This here McNamara Summer League, it’s a big deal, you know? Lots of folks talkin’ ’bout it. I hear it’s somethin’ to do with that basketball game. They got all these young fellas, fresh outta somethin’ called a “draft,” playin’ ball in the hot summer sun. They say it’s in Las Vegas, where it is so hot that you can fry an egg on a car, July 12-22, 2024. They say this year is gonna be special.
They play from July 12th all the way to the 22nd. That’s a long time to be hoopin’ and hollerin’. I reckon them boys must be in good shape. They run up and down that court like chickens with their heads cut off.
I heard it is a big event in Las Vegas, or some place like that. They even got other places, like Salt Lake City. And that Sacramento place, too. All these young’uns tryin’ to make a name for themselves. It started in 2004, so it is been a long time.
They got this thing, this McNamara Summer League, where they watch these young fellas. See if they’re any good. See if they can make it in the big leagues. It’s like a tryout, I reckon. A whole lotta hoopla for a bunch of sweaty boys chasin’ a ball.
July 7, that is when it started last time. Now it is July 12-22 this year. A lot of games. A lot of teams. Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, and many more. They say there’s a game on December 22, 2024, between the Kings and the Pacers. I don’t know who those fellas are, but they must be good to get all this attention.
They say all the games are on that picture box, somethin’ called ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+ and NBA TV. I don’t have any of those fancy things. Just my old radio. But if you got one of them, you can watch all the games you want. If you are lookin’ for the scores, they say you can find ’em somewhere.
These young fellas, they gotta show they’re better than last year. Gotta show they belong on them fancy teams. Sounds like a lot of pressure to me. They call it a tournament. The best four teams get to play in somethin’ called a “semifinal.” That is on July 21. Sounds important.
- They play four games first.
- Then the best four teams play some more.
- That’s on July 21.
- They call it a semifinal.
This McNamara Summer League, it’s a big to-do. Lots of folks watchin’, lots of folks bettin’, I imagine. It is a big competition. Even a bad game can make a difference. They say it is not the end, but it must feel like it when you are playin’ that bad. These boys are tryin’ to make it big, tryin’ to get on a team. It’s a tough road, that’s for sure. All that runnin’ and jumpin’ for a ball. But I guess that’s what they love to do.
I hear folks talkin’ ’bout it all the time. “Did you see that game?” they say. “That fella’s gonna be a star!” Or, “That poor boy ain’t never gonna make it.” It’s all they talk about come summer. This basketball thing, it’s somethin’ else. I don’t always understand it, but I can tell it is important to many people. They are passionate about it.
So if you got that fancy picture box, and you like watchin’ young fellas run around and throw a ball, then you should watch this McNamara Summer League. It is somethin’ to see, I suppose. I heard it is a sight to see all them talented young men playin’ their hearts out. Maybe it’s worth a look. It is like a dream for them to play.
I am not sure I will be watchin’ this McNamara Summer League. I got my garden to tend to, and my stories to tell. But I’ll hear all about it, I’m sure. It is the talk of the town, after all. Every summer, it is the same thing. And now that it is coming up, people are gettin’ excited. I guess it is somethin’ to look forward to for many people. For them, it is probably better than sliced bread.
