From Ridiculous Upside

It's Almost Here
by DakotaWiz on Nov 1, 2008 2:27 AM PDT

We are about a week away from the D-League Draft, so we might as well start looking at some players that should be available to be drafted. Looking at Summer League's, the Portsmouth Invite, NBA camp cuts, CBA draft picks, the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando, and even the North American Basketball Classic, along with last years veterans and some helpful tips from agents, I've put together a database of about 250players that currently aren't signed overseas, and thus, possible D-League Draft Picks. Today, I'll start with looking at the rookies that could be available.

Since every team needs a rookie, this is probably the most crucial pick to get right. Since he's a guy you have to carry for the season, might as well make him a good one. Here are what I think are some of the better options (more of my thoughts may be coming), with all of the rookies that I could put together if you continue on. Keep in mind that these guys are currently not signed, but with the recent cuts, could head overseas.

Mikheil Berishvili -- Berishvili.com. That's all you really need to know about the kid. Check out the videos, if that's not enough, come back and I'll let you know what else I know. He's a 6-9 3/4 combo, kind of in an Ersan Ilyasova mold (2005 Bucks 2nd round pick). He's also apparently working on getting better down low, but with the 3-point shot that he shows, he's already got a lot of potential. He's played for the Georgia national team, and has never declared himself eligible for the draft, so, in essence, if he's as good in the D-League as he was overseas, he could be taken in the draft next season, a la Mike Taylor.

James Mays -- James was just cut by the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 boards. With so many guaranteed contracts though, there wasn't really a spot for him. I would expect for him to try his hand in the D-League this season, more than likely as an allocated guy to the 14ers. He plays good defense, can rebound, and has a pretty high basketball IQ, as he moved well and slashed a lot when I saw him down in Vegas. Though he seems to me a bit undersized, though extremely athletic, if he can put together some low post moves, he'd be an early call-up.

Malik Hairston -- Hairston is a pretty solid all-around player. He doesn't too anything spectacular, but he does a lot of things good. His shooting, as a 2-guard, is probably his biggest downfall from what I've seen. He can play defense and rebound very well for his size, as he averaged 5 boards and a block this preseason with the Spurs. Good decision to cut him, as he'll be assigned to Austin, and they can watch him and call him up when needed. Seems like San Antonio is going to use the D-League to its complete potential.

Joe Crawford -- Crawford was drafted by the Lakers in the 2nd round, but was their last cut in pre-season. Another savvy move by a D-League-team owning franchise. Let him play for the D-Fenders, where he can work on rounding out his game, becoming more athletic, and bring him up when he can get playing time.

DeVon Hardin -- Hardin will probably play a role in the D-League like another former Cal grad, Rod Benson. A 6'11 center, he's going to bring energy, rebounds, and a couple blocked shots a game. As big and athletic as he is, he definitely has potential and the D-League would help him develop.

Steven Hill -- Hill is probably my favorite player coming out of this camp. Is it just because I have an affinity for big awkward white guys with long hair and hustle and have named my personal website Schenschational in honor of this? Possibly, but not only because of this. I'd never heard of Hill until I saw him in Vegas with the Trailblazers. He's a legit 7-footer that brings it on the defensive end. He played his college ball at Arkansas, where over his 4 year career, he averaged 20 minutes, 4 points, 3 boards, and 2.5 blocks. Not exactly amazing, but he's got the size and defense to develop into an NBA caliber backup, and for the Blazers to make him the last cut, I'm obviously not the only one thinking this. If Sean Marks still has a job, Steven Hill should as well.

Here are some other Rookies that are currently unsigned, that I could think of. Please contact me if you can think of any more.

Will Bullard Community College
Rashad West Hampton – NCAA
Aaron Smith Prairie View A&M – NCAA
Brandon Smith Minnesota – NCAA
Terrance Whiters Arkansas Tech – NCAA2
Kyle Chones Colgate
Jeremy Clayton Appalachian State
Mikheil Berishvili Georgia National Team
Lester Hudson Tennessee-Martin – NCAA
Robert Vaden UAB – NCAA
Keith Brumbaugh Hillsborough Community College
Patrick Sanders UC-Irvine – NCAA
Gavin Grant NC State – NCAA
AJ Graves Butler – NCAA
James Mays Clemson – NCAA
Marcus Hubbard Angelo State – NCAA2
Malik Hairston Oregon – NCAA
Mike Cook Pittsburgh – NCAA
Joe Crawford Kentucky – NCAA
Emmanuel Little North Dakota – NCAA2
Othyus Jeffers Robert Morris – NCAA
Robbie Cowgill Washington State – NCAA
Gary Forbes UMASS – NCAA
C.J. Giles Oregon State – NCAA
Daniel Dillon Arizona – NCAA
Patrick Ewing Jr. Georgetown – NCAA
David Padgett Louisville – NCAA
Rob Kurz Notre Dame – NCAA
Maureece Rice George Washington – NCAA
Russell Robinson Kansas – NCAA
Marcel Jones Oregon State – NCAA
DeVon Hardin California – NCAA
Steven Hill Arkansas – NCAA
Damone Morris Eckerd – NCAA2
Charles Rhodes Mississippi State – NCAA
Jawann McClellan Arizona – NCAA
Lanny Smith Houston – NCAA
Reggie Larry Boise State – NCAA
Brandon Cotton Detroit Mercy – NCAA
Taj McCullough Winthrop – NCAA
Rob McKiver Houston – NCAA
Keith Benjamin Pittsburgh – NCAA
Marcus Malone Houston – NCAA
Roy Bright Delaware St. -- NCAA
Dion Dowell Houston – NCAA

NBA D-League Draft Set for November 7

Tulsa 66ers To Pick First In 2008 NBA D-League Draft


Oct 14, 2008 - New York - The Tulsa 66ers won the 2008 NBA Development League's draft lottery and will have the first overall selection in the 2008 NBA D-League Draft on Friday, Nov. 7. The lottery took place in Dallas, TX today at the League's annual Fall Meetings.

“Having the number one pick is what teams always hope for, and we’re excited to have it,” said 66ers head coach Paul Woolpert. “Now we have to compile a list, do our homework, and start building a team for the fans in Tulsa.”

The Colorado 14ers secured the second selection, while the Idaho Stampede, Sioux Falls Skyforce and Bakersfield Jam rounded out the top five.

The 2008 NBA D-League’s Draft will take place live from the NBA TV studio in Atlanta, GA. The eighth-annual event will be telecast on NBA TV and streamed on-line (www.nba.com/dleague) beginning at 7 pm EST.

The NBA D-League Draft utilizes a “serpentine” format, meaning the order will alternate in each of the ten rounds. For example, the team picking last in the first round will select first in the second round, giving them the 16th and 17th overall choices.

“With the draft order in place, we’re one step closer to getting the 2008-09 season underway,” said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. “It’s exciting to welcome top NBA prospects into our draft and our league.”

The order of the first round will be:

1. Tulsa 66ers

2. Colorado 14ers

3. Idaho Stampede

4. Sioux Falls Skyforce

5. Bakersfield Jam

6. Fort Wayne Mad Ants

7. Erie BayHawks

8. Anaheim Arsenal

9. Utah Flash

10. Reno Bighorns

11. Dakota Wizards

12. Rio Grande Valley Vipers

13. Los Angeles D-Fenders

14. Albuquerque Thunderbirds

15. Iowa Energy

16. Austin Toros

Naismith Hall of Fame Weekend

Congratulations to Cathy Rush, Adrian Dantley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Dick Vitale, Bill Davidson, and Pat Riley for their induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame. All are extremely deserving of this highest honor in basketball.

On a personal level I was thrilled when it was announced Patrick Ewing had made it into the Hall. I had the great honor of being an assistant coach in the 1991 NBA All Star Game in Charlotte along with Don Casey and Chris Ford. We had some of the greatest who have ever played the game on that team.

One of my favorite players from that weekend was Patrick. In my opinion he is not only one of the greatest players who played the game, but one of the best coaches in the game today. I believe Patrick will be coaching his own team in the near future. It is wonderful to see such a great person such as Patrick receive the kind of personal recognition he so richly deserves.

Another highlight from induction weekend was learning more about Cathy Rush. Rush coached tiny Immaculata University to three consecutive national championships finishing her career with a 149-15 record! She is definitely one of the greats of the game. As a student of the game, I am glad the Hall recognized her great achievements.

The induction of Bill Davidson was richly deserved. Mr. Davidson bought the Pistons in the 1970's and built the team into a championship caliber franchise. While the Pistons were always our rivals in the 1980's and 1990's when I was with the Celtics, you could not help but admire their organization.

I cannot recall how many conversations I had over the years about Adrian Dantley with Red Auerbach. Red knew Adrian when he was growing up in Washington, D.C. through one of his close friends, Morgan Wootten, the greatest high school coach and Hall of Famer. Coach Wootten coached Adrian in high school and Red thought Adrian one of the greatest to play the game. Red was always interested in finding a way to bring Adrian to the Celtics. I am sure Red would be thrilled Adrian has joined him in the Hall of Fame.

Finally, I want to congratulate my friend Val Ackerman for receiving the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hall of Fame. Val is one of the greats in the game and more importantly, a great person. Val was the original president of the WNBA and is currently the president of USA Basketball. Val is one of the people most responsible for our basketball success in the Beijing Olympics.

Portland Boys and Girls Club Dinner

Basketball group waiting for go-ahead
Potential owners of a D-League team in Portland are eager to get the franchise and start work.

By JENN MENENDEZ, Staff Writer August 15, 2008

K.C. Jones was an NBA rookie in 1958 when he came to Maine for the first time.

He loaded into a car to drive from Boston to play a string of exhibitions with the Boston Celtics. He recalls getting stuck riding with Coach Red Auerbach at the wheel.

Stuck, he says, because Auerbach "just didn't drive well. So the rookies went with him."
Jones hopes to make a few new memories of Maine.

So does Jon Jennings, who brought Jones to Portland on Thursday to speak at a fund-raising dinner for the Boys and Girls Club. They are part of the ownership group trying to bring an NBA Development League team to Portland for 2009-10.

Jennings hoped to be given a franchise by the end of this summer, but is now preparing to wait until the fall while the league works on expanding east.

The 16-team league primarily operates in the Midwest and West. But league officials are trying to bring a cluster of teams to the Northeast, which would create natural rivalries and reasonable travel costs.

"The great thing from our standpoint is the NBA wants to do this right," said Jennings. "I think it's fair to say we've done everything they've required of us and we've been working our tails off to get this thing done."

The D-League president, Dan Reed, was unavailable for comment.

Ideally, Jennings said, the ownership group would have at least a year to prepare. The team is interested in being an affiliate of the Celtics, making improvements to the Portland Expo and building a fan base.

"There's an enormous amount of work to be done," said Jennings. "So all of us are hoping a decision will be made in the near future."

Jones' role, said Jennings, is likely to expand if Portland is awarded a franchise.

"We hope in the future he'll take a more sizeable role," said Jennings, a former assistant coach with the Celtics. "K.C. has been like a father to me. He brought me into the Celtics. And he was the first guy I called when I decided to do this."

The group is led by Jennings, Bill Ryan Jr., owner of Oxford Plains Speedway, and Bill Ryan Sr., chairman of the board of TD Banknorth. The group announced its intentions last winter, originally hoping it might be possible to begin operations for the 2008-09 season. That idea quickly faded, and playing in the 2009-10 season became a more realistic timetable.

In March the group ironed out a five-season lease agreement with the city to play at the Expo, which would cost $42,000 a year to start. The team would pay $250,000 for building improvements, as well as be responsible for all team operating costs at the Expo.

Jones, who wore a shiny gold NBA championship ring from 1986 on his left hand, also toted his gold medal from the 1956 Olympics to share with kids from the Boys and Girls Club.

He said he's grown to believe in the merits of the D-League -- the reason he became involved.
"They have a chance to get to the NBA," said Jones. "I think the D-League would do well here. It would give players a chance."

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
jmenendez@pressherald.com

Copyright © 2008 Blethen Maine Newspapers

18th Annual Steak & Burger Dinner

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine invite you to the 18th Annual Steak & Burger Dinner featuring Jon Jennings and K.C. Jones as guest speakers celebrating the Boston Celtics 17th World Championship!

Join more than 100 Boys & Girls Clubs members for our annual cookout to benefit
The Positive Place for Kids. Guests are seated with Club members. The tradition is that
“roles” are reversed - the young people are served steaks and adults eat hamburgers.

Thursday, August 14, 2008
5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
USM’s Sullivan Complex
96 Falmouth Street, Portland

For more information, please contact Katie Howard at kthoward@bgcmaine.org/874-1069.

You can also download the entire announcement and reservation form by clicking on the image above and mailing in your completed form.

CONGRATULATIONS CELTICS!!!

We want to offer our congratulations to the Boston Celtics family for once again bringing the Larry O'Brien Trophy home to Boston. From Danny Ainge's brilliant trades and player acquistions to Doc River's perfect handling of his team to the ownership/management giving them all the tools they needed to win, this Celtics' championship was won on and off the court. From a basketball standpoint, I just loved how this team came together and dedicated itself to winning a championship. Garnett, Pierce and Allen lead the way, but I was as impressed with every bench player coming in and making major contributions. Congrats again on a job well done!

Marc Spears Has An Update

This from the Boston Globe Today...

A Maine attraction?

The NBA Development League recently announced the Celtics will keep the Utah Flash as their affiliate next season. Boston, however, has been interested in getting a much closer affiliate, perhaps in Portland, Maine.

Portland is hoping to field an NBDL expansion team by the 2009-10 season. Ex-Celtics assistant coach Jon Jennings, who would be a co-owner in Portland, is hoping to hear good news soon. Helping Portland's cause is the fact the franchise's lead investor is Bill Ryan, chairman of TD Banknorth Garden, and ex-Celtics coach and star K.C. Jones is a consultant.

"We're still negotiating with the NBA," Jennings said. "Things look very good purchasing the team, but it's still not a done deal. We've gone pretty far in satisfying everything the NBA requires. Hopefully, in the near future, we'll get some good news from the NBA.

"They are really impressed with Portland and we have a great ownership group and the arena and so forth.

"We'll see what happens with Portland," Ainge said. "We're jumping the gun. We'll see how it goes."

Said Jennings, "We feel it's the perfect scenario . . . It would help the Celtics grow their brand in Northern New England."

In the meantime, Ainge expressed satisfaction with being affiliated with the Flash. "We'll go back to Utah [for 2008-09]," he said. "We like our relationship."

"It's an honor to be associated with a team playing in the NBA Finals," said Flash GM David Fredman. "The fact that they sent two players to develop, I thought the relationship went well and both sides were happy. It makes sense that they want something geographically closer. I understand that."

Celtics rookie Gabe Pruitt and rookie forward Brandon Wallace, who was cut Dec. 13, played for the Flash this season. "You don't know how much you helped a player like that until later on," Fredman said. "But I still think Gabe has a chance to be a good NBA player."

Hopefully, we'll be hearing more on this soon. It is nice to know that Portland is viewed in such a positive light and the compliments for the city are well deserved.

Not One, But Two Articles In The Press Herald!

Lots of attention from the Portland Press Herald in the Memorial Day Weekend edition of the Sunday Telegram. Jenn Menendez gives the D-League expansion a full court of press reviewing previous attempts to bring minor basketball to the state and interviewing former Portland High standout John Wassenbergh who also played for Portland's USBL team for two years.

Jenn's first article is extensive and includes quotes from another Portland area standout Nik Caner-Medley, NBADL president Dan Reed, and many of those involved with the Portland Mountain Cats. Here's an excerpt from Timing Could Be Right For Minor League League Basketball in Portland.

With proper marketing and a solid business strategy, experts believe the team could thrive.

"I think it's always a matter of funding," said Kevin Mackey, a scout with the Indiana Pacers who coached the Mountain Cats during their one year in Portland. "It was a problem with the team we had in Portland. (McClure) was a young ambitious guy, struggling to make the thing go. The D-League is minor-league basketball done the right way."

John Wassenbergh, a former South Portland High standout, played two years in Portland before going on to play nearly eight years of pro basketball in the U.S. and Europe. He believes the D-League will be more attractive for fans than the USBL.

"I don't know if the typical Maine audience was ready for that particular style of basketball at that particular time," said Wassenbergh.

"I think the new D-League might be a little bit more exciting. I always thought it could work. But having the backing of the NBA is whirlwinds above what we had."

Given the growing success of the D-League and the number of players now represented in the NBA, you have to believe that this is a new dawn for minor league basketball. Where in other major sports minor league players have often reached pro clubs within a 5 year window, that has not been the case for minor league ballers, until now.

Jenn goes on to detail the planned Northeast expansion of the D-League and it's future plans in A League Unto It's Own and explains some of the major differences between the NBADL and other sports' minor league teams and the nature of their relationships with associated major league clubs...

First off, the D-League is part of the NBA, unlike, say, the American Hockey League, which is independent of the NHL, or the Eastern League, which is independent of Major League Baseball.

Second, the D-League pays player salaries, an obligation in baseball and hockey carried by each individual major-league club.

The league has a three-tier salary structure from $15,000 to $25,500.

Players must be approved by the league and play each season under a one-year contract with the NBA.

Unless a player is on contract with a specific NBA team -- each NBA team can store two players on its D-League team -- he can be called up by any team in the league.

For example, a forward with the Albuquerque T-Birds -- an affiliate shared by the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers -- could be called up to play for, say, the New York Knicks or the Denver Nuggets.

"It's unique and it's with a purpose," said the D-League president, Dan Reed.

"We feel it's team friendly and player friendly. If your parent team happens to have three point guards on the roster, well, that's not very good for you. But because 30 teams can call you up it's player friendly."

Things seem to be looking good for Portland as a D-League destination and fans in the area are anxious for an announcement to that effect. Kudos to Jenn Menendez for the extensive research and thorough coverage on the subject this weekend.

More D-League Expansion Possible In The Northeast?

Hardwood Paroxysm has a nice article on possible D-League expansion. Here's a quote...

D-League Looking At Halifax

Huh. So you've got the Portland, Maine team with enough financial and local support to raid a small country, the brand spankin' new Eerie team (anybody got a name for those guys yet?), and a possible Halifax team. Well, that's three, but you'd really need a fourth team. And I mean, where are you going to find somewhere for a basketball team in the Northeast part of the country, I mean...

Oh.

Now, the league obviously wants to be as healthy as possible, and expansion is part of that. Likewise, the sooner they get off of this system where two or three teams are sharing a D-League squad the better. Teams need to be able to trust their system, and for that they need control.

Idaho Captures 2008 NBA Development League Championship

Idaho Stampede wins Decisive Game Three in front of Record Crowd

The Idaho Stampede captured the 2008 NBA Development League championship tonight by defeating the Austin Toros 108-101 in Game Three of the NBA D-League Finals presented by Delta, at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

“It was an unbelievable game and a special night,” said Stampede head
coach Bryan Gates. “This is one of those days when you’re 60 years old
you’ll look back and say, ‘I remember that day.’”

Idaho held a 55-46 halftime edge led by center Cory Violette’s 15 points
and a 26–17 rebounding advantage. The Toros, energized by a pair of
Andre Barrett three’s chipped away at the lead to start the third
quarter, pulling within three points on a Justin Bowen fastbreak layup
with 4:08 remaining in the period. But Idaho's Josh McRoberts put an end
to the run with an alley-oop slam from teammate Luke Jackson, which sent
the fans into a frenzy.

The season-high crowd of 4,124 roared once again when Violette retrieved
an errant Jackson pass and threw in a desperation 29 foot banker as the
third quarter buzzer sounded. The big man from Gonzaga recorded just
three triples during the regular season, and this one extended the Idaho
lead to 81-69.

Idaho continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter as high flier Mike
Taylor caught fire from downtown. The 6’2” reserve guard hit four
consecutive three-pointers during a three minute span, the last
accounting for his 27th point of the game.

Brent Petway iced the game for the Stampede when Taylor and “Air
Georgia” hooked up for one of their patented alley-oops, making the
score 106-93.

The victory marked the end of the 12-year professional playing career of
Idaho’s Randy Livingston who spent over a decade in the NBA and the past
two years in the NBA D-League. Livingston, who tallied six points
tonight, earned the NBA D-League’s 2007 MVP award, and this season
established a record with 22 assists against Bakersfield on Dec. 26,
2007.

“This is the most amazing way to end,” said Livingston. “I remember
Jerome Bettis walked out a Super Bowl champion. Any championship is one
you relish, one you savor.”

The 2008 NBA D-League Finals capped a record-setting season in which the
league upped its overall attendance by 21%, including a record-setting
crowd of 8842 for the first-ever Iowa Energy game on Nov.26, 2007.

The League also established marks for player call-ups to the NBA (29) as
well as player assignments (53).

D-League Finals and Decisive Game 3 Tonight:

Stampede Win Game Two of NBA Development League Finals
Series heads to deciding Game Three Friday in Idaho

Boise, Idaho – April 25, 2008 - The Idaho Stampede defeated the Austin
Toros 90-89 in Game Two of the NBA Development League Finals presented
by Delta, last night at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

With 3,659 fans hoping the Stampede season would be extended to a deciding Game Three, both teams came out sizzling hitting a combined seven straight shots from the
floor.

Idaho’s Roberto Bergersen, who went a combined nine of 32 from the floor
in the post season heading into the night, connected on his first four
shots including a left corner triple which knotted the score at 17 with
just over five and a half minutes to play in the opening quarter.

Austin’s Ian Mahinmi was a towering force for the visitors who were
hoping to clinch the title in front of a handful of their fans who made
the trip from central Texas. The big man on assignment from the San
Antonio Spurs had three blocks in the quarter including one which led to
an Andre Barrett three-pointer, putting Austin up 25-19.

Barrett, who has played on six different NBA teams during his career,
was the driving force for the Toros all night, especially in the first
quarter when he scored 12 points, including a seven-foot jumper from
straight away with 1.5 seconds left. Austin led 33-27 after one.

In the second quarter Josh McRoberts, on assignment from the Portland
Trail Blazers provided the Stampede with energy off the bench in what
developed into a fast-paced, up-tempo game. The former Duke great hit
his first two shots from the field and grabbed four rebounds in the
middle of the quarter.

McRoberts’ fellow super-sub Luke Jackson stepped up as well hitting a
floater in the lane in the midst of a 12-1 Idaho run. Cory Violette also
provided punch for the Stampede with an alley-oop dunk, layup and foul,
and jumper with just over a minute to play in an entertaining first
half.

The teams traded three’s in the final 35 seconds of the second quarter
with Barrett and Randy Livingston hitting for Austin and Idaho, respectively.

At the break Idaho held a 49-45 edge, with Barrett’s 18 points, and 13
from Violette leading their teams.

The third quarter was back and forth with no team able to extend a lead.
The quarter came to a close with an acrobatic coast to coast layup which
Barrett kissed off the glass and fell at the buzzer. Austin led by two
heading into the final quarter – twelve minutes away from the 2008 NBA
D-League title.

The Stampede came out flat in the fourth, but things took a turn for the
better for the home team when Livingston hit a runner in the lane
cutting Austin’s lead to four, with just over eight and half minutes to
play.

Idaho closed the gap to two points when guard Mike Taylor went coast to
coast and finished with a driving layup off an Austin airball.

Barrett and Taylor traded baskets closing the Austin lead to three,
86-83. With 3:21 remaining, Taylor fearlessly drove the ball into the
lane and his layup dropped making the score 86-85.

Jackson was then called for a flagrant foul on a Darvin Ham layup
attempt; and when the NBA veteran banked in his two free throws, Austin
held an 88-85 edge with 2:37 left to play. The free throws extended
Austin’s streak of consecutive second half free throws made to 20.

With 57 seconds left, Jackson hit a floater pulling the Stampede to
within one, 88-87. After a Barrett miss, Violette was fouled with 21.9
seconds left. In a silent arena, Violette hit both shots giving Idaho
the lead, 89-88.

After a timeout, Barrett found teammate Carldell “Squeaky” Johnson in
the left corner, but his shot hit the side of the backboard and went out
of bounds.

Livingston was fouled on the inbounds pass and hit one of two making the
score 90-88 Idaho with 1.3 seconds remaining in the game. Stampede coach
Bryan Gates was then called for a technical foul with 1.3 seconds left
when Austin’s inbounds pass hit Gates’ arm.

Barrett knocked down the free throw, making the score 90-89. Ham then
caught the inbounds pass and launched a fade away jump shot which was
deflected by Idaho’s Brent Petway as the buzzer sounded.

Idaho emerged victorious with a hard-fought victory, 90-89.

Barrett led all scorers with 27 points, while Violette’s 19 points led
four double figure scorers for the Stampede.

The deciding game of the best-of-three series will take place tonight (Friday, April 25) at 9:30 pm ET at Qwest Arena. “If you enjoy basketball, this is the place
to be,” said Gates.

Austin Captures First Game of NBA D-League Finals

Here is the official recap of Game One of the D-League Finals:

AUSTIN, TX – April 21, 2008 - The Austin Toros defeated the Idaho
Stampede 95-89 tonight in Game One of the best-of-three 2008 NBA
Development League Finals presented by Delta, at the Austin
Convention Center.

The Toros brought the 2,299 fans out of their seats in the opening 20
seconds of the contest when Josh Gross put the exclamation point on
an Andre Barrett pass. The alley-oop dunk gave the Toros a 2-0 lead,
their lone advantage until six minutes remained in the half.

Both teams hit on only one of their first five field goal attempts,
until Idaho’s Roberto Bergersen who connected on just 4 of 16 shots
in the Stampede semi-final game victory over the L.A. D-Fenders,
started to heat up. The former Boise State standout hit three first
quarter triples leading the Stampede to a 26-14 lead after the first
12 minutes of the game.

“We came out of the gate rushing at first and Idaho was able to build
a large lead,” said Austin’s Justin Bowen. “We were getting back fast
instead of running our offense.”

In the second stanza, Bergersen went cold, throwing an airball on his
first triple try of the quarter and then missing another three, two
minutes later. But, while Bergersen couldn’t find his stroke,
Austin’s Josh Gross caught fire. The 6-5 forward from UNC –
Greensboro hit a pair of threes in just over a one minute span; the
second from straight away pulling Austin to within one point, 30-29.

Midway through the second quarter Austin found its stride. Andre
Barrett who spent four seasons in the NBA, knifed through the lane
and got the off-balance lefty layup to drop. Bowen who led all
scorers with 25 points, then stole the inbounds pass, slid the ball
to Ian Mahinmi, who threw it down with authority making the score
35-34. “It got our momentum going because we were picking up full
court,” said Andre Barrett. “It got the crowd up.” The sequence gave
the Toros its first lead since 2-0.

At the break Idaho led by two points, 44-42. Bergersen led the
Stampede with 11 points, while Gross and Bowen, who came off the
bench, led the home team with ten apiece.

Idaho came out of the locker room cold, hitting just five of 18 shots
from the floor in the third quarter. And while the Stampede weren’t
hitting their shots (17.6% on three point field goals through three
quarters), the Toros ended the quarter with a pair of three pointers
by hometown basketball hero Kenton Paulino who attended nearby
University of Texas and Carldell “Squeaky” Johnson who connected with
48 seconds left making the score 68-59.

“I think the turning point of the game was when K.P. (Kenton Paulino)
and Squeak (Carldell Johnson) made those big shots,” said Barrett.

Paulino hit a three to begin the final quarter and when Bowen
connected on a left side jumper with 10:36 left, the Toros had
extended their lead to 73-61, their largest of the game to that
point.

Austin’s lead hovered in double digits for most of the quarter but
Cory Violette’s 20th point, a left side jumper drew the visitors to
within seven points with five and a half minutes to play. Johnson
starred late in fourth quarter with a driving layup right through the
teeth of the Stampede defense with 5:09 left; a right side jumper
with 2:37 remaining, and a 12 foot jumper with 1:10 left which put
the game on ice.

The final score was Austin 95 – Idaho 89. Bowen led the way with 25
points, while Darvin Ham, who was a member of the 2004 NBA champion
Detroit Pistons, tallied 12 points and 13 rebounds. Violette led the
Stampede with 20 points.

“It’s big – we’re going to their house, so the pressure is on them at
home,” said Barrett. “For us this win at home was really big. To go
and play away and all you have to do is win one game, that works in
our odds.”

The series moves to Boise, Idaho for Game Two which can be seen
Thursday at 9:30 pm ET on NBA Futurecast (nba.com/futurecast) and NBA
TV. “It’s going to be the hardest game of the series,” said Bowen.
“Idaho is a great team and they have good chemistry.”

NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE FINALS SCHEDULE SET

Idaho to Visit Austin for Game 1 on Monday, April 21

The Idaho Stampede and the Austin Toros will play for the 2008 NBA Development League Championship presented by Delta in a best-of-three Finals series beginning on Monday, April 21 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.

The regular season West Division champions, the Stampede advanced to the Finals with a 97-90 victory over Los Angeles D-Fenders on Friday. The Toros, the Southwest Division Champion advanced by defeating the Sioux Falls Skyforce , 99-93, Saturday in Austin.

By virtue of their league-leading regular season record, the Stampede secured home court advantage and will host games two and three of the Finals. Game two will take place at Qwest Arena in Boise, ID on Thursday, April 24, at 9:30 p.m. ET, game three will be played at 9:30 p.m. ET also at Qwest Arena if necessary.

Austin and Idaho met twice during the regular season, with Austin taking both games. Austin is led by Andre Barrett and Ian Mahinmi, on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs. Barrett averaged 17.2 points this season for the Toros, while Mahinmi averaged 16.8 during the regular season. In tonight’s game against Sioux Falls, Mahinmi finished with game-highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Barrett chipped in with 21 points and five assists. Idaho is led by D-League and NBA veteran Randy Livingston who averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 assists during the regular season and finished with 10 points and eight assists in the Stampede’s second-round playoff victory over the D-Fenders.

The Finals schedule:
Game 1: Idaho Stampede @ Austin Toros – Monday, April 21, 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 2: Austin Toros @ Idaho Stampede – Thursday, April 24, 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Austin Toros @ Idaho Stampede – Friday, April 25, 9:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

Idaho Advances

Results:
Round 2: April 18 – (1) Idaho 97, (4) Los Angeles 90

D-League Playoff Schedule
Round 2: April 19 – (6) Sioux Falls @ (2) Austin, 8:00 p.m. ET

D-LEAGUE PLAYOFF PREVIEW
Sioux Falls @ Austin: Following a win at Dakota on Tuesday, Sioux Falls travels to Austin to take on the Toros in a second-round playoff contest. Austin, who swept the Skyforce 2-0 in the regular season, looks to continue their winning ways and advance to the D-League finals for the first time in franchise history while Sioux Falls looks to stay alive and have a chance to be crowned D-League Champion.

D-LEAGUE PLAYOFF RECAP
Los Angeles @ Idaho: The Idaho Stampede defeated the Los Angeles D-Fenders last night, 97-90, at Qwest Arena in Boise, ID to propel the team to the D-League Finals presented by Delta, ending the D-Fenders’ season along the way. A close game throughout, Idaho fed off the energy of a season-high 4,053 fans to come up victorious in the final minutes of the contest. With the win, Idaho has secured home-court advantage through the Finals, and will host game two (and three, If necessary) against either the Sioux Falls Skyforce or the Austin Toros.

Los Angeles finished the season with a franchise-best 33-19 record (regular season and playoffs combined) and a 1-1 record in the team’s first season qualifying for the D-League playoffs.

TOP PLAYOFF PERFORMERS … Here's a look at the best performances from Friday night’s playoff match-up:

- Luke Jackson scored 20 points for Idaho, while Cory Violette had 14 points and 13 rebounds and Randy Livingston had 10 points and eight assists in the win.

- D-Fender Jelani McCoy led all scorers with 23 points, as teammate Coby Karl, on assignment from the Los Angeles Lakers scored 20 points and Brandon Wallace had eight points and fifteen rebounds in the season-ending loss.

D-League Playoff Update

Playoff First Round Results

Round 1:
April 15 – (4) Los Angeles 102, (5) Colorado 95
April 15 – (6) Sioux Falls 101, (3) Dakota 89

Playoff Second Round Schedule
Round 2:
April 18 – (4) Los Angeles @ (1) Idaho, 930 p.m. ET
April 19 – (6) Sioux Falls @ (2) Austin, 8:00 p.m. ET


SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF PREVIEW: A look at the second round playoff match-ups…

Los Angeles @ Idaho: After winning the first playoff game in D-Fenders franchise history, All-Development League team members Sean Banks and Jelani McCoy travel north to face Randy Livingston and their rival Idaho Stampede in the second round of the 2008 D-League Playoffs presented by Delta. The teams have battled for first place in the Western Division all season long, with Idaho edging Los Angeles out for the top spot in the final games of the season. Idaho leads the season series 5-3 despite the D-Fenders winning the teams’ final regular season meeting on April 2. The stakes are higher now, with a spot in the D-League finals on the line.


Sioux Falls @ Austin: Following a win at Dakota on Tuesday, Sioux Falls travels to Austin to take on the Toros in a second-round playoff contest. Austin, who swept the Skyforce 2-0 in the regular season, looks to continue their winning ways and advance to the D-League finals for the first time in franchise history while Sioux Falls looks to stay alive and have a chance to be crowned D-League Champion.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS … Here's a look at D-League Alumni in the final night of the NBA regular season:

Forty Three players with D-League experience competed in 14 NBA games on April 16th, five as starters. Here are the highlights:

- Matt Carroll scored 19 points in 44 minutes as a starter for the Charlotte Bobcats on the last night of the regular season.

- Washington’s Andray Blatche finished with a 20-point, 11-rebound as the Wizards head into the playoffs.

- Milwaukee's Ramon Sessions continued his assist tear as he dished out 14 last night to go with 25 points and seven rebounds in a 53-minute overtime outing.

- Brandon Bass of Dallas scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in 30 minutes for Dallas.

PLAYOFF TIME!

NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE SET
Western Division Champion Idaho, Southwestern Division Winner Austin Are Top Seeds


The Idaho Stampede and the Austin Toros have secured the top seeds and a bye in the opening round of the 2008 NBA Development League Playoffs presented by Delta. The D-League playoffs will begin on Tuesday, April 15, in Bismarck and Los Angeles.

The first round of the 2008 D-League Playoffs will see the third seeded Dakota Wizards hosting the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the sixth seed, at the Bismarck Civic Center while the fourth seeded Los Angeles D-Fenders will host the fifth seeded Colorado 14ers at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Both games will take place on Tuesday, April 15.

The second round kicks off on Friday, April 18 when the Stampede hosts the winner of the Colorado/Los Angeles game in Boise, ID. Second round games continue on Saturday, April 19 when the Sioux Falls/Dakota winner will travel to Austin.

The winners of the second round games will play a best-of-three Finals that will begin at the lower seeded team and travel to the higher seeded team for game two and three, if necessary. Fans can watch the D-League Playoffs and Finals by logging onto www.d-league.com/watch to see all the games streamed live, for free, on NBA Futurecast.


2008 NBA Development League Playoffs and Finals presented by Delta
First Round:
April 15 – Colorado @ Los Angeles, 6:30 p.m. ET
April 15 – Sioux Falls @ Dakota, 8:00 p.m. ET

Second Round:
April 18 – Winner of Colorado/Los Angeles @ Idaho, 9:30 p.m. ET
April 19 – Winner of Sioux Falls/Dakota @ Austin, 8:00 p.m. ET

Finals:
Game 1 – Date/Location TBD
Game 2 – Date/Location TBD
Game 3 (if necessary) – Date/Location TBD

FRIDAY NIGHT LITES:

FRIDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS …The top performers from Friday’s D-League games:

- Carlos Powell finished with 30 points, Rod Benson had 17 points and 14 rebounds and Kevin Lyde scored 26 and had 14 boards for Dakota.

- Desmon Farmer of the Vipers scored 27 points and dished out nine assists while Stanley Asumnu scored 18 and grabbed 12 rebounds.

- Andre Barrett scored 29 points and passed 13 assists while Ian Mahinmi scored 28 points and grabbed 10 boards for Austin.

- Colorado’s Justin Cage scored 23, while Roderick Riley had 21 points and 10 boards and Eddie Gill had 20 points, 11 boards and nine assists.

- Jeff Horner scored 21 points and dished out nine assists and Dough Thomas had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Iowa Energy.

- Idaho’s Luke Jackson scored 22 points and Jason Ellis finished with 12 points and 25 rebounds for the Stampede.

- Will Blalock had 24 points and Marcus Campbell finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds for Anaheim in a win over Los Angeles.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS … Here's a look at D-League Alumni in Friday night’s NBA games

Twenty Eight players with D-League experience competed in 12 NBA games last night, seven as starters. Here are the highlights:

- Kasib Powell scored 11 points and grabbed seven boards as one of four former D-Leaguers seeing action for Miami, including Earl Barron who finished with 22 points.

- Milwaukee’s Ramon Sessions scored eight points and dished out 14 assists in a 43-minute start for the Bucks.

D-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS 101: The 2007-08 D-League Playoffs will begin shortly after the regular season concludes on April 12 and will consist of three rounds. The first two rounds are single elimination, while the Finals will be a best-of-three series. The three division winners, as well as three wild card teams, will qualify for the 2008 D-League Playoffs (which are presented by Delta Airlines). Tie breakers are, in order, head-to-head record, winning percentage against teams .500 and above, and point differential. The two division winners with the best records will receive byes in the first round.

THOMAS WINS AWARD

COLORADO 14ERS GUARD BILLY THOMAS
RECEIVES 2007-08 JASON COLLIER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Colorado 14ers guard Billy Thomas has been named the recipient of the 2007-08 Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award, as voted by the NBA Development League head coaches. The award honors the player who best represents the ideals of character and conduct on and off the court. Thomas, who earned in 2002-03, prior to it bearing Collier’s name, will be honored by the league at the 14ers final home game tonight

Thomas has enjoyed success on the hardwood as well. A 2008 D-League All-Star, has played in 34 games for the 14ers where he is averaging 16.4 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 37.3 minutes. His best game of the season came on March 29, when he scored 34 points against the Tulsa 66ers. A two-time GATORADE Call-Up, Thomas has played in 10 NBA games this season (four with New Jersey and six with Cleveland).

“It’s a credit to Billy and his sense of community and respect for the game that he receives this award,” said Joe Wolf, Colorado general manager and head coach.

“This is the second time Billy has been voted by our coaches to receive this award,” said Chris Alpert, D-League’s Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel. “He is not only a tremendous basketball player (as evidenced by his two call-ups this season, one to the New Jersey Nets and one to the Cleveland Cavaliers), but he is also a terrific ambassador of the game who has tremendous respect for the game, his teammates, referees, and opponents.”

The name of the Sportsmanship Award was changed in 2006 to honor former D-League, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier, who passed away suddenly on October 15, 2005. Collier was a first team 2003-04 All-D-League selection as a member of the Fayetteville Patriots, but more importantly, a player and person who exemplified the qualities of a faithful teammate, husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was ready to begin his sixth NBA season at the time of his death. Current San Antonio Spurs forward Ime Udoka was the initial winner of the award in 2006.

Wednesday Night LITES ...

WEDNESDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS … The top performers from Wednesday’s D-League games:

- Mateen Cleaves led the way for Bakersfield, scoring a game-high 21 points and dishing out 12 assists. He was one of three members of the Jam to finished with a double-double, as Nick Lewis scored 19 points and grabbed 18 boards and Justin Reed finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Los Angeles.

- Los Angeles’ Jelani McCoy finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, Cecil Brown scored 18 and Brandon Wallace and Sean Banks each contributed with 11 points in the loss to Bakersfield.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS … Here's a look at D-League Alumni performances in Wednesday night’s NBA games:

Twenty three players with D-League experience competed in eleven NBA games last night, five as starters. Here are the highlights:

- Rafer Alston rejoined the Houston lineup last night, finishing with 18 points and five assists while teammate Steve Novak finished with 17 points for the Rockets.

- Former ND hotshot Matt Carroll scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Charlotte Bobcats.

- Philadelphia’s Louis Williams scored 12 points and dished out seven assists for the 76ers.

Sean Banks of Los Angeles D-Fenders Named D-League Performer of the Week

Sean Banks of Los Angeles D-Fenders Named D-League Performer of the Week

NEW YORK, NY – Sean Banks of the Los Angeles D-Fenders was named D-League.com Performer of the Week for games played during the week of March 31. Banks averaged 32.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in two games for Los Angeles.

Banks’ best performance of the week came on Saturday when he scored 38 points and pulled down eight rebounds against the Arsenal in Anaheim. In his first game of the week, a win at home on Wednesday over the Idaho Stampede, Banks scored a team-high 26 points.

On Sunday, the forward from the University of Memphis was named First Team All-NBA Development League. Currently in his second season in Los Angeles, Banks ranks third among D-League players with 22.4 points per game and previously earned Performer of the Week honors for the Week of Feb. 2.

Other top performers in the D-League last week included Anaheim’s Marcus Campbell, who averaged 18.5 points and 18.5 rebounds in two games; Mo Charlo, who averaged 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two games for Anaheim; Tulsa’s Mike Hall, who averaged 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists in three games; Fort Wayne’s Dahntay Jones, who averaged 29.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in two games; Utah’s Kevin Kruger, who averaged 23.0 points and 7.5 assists in two games; and Randy Livingston, who averaged 19.0 points, 8.7 assists and 7.5 rebounds in three games.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League's goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 16 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 17 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like NBA Futurecast, which is the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Portland City Council Unanimously Approves Expo Lease for Maine D-League Franchise

This report from the Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Portland Press Herald:

PORTLAND — The Portland City Council unanimously agreed Monday to lease the Portland Exposition Building to a group of investors that wants to bring an NBA Development League team to Maine's largest city.

The agreement covers five seasons, 2009-10 through 2013-14, with an option to renew for five more seasons.

The team will pay $250,000 for building improvements and be responsible for all team-related operating costs at the Expo.

The investors have said they hope to become an affiliate of the Boston Celtics. The investors include Bill Ryan, owner of Oxford Plains Speedway; his father, Bill Ryan, board chairman of TD Banknorth; Jon Jennings, a former assistant coach with the Celtics; and state Sen. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco.

Under the proposed contract, the team will pay $2,100 per event for seasons 1-3, $2,200 per event for seasons 4-5, $2,300 per event for seasons 6-8 and $2,400 per event for seasons 9-10.

If the team surpassed minimum attendance of 2,900 per game, or 69,600 in a 24-game season, the city would get 50 cents on each additional ticket.

The Expo's capacity is 3,209 spectators. The most the city could make on the surcharge is $3,708 per season.

Under the proposed contract, the team will have priority scheduling after existing commitments, including elections. The schedules could include a maximum of five doubleheaders with Portland High School's basketball teams.

The city will move ahead with plans to borrow $650,000 to renovate the Expo's basement locker rooms, improving and expanding them to meet federal requirements to have separate facilities for girls. Improvements to meet NBA regulations would be funded by the team, city officials said.

The team will invest $250,000 in equipment and improvements to the Expo, including a regulation-size portable court and additional bleacher seating. If the team left the Expo for any reason, the improvements would stay, according to the contract.

The city will pay for maintenance and utilities. The team will pay a surcharge for additional lighting. The city will operate concessions, parking lots and garages, though the team will get any profits.

The team will pay for and retain control of ticketing, media rights, advertising and sponsorship. The team also will pay for at least one off-duty police officer to staff each event.

The team may terminate the contract after two seasons; the NBA may assume the rest of the lease. The city may terminate for breach of contract at any time.

The team will play at least 20 of its 24 home games per season at the Expo. The investors are exploring playing some home games in other Maine cities, such as Augusta and Bangor, according to Jennings, who would be the team's co-owner, president and general manager.

The team's colors will be green and white, like the Celtics'. The team will invite the community to participate in a naming contest, Jennings said.

NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE ANNOUNCES ALL-LEAGUE SELECTIONS...

NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
ANNOUNCES 2007-08 GATORADE ALL-LEAGUE SELECTIONS


NEW YORK, April 6, 2008 – Sioux Falls Skyforce forward Kasib Powell, the 2008 NBA Development League’s Most Valuable Player and 2007 MVP Randy Livingston an Idaho Stampede guard, headline the 2007-08 GATORADE All-NBA Development League First Team. The squad is rounded out by Colorado guard Eddie Gill, Los Angeles forward Sean Banks and Austin’s Ian Mahinmi, an assigned center from the San Antonio Spurs.

Two members of the Dakota Wizards – guard Blake Ahearn, currently with the Miami Heat and center Rod Benson - earned spots on the GATORADE All-NBA Development League Second Team. The duo from Dakota is joined by Austin guard Andre Barrett, Colorado forward Kaniel Dickens and Idaho forward Lance Allred, currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The GATORADE All-NBA Development League Third Team consists of Colorado guard Billy Thomas, Utah’s Morris Almond, a guard on assignment from the Utah Jazz, Dakota forward Carlos Powell, former Austin forward Marcus Williams, currently playing with the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles center Jelani McCoy.

“With so many talented players in the League this year, it was a challenge for our coaches to select the All-League teams,” Chris Alpert, D-League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel said. “The League congratulates the First, Second and Third team selections, as well as the honorable mentions, for their phenomenal seasons.”

The All-NBA Development League team results:

2007-08 GATORADE ALL-NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
Position Player Team
Guard Randy Livingston Idaho Stampede
Guard Eddie Gill Colorado 14ers
Forward Kasib Powell Sioux Falls Skyforce
Forward Sean Banks Los Angeles D-Fenders

2007-08 ALL-NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
Position Player Team
Guard Andre Barrett Austin Toros
Guard Blake Ahearn * Dakota Wizards
Forward Kaniel Dickens Colorado 14ers
Forward Lance Allred * Idaho Stampede
Center Rod Benson Dakota Wizards

2007-08 ALL-NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE THIRD TEAM
Position Player Team
Guard Billy Thomas Colorado 14ers
Guard Morris Almond Utah Flash (Utah Jazz assignee)
Forward Carlos Powell Dakota Wizards
Forward Marcus Williams * Austin Toros
Center Jelani McCoy Los Angeles D-Fenders

* - Currently in the NBA

Powell Named D-League MVP

KASIB POWELL NAMED NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE MVP
Sioux Falls Forward Earns D-League’s Top Honor

NEW YORK, April 6, 2008 – Forward Kasib Powell has been named the NBA Development League’s Most Valuable Player for the 2007-08 season. Powell, who returned to Sioux Falls on April 3, following a 10-day stint with the Miami Heat, was selected by a vote of the D-League’s head coaches.

Before Powell’s GATORADE Call-Up to the Heat on March 22, Powell was leading the Skyforce with 22.3 points per game, shooting 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point territory, to go with 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Sioux Falls was 23 -16 with Powell in the lineup prior to his Call-Up to the Heat. Since returning from Miami, Kasib played in one game for the Skyforce, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

“Kasib has had an outstanding season and is truly deserving of such a prestigious award,” said Skyforce head coach Nate Tibbetts. “In addition to his exceptional skill on the basketball court he is a class act off the court. Our organization was thrilled when he earned his first career NBA call-up a few weeks ago and winning the D-League MVP award will only help him reach his goal of being a full-time NBA player."

A 2008 All-Star, Powell scored in double-figures in 37 of 38 games for the Skyforce, including 24 games with 20 or more points, three 30-point outings, and a 46-point performance on March 6 against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Additionally, Powell has recorded five double-double (points/rebounds) games during the season, including his first-ever game in a Skyforce jersey – a 20-point, 12-rebound night on Dec. 9.

Twice honored during the season for his standout play, Powell earned D-League.com Performer of the Week honors for the week of Feb. 18, when he averaged 27.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in two games, including 37 points in a win over the Iowa Energy. Later that month, Powell was named D-League Co-Player of the Month for February, as he averaged 22.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists, as Sioux Falls went 8-3 during the month.

Powell has seen training camp and preseason action with the Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, and Orlando Magic since finishing his career at Texas Tech. In his final season as a Red Raider in 2003, Powell averaged 14.8 points 6.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 33 games as he led his team to the semi-final round of the NIT tournament. For his efforts, Powell earned All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention accolades.

“Kasib has enjoyed a terrific season this year,” said Chris Alpert, the Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the D-League. “Not only is he a tremendous scoring threat, but he also draws the assignment of guarding the opposing team's best players. He welcomes those challenges and he has been a big reason for Sioux Falls' success this year. His competitiveness, improved outside shooting, defensive prowess, and knowledge of the game make him one of the top NBA prospects in our League.

Powell joins Ansu Sesay (Greenville, 2002), current Cleveland Cavalier Devin Brown (Fayetteville, 2003), Tierre Brown (Charleston, 2004), current Charlotte Bobcat Matt Carroll (Roanoke, 2005), Marcus Fizer (Austin, 2006) and Randy Livingston (Idaho, 2007) as winners of the NBA Development League Most Valuable Player Award.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League's goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 16 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 17 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like NBA Futurecast, which is the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Seattle P-I on Quin Snyder ...

An interesting story in Seattle's daily newspaper:


'Coach Q' gets back to what he loves best

After a stormy career and some time out, Quin Snyder is coaching again


By JON NAITO
P-I REPORTER

AUSTIN, Texas -- Quin Snyder can't sit still. It's the anxiety of a man faced with unwanted introspection. It is a dangerous trait in a profession where many have a difficult time letting go. For Snyder, all he wants right now is to embrace his present.

He is in the air-conditioned lobby of a midpriced chain hotel. His right leg shakes. His eyes scan the room. His voice is hoarse. Periodically, he checks on the progress of the Connecticut-Villanova basketball game on a nearby television. Otherwise, he looks at his watch. Constantly. He has friends in town, and they all are to attend the Oklahoma-Texas basketball game that afternoon.

Later that night, down the street in a convention center that seats less than 3,000, Snyder, 41, will coach the Austin Toros, the NBA Development League team operated by the San Antonio Spurs, to a victory over the Dakota Wizards.

It is his first season with the team -- far from the bustling college arenas he roamed a short time ago, and farther still from the fast track to stardom for which he was once destined.

In February 2006, in the midst of a disappointing season, Snyder resigned as coach at Missouri. It was a sudden end to a stormy seven-year tenure -- one marked by scandal, uneven performances by his teams and, eventually, NCAA sanctions.

"You come in and you're put on this pedestal," Snyder said. "People are calling you a savior or 'Golden Boy' or talk about all these things that have no substance like the way you dress or your hair. You go to the barbershop and it's on the Internet. The amount of attention -- I was not prepared for that. There was an increased level of expectation because of all the hoopla.

"What I learned was that I loved coaching and what parts of the job I found satisfying and what parts of it are not a good fit for me."

When he arrived at Missouri in 1999, Snyder was the wunderkind minted as a rising star. He certainly had the pedigree. He was a bright mind with a law degree and MBA from Duke. He was a two-time state player of the year and an All-American at Mercer Island, played on three Final Four teams for the Blue Devils, and after serving an apprenticeship under Mike Krzyzewski, his future was bright and his potential limitless.

For a time, it certainly appeared that way. He led the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first four seasons, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2002.

But his final seasons at Missouri were marked by underachieving play (his record was 42-42 following the 2002 season) and a player named Ricky Clemons.

Clemons was a talented point guard with a checkered past and a penchant for trouble. He assaulted and served time for choking a female student and wrecked an all-terrain vehicle on the lawn of the university president. The fallout from the Clemons debacle led to the NCAA placing the program on three years' probation and hastened Snyder's departure.

"How do you determine your impact as a coach and what is success?" Snyder said. "The simplest answer is wins. There was talk about graduation rates and that stuff, but that's silly. (Wins) are how decisions are made.

"We don't have to go through all that pretense in selling this league. You can find your own way. In the D-League wins aren't important. They are to a certain extent, but in this situation, you teach guys how to win, how to compete in games. Not that we don't want to win, but we find success in our own complex way."

After leaving Missouri, Snyder decamped to North Carolina. He lived in a house in Wilmington for a time, and sought refuge with Krzyzewski and his staff. He spent time with his son, Owen, who lives with Snyder's ex-wife in Charlotte.

Seeking a change of scenery, he took a road trip west, before deciding to move to Austin. He turned down initial overtures to coach the Toros following the death of Dennis Johnson in February 2007. But when the Spurs bought the team last summer, they approached Snyder again, and this time he agreed.

"He had a real difficult situation at Missouri," said Mercer Island coach Ed Pepple. "But Quin's a fighter. He's a tough guy. He was one of the most insatiable competitors I've ever seen, and he's a basketball junkie. He really lives for this game. I wasn't sure if he'd come back to coaching, but I'm certainly glad he's gotten another chance. I think he'll thrive there."

Snyder is back doing what he loves -- teaching. He is a basketball wonk, obsessed with strategy and preparation. He likes that his job now is about developing players, and that he no longer has to concern himself with recruiting and the myriad peripheral things that popped up in the college game, which he said he has no desire to return to.

"Coach Q is great," Austin forward Serge Angounou said. "He's a good teacher and he connects with the players. He knows the game and he understands how to make us better. I think we're lucky to have him here."

What Snyder really enjoys is the simplicity of his life now. The media coverage in a town dominated by the University of Texas, in particular the football team, is nearly nonexistent. He no longer is under a harsh glare. Fans don't live and die for the Toros; they only want a couple of hours of affordable entertainment. It is low stress. He teaches. He goes home.

"It's hard to look back," Snyder said. "I get fairly introspective. There was a lot of growth from everything that happened (at Missouri). I felt like it almost killed me, because there was so much toxicity at the time. It made me realize what was really important to me. I think processing all of it took a long time. But now, I look back at the last five years, and I think how it's shaped me. I'm happy with where I am right now."

P-I reporter Jon Naito can be reached at 206-448-8209 or jonnaito@seattlepi.com.

Thursday Night LITES ...

THURSDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS … The top performers from Thursday’s D-League games:

- Kaniel Dickens led the way for Colorado with 18 points, while Eddie Gill chipped in on the balance attack with 17 points and 12 assists and John Thomas rounded out the night with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the 14ers.

- Tulsa’s Mike Hall scored 33 points for the 66ers in the loss.

- Tony Gipson scored 29 points for Dakota as Carlos Powell finished with 25 points and Rod Benson scored 12 while collecting 16 rebounds for the Wizards

- Iowa’s Adam Haluska scored a game-high 38 points for the Energy and Courtney Sims contributed with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to Dakota.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS … A look at D-League Alumni in last night’s NBA games:

Nine players with D-League experience competed in three NBA games Thursday night, three as starters. Here are the highlights:

- Los Angeles’ Nick Fazekas scored 18 points in 25 minutes and Josh Powell grabbed 13 points for the Clippers in 23 minutes.

- Mikki Moore scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds in 29 minutes for the Sacramento Kings.

D-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS 101: The 2008 D-League Playoffs will begin shortly after the regular season concludes on April 12 and will consist of three rounds. The first two rounds are single elimination, while the Finals will be a best-of-three series. The three division winners, as well as three wild card teams, will qualify for the 2008 D-League Playoffs. Tie breakers are, in order, head-to-head record, winning percentage against teams over .500, and point differential. The two division winners with the best records will receive byes in the first round.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: If the D-League playoffs started today, the following teams would complete the field:

1. x- Los Angeles D-Fenders
2. Austin Toros
3. Sioux Falls Skyforce
4. x- Idaho Stampede
5. Dakota Wizards
6. Tulsa 66ers
x – clinched playoff spot

"This is an opportunity," says Pat Riley.

The Miami Heat had one of the toughest NBA seasons ever. They have started the rebuilding process after injuries decimated the team and a mid-February trade sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion.

But, as you know, Pat Riley and the Heat are smart. They are using every possible aspect of their current situation to help rebuild the roster. That includes their relationship with the D-League.

See this story which appeared in the Miami Herald on Tuesday:

Heat newcomers hoping to hang around

BY SARAH ROTHSCHILD
Another game, another chance for former NBA Development League players Kasib Powell, Blake Ahearn and Stephane Lasme to try to extend their stay with the Heat.

Miami signed Ahearn and Lasme to second 10-day contracts Monday before the team lost 105-85 to the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. Powell's 10-day contract expired after the game. One of the three players likely will be gone by the home game against New Orleans on Wednesday, when the Heat must pare its roster by one player to 16.

The only way the Heat (13-61) could keep its roster at 17 players -- two more than the league maximum -- would be if the team received another roster exemption from the league.

Riley said he would like to eventually sign one of the former development league players beyond this season.

He gave the players under consideration a pep talk before Monday's game.

"Players like that have to feel like they belong," Riley said. "Players like that [sometimes] say, `I don't belong here, but I'm here, or somebody told me, I don't belong here and I'm here." If you're here, you belong.

"This is an opportunity for one or two of them to make a career for themselves."

It's a reality not lost on the threesome.

Lasme and Ahearn traveled with the team from Boston Sunday night, not knowing their fate until Monday morning at the Heat's walkthrough. Powell, who started and scored a career-high 15 points against the Pacers, wondered before the game whether he would be tendered another 10-day contract.

"I hope I have played well enough to deserve a second chance to stay around," Powell said. ``I want to be a part of this team not only for this year, but for next year. Next year it's going to be special with all the guys we have."

Ahearn had eight points against the Pacers, and Lasme, who said he felt ''happy'' to receive another 10-day contract, scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds Monday night. Lasme said he wants to remain in Miami long-term.

His plan?

"I kind of have an idea what they like about me, so I'm going to just use that and work harder and work on my weaknesses to get better.''

As Lasme assessed his performance, he noted how overwhelming it was playing against Boston's Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen at TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday.

"I was kind of mad a little bit at myself because I caught myself star-watching a little bit,'' Lasme said.

". . . Maybe as a rookie it's an excuse, but I can't be doing that."

Riley said he is encouraged by the play of the former development league players.

"It's hard for them because they don't have the best players, they're not playing with Dwyane [Wade] or Shawn [Marion],'' Riley said after the loss to Indiana.

Pacers guard Danny Granger spoke after the game about how strange it was facing the makeshift Heat lineup, observing it featured ``a few guys I had never heard of.''

The Heat's situation has forced Heat executives to have a crash course on applying for roster exemptions.

Andy Elisburg, the team's senior vice president of basketball operations, said the Heat is in an unusual situation -- one he never experienced in his 20 years in the NBA.

The Heat qualified for what is classified as ''hardship'' because it had four players out for the season (Wade, Dorell Wright, Alonzo Mourning and Udonis Haslem), and Marcus Banks (hamstring) was out for at least another two weeks.

© 2008 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.

CLEAVES NAMED D-LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

MATEEN CLEAVES NAMED D-LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

NEW YORK – April 2, 2008 – Bakersfield Jam guard Mateen Cleaves was today named NBA Development League Player of the Month for games played in March. Cleaves, a D-League veteran from Michigan State, averaged 21.6 points, on 56.3 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range, along with 10.1 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 10 games during March.

Cleaves’ best outing came on March 22 against the Utah Flash, when he scored 43 points and dished out 10 assists, as the Jam defeated the Flash 109-108.

Originally selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, Cleaves has seen NBA action with Detroit, Sacramento, and Cleveland. For his career, Cleaves owns averages of 3.6 points, 1.9 assists, 1.0 rebound and 11.2 minutes in 167 NBA games.

Cleaves joins C.J. Watson, who earned the honor in November and December, Elton Brown, who received the distinction for January, and Kasib Powell and Desmon Farmer who were honored in February as D-League Player of the Month honorees this season.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League's goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 16 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 17 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like NBA Futurecast, which is the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Community Meeting Tonight At 6pm

A community meeting will be held tonight at Hadlock Field in the Portland Room at 6pm. This will give an opportunity for members of the community to have their say on whether or not they support the D-League in Portland, ME. Be sure to come out and show your support!

An Interview with D-League President Dan Reed

An interesting Blog post and full interview on the D-League's Dan Reed can be found at:

http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/03/hail-to-chief-conversation-with-d.html

Here is the intro:

In a sport where we spend so much time questioning front office officials' intelligence and vision, Dan Reed is a breath of fresh air. After only a few minutes talking with Reed, the most powerful man in minor league basketball, you find yourself certain of both his considerable intelligence and the progressive vision he has for the NBA's minor league.

Dan Reed is President of the NBA Development League. Reed worked for AT Kearney in San Francisco and Washington DC as a management consultant before attending Harvard Business School. From there he joined the NBA where he eventually became Senior Director of Team Marketing and Business Operations. Then, in June of last year, Commissioner Stern appointed him to the position of President of the D-League, coinciding with the move of the D-League offices to the NBA headquarters in New York.

When I met President Reed in New Orleans, I was expecting a very stiff businessman. I anticipated a grizzly minor league official that had no time for a blogger such as myself. I was very surprised to find Reed not only friendly, but startlingly engaging and approachable. I followed his blog at D-League.com and kept up with his public appearances. When he commented on this site a few months ago, I was flattered. And when I was offered the chance to interview Reed, I leaped at the opportunity.

Reed's success in the D-League is something he deflects to his predecessors and the hard work of his office. But the results make it clear that Reed has had a direct influence on the new-found success of the D-League. He's brought live streaming webcasts of all the games to D-League.com. He's brought together a wildly successful D-League Showcase in Idaho, and masterminded the D-League All-Star game, which featured a great showcase of the D-League's talent as well as games like HORSE and a great dunk contest. Attendance is up 21% this year, Reed's first season behind the wheel, and there's a growing surge of interest in the league as call-ups and assignments reach record numbers, now accounting for 15% of all NBA players. Following the announcement of two new franchises in Reno and Eerie, Pennsylvania, the sky seems to be the limit for the D-League's potential, and Reed has been a huge part of that.

We were fortunate enough to speak to President Reed earlier this week, and he talked about everything from the possibility of expansion in New York, to his belief in how the NBA can change the world, to the future of blogging in the D-League.

FRIDAY NIGHT "LITES"

FRIDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS … The top performers from Friday’s D-League games

- Idaho clinched a playoff spot as seven of nine players scored in double figures, including Josh McRoberts’ 16 points and 10 rebounds.
- Morris Almond finished with a game-high 36 points for the Flash in the loss.
- Ian Mahinmi scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Andre Barrett, Josh Gross and Justin Bowen each scored 20 points.
- Jelani McCoy led all Los Angeles scorers with 19 points and Brandon Wallace contributed with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
- Sioux Falls’ David Bailey finished with 29 points and Bobby Jones scored 24 in the Skyforce win.
- Rod Benson netted 28 points and collected 16 rebounds for Dakota in the loss.
- Rio Grande Valley’s Desmon Farmer led all scorers with 49 points, to go with nine rebounds. Kris Collins had 28 points and 10 rebounds.
- Alando Tucker scored 30 points for the Thunderbirds and Julius Hodge scored 29 in Albuquerque’s one-point loss to Rio Grande Valley.


ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS …A look at D-League Alumni in Friday night’s NBA games
Nineteen players with D-League experience competed in 11 NBA games last night, three as starters. Here are the highlights:

- Louis Williams scored 15 points in 27 minutes for the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Los Angeles’ Josh Powell scored eight points and pulled down nine rebounds in 42 minutes for the Clippers.
- Jordan Farmar of the crosstown Lakers finished with 11 points in 24 minutes for Los Angeles.

Another Step Closer!

The Portland Press Herald reported today that strides are being made to bring an NBA D-League team to Portland:

The City Council has offered a proposed NBA Development League team a lease to use the Portland Expo for the next five years, with an option for five more.

The city would basically break even on the rent, which would be $42,000 for the first year and would increase over time to keep pace with inflation. The team, however, would pay for $250,000 in building improvements and would be responsible for all the operating costs related to its games.

While this won't be a big money-maker, it still looks like a good deal for Portland.

Restaurants and other businesses in the Parkside neighborhood should benefit from having a wintertime counterpart to the Portland Sea Dogs for bringing in customers.

While this is not a done deal, it is a positive sign to see things progressing at a good pace. There will be a community meeting on April 1st at Hadlock Field beginning at 6pm and the City Council will meet on April 7th to vote on approving the lease.

News from the Portland Press Herald ...

The Portland City Council's finance committee will vote today on a proposed lease of the Portland Exposition Building to an NBA Development League team.

The committee will consider the lease at 7:30 p.m. during a scheduled joint meeting with the School Committee's finance subcommittee at Portland Arts and Technology High School, off Allen Avenue.

A Parkside neighborhood meeting, where the Expo is located, is set for April 1. The council's finance subcommittee will forward its recommendation to the full council for its consideration on April 7.

D-League Teams Benefit NBA Affiliate ...

This article, from the Morning Journal Morning News in Ohio, shows the changing tides of view on the D-League's importance in the basketball world. Read on:

D-League in Erie benefits Cavs
By Bob Finnan

MOST NBA fans greet news about the National Basketball Development League with a yawn.

It's the minor leagues, after all. But news of Erie, Pa., getting a D-League team could be boon for the Cavaliers. They hope to switch their affiliate from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in McAllen, Texas, to Erie next year.

"We're very hopeful to be Erie's affiliate," Cavs general manager Danny Ferry said. "It will give us a much better connection and better flexibility in using a D-League team. Also, our ability to scout the league will be greatly enhanced."

The Cavs will be able to scout the league better and more accurately since they are only a two-hour drive away. They can also shuttle players back and forth easier.

In the next collective bargaining agreement, the league is expected to alter the language and allow injured players to go on a rehab assignment to the D-League, like baseball.

A player like Daniel Gibson would be eligible to get in a couple of warmup games in the D-League this year. But the Cavs would have to send him to Texas, which might not make a lot of sense. He's missed the last 18 games with a high ankle sprain.

Steven J. Demetriou, chairman and CEO of Aleris International, Inc., of Beachwood, will be Erie's majority owner.

Demetriou is banking on the Erie team becoming the Cavs' affiliate. He told the Erie Times News that he also considered Canton, Youngstown, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Rochester, N.Y.

The games will be played at the 7,000-seat Tullio Arena in Erie.

The Forecaster 3/20/08

Basketball team deal may be in city’s hands

By Kate Bucklin (published: March 20, 2008)
PORTLAND – An agreement to bring an NBA Development League team to the city could go to the City Council as soon as next week. The council has tentatively set a workshop meeting for Monday to discuss the deal. A group of investors in January announced their intention to bring the minor league team to Portland, and earlier this month said the best place for the team to play would be the Portland Exposition Building on Park Avenue.

Former Boston Celtics executive Jon Jennings, Oxford Plains Speedway owner William Ryan Jr. and his father, TDBanknorth Chairman William Ryan, want Portland to be part of a new Eastern Division in the D-League. The league’s three divisions now have a total of 14 teams.

On Tuesday afternoon, Erie, Pa., was expected to be the first to announce an Eastern Division team. That team will be affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to published reports.

The Portland City Council Finance Committee heard from an attorney representing the Portland investors earlier this month, who told them it was important to move quickly to reach an agreement with the city for lease of the Expo. The Finance Committee set parameters for negotiating with the team, including assuring the current scholastic schedule of games at the Expo would not be disrupted. City staffers were unclear on Tuesday about exactly when a proposal from the investors would be taken up by the council.

The Finance Committee had hoped to look at the deal before sending it to the full council and members of the committee also wanted to hold a Parkside neighborhood meeting to discuss possible impact on the neighborhood from parking for the games. City Councilor James Cohen, chairman of the Finance Committee, said it was important to move the process forward, and expected it could go to the council for debate in early April. He said the document outlining a deal with the team would be made public before the council voted.

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for April 14. The workshop discussion Monday would be held in executive session because it involves contract talks. City Councilor David Marshall, whose District 2 includes Parkside, said he is still hopeful a neighborhood meeting will be scheduled for the first week in April. Cohen said it was important to hold the neighborhood discussion prior to council action. The council could postpone discussing the proposed deal on Monday, Marshall said, so the other two meetings can happen first.

Kate Bucklin can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or kbucklin@theforecaster.net.

THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ...

THURSDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS … top performers from Thursday’s D-League games

- Marcus Williams led Austin with 25 points in the win over Rio Grande Valley, while DerMarr Johnson scored 10 and Justin Bowen finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds on the night.

- Viper Ivan Johnson topped Rio Grande Valley scorers with 18 points in the loss.

- As his Wisconsin Badgers began play in the NCAA's, former Badger stand-out Alando Tucker scored a game-high 38 points for Albuquerque, during his assignment from the Phoenix Suns to lead the Thunderbirds to their season-high fifth-straight victory. Will Conroy chipped in with 21 points and 11 assists, Julius Hodge scored 28 points and dished out 11 assists, and Kevin Pittsnogle netted 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

- Tulsa’s Mike Hall scored 28 points, grabbing seven boards, while Dwight Jones finished with 21 points for Tulsa in the loss.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS … a look at D-League Alumni in last night’s NBA games

Here are the highlights:
- Ime Udoka scored 13 points in 27 minutes for the San Antonio Spurs.
- Los Angeles’ Jordan Farmar finished with 11 points in 17 minutes for the Lakers.
- Brandon Bass netted 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in 11 minutes for the Dallas Mavericks.

Erie on the benefits of the D-League

Minor league hoops worth effort

By Duane Rankin
duane.rankin@timesnews.com

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20080320&Category=BASKETBALL04&ArtNo=803200454&SectionCat=SPORTS&Template=printart

CLEVELAND -- Devin Brown is a long way from Fayetteville, N.C.

After shooting jumpers before Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers forward signed numerous autographs with sweat pouring down his face.

Not bypassing any kid with a basketball, banner or program, Brown signed away with a smile. Having played in the NBA Development League, Brown still has a grateful glow to him even though he's a five-year NBA veteran.

"The D-League was good for me," said Brown, who was not drafted in the NBA out of Texas-San Antonio, where he's the all-time leading scorer with 1,922 points.

"I worked on a couple of things. I went down there and played some games. It was definitely good to go down there and focus on what you want to do."
When Erie plays its first year in the D-League next season, area fans will see players like Brown and Detroit forward Amir Johnson, who both played in the league before landing in the NBA.

"I just gained confidence," said Johnson about his D-League experience. "Knowing I can play in the league. Playing hard every game."

For those players, it's about doing whatever it takes in the D-League to prove they can play in the NBA.

"When you spend some time down there, you really start appreciating the game so when you get back to the NBA level, you want to do anything and everything you can to stay up here," Brown said. "That's what I've done."

Brown was one of the D-League's best players.
He won the league's 2003 most valuable player and rookie of the year awards and was a first-team D-League pick for the Fayetteville Patriots, who are no longer in the league.

"I worked on my 3-point shot, play making and rebounding," said Brown, a 6-foot 5-inch forward. In 44 games with Fayetteville, Brown averaged 16.9 points.

Brown since has played for San Antonio, where he won a 2005 NBA title, Utah and New Orleans before signing with the Cavaliers as a free agent before this season. He's started 13 games for Cleveland.

As for Johnson, the Pistons drafted him in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft out of Westchester High in Los Angeles. Like Brown, Johnson also played for Fayetteville and averaged 17.3 points in 17 games.

The next season, Johnson played in only eight games with the Pistons, but found playing time in the D-League with the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce.
"It only made me better," Johnson said. "All I looked for was an opportunity to make me better and learn more. I looked at it like it was a chance to get more playing time.

"A lot of people go to college first. I was coming fresh out of high school so it was a good opportunity to go down there to play against college players."

Making two stops at Sioux Falls, Johnson played 22 games and averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.13 blocks in 35.2 minutes. When Detroit wanted to call him back up, Johnson asked to stay in the D-League.

"He was really starting to improve his game so (the Pistons) let him stay," said Skyforce owner/president, Mike Heineman.

Those D-League experiences have helped Johnson stick with the Pistons this season. He's played in 48 games for Detroit in a reserve role.
A McDonald's All-American, Johnson scored a career-high 20 points against Boston, which has the league's best record.

"We still follow Amir Johnson today just cause he was so good for us," Heineman said. "It's exciting to see him doing well in the NBA."

DUANE RANKIN can be reached at 878-2210 or by e-mail.

TUESDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ...

TUESDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS … top performers from Tuesday’s D-League games:

- Earl Calloway led the way for Fort Wayne with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists while Cheikh Samb, on assignment from the Detroit Pistons, chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Iowa.
- Iowa was led by NBA assignee Shannon Brown (Chicago Bulls) who finished with a game-high 27 points to go with eight rebounds.
- Will Blalock scored 21 points and dished out seven assists for Anaheim in the win as Kedrick Brown rounded out the balanced Arsenal attack with 10points and 10 rebounds.
- Dakota’s Blake Ahearn scored 30 points, Carlos Powell netted 26 points and Rod Benson chipped in with 12 rebounds in the loss for the Wizards.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS … a look at D-League Alumni in Tuesday night’s NBA games:
Nineteen players with D-League experience competed in seven NBA games last night, four as starters. Here are the highlights:

- Mikki Moore finished with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Sacramento Kings.
- Miami’s Earl Barron scored 16 points in 28 minutes for the Miami Heat alongside current teammate and fellow former D-Leaguer Daequan Cook who finished with 12 points in a 28-minute starting performance.
- Aaron Brooks scored 10 points in four minutes as Houston’s 22-game win streak came to an end.

Hodge Named Performer of the Week ...

NEW YORK - Julius Hodge of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds today was named D-League.com Performer of the Week for games played during the week of March 10. Hodge averaged 25.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in four games this week. He is the third Thunderbird to earn the honor this season, and the only D-League player to be awarded the honor in two different seasons.

The North Carolina State product set season highs in points and rebounds on Tuesday, when he scored 34 points and grabbed 12 boards in a win over Austin, the first of four consecutive victories for the Thunderbirds.

This season, Hodge is averaging 25.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in seven games. Originally a first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft, Hodge spent part of last season in the D-League with Albuquerque, the Colorado 14ers, and Idaho Stampede averaging 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 22 games.

Other top performers in the D-League last week included Dakota's Blake Ahearn, who averaged 29.0 points and 7.0 assists while shooting 9-of-15 from three-point range; Albuquerque's Will Conroy, who averaged 19.8 points and 12.8 assists; Colorado's Eddie Gill, who averaged 19.3 points, 11.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in three games; Adam Harrington, who averaged 31.5 points while shooting 7-of-14 from three-point range for Tulsa; Rio Grande Valley's Desmon Farmer, who averaged 35.6 points, 6.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting 13-of-26 from three-point range; Kasib Powell, who averaged 28.0 points and 4.0 points in two games for Sioux Falls; and Albuquerque's Alando Tucker, who averaged 34.0 points in his first two games on assignment from the Phoenix Suns.