by: Jonathan Givony - President, Jim Hlavac, Richard Walker
January 11, 2010
Keep scrolling down the D-League blog to read and watch all of our extensive Showcase content.
Jonathan Givony Recaps the 2010 D-League Showcase
An interview with Jonathan Givony discussing who stood out at the NBA Development League Showcase, how the league can improve it's level of talent, and the future of high school players looking to skip out on playing college basketball.
Daniele Baiesi Provides a European Perspective
Italian league executive Daniele Baiesi gives his take on the D-League, sheds insight into the process European league teams go through in evaluating American talent, talks about some of his favorite players from Boise, and talks about some of the most famous players to go through teams he's worked with--Jonas Jerebko and Thabo Sefolosha.
by: Matt Kamalsky - Director of Operations, Joseph Treutlein - Assistant Director of Scouting
January 9, 2010
Following the four days of action we observed in Boise, we present scouting reports of some of the top NBA prospects in attendance.
-Alade Aminu came back to earth after his outstanding first Showcase game, scoring just 11 points on 5-10 shooting while grabbing an unimpressive 2 rebounds in 23 minutes. Aminu was also in foul trouble, finishing the game with 5 fouls, and this game definitely shed some light on his unimpressive averages (10 points, 5 rebounds) throughout the season.
Aminu's biggest problems right now lie in his inconsistency on defense and the glass, as he doesn't always rebound the way he's capable of, and he tends to get lost at times on defense. He had quite a few instances today where he was indecisive defending pick-and-rolls, leading to openings for the opposition or putting him in a position where he was forced to foul. The encouraging thing is at times Aminu looks great in these situations, as he clearly has the tools to be a versatile defender with his mobility and length.
Offensively, Aminu also has some problems, as his post game is not very reliable as of yet, even though he shows nice flashes. According to Synergy Sports Technology, Aminu is scoring just 0.75 points per possessions on post-ups, which make up the largest portion of his offensive usage. In watching him play, it's clear he's a bit lacking in instincts here, and can tend to force the issue at times. That said, his hook shot looks very good at times, as he gets great separation and his touch isn't bad.
Aminu is at his best finishing off cuts and pick-and-rolls, two situations he probably isn't used in as often as he should be. If he focused on those two aspects alone, while also developing a bit more consistency with his mid-range jumper (which is already respectable), he could be a nice role playing big in the NBA, assuming he improves his defense and rebounding.
Possibly the player with the most upside of any player in the D-League, Aminu should be getting looks for call-ups soon, as he's a low-risk option to stash on a roster and develop. That said, with the economic constraints placed on many teams (there's a reason many teams are opting to use only 13 of 15 potential roster spots), his list of potential suitors is definitely smaller than it would be normally, so it's no guarantee he finds a home before the season ends, especially because it's questionable if he could immediately contribute if forced into action.
-A draft-eligible prospect who spent three seasons lighting up Conference USA at Southern Miss before tossing his name into the draft and subsequently deciding to stay in the pro ranks, Jeremy Wise had a solid showing in the D-League showcase playing for a very weak Bakersfield Jam squad.
Standing 6’2 with a skinny frame, Wise is a severely undersized two guard with outstanding speed and quickness. An excellent transition player, he did bring the ball up the floor occasionally, but is clearly looking to score when he has the ball in his hands.
Offensively, Wise is very aggressive looking for his shot, especially off the dribble. Displaying the ability to turn the corner on the pick and roll and draw contact at the rim, he proves to be a very solid finisher on this level and gets to the line at a solid rate. Wise went to the line 11 times in the first Showcase game, taking a number of pretty bad falls in the process, but putting his athleticism on full display. Despite his lack of physical strength, Wise shows no shortage of toughness at the basket.
From the perimeter, Wise displays aggressive shot selection, taking and making some very difficult shots. He prefers to put the ball on the floor to create his shot over catching and shooter, but yields solid results doing both. Not terribly consistent from three point range, Wise tends to drift on some of his shots, and will need to improve his 30.8% shooting from three to improve his chances of receiving any NBA draft attention.
Defensively, Wise shows a passable effort level and the ability to spark the break, but doesn’t project as a good defender in the NBA. His size limits his upside, and his scoring mentality takes away from his ability to run the point –which is a key to his development as a prospect. As it stands, Wise isn’t likely to be considered a great NBA draft prospect, but the fact remains that he will end up with a full year of very important experience playing against grown men in a challenging environment, which will only improve his pro prospects moving forward.
-Rob Kurz had a great first game here, doing everything you'd expect him to do, but sat out the second game. A very smart and efficient scorer, Kurz has a deadly jump shot with three point range, while he's also been doing a great job crashing the boards in D-League action this season.
Kurz is a role player with a clearly defined skill-set and a very good understanding of the game. Since he already spent the majority of last season in the NBA, it wouldn't be unlikely to see him called up at some point. For a team looking for a combination of frontcourt depth, smarts and outside shooting, there probably isn't a better option in the D-League. As long as the team is content with his defensive limitations and not expecting a huge amount of upside, Kurz would be a solid option for a minimum contract.
-One of the top scorers in the NBADL in each of his two seasons of action, Carlos Powell scored a total of 45 points in his two games in Boise and only reinforced many of the things we wrote about him two seasons ago. After spending last year in Korea and training camp with the Warriors, Powell has been lighting up the scoreboard for Albuquerque all season long.
An incredibly assertive scorer, Powell can put the ball in the basket from virtually everywhere on the floor. Displaying a wide array of scoring moves around the rim, solid touch on his jumper, and a willingness to attack defenders off the dribble, he is one of the most talented and complete offensive players the D-League has to offer, despite the fact that he is not the most explosive athlete you’ll find.
While 52.2% shooting and 8.9 free throw attempts each game certainly warrant a lot of possessions, Powell often stalls Albuquerque’s offense when he looks to score. Getting a large portion of his offense in one-on-one situations, Powell still uses his physical strength rather than great quickness or explosiveness to bully defenders on this level, but he’s improved his range to some extent since his last stint in the NBADL and still dishes out a respectable number of assists thanks to his ability to consistently draw the attention of his teammates’ defenders.
Defensively, Powell remains limited from an NBA by his average lateral quickness, though his willingness to get physical allows him to produce some steals. He’s shown an improved energy level at times this season, which is something he needs to show consistently to improve his stock. Only an average rebounder, Powell can score in bunches on this level, and while he isn’t an ideal role-player, he is player who could receive call-up considerations considering his ability to immediately produce.
-One of the more intriguing players here from a pure potential standpoint, Dar Tucker was fairly up and down in his two games at the Showcase, showing many of the problems that led to him being undrafted (by the NBA) this past summer. A super long and athletic undersized shooting guard, Tucker just doesn't have a reliable jump shot, but plays as if he does. His numbers on the season (37% FG, 16% 3PT, 63% FT) show you just how big a toll his poor outside shooting takes on his efficiency.
On the bright side, Tucker does have some good scoring instincts and can be a terror attacking the basket, which led to some nice finishes here. He also shows a lot of potential defensively, and will make use of it on occasion.
Tucker still appears to be a ways away from contributing at the NBA level, and there's a reason he's coming off the bench and averaging just 21 minutes per game for a D-League team. As has been repeated many times, Tucker will need to become a more effective outside shooter and decision maker before he takes the next step as a player, but if he does, he could likely find himself a niche in the NBA.
-Rarely a three-point shooter in college, Anthony Tolliver has become somewhat of a specialist in his time between the NBA and NBADL the past two seasons. A very long PF/C without great height and with just decent athleticism, Tolliver provides his worth by being an efficient scorer, good rebounder, and a very smart player, having good passing skills and fundamentals for a big man.
After a very strong first game here in Boise, Tolliver didn't have the greatest of second games, shooting 5-of-18 from the field, but still managing to post 19 points and 14 rebounds. On the season, Tolliver is taking about half of his attempts from behind the three-point arc, where he is a very reliable spot-up shooter and can even pull up a bit in space.
As for the rest of his offense, Tolliver shows flashes of post and face-up game, but he's not particularly consistent with either, and these aren't segments of his games that project to be very reliable in the NBA.
Defensively, Tolliver is pretty attentive, making most of the rotations, putting in the effort, and playing smart overall defense, but he doesn't appear suited to defend power forwards on the perimeter, being fairly slow-footed. He's a solid post defender and very good on the defensive boards, however.
Tolliver was already called up to the Portland Trail Blazers for a few days this season, and spent part of last season with the Spurs, so it won't be surprising to see him get another shot before this season is over, if not more than one. He has a pretty clearly defined skillset, providing value mainly through three-point shooting and the defensive glass, as well as by being an extremely high character individual, so if a team is looking for those attributes and is capable of masking some of his deficiencies, he could provide a good fit somewhere as a 12th man or even a little more if the team is battling injuries.
-One of the top players on our preliminary list of call-up candidates, Dwayne Jones was extremely solid in both of his contests in Boise and has consistently productive all season long. One of the few players here with multiple seasons of NBA experience under his belt, Jones possesses a blend of size, strength, and energy that allow him to make an impact on both ends of the floor with his hustle. A legitimate center, Jones is arguably the best big available for teams in a pinch that need a quick-fix at the five spot.
In his two games here, Jones tallied 20 points and 35 rebounds. Banging bodies around the rim, crashing the glass, and providing an outlet to driving teammates when his defender stepped up to stop them, Jones shot a total of 9 free throws on 9 shot attempts. A capable finisher who isn’t afraid of contact, he translated his effort level into scoring chances and trips to the line. Jones still doesn’t possess a terribly high skill level, nor does he create his own shot. However, he sticks to what he’s good at to the tune of 61.4% shooting from the field. Despite seldom looking to force things or put the ball on the floor, Jones did struggle a bit with turnovers this weekend, posting four in both contests.
Though he’s averaged 17.2 points per game thus far this season, Jones’s bread and butter remains his outstanding rebounding ability. Using his length and strong frame to pursue the ball off the rim, Jones seemed bent on exceeding the 22 rebounds Joey Dorsey posted earlier in the day. Averaging an outstanding 14.6 rebounds per-game on the season, Jones does a lot of the things that NBA teams want from a short-term player: he pulls down an exceptional 5.9 offensive rebounds per game, he provides a defensive presence with his terrific strength, length and bulk, and he can bring energy off the bench. One of the most consistent players we’ve observed, Jones is a steady veteran who remains on the cusp of the NBA.
-Though Cartier Martin didn’t explode for a big performances like Alade Aminu did, he was solid all weekend and helped his team win both of their games—earning himself a call-up to the Golden State Warriors along the way. One of the top forwards in the D-League, Martin appears to have rounded back into form after returning to the Energy following a brief stint in Italy. Shooting the ball extremely well in his team’s first win, Martin had one of the stronger performances of day two and showed well again in day four.
Aggressively attacking the rim, Martin was very effective from the get go, scoring 12 points in his first frame in Boise and hitting all five of the free throws he created. A major threat to make shots from deep, Martin shows a solid first step, and never hesitated to initiate contact on his way to the rim. With his dribble drive established, Martin proceeded to knock down a catch and shoot three in transition, a spinning fade-away jumper from 18-feet, and a leaner in the lane after beating his man in a called isolation. In the second half, Martin played a total of six minutes, drawing a charge and getting to the line as the first man down the floor in transition. A solid athlete with a good understanding of Iowa’s half court sets, Martin looked extremely comfortable scoring today on his way to 18 points in his 21 minutes.
In the second game, Martin wasn’t nearly as productive, as a scrappy Bakersfield team nearly ousted the Energy, who currently own the best record in the D-League. A coachable player who is willing to put his body on the line, Martin still scored 17 points, but only shot 7-17 from the field. Despite the sub-par shooting performance, he still showed a high energy level on the defensive end. He’s not a shut down defender, but he plays within the team concept, shows active hands, and will put himself in harm’s way to draw charges. Couple those attributes with his offensively ability and tenure with the Bobcats last season, and it’s very obvious why Golden State opted to give him a 10-day contract as soon as Anthony Randolph went down with an injury.
by: Jonathan Givony - President, Jim Hlavac, Richard Walker
January 8, 2010
Checking In With the Boom Tho
Former DraftExpress blogger Rod Benson sits down with Jonathan Givony to discuss his basketball and writing career, his performance in the D-League showcase, the frustrations involved with being a fringe NBA player, and other topics.
Madsen Enjoying a New Line of Work
Utah Flash coach Mark Madsen sits down to discuss the transition he made from high paid NBA player to D-League assistant, the process of instilling the toughness and hustle he was known for in his own pupils, his thoughts on Dontell Jefferson, Anthony Tolliver and other players he's seen and worked with, and more.
The NCAA's all-time leading shotblocker, Mickell Gladness, sits down to discuss a variety of issues, including what it's like to be a backup in the D-League, his team's extensive cooperation with the Houston Rockets, what it's like to realize that he's not an immediate NBA prospect, and much more.
by: Jonathan Givony - President, Jim Hlavac, Matt Kamalsky - Director of Operations, Joseph Treutlein - Assistant Director of Scouting, Richard Walker
January 7, 2010
An Interview with Portland's Michael Born...Reggie Williams a Scoring Machine...Alade Aminu Explodes...Korolev Refects...Dorsey Rebounds...Gee Making Moves...More
Interview with Portland Trailblazers Scout Michael Born
Portland Trailblazers Director of NBA Scouting Michael Born discusses his thoughts on this year’s D-League Showcase, including players that have stood out, the talent evaluation process, his background in the minor leagues, and much more.
Reggie Williams – Sioux Fall’s Scoring Machine
One of the more intriguing stat-lines to emerge from this season’s early going are the monster scoring numbers that Reggie Williams has produced for Sioux Falls—25 points per game on 58% shooting from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. This might not come as that much of a surprise considering that Williams led the NCAA in scoring for two straight seasons, but many scouts were quick to write that off as being a product of playing for a ridiculous fast-paced VMI team that more often than not surpassed the 100 point per game mark.
Williams has one of the more unique styles of play that you’ll find at pretty much any level of basketball. Undersized, not overly strong, fast, or explosive, and with a body that looks like it could stand to shed a good 10-15 pounds—Williams surely doesn’t look the part of a scoring machine, but that’s exactly what he is. He has an amazing knack for finding buckets, be it with his off the ball movement, getting to the rim in transition, pulling up for awkward lefty jumpers in 10-15 feet, or drilling spot-up jumpers with his feet set from beyond the arc.
His coach Tony Fritz is clearly his biggest fan. “He amazes me all the time with the way he finds ways to score within the flow of the game. All of a sudden you look up at the scoreboard and see that he has 25 points, and you wonder, how the heck did he manage to do that?”
The biggest story to report about Williams’ development revolves around the improvement of his perimeter shot. Only a 28% 3-point shooter as a college senior, Williams made just 21% of his 3-point attempts as a rookie in France last season playing for Dijon. This year he’s upped that to a far more respectable 38%, despite the fact that he’s now shooting NBA 3-pointers (more than 3 feet further back). He has a fairly ugly flat-footed stroke, but finds a way to get the job done thanks to his consistent mechanics and excellent touch.
Williams continues to get to the free throw line at a very good rate, something he’s done throughout his career. Despite showing an average first step and less than incredible advanced ball-handling skills, Williams relies on his excellent timing and scoring instincts to attack unbalanced defenses and make his way to the rim. He does a great job initiating contact and finishing aggressively despite the fact that he’s not the most explosive player around, and is even better at finding spaces in the mid-range area to pull-up off the dribble and make crafty shots with his terrific touch.
Williams’ biggest weakness as an NBA prospect clearly revolves around his play on the defensive end. He lacks lateral quickness in a major way and struggles badly trying to stay in front of athletic slashers already at the D-League level. While his effort level is usually solid and his wingspan is above average, he can’t be described as anything more than a mediocre defender, something that is clearly holding him back.
Williams regardless is a guy that teams need to take a look at, as he has outstanding scoring instincts and is producing in a huge way in a very efficient manner. He might not be the top swingman prospect in the D-League, but he can’t be that far off.
Move Out of the Way Al-Farouq
Alade Aminu had arguably the best performance of any player in the Showcase thus far, putting up 30 points and 23 rebounds, flashing some serious upside along the way. We’ve clearly been much higher on him than pretty much anyone else since the first time we seriously evaluated him at Portsmouth last year, and he did nothing to dissuade us with his play today.
Aminu is intriguing thanks to his terrific size, length, hands and solid athleticism, and obviously has a great deal of upside to continue to tap into as well. With that said, most of the NBA scouts we talked to following this game sounded fairly skeptical about fully jumping on the Aminu bandwagon, citing his lack of productivity on the season (10 points, 5 rebounds per game) thus far. We’ll have to see if Aminu can manage to quell those doubts tomorrow with another strong showing. We’ve yet to see a better long-term NBA prospect in Boise thus far.
No Regrets for Korolev
Yaroslav Korolev sits down to talk about the differences between playing in Europe and the D-League, the career path that led him to Boise, why he decided to enter the NBA draft so early, and more.
Part One
Part Two
Dorsey Rebounds
After a very poor first outing, Joey Dorsey had an absolute monster performance in the second, scoring 27 points on 11-for-11 shooting and chipping in 22 rebounds, split evenly between offense and defense. He physically dominated everyone in the game on both ends of the court, and played with a non-stop motor and focus that was absent from his first game here this week, according to the reports we heard.
On the offensive end, Dorsey did most of his damage attacking the glass, finishing open lay-ups, and exploding off pick-and-rolls, but he also showed flashes of post moves, along with good body control and coordination on many of his finishes. He’s still a severely undersized (6-7 in shoes) center with little to no face-up game and major struggles even converting free throws (50%), not doing much to dispel the notion that he’s at best a Reggie Evans type player offensively. He ranks 3rd amongst all players in the D-League in turnovers per-40 pace adjusted, as he clearly seems to be trying to do too much at times with the ball in the post.
Dorsey had just as strong an impact on defense, owning the glass and contesting and blocking shots in the lane, using his physical prowess to intimidate the opposition.
As he showed here today, Dorsey is capable of being a dominant player in multiple aspects of the game when he feels like it, and it's clear he has the tools to be a very successful role player in the NBA. The problem with him, as it always has been, is a lack of consistency and focus, which will continue to hold him back if he doesn't bring it night in and night out. The interesting thing about Dorsey is he doesn't seem to have any misconceptions about who he is as a player, as when he is giving it 100% effort, he doesn't drift from his comfort zone inside the paint, sticking to his strengths for the most part and providing significant value for his team.
Gee Making a Move
Alonzo Gee was one of the players we were most intrigued with coming to Boise this week, and he did little to dispel that notion. Showing elite athleticism with a very well-built body, Gee made countless impact plays in his two games he played, mainly on dribble drives started from the mid-range area, where he took advantage of his long strides and explosive first step to get to the rim.
Gee still isn't the greatest in terms of advanced ball-handling, but he has done a good job figuring out the best ways to utilize his athleticism, relying on subtle changes of direction in combination with his very good body control. At the basket, Gee is capable of finishing over defenders and is extremely aggressive, never shying from contact.
Gee's jump shot is still a work in progress, but it appears to be improved from what we saw at Portsmouth eight months ago, as he looked smooth hitting some mid-range jumpers here, even pulling up on occasion. He lacks range on his shot in a major way, though, which is probably one of the biggest things holding him back from getting called up at this point, as he’s made just 2-7 attempts from beyond the arc on the season, and wasn’t a very prolific long-range shooter in college either.
On the defensive end, Gee has great physical tools and show flashes of effective defense, doing a good job hustling off the ball, but he's a bit inconsistent here, and his man-to-man stance leaves something to be desired. For him to find a spot in the league and stick, this is probably the biggest area he will need to work on, as it is definitely where most of his untapped potential lies.
If Gee continues the great play he's shown for the first 15 games of the D-League season, it wouldn't be surprising to see him called up by season's end. He’s been one of the first names mentioned in conversations we’ve had with NBA scouts this weeks.
by: Jonathan Givony - President, Jim Hlavac, Richard Walker
January 7, 2010
American Chris Finch is the head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the British National Team, which will compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. He was formerly the head coach of Dexia Mons, one of the top teams in Belgium, and played in Britian and collegiately in the US.
Part One
Chris Finch discusses his decision to leave Belgium for the sake of coaching in the D-League, the differences between European basketball and the NBADL, the relationship he enjoys with the Houston Rockets, and their cooperation with Rio Grande Valley.
Part Two
Finch discusses his role as the head coach of Luol Deng and the British National Team, his views on the progress Britian has made as a basketball team over the past few years, and his often contentious relationship with the British paparazzi.
by: Jonathan Givony - President, Jim Hlavac, Matt Kamalsky - Director of Operations, Joseph Treutlein - Assistant Director of Scouting, Richard Walker
January 6, 2010
In addition to this article, we're also talking D-League Showcase all day on Twitter as well.
Dominant D.J. White
Second-year Oklahoma City Thunder allocation player D.J. White was one of the more impressive players we've seen in our two days here, and also one of the more intriguing from an NBA standpoint, showing us precisely why he was a first round pick. Clearly the strongest player in the game, White used his well-built body and solid athleticism to just out-pursue and out-muscle the opposition on the glass and in the post. He finished the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds on 8-13 shooting in 41 minutes of action.
White serves a great purpose here at this Showcase from our perspective, as he provides a clear barometer for what an NBA player actually looks like, and is an excellent measuring stick for which to evaluate other big men D-League prospects off of.
Offensively, White looked deadly from the 15-20 foot range, hitting quite a few shots on the game, including at least one contested fade-away. He also showed prowess in the post with a nice drop-step, as well as finishing with an explosive dunk on a pick-and-roll. Despite not being the quickest or most explosive athlete around, he covers long strides with his moves, and is capable of elevating around the rim and converting thanks to his terrific length when given time to gather himself.
Defensively, White is extremely vocal, makes all the rotations, and definitely still brings the defensive intensity he showed as a senior at Indiana. He's a bit lacking in terms of lateral quickness, which can lead to him getting beat in the post and on the perimeter by quicker foes, but he uses his length and strong base very well to be an effective overall defender.
White has already played rotation minutes in stretches with the Thunder the past two seasons, and might've been more of a regular there if not for various injuries he's suffered since being drafted. He's getting some good experience in this stint in the D-League, and definitely has the potential to break into the Thunder rotation as the season goes on, where he surely will be called back to the NBA at some point.
Morris Almond, the D-League’s top NBA Prospect
Another former first round pick, Morris Almond was one of the higher profile players at this Showcase, and he's certainly backed that up in the two games he's played here. A deadly scorer who does most of his damage with his jump shot, Almond has absolutely lit up the scoreboard, creating heavy speculation of him being called up to the NBA sometime soon.
On the offensive end, Almond is still a prolific shooter, and he's been among the league leaders in scoring efficiency (55% 2P, 44% 3P) in the D-League the past few seasons. He's equally deadly spotting up as he is pulling up in space, and he does a decent job of getting separation on the perimeter off one or two dribbles.
His dribble-drive game appears to have developed substantially since graduating from college, as he makes up for his lack of extensive advanced moves by using a solid first step and excellent footwork to make subtle changes of direction, weaving through the lane and even flashing the ability to finish with either hand. He also shows no hesitation to draw contact with his sturdy frame, getting to the line over 11 times per game (ranking 1st overall) in the D-League, which is an amazing rate anyway you look at it.
There are definitely concerns about Almond's volume shooting, but it'd be unfair to classify him as a chucker, as most of the shots he takes are ones that will provide his team with above average efficiency. His efficiency this week has been absolutely outstanding even on high usage, and despite his 15 or so shots per game, it's hard to look at any of his shots and say it was an ill-advised one. Considering how much smaller his role will be in the NBA (he leads the D-League in possessions used per game at 23.5), this will be a key factor in his transition to the next level.
Defense is still not among Almond's strengths, but he has put in adequate effort here, and his physical tools in terms of size, length, and lateral quickness are enough to get by at the shooting guard position.
The biggest concern about Almond from an NBA perspective is what he will be able to contribute when he's not scoring, as he ranks amongst the worst passers in the league, and watching him play, is clearly always looking for his own shot. Data from Synergy Sports Technology also suggests Almond isn't nearly as good of a scorer coming off screens as he is spotting up, and this could limit his effectiveness in a role as a 3-point shooter in the NBA.
Regardless, he clearly is an exceptionally talented shooter/scorer, and it's hard to believe he isn't worth a minimum contract for some team, given some of the ineffective players logging minutes on the wing around the league making 5-10 times the minimum salary. Almond has developed somewhat of a reputation for being a bit aloof at times and not always open to change, so it will be key for him to show that he has the intangibles to match his terrific talent.
Jeff Weltman Interview
Milwaukee Bucks Assistant GM Jeff Weltman discusses his thoughts on the D-League Showcase, the evaluation process of potential NBA prospects, his background as an NBA executive, and much more.
Sundiata Gaines Gets the Call-Up
As we discussed extensively on Twitter yesterday, the Utah Jazz decided to fill their backup point guard void via the D-League by calling up Sundiata Gaines on a 10-day contract. Gaines has been one of the most prolific players all season long on the fastest paced team in the league here in Idaho, and was ranked as our top prospect in the D-League before the draft in November. D-League coaches disagreed and allowed him to drop all the way to the 15th pick, but Gaines has shown to be a superior talent at this level and has given the D-League a big boost by earning a call-up during their Showcase.
Gaines is a reasonably athletic point guard who excels in transition and sports a chiseled frame that is substantially improved since his college days. He can create his own shot going left or right and gets to the free throw line at a high rate, excelling on the pick and roll in particular where he can get to the rim and finish (61% 2P) with an array of spin and pivot moves or find open teammates spotting up on the wing. He does a good job taking care of the ball despite the incredibly fast pace his team plays at, and appears to have strong fundamentals and a nice basketball IQ to help compensate for his lack of incredible physical tools.
The biggest question mark about Gaines (besides his average size) revolves around his perimeter shooting stroke, which has never been considered a strength throughout his career. He shot just 32% from beyond the arc this season and 30% as a NCAA senior, attempting quite a few shots which may indicate some shot-selection issues. With that said, he has a very strong mid-range game, being highly adept at creating space and knocking down shots pulling up off the dribble.
Gaines is a fairly tough and scrappy guy who plays good defense for the most part and is a very good rebounder for a point guard. He’s a bit inconsistent from game to game, something he needs to address, but should fit in well in Utah’s flex offense and is the type of player Jerry Sloan likes.
Allocated Ajinca
Any time Alexis Ajinca steps onto the floor, it is hard not to take notice. Towering above most D-League post players, Ajinca has packed on some weight to his upper-body, but remains very skinny, especially in his lower body. His tremendous wingspan allow him to block shots at a high rate, but his fundamentals down low leave a lot to be desired, and his lack of bulk allows more aggressive post players to push him beneath the rim and neutralize his size advantage.
Ajinca’s two contests in Boise were a very apt representation of many of his strengths and weaknesses,. Fouling out in just 20 minutes in the first game and committing five fouls in 19 minutes in his second, Ajinca showed how raw he remains on the defensive end. He’s appeared tentative at times in both of Maine’s games here, but still managed to block a total of 4 shots and alter a handful of short range attempts. His length affords him the opportunity to contest shots that many other players can’t, but he’s still honing that craft and learning how to cut down on his fouling.
Offensively, Ajinca flashed the talent that made him the 20th overall pick in 2008, but struggled at times as well. In his first game he finished with 5 turnovers and just 11 points, apparently playing through a minor illness. He came back strong a day later, finishing with 21 points on 9-14 from the field.
While the results of the second game were far more impressive, Ajinca made some impressive moves in both, including an essentially unblockable hook shot from the right block in the first and a pair of smooth face up drives in the second. Possessing excellent touch, Ajinca was able to overcome his lack of physical strength and toughness at times, but is still very much a work in progress as a player on both ends. The Bobcats will need to continue to foster Ajinca’s game, whether that be in Maine or Charlotte, to facilitate his development. We must keep in mind that he’s only 21 years old at this stage, and obviously still has a world of potential left to tap into.
Nick Nurse Interview
We had a chance to sit down with the winningest coach in the D-League, Nick Nurse of the Iowa Energy, after his team’s convincing victory yesterday over the Austin Toros.
by: Jonathan Givony - President, Jim Hlavac, Matt Kamalsky - Director of Operations, Joseph Treutlein - Assistant Director of Scouting, Richard Walker
January 5, 2010
In addition to this article, we're also talking D-League Showcase all day on Twitter as well.
Strong Turnout for Scouts, Media
Something the D-League has to be encouraged by is the very strong turnout we saw in day one from the media and NBA teams.
30 media members—including the likes of the New York Times, Yahoo, CBS Sportsline and ESPN.com—are credentialed for the event, which is a massive increase from years past. Four years ago in Sioux Falls (our first Showcase) we were practically the only non-local media in attendance—this year you can find wall to wall coverage in places like Ridiculous Upside, D-League Digest, D-League Daily and others. While the demand may not have caught up with the supply just yet, this has to be seen as a great sign for D-League.
More notably for the players trying to earn future paychecks, 65-70 NBA people have also been credentialed, ranging from General Managers such as Danny Ainge (Boston), Daryl Morey (Houston), R.C. Buford (San Antonio), Maurizio Gherardini (Toronto), Sam Presti (Oklahoma City), Mark Warkentein (Denver), Donnie Nelson (Dallas) and Larry Riley (Golden State) to high-level executives like Jeff Weltman (Milwaukee), Kenny Williamson (Memphis), Michael Borne (Portland), Keith Grant (Dallas), Misho Ostarcevic (New York), Masai Ujiri (Toronto), Dennis Lindsey (San Antonio), Dell Demps (San Antonio), David Griffin (Phoenix), Neil Olshey (LA Clippers) and many others.
15-20 International team representatives are also in the building, mainly from Spain, Italy and Korea. Countries like Greece, France, Germany, Belgium, Turkey and Russia rarely do any scouting it seems, which helps explain the huge turnover we see year after year in those countries.
Self Starters Needed
Despite the strong turnout on the part of scouts and media, the fact remains that this arena holds 5700 people at full capacity. No more than a few hundred people were present at any point, meaning that the atmosphere was severely lacking for all four games of day one.
While this is not a surprise considering the circumstances (a weekday, in a small town, featuring teams that are not really of interest to anyone in particular, played on the same day of a BCS championship [Boise State-TCU] of huge significance to the local population), it creates a difficult atmosphere for players to compete in.
Most of the first three games were plagued by a distinct lack of energy on the part of many of the players, leading many scouts to shake their heads and wonder what needs to happen for the likes of Gabe Pruitt (almost invisible), Alexis Ajinca, Joey Dorsey (“worst body language of any player in this league,” according to one NBA scout) and others to actually play hard and act like they want to be here. You would think that the players here would be spitting blood at any opportunity to show their skills to the many influential talent evaluators in attendance, but that wasn’t always the case.
Those that stood out were the self-starting hustlers amongst the bunch—particularly ex-Cal State Fullerton product Frank Robinson and St. Mary’s alum Diamon Simpson as well as D-League veterans like Billy Thomas and Maurice Baker.
This is not a problem that is unique to the D-League—we believe that many players in this year’s draft class for example would have similar issues getting up in this type of atmosphere. It’s after all a lot easier to play in front of 15,000 people at Madison Square Garden than it is in front of 250 in Boise, but with their professional careers on the line—be it in the NBA or overseas—players must find a way to motivate to the fullest and try to leave as strong an impression as possible on the numerous talent evaluators that are in attendance.
Day One Top Performers
Note: We were not present for the first game of the Showcase, which reportedly featured very strong showings from the likes of Carlos Powell and Garrett Temple.
-Morris Almond- Almond was clearly the best NBA prospect seen in Boise in day one, finishing with 31 points and 8 rebounds, and is very likely on his way to a call-up (possibly to Denver according to rumors here) very soon. We’ll be back with a full report on his strengths and weaknesses after his next game.
-Frank Robinson- One of the most pleasant surprises of day one was the performance of lefty wing player Frank Robinson, who just joined the team about two weeks ago. Robinson came in off the bench and immediately stood out with his energy and terrific athleticism, playing outstanding defense with his superb length, strength and lateral quickness, and doing a great job getting to the basket and making plays at the rim. While other players were concerned with hunting their own shots, Robinson was giving the ball up unselfishly in transition and executing his team’s half-court sets.
Robinson’s biggest weakness remains his perimeter shot, which is very flat and not consistent at all. If he can find a way to improve this part of his game, he could develop into an interesting prospect for teams to look at. Although he’s not incredibly big, Robinson’s length and chiseled frame helps in that area.
-Russell Robinson- Robinson came out with guns a blazing in the third game of the day, knocking down a barrage of shots to finish the first quarter with 16 points, and eventually ending up with 34 points. He showed the strengths he brings to the table, mainly his fundamentals, smarts and ability to run a team effectively—although you can tell that the chemistry he enjoys with Desmon Farmer is not great and his turnovers are up substantially this season.
He’s also a physical guy who plays tough defense—his 6-8 wingspan helps quite a bit-- and is very solid on this end as you would expect from a former Bill Self point guard. He’s not the quickest or most explosive player you’ll find, particularly in his ability to finish plays around the rim (he makes just 44% of his 2-point attempts), but the fact that his perimeter shooting has improved substantially-- both from what we saw today and in the fact that he’s shooting 40% from beyond the NBA 3-point line—helps his cause substantially. He did a good job in training camp with the Cavs this past October, and will likely get more looks as the season moves on.
-Anthony Tolliver- Had a strong showing with 24 points and 9 rebounds, showing his potential as a pick and pop threat with a number of good looking shots from beyond the arc. He’ll be evaluated after his next game as well.
-Billy Thomas- As we discussed on our Twitter feed, Thomas had an excellent showing, making 7-9 3-pointers from beyond the arc and looking extremely smart and unselfish making plays on both ends of the floor. He doesn’t have the athleticism or upside at age 34 to be the most attractive call-up candidate, but is a huge asset (in the Randy Livingston mold) for the D-League to have regardless.
-Diamon Simpson set himself apart today with a strong showing in the Showcase’s second game. In a narrow loss to the Maine Red Claws, Simpson was often the best players on the floor for the L.A. Defenders. Displaying a good motor and a knack for being in the right place at the right time on both ends, he finished the game with 22 points and 14 boards.
An undersized big man who can put the ball on the floor to attack the rim, Simpson isn’t an elite athlete, but he is willing to initiate contact, uses his narrow frame well, and has a nice wingspan. Assertive and decisive when attacking the rim, he’s a capable finisher despite lacking a degree of vertical explosiveness. Showing good timing when ducking underneath when his teammates get into the lane, Simpson’s off-ball movement and dribble drives afforded him a number of easy scoring chances today. Though he didn’t appear as active defensively, where he seems content to stay at home and deny penetration, his length and instincts on the glass were apparent. Likely lacking the size and strength to translate his productivity to the NBA level, Simpson is certainly one of the more effective big men in the NBADL.
We’re back in Boise for the second time in three years for yet another exciting D-League Showcase. DraftExpress is here in full force with a staff of five expert talent evaluators watching every forced shot, turnover, blown defensive assignment and unbelievably athletic play, all of which we expect quite a few of in the next few days.
We’ll be covering some of the most interesting storylines of the Showcase both here and on our Twitter page, breaking down the top NBA prospects on each and every roster, so check back and feel free to interact with us over the course of the week.
Plenty more information can be found on the D-League's official website, nba.com/dleague.
Increasing the importance of the event is the fact that NBA teams may begin signing players to 10-day contracts starting on Tuesday. At that point we may see more call-ups than the three (Mike Harris to Houston, Chris Hunter to Golden State, and Anthony Tolliver very briefly to Portland) that already happened.
The Showcase will feature 16 games, as all 16 teams will play twice, with seven of those games being broadcasted live in high definition by NBATV. Those games that won’t be broadcasted can be viewed live, online, for free on NBA Futurecast at nba.com/dleague.
The TV schedule is as follow:
MON., JAN. 4
1 P.M., Rio Grande Valley Vipers vs. Albuquerque T-Birds
3:45 P.M., Los Angeles D-Fenders vs. Maine Red Claws
TUES., JAN. 5
1 P.M., Maine Red Claws vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce
WED., JAN. 6
1 P.M., Reno Bighorns vs. Erie BayHawks
3:45 P.M., Bakersfield Jam vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers
THURS., JAN. 7
1 P.M., Albuquerque T-Birds vs. Tulsa 66ers
3:45 P.M., Erie BayHawks vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders
Top Prospects, or Top Call-Up Candidates?
While we aren’t totally ready to release our latest “Top D-League Call-Up Candidates” rankings, we are ready to give that list a more appropriate name. From now on it will be known as the “Top D-League Prospects" rankings, as we realize that there are too many variables (positional issues, injuries, familiarity, etc) involved in every individual call-up to try and predict who will be pegged next.
Instead, we will just try and give our personal opinion on who the top overall NBA prospects are in the D-League at the moment, which will become a lot more relevant once we’ve seen everyone at the conclusion of the Showcase. To clarify, this is a subjective list looking more at NBA upside than the way the player is producing in the D-League, although that obviously can go hand in hand at times.
In the meantime, here’s a rough draft of what our list might look like based on our preconceived notions going into the Showcase.
For comparison, here is Matthew Breenan of the official D-League website’s personal take.
In addition to the 25 listed above, there are a few other players we need to take a look at to get a better read on how they are putting up the stats they are.
Wait and see:
Reggie Williams- Averaging 25 points, shooting 62% inside the arc and 42% outside it, similar to the way he did in college. He had an awful season in France last year, though, so which one is closer to the truth?
Ron Howard- After a strong showing in training camp with the New York Knicks, Howard has been on a tear ever since, in this, his third season in the D-League. He was 1-17 in 95 D-League games from 3-point range going into the year, but is now 26-54 (48%) in 14 games in 2009-2010. Did Mike D’Antonio teach him how to shoot, and if so, why can’t he do the same for Jared Jeffries?
Desmon Farmer- Purely on his stat totals (26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists), Farmer is a D-League all-star, if not the best swingman player in the league. There is zero buzz about him getting a call-up, though, likely due to the manner in which he gets his numbers and the reputation he’s earned. We’ll take a look with our own eyes and come to our own conclusions.
Other things to look for
NBA Draft Eligible Prospects:
In addition to the veteran call-up candidates, we also have two players who could have been in college this year, but are instead trying to earn a spot in this year’s NBA draft through the Development League. Latavious Williams of Tulsa and Jeremy Wise of Bakersfield are both NBA draft eligible, and both will get extended looks from us over the course of the week.
NBA Allocation Watch:
Four players who have been allocated by NBA teams to their D-League affiliates are here in Boise. They are: Alexis Ajinca (Maine/Charlotte Bobcats), Taylor Griffin (Iowa/Phoenix Suns), D.J. White (Tulsa/Oklahoma City Thunder) and Joey Dorsey (Rio Grande Valley/Houston Rockets).
As always, it will be interesting to see how the allocated NBA players look compared with their D-League counterparts, and especially how they are able to interact and coexist in such an important week of their careers.
Black Hole of the Day Award
It’s always fun to watch a player coming into the Showcase thinking he needs to shoot the ball every time he touches it in order to earn that elusive NBA call-up. That’s just the nature of the beast and how poorly some players understand precisely what NBA teams are looking for in a 10-day contract. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the best chuckers around and try to narrow down the field to a single candidate every day. The winner will be named DraftExpress’ “black hole of the day.”
With the NBA D-League getting ready to tip-off it’s season on Friday, we offer a quick primer on who is playing in the league this season. Each team capsule includes a projected starting lineup, as well as a look at who might get called up to the NBA and who might get assigned to the D-League from the NBA.
There are still plenty of very good players hanging around on the free agent market, some of whom have their rights owned by D-League teams, and some who will get picked up as the season moves on, so consider this only a preliminary look at the talent available.
For more detailed analysis on the players mentioned, click on the links and read their profiles here on DraftExpress. Teams are sorted by overall power ranking.
The Spurs are high on rookie point guard Curtis Jerrells. Jerrells was with the Spurs for training camp and summer league, and now is starting on their D-League team. Jerrels was a four-year starter at Baylor where he averaged 16.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 4.9 apg his senior season. His biggest weaknesses are defense and perimeter shooting, and the D-League will provide a good test for him in both departments.
Alonzo Gee needs to shoot like a small forward if he is going to make the NBA. He had nice numbers at Alabama last year, but at 6’6”, with a great frame and wingspan, he will be well served to show the type of urgency and focus teams expect from a role-player on the defensive end. He has the body and athleticism to play the three, but the 62% he shot from the free-throw line and limited three-point attempts he took last year tell the story.
Dwayne Jones averaged 15.5 pts and 11.9 rebounds for the Toros last year, but has yet to show anything like those numbers in the NBA. Still, he’s a big lively body with good athleticism, which could earn him a call-up just to fill a gap for practices, even if his hands, offensive skill level and basketball IQ leave a lot to be desired.
The Toros are owned by the Spurs who really only have one player who might be assigned – Malik Hairston. He knows this league in and out by now and would be a big addition to the roster. It’s a shame that Ian Mahinmi is no longer eligible to play here, since an assignment would have been beneficial to him, the Spurs and especially the Toros. Their talent level is a bit down this year, but GM Dell Demps will surely be active looking to make them better.
Bakersfield has a pretty strong roster full of experienced players with solid European resumes. That could be either a positive or a negative from what we’ve seen in the past, as veteran players tend to get antsy and lose motivation a lot faster than rookies do. Despite the chemistry concerns, you can’t ignore the talent that the Jam has managed to assemble relative to the competition in the D-League.
Former first round pick Reece Gaines is coming off an average season in Italy and will be the key to how Bakersfield performs. His overall versatility, particularly his perimeter shooting and ability to create his own shot could be major assets, but he’s known as a moody guy who could quickly lose interest in the D-League and start looking for his own numbers if he isn’t kept on track.
Anthony Goods played shooting guard for Stanford, but right now he looks like Bakersfield’s best option at the point unless Reece Gaines gets the nod there. He could emerge as a very valuable asset for this team based off what we saw in college. Jared Newson brings the team big-time athleticism, while Justin Hawkins is a skilled combo forward who can put points up on the board from the perimeter.
Along with Latavious Williams, one of the more interesting story lines in the D-League season involves Bakersfield’s Amara Sy. Sy is a native Frenchman who, at 27 years old, has come to the United States to take a shot at playing in the NBA. Unfortunately, Sy is injured and will miss the first couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see how well he plays and also if he is in it for the long haul here. His athleticism and ability to make big plays on both ends of the floor could be huge for this team.
Along with Sy, everyone will be watching to see how former lottery pick Robert Swift plays. It’s hard to imagine that he is only 23 years old, but he could still have a long career ahead of him if his knees hold up. In his lone preseason game, Swift was only 3-of-13 from the field so he has his work cut out for him in terms of shaking off the rust.
The Jam are affiliated with the Warriors and Clippers and neither team has any players that are likely for assignment. The exception would be if Golden State decides to sign former Erie BayHawk Chris Hunter for the season. Like many teams, depth is an issue here to start off the year.
Erie has one of the better frontcourts in the D-League, at least on paper. They seem to have a nice mix of scoring and role-players, although there is no true point guard to be found on this roster.
In their lone preseason game, Erie’s leading scorers were Oliver Lafayette and Rodrick Wilmont. The two combined for 37 points on 8-for-15 shooting. So naturally, they were both promptly cut.
Donell Taylor was surprisingly picked 2nd overall by Erie in the D-League draft, and he will likely be asked to carry a significant amount of offensive responsibility. Taylor is an athletic slasher who can create for himself and others, but has been unable to garner much success in Europe due to his inability to make perimeter shots and a potentially questionable attitude off the court. Still, he’s an extremely talented guy who could be extremely productive in this setting, particularly if he takes things seriously.
Alade Aminu might be the top overall prospect in the D-League, especially from a long-term perspective. The team went out and acquired him via trade, and may be able to develop him into a dominant Courtney Sims type presence as the season moves on. Aminu has NBA size, length and athleticism, even if he needs to add some bulk to his frame. He shows nice potential facing the basket and is a very intelligent guy off the court reportedly. He’s definitely a name to keep in mind.
Alongside Aminu we find the top rebounder in college basketball last season, Santa Clara’s John Bryant. Certainly not the quickest or most skilled big man you’ll find, Bryant could still have a major impact in this league as a sheer hustler and inside presence with his terrific hands and timing. It will be very interesting to see how outstanding his college production at the WCC level translates to this far more athletic setting.
Combo forward Ivan Harris had a surprisingly excellent rookie season in the D-League, and is now back for more of the same. He was known as mostly a 3-point shooter at Ohio State but showed some flashes of being able to do more for Erie last year. Martin Zeno and Jackie Manuel are both scrappy lockdown defenders on the wing with limited offensive skills.
Erie’s two NBA affiliates are the Toronto Raptors and the Cavaliers. While Toronto doesn’t have any likely assignees, Cleveland has a few – Danny Green, Darnell Jackson, Coby Karl and Jawad Williams. This team lacks a significant amount of size on the interior and perimeter shooting on the wing. Any scraps the Cavs can send them would surely be greatly appreciated.
Idaho will be down this year after making the playoffs the past three seasons. Idaho replaced their head coach Bryan Gates, who is now with the Sacramento Kings, with Bob MacKinnon, who won the D-League championship in Colorado last year.
Things will likely start and end with the play of Sundiata Gaines, a 2nd year point guard out of Georgia who lit up the Italian league in his rookie season and is now hoping to earn a call-up to the NBA. Gaines is a tough and very heady scoring point guard with average physical tools. He must improve the consistency of his perimeter shot and show that he can effectively run a team from the point guard position.
The extremely intelligent but somewhat physically limited Anthony Tolliver will get plenty of opportunities to score points and prove he belongs in the NBA. He’s one of the best perimeter shooters you’ll find in the D-League, particularly from the power forward position.
Carlos Powell was the first pick in this year’s D-League draft and could be one of the first players called up to the NBA. He was the last player cut from the Phoenix Suns’ training camp this year after spending last year in Korea. He’s a phenomenal scorer who can create his own shot at will at this level and is liable to drop 25+ points on any given night. NBA teams will want to see him make shots from beyond the arc at a consistent rate and show better dedication to the defensive side of the ball if he’s to earn a call-up this season.
The backcourt features two combo guards who played together last year and seemingly complement each other fairly well. The primary ball-handler, Keith McLeod has significant NBA experience and was always known for his slashing ability and defensive prowess. His age might be catching up with him at this point, though, as his efficiency numbers were pretty poor last season. Antoine Agudio is a guy we’ve always liked, and he’s not only an efficient scorer and a very mistake-free guy, but he’s also one of the better shooters you’ll find in the D-League.
Yaroslav Korolev needs to show something this season or he is going to be part of the talk as the worst lottery pick of all time. After teaching middle school for the past year, . Kevin Pittsnogle has decided to make a comeback and probably won’t be in the best shape in the world. He certainly wasn’t before he retired. Cory Underwood might be the team’s best big man, which isn’t saying much.
Albuquerque could use some serious interior help, but neither of their two affiliates (Dallas and New Orleans) have any players that figure to be assigned. The front office will have to work some magic on the trade front or as new players become available.
The Mad Ants took a big hit when the Golden State Warriors called up center Chris Hunter last week. This created a big hole in their frontcourt and will likely force them to play small and very perimeter oriented.
Point guard duties will likely be split between sharp-shooting Notre Dame product Kyle McAlarney and former top high school recruit Brandon Cotton, who earned a spot via local tryouts. The two have complementary skill-sets and might even be able to play together in the same backcourt.
Without Hunter, the best chance for a call-up is Rob Kurz who, ironically, played for the Warriors last season. Kurz is an outstanding shooter and solid rebounder who plays with intensity and is extremely intelligent. He garnered more playing time in the NBA last year than likely any other player in the D-League.
The Mad Ants have three NBA affiliates and all of them could send a player to Fort Wayne. The Pistons could send DaJuan Summers or Austin Daye, though Daye isn’t very likely. While the Pacers could send A.J. Price and the Bucks could send Roko Ukic. Based on what we’re seeing from their roster so far, they could use all the help they can get.
Sioux Falls seems to be pretty down compared to years past, as they don’t have any serious call-up candidates, but don’t have much in the ways of returning talent either. Their frontcourt lacks any kind of depth and it appears that this team will struggle to score on a consistent basis, meaning they will have to play great defense.
Two-time NCAA scoring champion Reggie Williams is back after a year playing in France. Not the greatest athlete around, Williams will need to show improvement on defense and more range on his shot if he is to make the NBA. Highly experienced but tiny David Bailey will likely carry much of the shot-creating and ultimately scoring duties for the team. He’s an experienced guy who knows how to get the job done at this level. Wisconsin Badger fans will be delighted to see that Joe Krabbenhoft and Greg Stiemsma are reunited once again. Their team will need them to score consistently—typically not their forte--if they are to have any chance at winning games.
Stiemsma might be interesting for some teams to look at due to the very that he's a very long and mobile big man who can block shots and run the floor, even if he's very raw offensively.
Sioux Falls is unlikely to see any assigned players this year as they are affiliated with the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. Miami could only send Michael Beasley or Mario Chalmers, but they are both starting for the Heat. Wayne Ellington and Nathan Jawai would be the two most likely players to come from the Timberwolves, but they are both getting 13+ minutes per game.
The expansion Armor are led by former Celtic Dee Brown who has his work cut out for him this season. None of their players participated in an NBA Training Camp this year or were on a Summer League roster. JamesOn Curry should get plenty of opportunities to fill up the box score for Springfield and will probably put up some huge scoring lines, but his off-court issues may hurt him from getting a good look from the NBA. He was cut very quickly from the team he played for in France last season.
Adam Harrington is one of the league’s best shooters and brings plenty of experience to the table as well. Him and Curry will carry much of the scoring load. Kentrell Gransberry was a terrific performer in the Big East a few years back for South Florida, but conditioning issues have limited him from having much success at the pro level just yet. Brown will need to get something out of him as he has very little talent in the frontcourt.
The Armor could desperately use an assignment from one of its three NBA affiliates with the possible players including Marcus Landry and Jordan Hill from the Knicks.
With the NBA D-League getting ready to tip-off it’s season this weekend, we offer a quick primer on who is playing in the league this season. Each team capsule includes a projected starting lineup, as well as a look at who might get called up to the NBA and who might get assigned to the D-League from the NBA.
There are still plenty of very good players hanging around on the free agent market, some of whom have their rights owned by D-League teams, and some who will get picked up as the season moves on, so consider this only a preliminary look at the talent available.
For more detailed analysis on the players mentioned, click on the links and read their profiles here on DraftExpress. Teams are sorted by overall power ranking.
While they probably won’t be the hottest scouting destination on the itinerary of most NBA teams, for location reasons and otherwise, Dakota returns four players who averaged double figures last year – Renaldo Major (16.9), Maurice Baker (16.0), Romel Beck (15.9) and David Bell (11.4)—something that no other team can even remotely say. On paper they have more chemistry and experience than any other squad in the D-League, which should count for quite a bit early on in the season. The one thing they do appear to lack, though, is a real star/standout call-up candidate.
Maurice Baker is a tough and extremely experienced scoring guard who has been in the D-League for what seems like ages now. He’s a wily veteran who simply knows how to get the job done.
Alongside him we find the athletic, versatile and defensive minded Renaldo Major, who might be a consistent jump-shot away from emerging as an intriguing NBA prospect. Romel Beck is the opposite, a scoring machine who struggles on defense and needs to show that he can be enough of an all-around role-player to play a niche in the League. Marcus Dove can lock-down any position 2-4 and will be intriguing to watch after an up and down rookie season in Belgium last year. He’s another guy who might be a consistent spot-up jump-shot away from making the NBA. Curtis Withers is an athletic rebounder whose struggles with Narcolepsy may have hurt his professional potential, but could still be a very productive player on a team with very little frontcourt size or depth. Jay Straight and David Bell bring big-time firepower off the bench, with Straight having real potential to emerge as a 20+ point per game scorer if given the minutes and the ball. He’s not a bashful guy to say the least.
The Wizards are affiliated with the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies with the most likely assignment coming from Hamed Haddadi who played in 18 games for Dakota last season. JaVale McGee is also a possibility, although he seems to be getting some occasional playing time for the Wizards, a team that hasn’t used the D-League that much, and might not be all that inclined to send someone all the way to North Dakota, where they’ll have limited access relative to others. Dakota could really use some size in the frontcourt, so they would be wise to explore any opportunity they can here.
Dontell Jefferson leads an experienced and talented bunch in Utah, a team that might have the best overall depth in the D-League. After earning a call-up with the Charlotte Bobcats last season, Jefferson looks to do the same this year. When/if the call comes will have a big impact on how the Flash fare this season. Jefferson has used the D-League better than any player the past few years as he has gone from a raw, passive, pass-first point guard (3.2 ppg in college at Arkansas) to a legitimate offensive threat scoring 18.2 ppg last year with Utah. 6-5 and long-armed, defense is still his calling card, which is why Larry Brown liked him enough in Charlotte last season to keep him around until the end of the season. He must continue to work on his shooting range this season to garner legit NBA looks.
The Flash may opt to start experienced sharp-shooting combo guard Andre Ingram next to Jefferson, as his lack of height is not that much of an issue defensively playing next to a tall point guard like Jefferson. Orien Greene is a big time athlete and defender who needs the ball in his hands and struggles to shoot the ball from the perimeter, which makes him somewhat of a poor complement for Jefferson due to their clear-cut similarities. The two would be a menacing duo defensively on the perimeter, though, and could make up for the shortcomings of heady, pure playmaker but limited athlete Jason Richards coming in off the bench.
Local BYU product Lee Cummard was a huge pickup for the Flash, as his versatility and basketball IQ will be extremely valuable. The same can be said for the size, strength and back to the basket scoring ability of local Utah product Luke Nevill. Both are limited athletes, which may scare off some NBA suitors, but their contribution in the ticket sales department should be considerable being just a year removed from nearby college powerhouses with huge followings.
It will be interesting to see how many minutes are left over for Garrett Siler, a guy who could be massive presence inside the paint for pretty much any other team in the league. Unfortunately he’s far too immobile to pair with Nevill together in the same frontline. They may have to look into moving him for a more traditional power forward at some point.
The Flash is affiliated with the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks. The Jazz have used the Flash quite a bit in the past, as the two organizations seem to share a close relationship, not to mention proximity, and it would make sense to see Kosta Koufos with the Flash again this year. Koufos played 11 games with the Flash last season.
Othello Hunter could see some time on assignment from the Hawks when he returns from injury, which would be a huge pickup for the Flash since they lack talent at the power forward position and could really use his athleticism as a rebounder and weak-side shot-blocker next to the lumbering Nevill and Siler.
Iowa has the best balance of any roster in the D-League this season with point guard Curtis Stinson leading the charge. Stinson, who went to training camp with the Chicago Bulls, and briefly signed in Greece before being cut, is a solid scorer who has plenty of experience playing at this level, and knows how to get the job done. After playing for four different D-League teams, Stinson has found a home with the Energy where he filled up the stat sheet last year to the tune of 16 ppg, 7 rpg and 8.5 apg last season.
Rashad Anderson was 2nd in scoring in Italy playing for a bad team last year and has started the season coming off the bench for Iowa, just like he did in college for UConn. He is a lights out shooter who has struggled with conditioning issues throughout his career but should eventually emerge as one of the top scorers in the league if he decides to stick around all season long. If he can show that he can defend his position and get his shot off effectively against NBA caliber athletes, he might be worthy of getting some looks.
Former Temple wing Mark Tyndale could complement Anderson nicely, as he’s a much better athlete and defender who is limited by his average basketball IQ and perimeter shooting ability, but still has the intensity and physical attributes to get the job done at this level. He played some point guard for Temple in his collegiate days, and would do well to show that he has the versatility to make his teammates better.
Inside, opponents will have trouble matching up with former NBA players Darryl Watkins and Earl Barron, two big men who seemingly complement each other well, even if neither have played much power forward in their careers. Watkins is a big bodied defender and rebounder with limited offensive skill, while Barron is a terrific mid-range shooter who has never been known as the toughest or most efficient player in the world. He’s had all kinds of injury problems over past year or so, which is why he was sent home from Italy last season. Defending opposing power forwards could emerge as an issue though if Nick Nurse decides to play the two together.
Iowa is affiliated with the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns and could see assignments like James Johnson or Taylor Griffin for part of the season. Either player could be a huge addition to the team, as they currently have no true power forward on the roster, which is likely their biggest weakness.
Reno has a nice veteran team which should make the playoffs this season. While their team is high on experience, they don’t really have a standout call-up candidate they can hang their hat on, other than the trio of Rod Benson, Desmon Farmer and Russell Robinson, and even they might be a stretch. Robinson was with the Cleveland Cavaliers for training camp after spending the summer on Orlando’s summer league team. Always known for his defense and basketball IQ, Robinson seemed to make big strides last season with his offensive game and looks like a far more confident player offensively than he did at Kansas. He’s not a great athlete but surely isn’t that much worse than many 3rd string point guards who make the NBA year in and year out simply due to being known commodities.
Although NBA teams haven’t shown all that much interest in Rod Benson in the past few years he spent in the D-League—at least not in the tangible form of an actual call-up—he’s still a player to keep an eye on due to the terrific rebounding ability and underrated basketball IQ he brings to the floor. He’s added weight to his skinny frame (the main thing holding him back) and was simply excellent in the Indiana Pacers training camp from what they told us. Teams might like to see him show more of a mid-range jump-shot this year, something he’s only displayed small flashes of in the past. Will this be the year that the Boom Tho movement hits the NBA?
Desmon Farmer has some NBA experience under his belt—he’s made the final cut in both Seattle and San Antonio—and will surely be one of the best scorers in the D-League again this year. He plays with a frenetic energy (probably overly so at times) and is capable of both getting to the rim or making shots from beyond the arc—which is more than most wing players in this league can say. He would be wise to exert more energy on the defensive end of the ball this season and show that he can play mistake-free, team oriented basketball (he can be very turnover prone at times) if he wants to prove that he can play a role in the NBA. We put him at the 3 in our lineup more out of necessity than anything.
The Bighorns are affiliated with the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings and neither team has a real assignment candidate other than Jon Brockman. Brockman is getting 7.5 minutes per game with Sacramento, so even he is a stretch. Donte Greene seems to be playing too well these days to be sent to Reno once again. That’s a shame because this team really lacks depth, particularly on the wing.
While this might be the most talented team in the League in terms of sheer scoring power and athleticism, early injuries and chemistry concerns might slide the D-Fenders a few notches down than their potential indicates to start off the year.
Gabe Pruitt and Joe Crawford both played in the NBA last season, both went to training camp with the Knicks and are now both injured for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. If all goes as plans, they will both be back in the NBA this season. Pruitt needs to show NBA teams that he can play the point on a full-time basis and display more urgency in his all-around game. He’s a very talented player with plus size and athleticism, but doesn’t always show the most intensity, assertiveness or focus, one of the reasons the Celtics decided to pull the plug on him.
Joe Crawford is a big-time scorer who does a lot of things well, but needs to show teams what he can hang his hat on in the NBA with his average physical tools. Both guys would be well served to show off their prowess on the defensive end, something that they haven’t always done throughout their career.
LA has two of the most athletic players in the league on their roster as well in Dar Tucker and Deron Washington. Both need to show that they have the perimeter polish (particularly shooting the ball) and basketball IQ to be role-players in the NBA, but no one is going to argue with their physical tools.
Diamon Simpson is one of the scrappiest players you’ll find and could lead the league in rebounding and charges drawn, but the NBA might be a stretch with his lack of height, explosive athleticism and perimeter scoring ability. Either way, he’s a major asset to have on a team full of scorers.
The D-Fenders would probably like to get some help in the form of assigned players, but they have none that could be assigned to them. Per the collective bargaining agreement, a player can only be assigned to the D-League if he is in his first or second year in the league and the Lakers don’t have a single player who fits that criteria. It’s a shame because Adam Morrison could have surely used some time down here to work on his perimeter defense, rebounding and passing ability instead of just playing garbage time minutes from the end of their bench.
Tulsa appears to be one of the deepest and most athletic teams in the D-League on first glance, one that could cause major problems for other teams if they manage to gel and buy into playing strong defense. No other team has as much potential to move up in our power rankings.
Tulsa also has the most interesting prospect in the D-League, Latavious Williams. Williams is the first player to go straight from high school to the D-League, and will probably be the most heavily scouted prospect in the league. Williams is not eligible to be called up and will be automatically entered into the 2010 NBA Draft whether he wants to or not. He’s a big-time athlete who can make a real impact on both ends of the floor with his length and activity level, but is raw offensively and has had some questions marks raised by high school recruiting analysts about potential off-court red flags. Needless to say, we’ll be keeping a very close eye on Williams all season long.
Mustafa Shakur has played the past two seasons in Europe after graduating from the University of Arizona. He has call-up potential with his terrific physical attributes and natural talent, but we’ll need to see how his time in Europe has helped him improve on his known weaknesses, mainly perimeter shooting, and playing with consistent focus and intensity.
Tulsa’s athleticism extends to the rest of their roster, with a bunch of long-armed defensive minded local products on board in the form of Moses Ehambe, Yemi Ogunoye, and Larry Owens. Owens in particular is a guy to keep an eye on. Other potential impact players include stocky point guard Byron Eaton (good enough to start, potentially alongside Shakur), Keith Clark, who went toe to toe with James White in the Dunk Contest last season, and shot-blocker Steven Hill.
Tulsa should see plenty of help this year from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Byron/B.J. Mullens and Kyle Weaver were both assigned to the team with Weaver being recalled already due to a rash of injuries the team suffered, only to get injured himself. The Thunder could also potentially send Serge Ibaka or D.J. White to the 66ers, but both are getting about 11 minutes per game which should be enough to keep them in the NBA for the time being.
The Houston Rockets and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers are the first teams to take part of the D-Leagues “Hybrid Affiliation” model. The Rockets have control over the Vipers coaching staff and personnel decisions as long as they cover the basketball operations expenses. Don’t be surprised to see Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey doing some behind the scenes experimentation with his brand new toy. What exactly, we’re not sure of quite yet, but things could get very interesting here.
Similar to Tulsa, this is one of the most athletic teams in the league and potentially one of the best defensive units around. The roster is chock full of long-armed athletes who play with toughness and intensity, and just happen to be directed by arguably the best head coach in the league, Great Britain National Team and former Dexia Mons coach Chris Finch, a fabulous hire. This is another potential sleeper team that could cause serious damage as the season moves on, particularly if they get Jermaine Taylor on an extended assignment or manage to acquire some offensive firepower.
Combo forward Mike Harris played for the Rockets two years ago and has significant D-League experience to fall back on. He can do damage from the perimeter but is much better at beating people up inside the paint. Look for him to be extremely productive this season as both a scorer and rebounder. Finch will look to him for leadership as well with how young this team is.
Rookie Garrett Temple played for the Rockets in both training camp and in the summer and appears to be a Daryl Morey favorite. He’s a big, long-armed point guard who can really defend and has a very nice basketball IQ. If he can find a way to improve his perimeter shooting stroke and maybe be a little more assertive offensively, he could emerge as a very interesting call-up candidate.
Antonio Anderson was the Defensive Player of the Year last year in Conference USA, so he might gather some NBA attention as a defensive specialist. He’s a terrific athlete with an NBA frame who, like Temple, has experience as a playmaker and some of the same weaknesses—mainly perimeter shooting and overall scoring ability. Anderson and Temple together in the same backcourt is a matchup that could give opposing coaches nightmares on the defensive end.
Georgetown product Jonathan Wallace is more of a traditional point guard who can make shots, run the offense and play mistake-free basketball. He will likely see a good amount of playing time, potentially alongside Temple and Anderson in various combinations.
Kurt Looby is another limited offensive player with intriguing physical attributes who really started to come around towards the end of last year’s D-League season. If he continues to improve and plays with consistency, he could be a guy to take a glance at if nothing else. Much of the same can be said about Mickell Gladness with his length and shot-blocking ability, but he’s so painfully thin it’s difficult to say much about him.
When it’s all said and done, Rio Grande Valley may opt to start Dorsey at the 5 (despite being incredibly undersized) and opt to go with talented face-up forward Julian Sensley at the 4, just to get some more offense on the court.
The Rockets have already assigned Joey Dorsey to the Vipers and could potentially assign 2nd round pick Jermaine Taylor as well. Taylor led the NCAA in scoring last season and could easily do the same in the D-League. The Rockets might want to see him work on other things, though.
The expansion Red Claws did a much better job in the expansion draft than their counterparts, the Springfield Armor, coming away with some veteran leadership in Billy Thomas and Noel Felix. Thomas is a major asset on this roster in particular due to his superb character, experience, perimeter shooting and willingness to be a role-player.
The best prospect here is Syracuse rookie Paul Harris who went to training camp with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted. Harris is currently out with an ankle injury but when he comes back he will be someone that NBA teams are sure to keep an eye on thanks to his athleticism, toughness, rebounding and lock-down defensive potential.
With Harris out, the Red Claws will fill his spot with the Celtics’ Bill Walker who was assigned last week. Like Harris, Walker has a history of working with assistant coach Mike “Sweet Chuck” Procopio, so the Celtics (Procopio’s former employers) know he is in good hands. When Paul Harris comes back the two should still be able to play together as they both spent more time at the power forward position in college than at the 3.
With Danny Ainge’s son, Austin as head coach, the Celtics will probably keep them supplied with NBA talent. It would not be a surprise if the Celtics sent J.R. Giddens or Lester Hudson later in the year. The Red Claws could also see Alexis Ajinca and Gerald Henderson assigned from the Charlotte Bobcats. Any assignments would be huge for Maine as they lack a considerable amount of depth at pretty much every position.
A brand new franchise, they are reportedly doing extremely well so far in everything that has to do with marketing and season ticket sales according to a recent CNBC article by Darren Rovell, something that has to make the D-League extremely pleased.
