Tuesday night’s Draft Lottery was just the beginning of what figures to be a summer full of (potentially) exciting events for Sixers fans. Obviously the Draft itself is the main event, as the 2014 roster finally comes into focus. But not to be overlooked is the NBA Summer League, where we all get our first look at some of the new faces on the team, and this year even some old faces. Sam Hinkie went on WIP yesterday afternoon and announced that Nerlens Noel will likely be making his on court debut for the Sixers in the Orlando Summer League, which the team has participated in the last several years. The league kicks off on July 5th, and in the past few years NBAtv has begun televising most of the games, so get those DVRs ready!
This year, the Sixers are also going to participate in the Las Vegas Summer League this year for the first time. The NBA has in recent years turned the Las Vegas summer league into quite the event for NBA execs and team members, as well as fans starving for NBA action during the dull summer months. Public attendance has steadily climbed at the Vegas league as word got around that fans could mingle with team executives and players in a casual setting. Not to mention, any time you can come up with an excuse to go to Vegas that isn’t related to debauchery, you probably need to jump on that. The NBA even upped the excitement quota by instituting a tournament to crown the Las Vegas Summer League champion.
Playing in both Summer leagues sounds very Hinkie-esque, and I approve whole heartedly. With a team full of players who still have to prove their worth, any extended court time is a good thing. Plus, the Summer League takes place right after the draft and right around when Free Agency kicks off, so having a presence at any venue where the league is congregating is important for Hinkie and the Sixers, a team that will undoubtedly be looking to wheel and deal as the summer progresses.
