Summer League Demographics

by Phizbin on Jul 13, 2008 11:25 AM PDT

I think one of the true identifying characteristics of a Blazer fanatic is an unholy fascination with the summer league. Count me in, because I'm sitting here trying to uncover all the summer league data I can find.

Saw something I thought was interesting and wanted to question the Bedge inteligentsia about it.

Look at the age of the "rookies" on the summer league roster:

Morris Finley, 26
Eddy Fobbs, 27
David Lucas, 26
Brandon Robinson, 27
Joe Stefansson, 26 (from Iceland)

There are some other older guys as well but they're about 3yrs into their "career." I thought it was interesting that there are these guys in their mid-late twenties "starting" on their NBA career.

Anybody have any insight on what appears to me to be the fringe group of NBA players? How do they get on a summer league roster? What hopes do they have of "making it"? Etc.?

As a middle-aged guy trying like hell to keep up with local gym rates and savor the last few years of basketbal playing prowess I've got, I'm going to find myself cheering for these guys in the summer league.

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Rookie just means you've never played in the NBA

You officially stay a rookie until you’ve played in a game in the NBA. These guys have been trying to make it in the NBA since college. They play in the minor leagues or overseas. If they have some connection to the team or seem like they will fill in the roster well then they can get an invite to summer league. Often times these guys know they don’t have any shot at getting a camp invite but are more showing off for european teams.

by danielfarrell on Jul 13, 2008 11:46 AM PDT reply actions

It's also another paycheck

I don’t know how much, but I’m pretty sure they get at least some small paycheck. It may be worthless to the guys that are actually gonna be playing in the NBA, but it’s probably a nice stipend for guys that are fighting for “minor league” roster sports.

by KobeStoppa on Jul 13, 2008 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

jerryd Bayless

is missing from our summer league roster =P

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2008/team/index.jsp?team=blazers

by coolness on Jul 13, 2008 1:26 PM PDT reply actions

Dident you hear?

He got traded.

"why? Disagree. Why? Disagree Why? Disagree Exactly. woh what just happened, im so confused Precisely ...in his own trap." by ptwnblzr amlmart1 jscot rockingharder

by Sabonis4Ever on Jul 13, 2008 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Joe Stefansson

is listed as hailing from Germany on that page even tho I’m pretty sure he’s from Iceland. Seems like some shoddy work/info to me… but, it is summer league I guess.

by Blindsteepler on Jul 13, 2008 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

My guess is, your listed webpage was made before the trade was offically announced on Wednesday.

excerpt from Mike Barrett’s blog on 7/9/2008 below

”...Kevin Pritchard put it this afternoon, this was probably one of the worst-kept secrets around. We’ve made an effort to use the proper language when discussing the trade with Indiana, trying to respect league rules, but now it’s official. The trade that sent Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts, and the 13th pick in the draft, to Indiana, for the rights to the 11th pick (Jarryd Bayless), and Ike Diogu, has been completed.”

by naybobjoe on Jul 14, 2008 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

i have a friend in this situation

Ritchie Frahm, he was a Blazer for a while. He is twenty seven or so, and is playing summer league with the mavericks. He has only spent one full year on an NBA roster but has been with at least six different teams, last year he started five games for the clippers and then got cut. These are guys just looking to make the last spot on the roster to continue their dream, and get the NBA insurance, which is a big deal

by blackandwite323 on Jul 13, 2008 3:20 PM PDT reply actions

Some guys play in Europe

while trying to get an NBA gig as well. A few are free agents having actually played in the NBA (well been on an NBA roster) for a couple of years but need to reintroduce themselves to the league because they never played while on the team.

Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."

by lee3022 on Jul 13, 2008 6:21 PM PDT reply actions