2022 Summer League: Cali Classic, Utah and Vegas

[SeattleJazzFan]

not too many players have stood out either way, but a bunch haven't even played, Daniels has been out since G1, Sharpe too, Sochan hasn't played, Griffin has been out, Kessler hasn't played because of the contract situation, Baldwin's ankle issue he's been out, Ivey only played like 1 game and 1 quarter, etc.

Kessler has a toe inury, no contract issues, that is the stated reason he is not playing.

thought he and Sochan haven't signed their rookie deals yet?

i imagine sochan doesn't want to be exposed in summer league, so probably true on him, but yeah, for kessler it's a toe, but he's been cleared by medical staff so may just be out of shape due to the injury. but he is signed, sealed and delivered.

[K_chile22]

Is kinda weird Sochan got covid about a week before SL but got over it before SL so he's allowed on the bench but is being ruled out for all of SL?? He was probably already in really good shape for the draft but maybe covid kicked his butt?

[The-Power]

But with how much teams are sitting these higher picks out, not sure there will be much point at all for SL in a couple years.

I'd disagree with this. It will always generate some hype at first when the high picks actually play and some promising Rookies return to action, and then it naturally flattens. That's just how it goes but until then, it's great TV for fans.

But besides the great interest to start, SL is important for teams. Teams look to figure out which players to sign to minimum, two-way, training camp deals; which players to bring over from overseas; and European and other teams scout players and offer contracts to those who couldn't garner enough NBA attention but still looked promising.

So even if SL doesn't draw as much fan interest: SL will remain important for teams and players who are looking to take the next step or are still looking to find a team to play high-level professional basketball. But I don't have the impression that this premise is even correct. To me, it definitely feels like interest in SL has increased over the past years, and unless there's evidence to the contrary, I see no point in questioning the concept.

It reminds me of the people saying that fans are losing interest in the NBA because of *officiating/ politics/ flopping/ superteams/ rest* and yet the NBA has never been more profitable with revenue being at a record high, franchise evaluations being through the roof, and with the next TV contract set to be obscenely large. SL, just like the NBA as a whole, is doing just fine.

[K_chile22]

But with how much teams are sitting these higher picks out, not sure there will be much point at all for SL in a couple years.

I'd disagree with this. It will always generate some hype at first when the high picks actually play and some promising Rookies return to action, and then it naturally flattens. That's just how it goes but until then, it's great TV for fans.

But besides the great interest to start, SL is important for teams. Teams look to figure out which players to sign to minimum, two-way, training camp deals; which players to bring over from overseas; and European and other teams scout players and offer contracts to those who couldn't garner enough NBA attention but still looked promising.

So even if SL doesn't draw as much fan interest: SL will remain important for teams and players who are looking to take the next step or are still looking to find a team to play high-level professional basketball. But I don't have the impression that this premise is even correct. To me, it definitely feels like interest in SL has increased over the past years, and unless there's evidence to the contrary, I see no point in questioning the concept.

It reminds me of the people saying that fans are losing interest in the NBA because of *officiating/ politics/ flopping/ superteams/ rest* and yet the NBA has never been more profitable with revenue being at a record high, franchise evaluations being through the roof, and with the next TV contract set to be obscenely large. SL, just like the NBA as a whole, is doing just fine.

Honestly feels like SL is trending up in popularity, not down

[clyde21]

But with how much teams are sitting these higher picks out, not sure there will be much point at all for SL in a couple years.

I'd disagree with this. It will always generate some hype at first when the high picks actually play and some promising Rookies return to action, and then it naturally flattens. That's just how it goes but until then, it's great TV for fans.

But besides the great interest to start, SL is important for teams. Teams look to figure out which players to sign to minimum, two-way, training camp deals; which players to bring over from overseas; and European and other teams scout players and offer contracts to those who couldn't garner enough NBA attention but still looked promising.

So even if SL doesn't draw as much fan interest: SL will remain important for teams and players who are looking to take the next step or are still looking to find a team to play high-level professional basketball. But I don't have the impression that this premise is even correct. To me, it definitely feels like interest in SL has increased over the past years, and unless there's evidence to the contrary, I see no point in questioning the concept.

It reminds me of the people saying that fans are losing interest in the NBA because of *officiating/ politics/ flopping/ superteams/ rest* and yet the NBA has never been more profitable with revenue being at a record high, franchise evaluations being through the roof, and with the next TV contract set to be obscenely large. SL, just like the NBA as a whole, is doing just fine.

Honestly feels like SL is trending up in popularity, not down

not if the top prospects stop playing

[Duke4life831]

I'd disagree with this. It will always generate some hype at first when the high picks actually play and some promising Rookies return to action, and then it naturally flattens. That's just how it goes but until then, it's great TV for fans.

But besides the great interest to start, SL is important for teams. Teams look to figure out which players to sign to minimum, two-way, training camp deals; which players to bring over from overseas; and European and other teams scout players and offer contracts to those who couldn't garner enough NBA attention but still looked promising.

So even if SL doesn't draw as much fan interest: SL will remain important for teams and players who are looking to take the next step or are still looking to find a team to play high-level professional basketball. But I don't have the impression that this premise is even correct. To me, it definitely feels like interest in SL has increased over the past years, and unless there's evidence to the contrary, I see no point in questioning the concept.

It reminds me of the people saying that fans are losing interest in the NBA because of *officiating/ politics/ flopping/ superteams/ rest* and yet the NBA has never been more profitable with revenue being at a record high, franchise evaluations being through the roof, and with the next TV contract set to be obscenely large. SL, just like the NBA as a whole, is doing just fine.

Honestly feels like SL is trending up in popularity, not down

not if the top prospects stop playing

Ya first, to be clear when I say it seems like there will be no point for SL in a few years, I'm talking from a fan's perspective.

To me there seems to be a trend where well known young guys are playing less and less. I feel like you dont have to go back all that far to find when we saw more 2nd year 1st round picks playing compared to the amount of rookie 1st round picks playing now. And Im just saying if that trend continues, I think fan viewership is going to fall off.

[clyde21]

yea it's not just about the rooks, but so many of the 2nd year guys aren't playing either. i'm glad Minga and Giddey are out there, but why isn't a guy like Jalen Green out there and instead sitting on the bench like he's a seasoned vet? or Jalen Suggs who by many metrics had an absolutely terrible year is just there taking photo ops instead of getting that work in. even some third year players need to be out there. would love to see guys like Okongwu or Okoro out there to get some needed burn.

honestly getting tired of this rest/sit players culture that's plaguing every level of the NBA at this point.

i'd also argue that it's much easier for GMs to eval fringe players' fits if they have some of their rostered players on the court to see their chemistry together. i think we're learning a lot more watching McClung and Gooey for example playing next to Moody and Minga than if Moody/Minga weren't on the court with them at all.

[clyde21]

it's just hilarious to me how we're seeing Moody/Minga out there after winning the chip in SL but dudes like Green/Suggs apparently are too good to be playing right now? fkn weenies.

[The-Power]

not if the top prospects stop playing

But it seems to follow the same pattern of prospects playing some games early on (when interest from fans and media is at its peak) and then they stop playing later on (when interests already wanes and that, of course, contributes to it further). But I don't see why it would devalue the SL as a format or even render it obsolete.

Seems to work well, overall, to me.

– Top prospects get some shine, attention and exposure as they are introduced to a broader base of fans as the next prospects to follow. They also get to play against some (lower-tier) NBA players and schemes, and thereby a feel for what they need to work on.
– Lower-ranked prospects (late draft picks, UDFAs, overseas players, G-League players) get a chance to play for a contract (regular, two-way, training camp, overseas) or, if they already have one, a chance to show their coach or GM something early on to warrant a (larger) role with the main team.
– Teams (NBA and non-NBA) get to see a bunch of young players as they seek to fill out their rosters. It's also an event during which players on teams can bond (many players use the opportunity train in Las Vegas during SL and hang out with teammates) and executives as well as coaches get to meet on the side to exchange ideas, proposals etc.
– And lastly, the media gets an event that a lot of fans follow, which allows them to produce content around it (broadcasts, articles, podcasts, videos, tweets etc. – there is lots of content around SL).

We'll see how fans react. But so far, I feel like there's still a lot of attention and that it actually increases. Fans are not going to stop watching the top picks play in their first SL games just because they won't be playing in later games. They might not watch the later games as a result, but I think the ones making money off the event already know that it's the first couple days that really matter anyway.

And let's be honest. The people who are complaining about top prospects getting shut down after a couple games (like us) are the ones who'll watch SL again next year even when we know that the same thing is going to happen yet again.

[clyde21]

also here is Jalen Johnson just hanging out...why isn't he suiting up?

Read on Twitter

[crows2]

yea it's not just about the rooks, but so many of the 2nd year guys aren't playing either. i'm glad Minga and Giddey are out there, but why isn't a guy like Jalen Green out there and instead sitting on the bench like he's a seasoned vet? or Jalen Suggs who by many metrics had an absolutely terrible year is just there taking photo ops instead of getting that work in. even some third year players need to be out there. would love to see guys like Okongwu or Okoro out there to get some needed burn.

honestly getting tired of this rest/sit players culture that's plaguing every level of the NBA at this point.

i'd also argue that it's much easier for GMs to eval fringe players' fits if they have some of their rostered players on the court to see their chemistry together. i think we're learning a lot more watching McClung and Gooey for example playing next to Moody and Minga than if Moody/Minga weren't on the court with them at all.

Suggs had ankle surgery FYI.

[Duke4life831]

yea it's not just about the rooks, but so many of the 2nd year guys aren't playing either. i'm glad Minga and Giddey are out there, but why isn't a guy like Jalen Green out there and instead sitting on the bench like he's a seasoned vet? or Jalen Suggs who by many metrics had an absolutely terrible year is just there taking photo ops instead of getting that work in. even some third year players need to be out there. would love to see guys like Okongwu or Okoro out there to get some needed burn.

honestly getting tired of this rest/sit players culture that's plaguing every level of the NBA at this point.

i'd also argue that it's much easier for GMs to eval fringe players' fits if they have some of their rostered players on the court to see their chemistry together. i think we're learning a lot more watching McClung and Gooey for example playing next to Moody and Minga than if Moody/Minga weren't on the court with them at all.

I know Suggs had surgery, so he has a legit reason. But either than that, ya this is what Im talking about. Ive been watching the Pels a lot over the last few years. Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado arent playing this year. Ya Herb was really good last year, but he still was a 2nd round pick who was mainly just a defensive player. Jose Alvarado was undrafted and only averaged 15mpg (over just 50 games), these two guys arent playing? Hell I remember it wasn't that long ago we had 5 of the top 6 picks from the 2016 draft playing in the SL in their second year. I remember BI looking like he was on a whole other confidence level, I remember Jaylen Brown looking damn good in the Utah SL as well. These guys were the 2nd and 3rd overall picks who both made All Rookie teams.

[Big J]

I think that the top guys see it as a diss to have to play on the summer league team after their rookie years. It’s like in high school when you don’t want to play for the JV team after you’ve already done well with the Varsity squad.

Probably the player agents telling teams not to suit their guys up.

[SeattleJazzFan]

also here is Jalen Johnson just hanging out...why isn't he suiting up?

Read on Twitter

yeah, jalen johnson had better be hurt, sick or have some other health related issue. complete joke that he's not out there if he's healthy.

[Duke4life831]

I think that the top guys see it as a diss to have to play on the summer league team after their rookie years. Probably the player agents telling teams not to send their guys.

Oh I agree 100%. And this is the main point in what I was getting at. It wasn't that long ago we were seeing guys like Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown playing in the SL in their second year. We are now not seeing guys like Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado not playing in their 2nd year.

Now with rookies getting shut down for the smallest injuries or just not even playing all together. I wouldnt be shocked if within the next few years it will be viewed as a diss for these high draft picks to have play SL as rookies.

[Big J]

I think that the top guys see it as a diss to have to play on the summer league team after their rookie years. Probably the player agents telling teams not to send their guys.

Oh I agree 100%. And this is the main point in what I was getting at. It wasn't that long ago we were seeing guys like Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown playing in the SL in their second year. We are now not seeing guys like Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado not playing in their 2nd year.

Now with rookies getting shut down for the smallest injuries or just not even playing all together. I wouldnt be shocked if within the next few years it will be viewed as a diss for these high draft picks to have play SL as rookies.

The NBA should incentive guys to play in it if they want it to gain popularity. Like put a built in bonus in all rookie deals for playing in the SL each year. It could actually be wildly popular if the NBA wanted it to be.

[Duke4life831]

also here is Jalen Johnson just hanging out...why isn't he suiting up?

Read on Twitter

yeah, jalen johnson had better be hurt, sick or have some other health related issue. complete joke that he's not out there if he's healthy.

All I could find for Jalen Johnson was this

"Johnson, 20, underwent a non-surgical procedure on his left knee after the season to address tendinitis."

Again really doesnt seem like it takes much at all for guys to not play in this.

[clyde21]

Giddey doubled my respect for him at this point, he was interviewed and said he wanted to go out there and play with the new guys to establish a rapport, he didn't have to he had a great rookie year and was all rookie

but guys like Green, Bouknight and Johnson are too good to play? just lol.

[Big J]

Giddey doubled my respect for him at this point, he was interviewed and said he wanted to go out there and play with the new guys to establish a rapport, he didn't have to he had a great rookie year and was all rookie

but guys like Green, Bouknight and Johnson are too good to play? just lol.

Yea, but those guys have more to lose by playing if they aren’t required to do it.

[Duke4life831]

I think that the top guys see it as a diss to have to play on the summer league team after their rookie years. Probably the player agents telling teams not to send their guys.

Oh I agree 100%. And this is the main point in what I was getting at. It wasn't that long ago we were seeing guys like Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown playing in the SL in their second year. We are now not seeing guys like Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado not playing in their 2nd year.

Now with rookies getting shut down for the smallest injuries or just not even playing all together. I wouldnt be shocked if within the next few years it will be viewed as a diss for these high draft picks to have play SL as rookies.

The NBA should incentive guys to play in it if they want it to gain popularity. Like put a built in bonus in all rookie deals for playing in the SL each year. It could actually be wildly popular if the NBA wanted it to be.

My guess is that they're trying to do that with handing out rings for the SL championship this year. I would think a cash prize would create more incentive. 500k-1 mil for all guys playing on the championship team or something.

But even with that said, with how much these guys make in their 2nd contract. Im sure most agents would still just insist their player doesnt play. Any small incentive during this rookie deal isnt worth any kind of extra risk it may come to hurting their next contract.