Goodman League versus Drew League Finale to be represented by NBA stars
Since the lockout was announced on July 1, many players turned their attention to the lower leagues for some summer fun. What started out as a recreational activity for most has slowly turned into a rivalry of sorts. Big names
such as Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Brandon Jennings have been running their shows in the Drew and Goodman leagues.
Both these leagues have been around for the past four decades or so and are the most popular platforms for summer basketball. This time the lockout allowed NBA players to stay in touch with the game through these leagues.
After a series of discussions between Dorell Wright of the Golden State Warriors and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, an idea was passed to set up a clash between the two leagues. Later, the idea took effect and the Goodman
and the Drew league are scheduled to go head to head with each other this Saturday.
“For this town, it's like the NBA Finals," says Miles Rawls, commissioner of the Goodman League. "The town is buzzing, the neighbourhood is buzzing. (This) puts the city and the Goodman League, again, on a national stage.”
The event promises to be a spectacular one as a number of NBA stars will be participating. All the summer leagues i.e. Rucker Park, Dyckman, Goodman and Drew have hosted the big names this time round, which has brought the leagues
much fame. Every time a star name played a game, the news made headlines in sports newspapers.
"I'll take it," Rawls said. "With the lockout, we have to take advantage of the situation, try to get the guys occupied, keep the guys playing."
There is no doubt that the Kobe’s and the Durant’s have really helped the image of these leagues. Even the owners never thought they would one day be able to attract the superstars of the NBA to such small scale games.
"Durant made it very monumental, and then when LeBron came it just took us to the moon, and then when Kobe came, that just did it," said Dino Smiley, Drew League commissioner. "We've had three of the top five players in the (NBA)
and probably one of the top five players to ever lace 'em up to play on that floor in South Central LA, which was big."
The event has been termed ‘Capital Punishment’ and is expected to a fiercely competitive contest. Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley and John Wall will be some of the names representing the Goodman league, whereas, DeMar DeRozan, James
Harden and Derrick Williams will be hoisting the flag of the Drew league.
The summer leagues have not only been a great experience for the players, they have also been highly entertaining for the fans, who might not see their favourite stars in action in the NBA this year.
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