For years fans have been disappointed with the lack of summer league coverage. While Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Dwight Howard may not be participating anymore, summer league is where most rookies make their professional debut and play extensive minutes. For some first-year players it's the most amount of playing time they'll see all year, while for others it's a showcase to prove that they're ready for the NBA game. Either way, there's definitely a demand to see what goes on in Las Vegas by those who cannot make it to Cox Pavilion to see the games in person. Thankfully, something has finally been done about the lackluster coverage.
For the first time all of the games in Las Vegas are available both live and on demand via NBA.com for just $15 (recently reduced to $9.99). In the past NBA TV covered select games, but this year that wasn't the case and it's turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
"We didn't have a choice," said Warren LeGarie, the Executive Director of the NBA Summer League, when asked about the decision process behind making the switch to the internet. "NBA TV moved to Turner Broadcasting and they made the decision that they weren't going to do the games for television this year."
There's no better way to describe summer league other than underappreciated. Far too many people are unaware of the level of talent that assembles in Las Vegas and just how good the games actually are. To a certain extent even the NBA may be unaware of just how marketable of a product the Las Vegas Summer League is, but that should change with the switch to on demand.
"We didn't have a choice," said Warren LeGarie, the Executive Director of the NBA Summer League, when asked about the decision process behind making the switch to the internet. "NBA TV moved to Turner Broadcasting and they made the decision that they weren't going to do the games for television this year."There's no better way to describe summer league other than underappreciated. Far too many people are unaware of the level of talent that assembles in Las Vegas and just how good the games actually are. To a certain extent even the NBA may be unaware of just how marketable of a product the Las Vegas Summer League is, but that should change with the switch to on demand.
"It's new to everybody, so it's unfair to blame (the league)," LeGarie stated. "We just literally got this done, the tightening up of the packaging one day prior to the launch so everyone's trying to do their part to get this out so that people know that no matter where you at if you've got a computer, internet, and $15 you're in business. It's not only for the live games, you can pull up archive games. It's video on demand."
While the players are what ultimately draw people to watch the summer league games, a quality broadcast is absolutely vital. That's why when the decision was made to put the games on demand LeGarie went to one of the best in the business to handle the play-by-play: NBATV's own Ricky Kamla.
"He brings authenticity," explained LeGarie. "It's very simple; it makes this game believable because he's one of the believable guys. He lives and breathes basketball. He's the perfect summer league guy for us. We couldn't ask for a better arbiter of what summer league is about."
For Kamla accepting the offer was one of the easiest choices he's ever had to make. His love for the game of basketball is well documented and over the years he's become very familiar with just how great the summer league experience actually is.
"I was pumped up when they asked me," Kamla revealed. "I've been doing this for four years. I love coming out to Vegas. I'm not a big Vegas fan, the city is alright but I'd rather be in Phoenix, L.A., or Miami. The city isn't the draw; the ability to scout young talent is the draw. I'm not a huge NCAA fan nor do I have the time to watch it I'm spending my time completely immersed in the NBA for nine months so in terms of that that's what I'm excited about coming out here to see James Harden, Stephen Curry, and second-year guys like Anthony Randolph. That's why I'm out here and that's why I'm pumped. Warren LeGarie and Albert Hall, who put this thing on, they've been gracious enough to invite me out here and it's a lot of fun. Its 10 days of being an NBA fanatic there's nothing else going on other nine innings of boring baseball so it's fun to be out here."
After covering the league for four years Kamla has not only been vastly entertained but he's also come to learn the real importance of the camp.
"I think it's important to the NBA to get the rookies into their system," Kamla stated. "It's kind of like minicamp in the NFL where shortly after the draft bam these guys are in the system working and learning the plays, so in that aspect it's important. I think it's more important for the players, the fringy guys. I see Michael Bramos of the Detroit Pistons, flying to Vegas I had no idea who he was. He could have been Michael Bramos CEO of whatever company. I had no idea who he was. He came out here with a quick trigger, nailing J's and he had a two-handed flush on Omri Casspi. A guy like him, it's an opportunity for him. He's not going to become a household name having a good game here in Las Vegas but it's an opportunity for a guy like me to know who he is. More importantly scouts and general managers from NBA teams, D league teams, and international teams to know who you are. It's wonderful for the fringe players who are looking to make $90-$300 grand playing the game they love."
Even though most of the top ten picks are in attendance in Las Vegas along with countless other legitimate NBA players there are still those who don't feel like summer league is worth their time. As Kamla explains though, if you consider yourself a die-hard NBA fan and you aren't watching then you're not a die-hard at all.
"Well if you are a hardcore NBA fan and you are thinking that summer league isn't worth your time then you need to turn in your hardcore basketball fan card," said Kamla. "This is what it's all about. If you are really into the NBA and you want to sink your teeth into it you will watch this and you will pay the $15 on NBA.com, which by the way is giving it away. If you're a fan of all kinds of sports and if you dig sitting down on Sunday afternoon wasting a beautiful day watching golf then you're not going to necessarily be into the NBA Summer League, but if you're an NBA junkie you'll love it."
For those who are unfamiliar with summer league and the great action that occurs during it, Kamla breaks down his best memory:
"There's a play that immediately springs to mind. Sebastian Telfair and Gerald Green were on Boston's team maybe three years ago. It was a 2-on-1 and Telfair was on the right side and there was a defender on his left. Green was trailing him and Telfair faked like he was going up for the lay-up. He went between his legs back to Green who caught it, leaned in, and did like a Jordan windmill. It was unbelievable, I was fortunate to be the play-by-play guy to call a play like that. Another one was seeing Kevin Durant for the first time in person in a courtside seat. The stroke was effortless; he was so focused and special. I would also mention Rodney Stuckey; I fell in love with him here and Aaron Brooks too. That's what it's about for me. I don't watch these guys play at Eastern Washington or Oregon. I want to see them play NBA basketball and this obviously isn't the real deal but it's on the way and the players are on their way so that's what I get excited about."
If you've already made the wise investment of $15 for all of the action in Las Vegas there's no reason to worry about this being a one-time thing. The feedback so far on putting the games on demand is very positive and should become commonplace as the years go on.
"I think we're in the next step," LeGarie asserted. "It's always an ongoing organic process. We're always trying to push the envelope and find new areas to freshen it up. Opening up a second gym two years ago was something new - it's never been done before. We found that people were skeptical but once they saw that it added to this whole ambience there was this buzz in the air from people having a choice of where to go. Constantly we're exploring new ideas to make this a fresh and exciting concept."
As one of the several thousands who have purchased the online all-access pass to the Vegas Summer League it's safe to say LeGarie, Hall, and the rest of the crew have been successful in making this a fresh and exciting concept. The webcast will catch on in a big way because its value is unmatched. You may not be able to purchase a parking spot at an NBA arena for $15 but for that amount of money you can have Las Vegas brought to you.
If you've yet to purchase your Las Vegas Summer League pass there's no reason to fret. You can still do so
here and because of all of the games being archived it can be like you haven't missed a second at all!
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