NBA Summer League Format: Orlando's Tournament Style Will Benefit Youngsters

The Orlando Pro Summer League is going to look a little different this year, and these changes will be of benefit to the young ballers hoping to find a home in the NBA.

Wftv.com passed along a press release from the Orlando Magic, who host the event, on the changes. That link also contains the full schedule for the league. 

The games will take place at the Magic's practice court in the Amway Center—games will run through July 7-12. 

There will be ten teams, which is two more than previous years. The teams include the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz.

These ten teams will compete in 25 games, which is more games than in previous years. However, the additional teams and games are just the beginning of the changes. 

The biggest difference comes with a tournament-style setting. 

Each team will play five games. The last day of play is being deemed "championship day." The participants for this will be based off points accumulated over the first five games. 

A team will receive three points for a win, and none for a loss. However, winning the games aren't the only way to accumulate points. Teams will receive a single point for winning a quarter. If the quarter is tied, each team will receive .5 points. 

Ties will be sorted out by point differential first, followed by points allowed, then finally a coin flip.

Let's be realistic; these changes won't have a dramatic impact, but they are for the better. 

This adds meaning to each game. That should help place an importance on winning and team play, which is preferable to players trying to flash one-on-one skills. Also, with points being awarded per quarter, even in blowouts, the entire game will now have meaning. This will motivate players to compete to win in every minute. 

This will allow executives a better chance to evaluate talent in a team setting, or one that has more similarities to NBA games. 

Again, this is a slight change, but it is a fresh and needed one.