NBA Summer League 2013: Championship Round Will Not Increase Public Interest

The NBA Summer League is changing, although not necessarily for the better.

Ian Begley of ESPN details the adjustments for the upcoming year:

This season will decide a winner, whereas the league had simply been an assortment of exhibitions since it began in 2004. 

The natural competitiveness of players will cause there to be a little bit of a change. Everyone wants to win titles, and there is certain to be a little more interest late in games.

The problem is that this goes against the reason this league was started in the first place: to foster player development.

Teams have fielded teams over the summer that feature rookies, young players that got little playing time in the previous year and other players that could possible make the team later on. This gives coaches a chance to see what these guys can do in a game atmosphere.

It will either lead to a new contract, more playing time or even just improved play for the talented, but raw players. Coaches are not going to change what this is all about in order to win a meaningless trophy.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra described how the league will remain in the eyes of the teams (via ESPN):

"

Franchises look at summer league, No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 as development. Everything else is secondary. And that's how we'll view it. We'll get extended playing time, extended practice time. Anything else is a bonus.

"

The squads are not going to keep their best players on the floor to get a win when the goal is to see everyone on the roster. 

With this being the case, the public perception is likely to remain the same. 

Even with a "championship" on the line, the league's biggest stars will be nowhere in sight. This is the biggest draw for the NBA to grab casual fans. These people will not watch without LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others competing, and that will not change.

Fans that want to see the development of their team's young players will watch some games. It is unlikely they truly care what the score is at the end. These diehards are probably just as likely to view these contests as part of a tournament as they were when it was an exhibition.

Additionally, this championship does not really mean anything. Does the league expect people to go out and buy shirts and hats that celebrate a summer league title?

The league is a great opportunity for players to get chances they otherwise would not get in the regular season. Coaches get a better look at these players in a less stressful environment. Fans enjoy seeing a potential look at the future of their organization. 

None of this will change with the new championship atmosphere.