. The players want it so badly they can taste it, and because of that they leave it all on the court.
I'm writing this mostly because I saw some video of the Lakers first scrimmage against the Clippers yesterday and it took me back.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lakers-strong-2088468
For years I isolated myself from this exciting, affordable attraction simply because I didn't think it would be any good. In a day and age where fans blast professional players for not running out ground balls and taking plays off, this is a refreshing sight. So if you have the opportunity to watch a summer league game this offseason, do it. Spend $10 and enjoy watching guys play like their lives depend on it, because in reality, they do. Immerse yourself in game and watch how it was meant to be played. All out, balls to the wall. |
welcom to the SPL, to bad its no longer in the LB. so i can't watch. unless i want to use that as an excuse to make a vegas run. |
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andyliao Starting Rotation
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 481 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:07 am Post subject: |
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In that video, they actually labeled Mitch as "Lakers Owner" |
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Bballguru5000 Star Player
Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 8125 Location: Born and Raised in Los Angeles, now living in Manhattan, NY.
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: |
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andyliao wrote: | In that video, they actually labeled Mitch as "Lakers Owner" |
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R-Tistic Star Player
Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Posts: 1235 Location: Los Angeles (Western & Florence)
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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andyliao wrote: | In that video, they actually labeled Mitch as "Lakers Owner" |
Well, I guess he does "own us" if he ever does another Caron for Kwame!! |
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Mike@LG Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001 Posts: 65135 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Long Beach > Vegas _________________ Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
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