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A lot of players would be angry at the turn of events which saw Hodge ride the bench behind veterans on a Denver team for which he always seemed a poor fit, only to be waived by the Milwaukee Bucks after being thrown into a midseason trade. Then again, most players don't have the perspective Hodge has after a serious scare when he was shot after leaving a Denver nightclub in April 2006.

"I'm very blessed, not just to be on a basketball court but to be alive." Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty

"It just reminds that I'm very blessed, not just to be on a basketball court but to be alive," said Hodge after a Sonics practice in Las Vegas.

While driving on I-76 at around 2 a.m. on April 8, 2006, Hodge was shot five times in the legs by an unknown assailant in a passing car. Had any of the bullets hit an artery, he likely would have died before being able to receive medical attention. Amazingly, Hodge not only survived but was able to return in time for training camp next fall and has no lingering effects from the shooting.

"I definitely feel like I was very blessed to not only survive but walk away," said Hodge. "I'm 100% healthy after a situation like that. It definitely made me more religious."

The Nuggets picked Hodge despite needing a shooter - not his forte at N.C. State, where he won ACC Player of the Year as a junior on the strength of his all-around game. Hodge played just 33 minutes during his rookie season and volunteered to go to the D-League to earn more playing time. Playing under the late Dennis Johnson, Hodge averaged 17.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Still, he found no time in Denver and was dealt to Milwaukee when the Nuggets and Bucks swapped point guards in January 2007. After just five games, the Bucks waived Hodge. Now, he is here in Las Vegas auditioning for the Sonics and the rest of the league.

"Denver obviously wasn't the best fit for me, but that doesn't mean my game or talent isn't NBA-ready," explained Hodge. "It just means that particular team at that particular time wasn't the best spot for me. Now I feel like I'm in a really good spot. I have a great coach, Coach (P.J.) Carlesimo. Coach (Ralph) Lewis has been definitely helping me along the way in the summer league."

After rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, Hodge has been the most capable scorer for the Sonics during the NBA Summer League. He had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the team's opener against Dallas, then scored a team-high 15 points in Wednesday's loss to Milwaukee. Hodge has shown an ability to create his own offense and get to the free-throw line, but he's also made it a priority to demonstrate his defensive ability.

"I've been working my butt off in practice trying to distinguish myself as first a defensive player and a two guard who can make plays - not only score the ball, but get the guy an open shot and rebound," said Hodge. "I think I've been doing a good job of that."

This setting magnifies the value of the time Hodge has spent in the league. While Hodge must still improve his jumpshot, it's clear he has NBA ability if he can find the right situation.

"I think he's a nice player," said Carlesimo. "I think Julius Hodge has a chance to be on an NBA roster. He's right there. Some guys you look at - and you don't know, we all make mistakes - but Julius to me, I think anybody that's looking at him has got to say he's close."

When Hodge was drafted, he was known almost as much for his outspoken nature as his game. His near-death experience and two frustrating NBA seasons certainly have not taken away his confidence, but they have humbled him. Hodge now refers to himself as a "blue collar" player, using terms like gritty and grimy.

Hodge is still just 23, but he is something of a veteran amongst this inexperienced summer group.

"Even though I'm a young guy, my mom always told me I had an old soul," he said. "I'm always there giving the young guys advice and pretty much pointing them in the right direction and letting them know what they've got to do to not only be successful in this league but stay in the league, longevity."

Given everything he has gone through during his first two seasons, Hodge speaks from experience. He's ready to put that behind him and resume a career that looked so promising so recently, but he's also taking nothing for granted.

"I live every day to the fullest, make sure I enjoy myself, have fun," said Hodge, "but when I'm on this court I know it's strictly business."