With the blink-and-you-missed it way basketball has infiltrated our online and television lives, it’s only fair you get some warning for what’s up next. Whether it’s a basketball game halfway around the world, the NBA Finals, a revealing interview, or a high school star’s mix tape, we’ve got you covered with our “Screen & Roll” recap of what’s coming on for the coming week.
PREVIOUSLY:
— Screen & Roll Volume 1: The NBA Finals, Draft prospect videos & more
— Screen & Roll Volume 2: “The Basketball Tournament,” The ’84 Draft & more
— Screen & Roll Volume 3: Drew League, NBA Rookies & More
—Screen & Roll Volume 4: NBA Draft, “Space Jam” & More
The following selections cover June 30-July 6:
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“NBA Free Agency Special”
The ultra-hyped 2014 NBA Draft is officially in the books. First pick Andrew Wiggins and 59 other prospects heard their names called by Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum at the Barclays Center and saw their dreams of becoming NBA players turn into a reality. After the No. 60 pick, the first stage of the off-season concluded, and the NBA will begin its second stage of the offseason at 12:01 AM EST on July 1 with free agency.
ESPN2 will be running a three-part special this week to break down the latest news and rumors of the 2014 free agency. With free agency gaining interest and momentum, as some of the NBA’s biggest superstars opted out of their contracts last week (i.e. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh), the first two weeks of July are sure to be chaotic and compelling.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the Worldwide Leader’s panel of basketball experts will discuss the free agents available and analyze their individual impact on the game and for the teams in the running to sign them or have already done so (after the “July Moratorium”). Strap in because the off-season is only heating up.
Tuesday, July 1 at 7:00 P.M. EST on ESPN2
July 2 & 3 at 5:30 P.M. EST on ESPN2
“2014 ESPYS” Nomination Special
Before the 2014 ESPYS awards are handed out on July 16 at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, check out the nomination special airing this week on ESPN. Sports saw another outstanding year, which included the Winter Olympics, an NBA Finals grudge match, and a remarkable run by the LA Kings in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Prior to clicking a vote for your favorite moments and players, tune into the ESPYS nomination special hosted by Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon from ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” on Thursday for a full breakdown on all the nominees.
The NBA is well represented at the ESPYs this year as Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Blake Griffin, Joakim Noah, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Gregg Popovich, and the Spurs are all nominated in various categories. Click HERE to cast your vote. The voting period is open until the start of the show on July 16. The 2014 ESPYS will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist and Toronto Raptors global ambassador Drake, and is always an annual highlight for sports fans everywhere.
Thursday, July 3 at 7:30 P.M. EST on ESPN
Click for more on summer league and Seattle’s star-studded pro-am…
NBA Summer League 2014 – Orlando
The NBA’s summer league action in Orlando and Las Vegas has evolved into must-see viewing for all basketball fans. Not only does summer league offer a way to fill the void in NBA competition during the approximate four months of the off-season, but it serves as the first platform for the 2014 draftees to show off their talents in an NBA unifor.
Summer league kicks off with the Orlando Magic hosting the Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League on the team’s practice court at the Amway Center from July 5-11. The 25-game, seven-day tournament will feature the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Each team will play five games over the week-long tourney, which will culminate in a points-based Championship Day on July 11 to determine the winner of the Orlando Pro Summer League. Because the event is played out on the practice court at the Amway Center, space is limited and only media and team/league personnel are permitted entrance. However, NBA TV will broadcast the Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League or you can watch all games on NBA.com or the NBA Game Time app on your phone/tablet.
Don’t miss your chance to see first-round picks like Marcus Smart, James Young, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, and Shabazz Napier suit up as an NBA player for the first time, as they join NBA sophomores Victor Oladipo and Kelly Olynkyk as well as other undrafted free agents who are looking for a second chance to get a training camp invite.
Saturday, July 5-11 on NBA TV. Check local listings for game schedule.
(video from YouTube user Ashok Gamer)
Seattle [Jamal Crawford] Summer Pro-Am
Since the Seattle Supersonics left the Pacific Northwest for Oklahoma City in 2008, there has been void where professional basketball used to be housed in the Emerald City. Fortunately this void is temporarily filled during the summer months with the Seattle Basketball Pro-Am League. Originally started by former NBA player and Seattle native Doug Christie, the league features current and former professional, international, minor league and collegiate players, as well as other special guests.
Now with Clippers Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford’s name attached to the event again (he keeps an off-season home in his native Seattle), the Seattle Pro-Am aims to provide elite and competitive games for fans to enjoy in a family environment while getting an up-close experience with the players and stars. Proceeds from the league benefit the Jamal Crawford Foundation.
The Seattle Pro-Am, aka the Jamal Crawford Pro-Am, supports a low-key environment. It’s not about the hype or the basketball stars who walk through the doors on any given weekend. When stars like Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, John Wall, Nate Robinson, Kyrie Irving, Blake Griffin, Jeff Green, Isaiah Thomas, Tony Wroten, and of course the hometown host, Jamal Crawford, appear in Seattle during the summer, it is not publicized through mainstream media.
Instead, they rely on simple word-of-mouth and social media to spread the word. When Christie founded the Seattle Pro-Am, he implemented an “All Hoops, No Hype” mantra, which continues to live on today. When the sneakers hit the floor in Seattle on July 5, the most exciting action in a city that yearns for basketball will come to life once again.
Be sure to follow the Seattle Basketball Pro-Am on Twitter HERE for the latest info, and check in with their YouTube page for the latest thrilling videos HERE.
The Seattle Basketball Pro-Am kicks off on July 5
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