The NBA may be having its problems but basketball never sleeps.
Professional players may not be suiting up for summer league games or hitting the gym prior to training camp sessions this year, but that doesn’t they quit doing what they do best; play ball.
NBA players have made splashes in the headlines this summer by tearing up street ball exhibitions and training camps.
Of all of America’s professional athletes, basketball players are some of the most accessible and intimate with the fans due to the nature of professional arenas, but fans are getting closer to their favorite super stars than ever before as they stand mere inches away from their favorite players at parks and gyms around the country.
Here is a look at some of the best action that has unfolded during the locked out summer.
In one of the most highlight driven games of the offseason, the league’s top stars took the court against one another putting on a show at Morgan State University. Kevin Durant would drop 59 points for the D.C. based Goodman league, but Chris Paul, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony would team as part of the Baltimore based Melo League to win 149-141.
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Kevin Durant: No player has had a more highlight worthy summer than Durant. Appearing in numerous cities, Durant has embraced fans and blown away the last of the doubters about his ability. Some of his summer exploits have been devastatingly impressive, as seen here during 66 point performance at Rucker Park in Harlem.
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LeBron James: The King has been on an impressive tour of his own entertaining crowds from the Far East to his hometown Cleveland. Here he puts on a show at the Drew Summer League in Watts, CA.
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James Harden: After a coming out party during this year’s playoffs, Harden has continued to improve his skills and make himself known during this summer. Here, Harden goes for 51 points in a Drew League game in L.A.
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One aspect of NBA players taking to the court against unknowns that is making these summer games so entertaining is the things they can do to set themselves apart from the group of average Joes on the court with them. Shannon Brown and DeMar DeRozan are two of the league’s best high flying dunk artists, something they’ve been showing off this summer.
