What Summer League Teaches Us…

Alright, so we’ve played a decent amount of games in the NBA’s annual Summer League, enough to at least have seen the upcoming class in in about a game or two each. We know that Eric Gordon looked good in exactly one outing before being shelved with a hamstring pull. We know that Darrell Arthur has looked decent, as have the Miami Heat’s new toys, Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers. We know that there have been a couple of guys causing some concern for the fans of their respective teams. George Hill is attempting to reinforce the notion that the Spurs drafted their clubhouse janitor by playing like one (2-25 in three games…), and Joe Alexander is adding to the general sense of malaise that typically accompanies any Bucks fan.

We also know this: That people take things way too seriously in Summer League. By now, fans with even a passing interest in their teams may have made some attempt to find out more about their newest additions by trying to check in on the games which NBA.com has made available to them. Once there, they would have been able to watch the new draft picks in action, assuming they can pick them out of the three or four other scrubs running up and down the floor.

Perhaps they forwent the slow connection speeds, and decided to gather information another way: Their local message boards. Fans having chosen this particular delivery method may have noticed their respective team’s board awash with one of two things: Elation, or sheer and absolute defeatist panic.

For some reason, which is as of yet unknown to me, sports fans from all walks love one thing more than anything. Pretending they know what’s really going on, all while completely tearing their team a new one. We love it more than winning championships, because nothing makes us feel more like part of the team than screaming to the heavens how our team is “blowing it”. And on what better stage to accomplish this than Summer League? A league where even the best aren’t that good, making it all the more simple for us to join the hysteria.

Despite all the fun we have taking our own teams to the rack, nobody seems to remember that in the Summer League, it’s supposed to be like this…Ten years ago, when the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, he was sent to The Rocky Mountain Revue with strict orders from Gregg Popovich to work on his weak side defense and left hand skills. Opposing coaches and draft picks were quick to label him a bust when he repeatedly had trouble with these things, even letting Greg Ostertag have his way with him in one famous matchup.

The thing that they were all missing, and indeed that all of these fans are missing too, is that this is what summer league is for. When a player is drafted, the team calling the shots has known, usually well in advance what that particular player’s strengths and weaknesses are. They also know that it makes no sense to send these payers to the woodshed to go through the motions, doing what they’re already good at. Instead, when they know that a player is good at creating his own shots, they might send him to Summer Camp (as I call it) to work on his ability to facilitate. If they know a player’s mid range game is weak, then one could reasonably expect to see more mid range jumpers taken while in Summer League. All of this paranoia and the calls for GMs’ heads is ridiculous, if only people would take the time to realize what’s going on.

These games ARE important for more than just the reason of honing a weak area though. They also show coaches whether or not their potential players are open to the almost inordinate amount of criticism they will receive. Although most players in the NBA (and not even just the stars…Damon Jones…) are entirely too satisfied with themselves, it’s still important to know the “coachability” of a player. How will they react to criticism? To failure? Indeed, it’s almost as if some of these players in Summer League are put in position to fail, if only to see how they will react.

They already know they’re under the microscope, but even in this lower talent league, they’re facing better competition than they have before. In addition to that, these guys are playing against players who are, for the most part, doing everything they can to NOT have to get a real job. That creates a new, different kind of stress. Coupled with the already extensive amount of examination which these guys are undergoing, and you have a whole new reason why these games are important.Still, these games aren’t the end of the world. I get a kick out of seeing how absolutely psychotic posters get on spurstalk.com at the end of each game.

It’s only slightly more rational on Clipsnation.com, but only because I suspect that Clipper fans haven’t become perversely spoiled by victory like Lakers and Celtics fans have. Honestly though, I can appreciate the docility of Clipper fans. They seem almost overly gracious whenever they receive even the slightest of breaks, to the point where it almost annoys you. What people need to try and remember throughout all of the Summer League games, is that it isn’t the end of the world when your team’s draft pick goes 0-10 in one game, or coughs up 8 TO’s in the next. These players are having their weaknesses poked and prodded at, and to see them struggle shouldn’t even be a surprise. It can almost be assured that your new player(s) will get better. Once they learn their new roles and systems, everything begins to fall into place. With comfort comes peace of mind, and with peace of mind comes more made baskets. So ease up on these kids, and enjoy the summer…