We are still several months away from the NBA regular season starting.
That doesn’t mean the teams are just sitting on their hands and not doing anything.
For the last couple of weeks, the Summer League has been entertaining fans and showing them the up-and-coming talent who may soon be dominating the league.
And they aren’t just doing it for bragging rights.
These NBA summer league championship rings 💍🤩 pic.twitter.com/UiVXI3n4re
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 17, 2022
The NBA introduced some stunning new hardware for the team that won the Summer League: a bright, shiny ring very similar to the one that teams win after claiming the Finals.
This is the first time the winning Summer League team got a ring for their triumphs – but it won’t be the last time.
Ringing Endorsement
The new ring gave players a bigger incentive to try their hardest and really rack up some wins in the Summer League.
Many of the players participating in the SL are not officially signed to an NBA team, while others have contracts and others have two-way deals with certain squads.
So they were already trying to make an impression on the coaching staffs and the fans.
The rings will only make them fight harder in the years ahead.
This year, the Portland Trail Blazers claimed the championship after taking down the New York Knicks in a 85-77 victory.
It felt like the Summer League was attracting more viewers than ever before.
The entire internet seemed to be paying attention in order to see new hot-shot rookies and other players possibly on their way to the league.
These bright new rings are just one sign that the Summer League is becoming more popular and more valued by the league.
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