Most of us like to take it easy during the summer months, and the NBA’s top stars are no different. After a grueling 82-game regular season and the intensity of the playoffs, even the most dedicated players need a break. However, our idea of a break is much different from what these players consider a break. If they want to be at the top of their game when the new season starts in October, they have to maintain their rhythm during the summer months. In this article, we take a look at how some of the top players in the league spend their time during the offseason.
Steph Curry: Barely a Break
As one of the most talented and hardworking players in the history of the NBA, it’s no surprise that Steph Curry doesn’t spend the entire offseason relaxing on the beach in Cancun. Instead, Curry works hard at improving his nearly perfect game. Betting is a big part of the NBA season, with fans watching Curry’s every move trying to predict the chance he’ll lead the Golden State Warriors to another NBA championship. Curry is one of the most decorated players in the NBA, and when it comes to online betting on the NBA, he and the Warriors are consistent fan favorites. Whether Curry wins a ring or not during any given season, as soon as it’s over, he’s back working on his moves. He uses Zumba classes to help him develop his footwork and engages in intense ball-handling sessions as well.
NBA Summer League
If you didn’t get your fill of the NBA during the regular season and the playoffs, you can watch its summer league to see some of the league’s top draft picks show their stuff on the court. The NBA’s youngest players are the stars, and the competition gives teams a chance to try out different rosters, including rookies, sophomores, and G League affiliate players. Players participating in the summer league don’t always see regular-season action but hope to improve their game and have dreams of making it big in the NBA one day.
The NBA’s Summer league training consists of about three hours a day of on-court practice with weekends free. The goal is to improve players’ athleticism, shooting, and ball-handling skills and help them develop finishing moves, all critical to success in the NBA. They also learn about the technical aspects of the game, such as pinch-post action or making reads on ball screens. Defense is also a big part of the summer league, where students learn how to defend and contests shots on drives and shooters and how to read the defense. It’s an intense few weeks, but most would say it’s well worth it.
Veteran Players
You may think that veterans already know what it takes to succeed in the NBA, so they can just relax during the summer months. While veterans like the Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony know their way around the league, they didn’t reach veteran status without hard work and constantly trying to improve their game. The offseason is when many veterans seek out a crash course to work on moves they want to perfect or learn something new.
Veterans often seek out the help of experts during the summer months to get instructions they can incorporate into their training programs. They may spend a couple of weeks working on weaknesses that held them back during the previous season, or they may want to change up their entire game. The most important thing they want is a blueprint they can follow during their individual workouts.
Take a Vacation
Although NBA players spend a large part of the offseason training and preparing for the upcoming season, everyone needs a break. Most players take at least a couple of weeks to get away from everything and disconnect at the end of the season. Getting away and spending time with friends and family helps prevent burnout and keeps them fresh for the year ahead.