The NBA Summer League gives fans an opportunity to check out stars in the making as they compete in a high-energy tournament format. It’s great entertainment and I find myself watching as many games as I can.
For coaches, though – especially those in charge of NBA G League teams – it serves as part classroom, part job fair.
Birmingham Squadron boss T.J. Saint was in Las Vegas to watch the New Orlean Pelicans’ up-and-comers, some of who’ll be part of his club during the 2023-24 season. Entering his second season as head coach of their G League affiliate, Saint has a vested interest in the men dotting the roster.
“I think the Pelicans are going to do some different things offensively, so a lot of the Summer League for me was just kind of getting a feel for that system,” Saint told me during a Tuesday telephone conversation. “And I had a chance to learn a lot about some of our new players, guys that’ll be in Birmingham with us. Summer has always been a tremendously valuable time to start to build relationships with the new players, and then just reinforcing what you’ve learned and continuing to coach.”
Two-way player Dereon Seabron averaged a team-high 17.2 points during the Pelicans’ five-game Summer League schedule, while E.J. Liddell was good for 12.8 per game. Liddell was the Pelicans’ second two-way player in 2022-23, but was sidelined by a torn ACL.
The good news for Birmingham is that Liddell now has a clean bill of health. The better news is that a new collective bargaining agreement has paved the way for each team to carry a third two-way player.
Saint said that will have a huge impact on the Squadron and how he approaches game management.
“Having three two-way players in 2023-24 changes things a lot,” he explained. “I mean, those guys play anywhere between 25 and 30-plus minutes per game, and you have to map that out across your entire team when building a rotation. With one guy, there’s a set percentage they have to play but with two, that’s 25 percent of your minutes and you add a third, that’s 37 percent of your minutes. So, it’s a huge deal going from essentially one to three – it’s a game changer.”
Seabron was a crowd favorite in 2022-23, averaging 34.5 minutes on the court over 27 outings and scoring 18.4-points per night. He also made five appearances with the Pelicans last season.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Dereon … he’s not a rookie anymore,” Saint said. “Having him there in his second year means knowing what to expect and knowing he’s gotten a lot better and gotten a lot stronger. I think he’s gonna have a banner year.”
Local tryouts for players will begin next month. And despite the fact that making a roster is a longshot, Saint says they’re important for the trialists.
“It’s awesome to see people who have come to games as fans and they come out in September wearing our logo and trying out for the team,” he said. “I think it’s really cool. I remember when I was growing up if I walked into my favorite NBA team’s open tryout and wearing their logo, I’d be pretty hyped about it. So, I love these tryouts … we always get good people, good energy.
“It allows our coaches to have a good experience and coach those guys, and I think it’s tremendous for the community. I wish we could do more of them, honestly.”
As for the G League Draft, it’s set for Saturday, October 28.
“By the time we get to the G-League Draft, most of the roster will be set,” Saint said. “The day after the draft is our first team meeting, so going into it you know what you want and what you need. Right now, we’re slated to get the sixth pick in the first round. But sometimes to get the stuff you need, you just kind of go get the best available. So, we’re kind of working through some more stuff on the roster on the front end, but by draft time it just kind of takes care of itself.”
I’ve been a G League fan for several years now, even before the circuit decided to put down roots in the Magic City. The games are so much fun to watch, and one of the main reasons is because it’s professional basketball played at a high level.
It’s not the NBA, but it’s the next best thing in North America.
“How many times do you see a player playing in a minor league and the very next night play in a major league? That happens here, because you will literally see a player on the court here one night and in the NBA the next,” Saint said. “You’re gonna see people right on the fringe and some people you know … that you recognize from college. These are guys who have either already done it or right on the fringe to do it.
“I think New Orleans is five hours away, Memphis (home of the Grizzlies) is three or so hours away, and Atlanta (home of the Hawks) is a little over two hours away, but Legacy Arena is right here, and we have some really talented players.”
Another impressive aspect of the organization is how much work it does in the community. On July 31 members of the front office staff and Morris Bart Law Farm held a volunteer event at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, and today they volunteered with United Way of Central Alabama and Jones Valley Teaching Farm to help beautify Henry J. Oliver Elementary School.
Saint hopes Birmingham sports fans will have more chances to become familiar with the players in the coming months as they take part in civic activities.
“I think one of the things we’re going to do even more this year, speaking with (Squadron general manager) Leslie Claybrook, is we’re going to really do our best to get our players out in the community more so people can get to know them better,” Saint said. “They might know what college they’re from, especially a local guy like John Petty from Alabama, but we’re just trying to really help them get to know who our players are, have a little bit of a relationship with them, talk to them at different events. We’re going to really make that a paramount focus for us this year. When you can do that, the fans feel more a part of it.
“It can help our guys, and I think the team that we’re putting together is going to be really solid. I’m super excited about it.”
Me, too.
