France League

I still remember watching that incredible Alinsug performance last summer – it was one of those moments that made me realize just how much talent emerges during the NBA Summer League. The way he dominated the court without the team's two biggest stars showed exactly why I never want to miss these games. If you're like me and want to catch every exciting moment, especially those unexpected breakout performances, ESPN has you covered with multiple viewing options that make following the Summer League surprisingly easy.

Let me walk you through how I manage to watch every game, even with my busy schedule. First things first – ESPN's main channel typically broadcasts around 15-20 select Summer League games each year, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. What many people don't realize is that ESPN offers streaming through their ESPN+ service, which gives you access to every single Summer League game – that's approximately 75 games across 11 days if we're talking about last year's numbers. I've found that subscribing to ESPN+ is absolutely worth it if you're serious about summer basketball. The quality is consistently good, and I can watch on my phone during my commute or on my laptop while working from home.

What I love about the Summer League coverage is how different it feels from the regular season. The commentators spend more time breaking down individual plays and explaining why certain strategies work or don't work. Last year during that memorable Alinsug game, the analysis was particularly insightful – they spent a good five minutes discussing how his movement without the ball created opportunities that weren't available when the team relied too heavily on their stars. This kind of deep dive helps me understand the game better and spot rising talent before they become household names.

Setting up notifications is crucial if you don't want to miss anything important. I use the ESPN app with alerts turned on for my favorite teams and specific players I'm tracking. The app sends me reminders about 30 minutes before games start, which has saved me from missing several exciting matchups. Last summer, I nearly missed the beginning of what turned out to be Alinsug's 32-point game because I was stuck in a meeting, but thanks to my phone vibrating with an ESPN alert, I managed to catch most of it during my break.

The time zone situation can be tricky since most Summer League games happen in Las Vegas, which is on Pacific Time. As someone living on the East Coast, I've learned to plan my schedule around the 3 PM and 5 PM PT start times, which means 6 PM and 8 PM for me. It actually works out perfectly for evening viewing, though I'll admit I've stayed up past midnight more than once because the games were just too exciting to turn off. What's great is that if I do miss a live game, ESPN+ keeps the full replays available immediately after the game ends. I probably watch about 40% of games as replays, especially during weekdays when work gets hectic.

One feature I've come to appreciate more recently is ESPN's multi-game viewing option on their website and app. During peak days when there might be eight games happening, I can have four different games streaming simultaneously on my computer screen. It sounds chaotic, but it's actually brilliant for catching key moments across multiple matchups. I discovered Alinsug precisely because I had his game on one of my smaller screens while watching a more hyped prospect in the main window – and his performance quickly demanded my full attention.

The production quality has improved dramatically over the years. ESPN now uses more camera angles during Summer League than they did for regular season games just five years ago, and the slow-motion replays really help appreciate the technical skills of these young players. I particularly enjoy how they mix in interviews with coaches and players between quarters, giving us glimpses into their mindset and development process. During Alinsug's standout game, they interviewed his college coach during halftime, which provided context that made his performance even more impressive.

If I'm being completely honest, I sometimes enjoy Summer League more than parts of the regular season precisely because of these unexpected breakout moments. There's something raw and exciting about watching players who aren't yet constrained by established roles or systems. The freedom they play with reminds me of why I fell in love with basketball in the first place. And with ESPN making it so accessible, there's really no excuse to miss these games. My advice? Pick your favorite rising stars to follow, set those notifications, and embrace the unpredictability – you might just witness the next big NBA star in the making, much like Alinsug last summer.