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| 2007-2008 DraftExpress D-League Awards |
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| by: Jonathan Givony - President, Jim Hlavac, Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout, Richard Walker - D-League Scout |
| May 4, 2008 |
The four DraftExpress writers who followed the D-League this season voted on year end awards in many different categories. The following article contains the results as well as some commentary on how the awards were won.
2008 DraftExpress D-League MVP:
Randy Livingston, Idaho Stampede
In a unanimous selection among our panelists, Livingston brings home the MVP award. His value to the Idaho Stampede through their championship run went far beyond the numbers, but the point guard made his presence felt in the statistical categories as well. Leading the league at 10.5 assists per game, he was the only player in the league to hit double-digits in the category this season. The minor league veteran also averaged 16.5 points per game while providing both timely scoring and assists for his team during crunch time. On the offensive end, Livingston was probably the most vocal player in the D-League and constantly directed his teammates on making the proper reads and cuts in the offense. In the D-League Finals, it became very obvious how much control the veteran had in the Stampede offense. A mic’ed up Bryan Gates called the plays for the sideline and more often than not, the play call was ‘15’, a side screen and role that gave Livingston the chance to distribute the ball to his numerous teammates.
Defensive Player of the Year
Stephane Lasme, Los Angeles D-Fenders
The Los Angeles D-Fenders played better interior defense than any other team in the D-League for most of the season, and a huge reason for this was the play of rookie power forward Stephane Lasme. In a league devoid of dominant big men, Lasme anchored the D-Fenders front line with a combination of man to man defense mixed with elite shot-blocking ability. The rookie was originally drafted by the Golden State Warriors, but cut after only appearing in one game. He was rewarded late in the season when the Miami Heat called him up, and played very well in his NBA playing time. Though undersized for an NBA power-forward, Lasme has long arms and a very quick vertical leap as well as above average quickness laterally. The D-Fenders clearly could have used him in the playoffs, where they fell short against the eventual champions from Boise.
The other player receiving a vote from our panel was one of the more under-recognized players in the D-League this season. Justin Cage was shockingly cut by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants at the very beginning of the season, but quickly found a home with the Colorado 14ers. He quickly became part of one of the deepest rotations in the league, thanks to a great set of tools and high intensity level on the defensive end. Cage stands at a legit 6’6” with very long arms and a strong build. In addition, his lateral quickness helps him guard quicker players, and he’s not afraid of bodying up to physically defend bigger players. Cage will have to improve his three point shooting to make the NBA, but his efficient style offensively combined with tough defense will give him some looks this summer.
Co-Rookies of the Year
Blake Ahearn, Dakota Wizards and Mike Taylor, Idaho Stampede
Our two rookies of the year both have very unique stories, but both deserve the award for their play this season. Guard Blake Ahearn was drafted in the mid-rounds of the D-League draft by the Dakota Wizards and spent much of the first half of the season coming off the bench. We will get to more of his story later on in the article, but his shooting stroke earned him a call-up to the Miami Heat late in the season.
Mike Taylor joined the D-League after off the court troubles at Iowa State. An absolute freak physically, the rookie can easily be described as the quickest player with the ball in the league. His ability to get to the rim at will lead to many easy scoring chances, and he showed the ability to set up his teammates in transition as well. Though his shooting was streaky during the season, his three point jumper showed up in a big way during game three of the D-League finals. Taylor finished the game with 27 points, and knocked down seven of his ten long range jumpers. Another interesting wrinkle exists to Taylor’s story that makes him a truly unique D-League story. Since he was kicked off the Iowa State basketball team after the NBA draft in 2007, he is still eligible to be drafted (and he wasn’t eligible for an NBA call-up). We will have a more in-depth story about the situation in the coming weeks leading up to the draft.
Sleeper of the Year
Blake Ahearn, Dakota Wizards
An obvious choice for sleeper of the year, Ahearn had a great debut in his first D-League season. But rewind back to November, and it was an entirely different story for the guard on the night of the D-League draft. Though he gained notoriety as the NCAA’s all-time leading free throw shooter in college, there were many criticisms that led to Ahearn dropping to the last pick of the fourth round on draft night. Many thought he was too undersized to play shooting guard and without the proper skill-set and athletic ability to play point. He quickly proved the doubters wrong, first playing more of a shooting specialist role off the bench, and eventually taking over as the full time point guard with the departure of Maurice Baker and Dontell Jefferson to Europe. Ahearn led the D-League in scoring for the month of February, and had four games with 35 or more points this season including a season high 45 points on just 17 attempts from the field. The rookie was rewarded with a call-up to the Miami Heat. Though he still must continue to develop his point skills, Ahearn has the type of game that could last for a long time in the right NBA situation.
Coach of the Year
Bryan Gates, Idaho Stampede
In unanimous fashion, Coach Gates was voted the top coach in the D-League this season by our panel. In addition to coaching his team to a championship, we must also look at the great job he did acquiring players and assembling his roster this season, a feat even more impressive when you considered his first round pick Jamaal Tatum never played a minute due to injury. Gates clearly has an eye for talent, as noticed with some of his acquisitions over the past couple seasons including Mike Taylor and Lance Allred. Despite losing a lot of talent due to call-ups, he managed to keep his rotation deep. Both in terms of player personnel and strategizing, Gates stood out for the entire season, setting a league record for wins and grabbing the championship trophy to cap it off.
Sixth Men of the Year
Blake Ahearn, Mike Taylor
Tying for another award, both Taylor and Ahearn provided a huge impact off the bench for most of the season. Ahearn’s shooting stroke and versatility aided the Dakota Wizards in winning their division, and Taylor’s explosive scoring off the bench was vital for the Idaho Stampede all season.
Assignee of the Year
Ian Mahinmi, Austin Toros
When talking to NBA scouts about big men in the D-League with NBA futures, the first name mentioned by everyone was San Antonio Spurs rookie Ian Mahinmi, who spent nearly the entire season up the road in Austin. Physically, the rookie from France has every tool you look for in an NBA center prospect, including a well built frame, long wing-span, and explosive vertical leap. Combine this with Mahinmi’s surprisingly versatile offensive repertoire, and you have the tools for a future contributor in the NBA. The big man had a reputation for quick foul trouble over in France, and the D-League experience was quite beneficial for him in this regard. He was allowed to play through his foul trouble and still develop, and it became less of an issue as the season progress. Mahinmi still has another year of D-League eligibility, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him spend more time with the Toros next season.
All League Teams
All First Team
Randy Livingston, Idaho Stampede
Ian Mahinmi, Austin Tors
Kasib Powell, Sioux Falls Skyforce
Lance Allred, Idaho Stampede
Rod Benson, Dakota Wizards
Elton Brown, Colorado 14ers
Andre Barrett, Austin Toros
All Second Team
Blake Ahearn , Dakota Wizards
Morris Almond, Utah Flash
Sean Banks, Los Angeles D-Fenders
Carlos Powell, Dakota Wizards
Keith Langford, Austin Toros
All Third Team
Desmon Farmer, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Eddie Gill, Colorado 14ers
Cory Violette, Idaho Stampede
Nick Fazekas, Tulsa 66ers
Kaniel Dickens, Colorado 14ers
Honorable Mention
Earl Calloway, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Billy Thomas, Colorado 14ers
Marcus Campbell, Anaheim Arsenal
Mike Hall, Tulsa 66ers
Coby Karl, Los Angeles D-Fenders
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| D-League Finals Preview |
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| by: Jim Hlavac, Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout |
| April 21, 2008 |
[lont]1. Idaho Stampede (37-14) @ 2. Austin Toros (31-20)[/lont]
Line
According to the computer, Austin enters the opening game as 6 point favorites.
Previous Meetings:
Austin won the season series 2-0
Dec 15 @Austin 127, Idaho 117
Mar 5 Austin 105, @Idaho 102
Team Stats
IDA points for 103.0
IDA points against 99.5
AUS points for 109.1
AUS points against 106.8
Records
IDA Home Record 23-4 .852
IDA Road Record 14-10 .583
AUS Home Record 20-5 .800
AUS Road Record 10-14 .417
Idaho Stampede
Starting Lineup
PG Randy Livingston (16.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 10.5 ast)
SG Roberto Bergersen (13.1, 2.9, 2.8)
SF Brent Petway (7.3, 3.9, 1.3)
PF Cory Violette (13.4, 7.1, 1.8)
C Jason Ellis (5.4, 5.1, 0.6)
Head Coach: Bryan Gates
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Randy Livingston 16.5
Rebounds: Lance Allred* 10.0, Mouhamed Sene* 9.0, Cory Violette 7.1)
Assists: Randy Livingston 10.5
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: Randy Livingston 18.7
Rebounds: Jason Ellis 9.1
Assists: Randy Livingston 8.1
Key Losses
C Lance Allred (Cleveland Cavaliers)
C Mouhamed Sene (Injury)
Assigned Players
PF Josh McRoberts (Portland Trailblazers)
Players with NBA Experience
Randy Livingston, Luke Jackson
Austin Toros
Starting Lineup
PG Andre Barrett (18.4pts, 3.2reb, 8.3ast)
SG Kenton Paulino (5.6, 1.1, 1.0)
SF Darvin Ham (10.1, 5.5, 1.8)
PF Justin Bowen (13.1, 6.4, 1.2)
C Ian Mahinmi (16.8, 8.0, 1.3)
Head Coach: Quinn Snyder
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Keith Langford* 24.6, Marcus Williams* 19.2, Andre Barrett 18.4
Rebounds: Ian Mahinmi 8.0
Assists: Andre Barrett 8.3
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: Ian Mahinmi 19.4
Rebounds: Ian Mahinmi 9.4
Assists: Andre Barrett 10.1
Key Losses
SF Marcus Williams (Clippers)
SG DerMarr Johnson (Spurs)
SG Keith Langford (Italy)
Assigned Players
Ian Mahinmi (Spurs)
Players with NBA Experience
Andre Barrett, Darvin Ham, Ian Mahinmi
Outlook:
The three game series kicks off tonight in Austin, before the final two games move to Boise as the 2008 D-League Champion is decided. Austin took both the match-ups between to the two teams in the regular season and gave Idaho one of their four home losses on the season. Idaho has held the best record in the league since early in the season, and these two teams provide some intriguing match-ups that should provide an exciting series.
The interesting matchups start right at the point guard slot, where Andre Barrett will play against veteran Randy Livingston. Both players have years of NBA experience under their belts, but their styles of play are very contrasting. Livingston plays as your true floor general and distributes as well as any point guard in the D-League. He constantly directs the Stampede players through their half-court sets, but can also score when needed to. Though past his prime physically, Livingston plays like a head coach on the floor and has been the Stampede’s MVP over the past two seasons.
Barrett plays better in a transition system, though he can make plays in the half-court on pick and rolls and by breaking down the defense before kicking the ball to the open man. Much more of a scorer than Livingston, he can pull up off the dribble anywhere on the court and has no problem getting to the rim in transition or the half-court. As a floor general, Barrett doesn’t run a team as effectively as his Stampede counterpart, but he can be quite effective as both a scorer and distributor. Though Barrett didn’t play for Austin in either of their wins over Idaho this season, he will be a key player in determining the outcome of the series.
At the wings, it would appear Idaho has a clear advantage entering the series. Luke Jackson can score a number of ways against D-League competition and has a deadly shooting stroke from the perimeter. Roberto Bergersen can also light it up from long range at times, but has struggled from the field in his last 4 games, going just 17 of 55 over that stretch. Austin lost two wings in DerMarr Johnson and Marcus Williams to the NBA towards the end of the season. Guard Kenton Paulino has great range on his jumper but can’t really create his own shot at this level. Josh Gross has played well offensively since he was acquired, but can be described as a liability on the defensive end of the floor.
Up front, center Ian Mahinmi has been the best center in the league this season, and it will be tough for Idaho to neutralize his impact without Lance Allred on the roster. Mahinmi didn’t appear in either of the Toros games against the Stampede in the regular season, so it may take Idaho some time to adjust to defending him in the post. Idaho brings NBA big man Josh McRoberts to counter Mahinmi, but the rookie struggles to defend the low post, and isn’t the type of player who can put the Spurs’ rookie in foul trouble either. To compliment McRoberts in the front court, Cory Violette provides hustle and rebounding along with solid offensive ability. Darvin Ham provides year of NBA experience next to Mahinmi, and played a big role in the Toros second round victory over Sioux Falls.
Off the bench, Justin Bowen will be relied upon for scoring and rebounding for Austin, while guard Mike Taylor is the key factor for the Stampede. Taylor has explosive scoring ability and can probably be described as the quickest player in the D-League, but he has a tendency to jump the passing lanes too often on defense which can lead to some easy cuts to the basket.
It should be a very exciting series to watch, even though both teams will miss some players who have moved on to the NBA. It speaks to the ability of the coaches of these teams that they still managed to compete despite large roster turnover. The new format of the D-League playoffs appears to be a success as well, and we look forward to an exciting game tonight.
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| D-League Playoffs: Second Round Preview |
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| by: Jim Hlavac, Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout |
| April 18, 2008 |
4. Los Angeles D-Fenders (33-18) @ 1. Idaho Stampede
(36-14)
Previous Meetings:
Idaho won the season series 5-3
Nov 27 - Idaho 118, @Los Angeles 111
Jan 24 - @Idaho 97, Los Angeles 90
Jan 26 - @Idaho 100, Los Angeles 99
Feb 8 - @Idaho 104, Los Angeles 90
Feb 9 - Los Angeles 118, Idaho 95
Feb 28 - Idaho 93, @Los Angeles 90
Mar 2 - @Los Angeles 115, Idaho 98
Apr 2 - @Los Angeles 105, Idaho 100
Team Stats
IDA points for 103.0
IDA points against 99.5
LAD points for 104.7
LAD points against 100.5
Records
IDA Home Record 22-4 .846
LAD Road Record 12-12 .500
Los Angeles D-Fenders
The D-Fenders won an opening round game against a tough Colorado 14ers squad for two main reasons. Center Jelani McCoy had a huge impact for the D-Fenders, and forced the Colorado guards into settling for jumpers rather than attacking the paint. Guard Errick Craven also stepped up in a big way for Los Angeles, finishing the game with 22 points and 8 assists while initiating the triangle for much of the game. Brandon Wallace had an impact on both ends of the floor, and Wendell White played very aggressively off the bench. Against Idaho, they will have their work cut out for them facing veteran point guard Randy Livingston. The Stampede have a number of players who can light it up from behind the three point line, and closing out on the shooters will be key for this reason. If Los Angeles can put together another strong team effort and Jelani McCoy can repeat his performance, it will give them a chance at moving on to the D-League finals.
Starting Lineup
PG Erick Craven (7.9pts, 3.1reb, 2.6 ast)
SG Coby Karl (17.3, 5.6, 4.4)
SF Sean Banks (21.9, 5.4, 3.1)
PF Brandon Wallace (8.0, 6.5, 3.0)
C Jelani McCoy (11.0, 7.9, 3.3)
Head Coach: Dan Panaggio
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Sean Banks 21.9
Rebounds: Jelani McCoy 7.9
Assists: Brian Chase* 3.6, Jelani McCoy 3.3
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points Sean Banks 20.9
Rebounds Jelani McCoy 9.3
Assists Jelani McCoy 4.8
Key Losses
SF Devin Green (Italy) 16.4pts, 6.4reb, 4.2ast PG Brian Chase (Turkey) 16.5pts, 3.8reb, 3.6ast PF Stephane Lasme (Miami Heat) 10.6pts, 7.5reb, 1.3ast
Assigned Players
Coby Karl (Lakers)
Players with NBA Experience
Jelani McCoy, Robert Whaley
Idaho Stampede
The Stampede enter their opening playoff game as the hottest team in the league, winners of their last 5 games including a tough home contest against the Iowa Energy to end the season. Coach Bryan Gates is coming off his second consecutive coach of the year award, and Randy Livingston brings more veteran savvy to the floor than any other player in the league. The home court should also prove to be a huge advantage for this team, who only lost four games at home over the course of the season. Inside, the loss of Lance Allred will certainly take an element out of their usual offensive scheme, but they have NBA assigned big man Josh McRoberts as well as Cory Violette up front. On the wings, Luke Jackson can score as well as anybody in the D-League, and Roberto Bergersen is always a threat from long range. Rookie guard Mike Taylor can light it up off the bench as well if he’s playing in control. The Stampede should have the advantage in the back-court and are the easy pick to win the D-League finals considering they won’t have to play on the road again this season.
Starting Lineup
PG Randy Livingston (16.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 10.5 ast)
SG Roberto Bergersen (13.1, 2.9, 2.8)
SF Brent Petway (7.3, 3.9, 1.3)
PF Cory Violette (13.4, 7.1, 1.8)
C Jason Ellis (5.4, 5.1, 0.6)
Head Coach: Bryan Gates
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Randy Livingston 16.5
Rebounds: Lance Allred* 10.0, Mouhamed Sene* 9.0, Cory Violette 7.1)
Assists: Randy Livingston 10.5
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: Randy Livingston 18.7
Rebounds: Jason Ellis 9.1
Assists: Randy Livingston 8.1
Key Losses
C Lance Allred (Cleveland Cavaliers)
C Mouhamed Sene (Injury)
Assigned Players
PF Josh McRoberts (Portland Trailblazers)
Players with NBA Experience
Randy Livingston, Luke Jackson
6. Sioux Falls Skyforce (29-22) @ 2. Austin Toros
(30-20)
Previous Meetings:
Austin won the season series 2-0
Nov 30 - @Austin 114, Sioux Falls 109
Jan 16 - Austin 101, Sioux Falls 92 (at Boise)
Team Stats
AUS points for 109.1
AUS points against 106.8
SXF points for 105.0
SXF points against 104.1
Records
AUS Home Record 19-5 .792
SXF Road Record 10-15 .400
Austin Toros
The Toros start the playoffs after completing a trade to add veteran forward Darvin Ham towards the end of the season. They had a trade lined up to add another guard as well, but it fell through during the last week of the season. Two key players will determine the success of the Toros in the playoffs. Point guard Andre Barrett can light it up at times and shares the ball quite well in transition. With Barrett in control of the game’s tempo, it will be much harder for Sioux Falls to adjust. Big man Ian Mahinmi must come to play against Chris Alexander as well. Alexander played extremely well in the opening round playoff game against Dakota, and is the type of player who could put Mahinmi in foul trouble early in the game. On the other hand, Mahinmi might be an even more dangerous threat to take Alexander out of the game because of foul trouble. Though not as deep as they once were, the Toros feature a nice supporting cast including big man Jamar Smith who was just acquired within the last week. Along with Smith, they also bring Yemi Nicholson and Squeaky Johnson off the bench.
Starting Lineup
PG Andre Barrett (18.4pts, 3.2reb, 8.3ast)
SG Kenton Paulino (5.6, 1.1, 1.0)
SF Darvin Ham (10.1, 5.5, 1.8)
PF Justin Bowen (13.1, 6.4, 1.2)
C Ian Mahinmi (16.8, 8.0, 1.3)
Head Coach: Quinn Snyder
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Keith Langford* 24.6, Marcus Williams* 19.2, Andre Barrett 18.4
Rebounds: Ian Mahinmi 8.0
Assists: Andre Barrett 8.3
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: Ian Mahinmi 19.4
Rebounds: Ian Mahinmi 9.4
Assists: Andre Barrett 10.1
Key Losses
SF Marcus Williams (Clippers)
SG DerMarr Johnson (Spurs)
SG Keith Langford (Italy)
Assigned Players
Ian Mahinmi (Spurs)
Players with NBA Experience
Andre Barrett, Darvin Ham, Ian Mahinmi
Sioux Falls Skyforce
The Skyforce won a road game in Dakota to open the playoffs thanks to the strong play of David Bailey and Chris Alexander. Bailey set the tone with 20 first half points and Alexander kept many of the Dakota big men in foul trouble throughout the game. Going in the second round, it will be important for Bailey to continue his high level of production. He’s the one player on the Sioux Falls roster who can light it up every night, and an off game from him would surely spell the end of the season for the Skyforce. Alexander will be faced with a tough matchup in rookie big man Ian Mahinmi. To beat Austin, one of the other scoring options for the Skyforce must step up as well. Carl Elliott and Elton Nesbitt are both threats to go off any given game, and forward Michael Joiner’s ability to space the floor should also come in handy. Off the bench Glen McGowan’s role will be quite important as well. Sioux Falls is hoping for a sloppy game where Bailey can lead them to the finals. The guards on Austin will be harder to stop than the ones they faced in Dakota, and Mahinmi can score the ball as effectively as any big man in the D-League.
Starting Lineup
PG David Bailey (15.4pts, 3.5reb, 5.6 ast)
SG Elton Nesbitt (15.4, 3.2, 3.6)
SF Carl Elliott (14.2, 4.5, 2.8)
PF Michael Joiner (10.3, 4.4, 1.0)
C Chris Alexander (11.6, 11.2, 0.9)
Head Coach: Nate Tibbetts
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Kasib Powell* 22.2, Elton Nesbitt 15.4, David Bailey 15.4
Rebounds: Chris Alexander 11.2
Assists: David Bailey 5.6
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: David Bailey 23.0
Rebounds: Chris Alexander 12.6
Assists: David Bailey 5.8
Key Losses
SF Kasib Powell (Miami Heat) 22.2pts, 6.0reb, 3.0ast, Bobby Jones (San Antonio Spurs)
Assigned Players
none
Players with NBA Experience
none
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jim.hlavac@draftexpress.com mike.schmidt@draftexpress.com |
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| Previewing the D-League Playoffs |
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| by: Jim Hlavac, Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout |
| April 14, 2008 |
5. Colorado 14ers (28-21) @ 4. Los Angeles D-Fenders
(32-17)
Previous Meetings:
Los Angeles won the season series 2-0
March 14 - Los Angeles 99, @Colorado 96
March 26 - @Los Angeles 101, Colorado 90
Team Stats
LAD points for 104.4
LAD points against 99.9
COL points for 109.2
COL points against 103.9
Records
LAD Home Record 18-6 .750
COL Road Record 10-13 .435
Los Angeles D-Fenders
The D-Fenders are riding a four game losing streak heading in to the playoffs and have clearly been hurt by defections to Europe. The key loss for the D-Fenders comes in the form of Stephane Lasme (Miami Heat), who combined with McCoy, gave the team a tandem of defenders at the rim who would have made them the favorites to win the title. To get back on track, they will need strong guard play from Coby Karl, who has scored the ball effectively since his third and final return to the D-Fenders. Karl needs to cut down on turnovers in his role as the initiator of the triangle offense. Up front, Jelani McCoy still provides interior defense, but they need another big man to provide help-side protection at the rim. If Abdoulaye N’Diaye can stay out of foul trouble, his defense would be a great asset to the D-Fenders headed into the playoffs. Consistency will also been needed from small forward Sean Banks, who has struggled as of late despite ranking among the scoring leaders in the D-League this season. The NBA veterans on Colorado will provide a tough challenge for the D-Fenders, and they will need to be firing on all cylinders to beat the 14ers in this game.
Starting Lineup
PG Erick Craven (7.9pts, 3.1reb, 2.6 ast)
SG Coby Karl (17.3, 5.6, 4.4)
SF Sean Banks (21.9, 5.4, 3.1)
PF Brandon Wallace (8.0, 6.5, 3.0)
C Jelani McCoy (11.0, 7.9, 3.3)
Head Coach: Dan Panaggio
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Sean Banks 21.9
Rebounds: Jelani McCoy 7.9
Assists: Brian Chase* 3.6, Jelani McCoy 3.3
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points Sean Banks 20.9
Rebounds Jelani McCoy 9.3
Assists Jelani McCoy 4.8
Key Losses
SF Devin Green (Italy) 16.4pts, 6.4reb, 4.2ast
PG Brian Chase (Turkey) 16.5pts, 3.8reb, 3.6ast
PF Stephane Lasme (Miami Heat) 10.6pts, 7.5reb, 1.3ast
Assigned Players
Coby Karl (Lakers)
Players with NBA Experience
Jelani McCoy, Robert Whaley
Colorado 14ers
The 14ers seem to be peaking at the right time, winning their last six games to close the season. They are clearly helped by a stacked roster which includes many NBA veterans who now have had time to build chemistry as a team. Point guard Eddie Gill recently returned from the Seattle SuperSonics, and has NBA playoff experience under his belt. Billy Thomas can space the floor with his shooting and provides a steady presence on the defensive end. Kaniel Dickens ability to light it up from long range will also be an asset to the 14ers in the playoffs, and John Thomas has years of NBA playoff experience under his belt as well. NBA point guard Taurean Green starts next to Gill and provides a nice scoring punch in the back-court, and a number of solid role players including Justin Cage and Eric Osmundson can fill in off the bench. Lack of depth up front is the big concern for the 14ers, but they have a well balanced roster otherwise as well as a veteran minor league coach. If they can win in Los Angeles, it could provide the proper momentum they need to take home the 2008 championship.
Starting Lineup
PG Eddie Gill (7.9pts, 3.1reb, 2.6 ast)
SG Billy Thomas (16.2, 3.4, 3.8)
SF Kaniel Dickens (19.6, 5.3, 1.5)
PF John Thomas (13.2, 8.1, 1.2)
C Roderick Riley (10.5, 6.9, 0.5)
Head Coach: Joe Wolf
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Elton Brown* 20.4, Kaniel Dickens 19.6
Rebounds: Elton Brown* 11.9, Rodrick Riley 6.9
Assists: Eddie Gill 8.5
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: Eddie Gill 19.4
Rebounds: Rodrick Riley 9.7
Assists: Eddie Gill 8.6
Key Losses
PF Elton Brown (Israel)
Assigned Players
Taurean Green (Denver)
Players with NBA Experience
Kaniel Dickens, Eddie Gill, Billy Thomas, John Thomas
6. Sioux Falls Skyforce (28-22) @ 3. Dakota Wizards
(29-21)
Previous Meetings:
Sioux Falls won the season series 7-3
December 9 - Dakota 115, @Sioux Falls 105
December 16 - Sioux Falls 96, @Dakota 90
January 9 - @Dakota 99, Sioux Falls 88
February 14 - @Sioux Falls 105, Dakota 102
February 17 - Sioux Falls 112, @Dakota 100
February 19 - @Sioux Falls 97, Dakota 95
February 25 - Sioux Falls 117, @Dakota 108
February 27 - @Dakota 116, Sioux Falls 106
March 28 - @Sioux Falls 124, Dakota 115
March 29 - @Sioux Falls 105, Dakota 103
Team Stats
DAK points for 107.8
DAK points against 105.8
SXF points for 105.0
SXF points against 104.1
Records
DAK Home Record 17-7 .708
SXF Road Record 9-15 .375
Dakota Wizards
After losing a very solid group of guards over the course of the season, the Wizards struggled some at the end of the season, but won their final two games to win the division. They still have the strong front line of Carlos Powell, Rod Benson and Kevin Lyde that rivals any group they will face in the D-League playoffs. Recently added forward Andre Patterson could also help up front, particularly when it comes to rebounding. The challenge for Dakota will be their guard play. Blake Ahearn is collecting his paycheck from the Miami Heat these days, and Dontell Jefferson makes good money in Latvia. They feature scorer Tony Gipson and fellow guard David Bell in the backcourt. The Wizards struggled against the Skyforce in the season series, but must take advantage of Carlos Powell’s ability to create. This game will be an intense matchup featuring the two oldest rivals in the D-League. The home-court advantage may be enough to get it done for Dakota, but it will surely be a close game.
Starting Lineup
PG Tony Gipson (12.8pts, 2..6reb, 4.3ast)
SG David Bell (12.8, 3.4, 3.8)
SF Carlos Powell (22.3, 6.5, 4.8)
PF Rod Benson (13.4, 12.1, 1.2)
C Kevin Lyde (12.2, 7.7, 2.0)
Head Coach: Duane Ticknor
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Carlos Powell 22.3
Rebounds: Rod Benson 12.1
Assists: Dontell Jefferson* 5.0, Carlos Powell 4.8
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: Carlos Powell 24.7
Rebounds: Rod Benson 11.8
Assists: Carlos Powell 5.1, Tony Gipson 5.1
Key Losses
PG Blake Ahearn (Miami Heat) 19.0pts, 2.0reb, 3.5ast
PG Maurice Baker (France) 18.2pts, 6.6pts, 4.5ast
SG Dontell Jefferson (Latvia) 17.0pts, 4.7reb, 5.0 ast
Assigned Players
none
Players with NBA Experience
none
Sioux Falls Skyforce
The Skyforce had a rough start to the season, but quickly turned things around behind D-league MVP Kasib Powell. Unfortunately for them, Powell now suits up for the Miami Heat, and their other talented forward Bobby Jones spends his time with the Nuggets these days. Coach Nate Tibbetts has done a great job with his squad this season, and could have very easily won the coach of the year award. Without Powell, they will need Chris Alexander to have a big game in order to neutralize the Dakota front line. In the backcourt, David Bailey and Elton Nesbitt have been consistently scoring the ball throughout the season, and they should have a clear advantage against Dakota in this area. Power forward Glen McGowan has also stepped up his play since he was acquired from Tulsa, but the Skyforce have a thin bench at this point. If their guards can control the tempo of the game, Sioux Falls will have a chance to pull out a tough road win in the opening round of the playoffs.
Starting Lineup
PG David Bailey (15.4pts, 3.5reb, 5.6 ast)
SG Elton Nesbitt (15.4, 3.2, 3.6)
SF Carl Elliott (14.2, 4.5, 2.8)
PF Michael Joiner (10.3, 4.4, 1.0)
C Chris Alexander (11.6, 11.2, 0.9)
Head Coach: Nate Tibbetts
Team Leaders (Season)
Points: Kasib Powell* 22.2, Elton Nesbitt 15.4, David Bailey 15.4
Rebounds: Chris Alexander 11.2
Assists: David Bailey 5.6
* No longer with team
Team Leaders (Last 10 Games)
Points: David Bailey 23.0
Rebounds: Chris Alexander 12.6
Assists: David Bailey 5.8
Key Losses
SF Kasib Powell (Miami Heat) 22.2pts, 6.0reb, 3.0ast
Assigned Players
none
Players with NBA Experience
none
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jim.hlavac@draftexpress.com mike.schmidt@draftexpress.com |
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| Kasib Powell Signed by Miami |
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| by: Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout |
| March 22, 2008 |
D-League small forward Kasib Powell has been signed by the Miami Heat, making him third player called up to the Heat in two days. To make room for the veteran forward, they released small forward Bobby Jones. Powell will receive an immediate chance to prove himself at the NBA level with the Heat, on a roster plagued with injuries and full of former D-League players. He was ranked number one on our list of call-up candidates.
A veteran of the minor leagues, Powell ranked third among active players in the D-League in scoring at 22.3 points per game. He also gained notoriety for his role as a top lock-down defender, and also averaged 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting just under 50% from the field. At the age of 27, he has experience playing in the CBA and USBL in addition to the D-League.
Powell was always criticized in the past for his lack of three point shooting, but the forward worked himself into a groove from long range and has shot 42% from long range on the season. He has the strength and lateral quickness to become an excellent defender in the NBA. Offensively, he has a solid mid-range game, but may struggle to finish against the more athletic big men in the NBA.
The Heat now have eight players on their roster with previous D-League experience. Joel Anthony and Daequan Cook recently returned from a stint with the Iowa Energy. Shot-blocking power forward Stephane Lasme and sharp-shooter Blake Ahearn were added by Miami yesterday.
With the end of both the NBA season and the D-League season fast approaching, we have be able to observe a shift in the type of players called up to NBA teams. Early in the year, many veteran players were called up from the D-League by NBA teams looking to win now. With the playoff picture becoming clearer by the day, some NBA teams can now afford to give younger players with upside a look to see if they are worth a contract for next season.
Bobby Jones failed to stick with his fourth NBA team this season, and will likely return to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Considering his ability on the defensive end, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the second year small forward with a fifth NBA team this season.
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| Interview with Lance Allred of the Cleveland Cavaliers |
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| by: Richard Walker - D-League Scout |
| March 14, 2008 |
 | | Lance Allred signing autographs at the 2008 ASG |
Twice in his career Lance Allred has gotten a chance to play. In college he transferred out of an uncomfortable situation at Utah and shined at Weber State averaging nearly 18 points and 12 rebounds. Then, last year, a series of events unfolded that moved him from being the 4th String center to the starter on one of the better teams in the NBA Development League, the Idaho Stampede. This year, along with teammate and fellow D-League All-Star Randy Livingston, he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds and lead his team to the best record in the league, and just today earned himself a call-up with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. A few weeks ago at the All-Star game in New Orleans I had the opportunity to speak with Lance about his rise within the league and his chances of getting called up or heading to Europe.
Richard Walker: At the end of last season it seemed like you turned into a 20-10 machine. What lead to that?
Lance Allred: You just have to wait for your opportunity, and I was basically the fourth string center last year behind Peter John Ramos, Jeff Graves and Mouhamed Sene and then all within one week in March they all left. Mouhamed got called up, Pete broke his leg and Jeff got called to Turkey and so by default I was the lone center. One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity and if I didn’t take advantage of that then shame on me.
Richard Walker: It seems like you really capitalized on it this year. Obviously you’ve become an All-Star.
Lance Allred: Yeah, it’s been a great ride. It’s been a great season. All-Star games are All-Star games, and obviously it would have been nice had we played better and won, but it’s just the fact that you get to be here and be a part of it. The [Idaho] Stampede were rewarded and Randy [Livingston], Cory [Violette] and I, along with the coaching staff, were here and it’s been a great experience for everybody. That’s the most important thing, that you have a good time while you’re here.
Richard Walker: I thought you played really well for the [Boston] Celtics this summer. What was that like for you?
Lance Allred: It went well, and I did everything they asked me to, but so did Glen Davis, and he was their second round pick so they’ve got to follow through with that. He’s been great with them this year, and it is what it is.
Richard Walker: I’ve heard that you got a lot of offers [after summer league] from European teams, is that true?
Lance Allred: Yeah, but I just felt the need to give it one more year in the D-League so I had no regrets, no what-ifs, so I could at least say to myself I did the best I possibly could.
Richard Walker: Is Europe something you would consider in the future then?
Lance Allred: Yeah, if nothing comes up here. This is pretty much my last year in the D-League – two years is plenty enough – and after that if nothing happens then I’ll have to go overseas. I was a European History major in college so I’m not intimidated by any aspect of going overseas.
Richard Walker: A lot of players I speak with are completely terrified with the language barrier and stuff like that, but it doesn’t seem like it will be an issue for you.
Do you get feedback on what they’re looking for from you in order to get called up?
Lance Allred: All I hear is that I have to be patient. At this point you just have to wait, and keep an even keel, and keep showing up to work each day, and playing hard. Most of it is just timing.
Richard Walker: Is there any rumors you’ve been hearing during this weekend?
Lance Allred: Yeah, but you’ve got to maintain that even keel because it can be emotionally draining to buy into it. Just up and down, and up and down. If you buy into it you get too high, you get too low.
Richard Walker: Definitely. Great, thanks a lot.
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| Inside the D-League: Bobby Jones Added to the Rockets |
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| by: Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout |
| February 26, 2008 |
Jones Officially Added to Rockets
Second year small forward Bobby Jones flew to Houston today to officially join the Rockets. He becomes the 15th call-up of the current D-League season, and the fourth to join an NBA team as a direct result of trade deadline movement. The 37th pick in the 2006 NBA draft, Jones spent a handful of games on assignment in the D-League his rookie season. He was traded to Denver in the 2007 offseason, and also spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies after the Nuggets released him. After signing a D-League contract, Jones joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he only played 2 games, averaging 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. The former Washington Husky became known primarily for his defensive ability, but must continue to work on his overall offensive game and outside shooting stroke specifically to stick in the NBA for the long term.
Nichols Re-Assigned to Iowa
Rookie forward Demetris Nichols has been assigned to a second stint with the Iowa Energy. Originally drafted by the New York Knicks, Nichols spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers before signing with the Chicago Bulls as a free agent. He’ll fill a much needed void on the Energy at the small forward spot after the departure of Dwayne Mitchell to Europe. Nichols also joins his college teammate Darryl Watkins, who he spent 4 years with at Syracuse. During his first D-League stint, the rookie showed off a nice shooting stroke from long range, but seemed too set on trying to prove he could drive to the basket. Nichols will need to focus on improving his perimeter defense and continuing to shoot the ball in rhythm.
Sims Joins the Energy, Mitchell to Germany
The Iowa Energy have added rookie center Courtney Sims from the available player pool. A former Michigan Wolverine, Sims will join fellow rookie Darryl Watkins as well as Doug Thomas in the Energy frontcourt. Iowa had struggled with front court depth since Anthony Tolliver departed for Europe. Sims averaged 11.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game his senior season, before going undrafted in 2007. He then joined the Indiana Pacers, where he appeared in three games this season, but failed to garner a guaranteed contract.
Dwayne Mitchell has left the Energy for Bamberg in Germany, who paid $30,000 to buy him out of his D-League contract. Mitchell averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds per game this season and was selected to the D-League All-Star Game just a few weeks ago. Turnovers plagued the talented and extremely athletic guard during his time in Iowa, and he struggled to shoot the ball consistently enough to receive a call-up to the NBA.
Kasib Powell Named Player of the Week
Sioux Falls Skyforce small forward Kasib Powell has been named the D-League performer of the week after averaging 27 points per game in a pair of wins. The 26 year-old forward has established himself as one of the top two-way players in the D-League this season, locking down many opposing wings defensively, while showing a number of scoring tools on the other end of the floor. Powell has always been criticized for his poor perimeter shooting, but has improved his percentage to 39% on the season after a recent streak of hot shooting. When looking at what he brings to the floor, he should receive a look from an NBA team at some point. His mid-range scoring may not translate to the NBA, but his improved perimeter shooting will help his cause on the offensive end, as will his overall versatility on both ends of the floor.
Cleaves to Re-Join Bakersfield, Barrett Traded for Reed
Point guard Mateen Cleaves joined the Bakersfield Jam today, and Andre Barrett was traded to the Austin Toros to make room for him on the roster. The veteran guard played with the New Jersey Nets in training camp and Panionios in Greece until he was released in January. Bakersfield has his rights from last season, where he played from January until the end of the season. At the age of 30, Cleaves brings his seven years of NBA experience back to Bakersfield. To make room for him, head coach Scott Roth has shipped Andre Barrett to Austin for forward Justin Reed, who had been on the trading block for a couple weeks. Barrett will provide an immediate boost to Austin’s offense, and Reed will look to bring some toughness to a struggling Bakersfield squad. As a result of these transactions, Bakersfield has used all eight of their moves for the season, meaning they will have the same roster for the rest of the year.
NBA Player Updates
Morris Almond, Utah Jazz/Utah Flash
26.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
Almond has continued to show impressive scoring tools, and his ability to get to the free throw line has improved since he was assigned to the Flash. He shows NBA range on his jumper, and can score from mid-range very effectively as well. There is still room for the rookie to improve defensively, and his passing needs some work as well, though his assists have increased to 2.5 per game over the past three games. It is clear that Almond possesses tools that most players in the D-League dream of having. For the rest of the season, he just needs to maintain his shooting rhythm and hope the Jazz give him a chance to prove himself at the next level.
Kyrylo Fesenko, Utah Jazz/Utah Flash
9.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 apg
‘Fes’ needs to improve his conditioning over the next couple of months to stay on the court rather than only playing around 25 minutes per game. The rookie looks to be a good fit for the Jazz offense in the future, particularly with his ability to find the open man out of the high post. It would help him to further improve his low post moves, though he does show good aggressiveness inside. Defensively, foul trouble can be a problem for Fesenko at times, but he shows the ability to be a good shot-blocker. Considering the rookie’s age (21), he should be a very valuable player for the Jazz in the future, as long as he continues to work on his physical conditioning.
Ian Mahinmi, San Antonio Spurs/Austin Toros
17.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Mahinmi struggled with his scoring for about 5 games, but bounced back in his last game against Dakota by scoring 30 points, grabbing 17 rebounds and blocking 7 shots. Foul trouble was a big problem for the rookie entering the season, and it still plagues him at times. When on the court, he shows excellent footwork on the low block, and improving touch with his right handed hook. Mahinmi also looks comfortable stepping out and hitting a jumper at times, though his future in the NBA lies in the paint. Few young big men in the NBA have the tools of Mahinmi, and the playing time in the D-League has helped greatly with his comfort level on the court. He could crack the Spurs rotation as soon as next season, and he will start in the NBA some day if he remains on his current developmental track.
David Noel, Milwaukee Bucks/Tulsa 66ers 19.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.9 apg
The 66ers have won 8 of 12 games since the assignment of Noel, and the wins directly relate to the way he has played. The second year swingman currently has a three point percentage of 45% on a high volume of attempts from the field. Also surprising are the nearly 4 assists per game for Noel, who seems to have improved his feel for the game since college. To improve his chances of playing rotation minutes in the NBA, the former Tar Heel must focus on taking better advantage of his physical tools going to the basket. Considering his athleticism, Noel should be shooting a higher number of free throws. Defense could also be an area of focus for the guard.
Cheikh Samb, Detroit Pistons/Fort Wayne Mad Ants 10.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.7 bpg
Samb has excellent length and will be a valuable shot-blocker in the NBA someday, also due to a quick vertical leap. Offensively, the Senegal native appears comfortable shooting a spot-up jumper out to 20 feet, but needs to improve his arsenal with his back to the basket. When Samb was drafted, it was said that his body needed a great deal of work to become NBA ready. His body has improved since that time, but added core strength would help his chances of making an impact at the NBA level. The rookie could benefit from another year in the D-League, but his size and shot-blocking ability should make him a part of the Piston rotation someday.
Mouhamed Sene, Seattle SuperSonics/Idaho Stampede 12.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Though he has some nice tools to work with, Sene really hasn’t developed much over the course of the current D-League season. The right handed hook remains his only weapon on the offensive end, though it looks like he could develop a mid-range jumper with some hard work. Defensively, he shows the tools to become a reliable shot-blocker, but his timing remains poor and his effort isn’t always consistent. If Sene displayed the proper focus, he has the tools to become a very good rotation big and potentially a defensive-minded starter in the NBA. Without the proper effort, it’s hard to see his NBA career lasting beyond a few more seasons.
D-League Team Updates
Idaho Stampede, 25-8
Idaho split a pair of games with Anaheim over the weekend after beating Iowa in their first game after the all-star break. Mike Taylor has paced the Stampede with his scoring lately, and increased his average to 15 points per game on the season. To improve his NBA chances, the rookie guard needs to cut down on turnovers. Randy Livingston’s steady play has been invaluable to Coach Gates’ squad the past two seasons, and they will have a great shot at the D-League title as long as the veteran remains with the team. Lance Allred remains an elite center for this league, and should gain a chance at an NBA call-up if he continues to play at this level. The center has averages of 16.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game on the season.
Idaho plays their only game this week on the road Thursday against the D-Fenders.
Los Angeles D-Fenders, 21-10
The D-Fenders lost their first game out of the all-star break to Rio Grande Valley, but bounced back for a victory over a very good Tulsa squad. The Lakers assigned Coby Karl to play in the minor leagues anticipating the loss of Brian Chase to Turkey, but the deal fell through overseas and he has remained with the D-Fenders for the time being. Cecil Brown’s production has remained high since the departure of Devin Green from the team, and he’s shooting 48% from behind the three point line this season. Sean Banks has stepped up his scoring lately, averaging 26.8 points per game in 6 February games including a 42 point outing against the Idaho Stampede.
The D-Fenders host Idaho in an important division game Thursday after another game against Anaheim on Tuesday.
Austin Toros, 21-11
The Toros have a 1.5 game lead over the surging Colorado 14ers, and made a key move to improve their team today, netting elite point guard Andre Barrett in exchange for struggling forward Justin Reed. Barrett will fit perfectly next to guard Keith Langford, who should receive another NBA look at some point this season. Marcus Williams has played more consistently as of late, and now has averages of 16.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. DerMarr Johnson has continued to score the ball at a high rate as well.
The Toros host Fort Wayne on Friday and Anaheim on Saturday night.
Colorado 14ers, 20-13
The 14ers have the longest running winning streak in the D-league, despite the loss of Kaniel Dickens and Billy Thomas to the NBA. Elton Brown’s inside play has been huge as of late, and his averages of 20.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game have caught the eye of some NBA scouts. It would be surprising if he didn’t receive an NBA look at some point between now and the end of the year. Justin Cage has emerged as a more important cog in the Colorado offense, and his defense remains elite for a wing player in this league. Cage has a field goal percentage of 59.6%, but his three point shooting needs a lot of work. Brian Greene is starting to get healthy, and has been a key part of the Colorado offense with his shooting throughout the win streak.
Colorado plays at Albuquerque Friday night and hosts Tulsa on Saturday.
Dakota Wizards, 19-15
Dakota has dropped 7 of their last 10 games and their division lead has dropped to just half a game over Sioux Falls. The loss of Maurice Baker to Europe has hurt the team, despite the emergence of Blake Ahearn. The best pure shooter in the D-League, Ahearn has averaged over 27 points per game in the month of February. Carlos Powell remains one of the top players in the league, and led his team to a road victory over Iowa with a triple double of 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Powell has displayed surprising passing ability lately and looks prepared to stick it out until he receives a call-up. Kevin Lyde has struggled since early in the season, and his presence inside would really help Dakota get back on track.
The Wizards host Sioux Falls in an important Wednesday game before playing Bakersfield on Sunday.
Tulsa 66ers, 18-15
Tulsa dropped a game to Utah last week, before bouncing back for a blowout victory over Bakersfield. They have a great chance to grab a playoff spot before the end of the season, but they need consistent play from their frontcourt to maintain their current position. Mike Hall struggled at the start of the season but has emerged as one of the elite small forwards in the D-League recently. His three point percentage is now creeping into the high 30s, and he also shows good activity on the defensive end. Adam Harrington’s shooting has also been a big factor for Tulsa, and his three point shooting percentage has remained around 50% throughout the season. Improved play from Scott Merritt would be huge for the 66ers down the stretch.
Tulsa plays at Albuquerque Thursday night before traveling to Colorado for a Saturday contest.
Sioux Falls Skyforce, 19-16
Sioux Falls has the second longest active winning streak at 4 games, thanks in part to the play of forward Kasib Powell. Up front, Chris Alexander has established himself as one of the top rebounders in the league. The 7-footer needs to improve his body and explosion to have a shot at the NBA, but his size is a big factor for Sioux Falls. 5’9” scoring guard Elton Nesbitt has played very well lately, and currently averages 15.9 points per game on the season while shooting 40% from three. Michael Joiner’s ability to space the floor also compliments the slashing ability of many of his teammates.
Sioux Falls plays Wednesday night in Bismarck against the Wizards before hosting Bakersfield on Saturday.
Utah Flash, 17-17
The Flash have struggled lately, dropping 6 of their last 10 games and most recently losing a road game in Fort Wayne. Kevin Kruger has struggled with his long range shot as of late, though he continues to run the team fairly well. The long season is starting to catch up to James Lang, who needs to work on his conditioning. Lang still scores with consistency, but his rebounding numbers have dropped off and he runs the court very poorly. Curtis Stinson can score the ball very effectively at times, but his turnovers have hurt the team as well. With Morris Almond on board, the Flash still have a chance to make a push to the playoffs between now and April.
Utah plays at home Friday against Anaheim in their only game this week.
Iowa Energy, 15-19
The Energy looked like they could get back into the division race, but they dropped a pair of key divisional home games to Sioux Falls and Dakota. The losses were sandwiched around a key road win at Austin, and now they have a tough month of March with 9 of 11 games on the road. Mike Efevberha has played well in the absence of Dwayne Mitchell and scored 41 points in the win in Austin. Jeff Horner also played well in that game, finish with 19 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds, and 8 steals. Darryl Watkins has as much potential as any center in the league, but needs to work on staying out of foul trouble while trying to block shots.
Iowa gets a few days of rest before traveling out west to take on Albuquerque Sunday.
Albuquerque Thunderbirds, 13-18
Albuquerque has lost 6 of their last 10 games, most recently splitting a pair of games against Rio Grande Valley at home. Josh Gross has remained a steady scorer for Albuquerque after not doing much of anything in the D-League over the past couple seasons. He is averaging 15.2 points per game while shooting 42% from behind the three point line. The Thunderbirds will miss point guard Daniel Horton (departed for France) who was shooting the ball quite well this season. The veteran presence of Darvin Ham also helps the team, but it appears unlikely that Albuquerque will put a playoff run together between now and the end of the season.
The Thunderbirds host Thursday and Friday games against Tulsa and Colorado respectively before playing a Sunday home game against Iowa.
Anaheim Arsenal, 13-19
The Arsenal have played much better after their last couple of player personnel moves, and are now just 6 games below .500. Mo Charlo has played quite well since he was acquired from Colorado, averaging 12.4 points per game. Ivan Johnson’s strong inside play on the offensive end has also been a key factor for the Arsenal. Johnson needs to improve defensively, but his skills will get him a look from an NBA team this summer. Will Blalock remains inconsistent but has distributed the ball more efficiently as of late. Inside, Marcus Campbell’s size has provided Anaheim with something they lacked throughout last year.
Anaheim plays Tuesday night in Los Angeles before traveling to Austin for a Saturday game.
Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 12-19
Fort Wayne put a pair of wins together over Utah and Bakersfield, but they have still dropped 7 out of 10. Earl Calloway can score the ball as well as any point guard in the D-League, and should receive some high level interest from Europe next season. The rookie currently averages 17.1 points and 5.4 assists per game on the season. Corey Minnifield can shoot the ball very effectively, and currently averages 16.6 points per game. At the age of 26, he must mature mentally and work on improving his body language on the court. Fort Wayne now has the first pick in the waiver pool until March 1st when the order of teams will reset based on record. It would take a long winning streak for the Mad Ants to make the playoffs, but they can start to develop players for next season.
Fort Wayne plays in Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday and in Austin Friday night. They head back home Sunday for a game against Sioux Falls.
Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 13-23
The Vipers have endured a pair of long winning streaks this season, but they defeated Los Angeles recently and split a pair of games with Albuquerque. Trent Strickland has quietly had an impressive season, averaging 13.7 points per game. Desmon Farmer’s play has been streaky but he brings a consistent effort defensively and can shoot the ball with accuracy at times. The biggest problem for the Vipers has been finding a point guard to replace C.J. Watson. Quannas White has struggled in the lead guard role, and the Vipers will certainly look to the player pool to try and finally replace Watson.
The Vipers host Fort Wayne on Tuesday in their only game this week.
Bakersfield Jam, 6-29
Bakersfield has dropped their past 5 games and made a couple moves today to try and get things back on track. Replacing Andre Barrett with Mateen Cleaves probably doesn’t help them all that much, and they cut a fairly decent forward in James Peters because he was reportedly not on the same page as head coach Scott Roth. Michael Cuffee remains a bright spot for Bakersfield. The talented guard struggles with consistency and outside shooting, but has an NBA body and will certainly have a chance to be an NBA player with another year in this league. Justin Reed’s defense should be valuable, but he has really struggled offensive this season and seems to lack confidence. The Jam are out of the playoff race, and it will likely take Cleaves and Reed some time to build chemistry with their new teammates.
Bakersfield heads to the Dakotas this weekend for a Saturday game in Sioux Falls and a Sunday contest in Bismarck. |
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| Interview with Billy Thomas of the Cleveland Cavaliers |
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| by: Richard Walker - D-League Scout |
| February 24, 2008 |
 | | Billy Thomas at the 2008 D-League All-Star Game |
After going undrafted out of Kansas in 1998, Billy Thomas bounced around Europe and the minor leagues before being signed to two ten-day contracts by the New Jersey Nets and then eventually for the remained of the ’04-’05 season. He spent some more time in the minor leagues and eventually got another call-up by the Washington Wizards. Earlier this season, while playing for the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League, Thomas was averaging just under 16 points a game when he was called-up again by the Nets before being released and returning to the 14ers. Yesterday, a week after playing the D-League All-Star game, the Cleveland Cavaliers gave him a call-up along with teammate Kaniel Dickens. I spoke with Billy just after that All-Star game about his journey around the minor leagues and his time in Europe.
Richard Walker: You were born in Shreveport [Louisiana], so is this like a homecoming of sorts?
Billy Thomas: It’s always good to be back. Even if it’s not your own town it’s your own state.
Richard Walker: Congrats on being an All-Star. How do you feel about this whole thing?
Billy Thomas: Very privileged. Knowing how fortunate I am to still be playing basketball, and playing basketball for a living, and to still be considered one of the best players in the league.
Richard Walker: You’ve played in quite a few minor leagues – USBL, IBL – how does this one compare to those other leagues?
Billy Thomas: Because it’s tied directly to the NBA it’s the ultimate, if you will, in minor league basketball. It gives you great exposure. I’ve been called up a couple of times and it gives you the confidence to know you’re one step away.
Richard Walker: You just touched on it, but you have a history with the [New Jersey] Nets that allowed you to get called up earlier this season. How did that work?
Billy Thomas: It’s being prepared when you’re number is called, and that’s what being a professional is about whether you’re here or up there. I was just fortunate enough to be ready and to get another opportunity to be in the NBA.
Richard Walker: You’ve been called up by both the [Washington] Wizards and the Nets. That pretty much puts you on the fast track to another one. Have you been hearing anything about if that’s a realistic scenario?
Billy Thomas: It is. It’s a realistic scenario for anybody who played in this game today. For me individually it’s just about: keep working, keep doing the things I do, keep doing the things I’ve been blessed to do. You never know, man, but that’s the reason we play. That one day waking up where a team needs your services.
Richard Walker: It seems like you have a pretty good idea of what it takes, but is there something specific you’re working on?
Billy Thomas: Everything that incorporates being a basketball player at my position. You’ve got to defend, you’ve got be able to make shots, you’ve got to show that you know how to play basketball. Your basketball IQ is important, and that’s what I try to pass on to some of the other guys; that it’s not all about trying to come out and score 20 points every night, it’s about showing you know how to play.
Richard Walker: Do you mind if I ask you what happened in Europe [with Crvena Zvezda]?
Billy Thomas: It was just a situation where I wasn’t happy with the European club so I decided not to go back. They weren’t paying me on time, and all sorts of things like that, so I left.
Richard Walker: Right, that can happen with some of those European clubs.
Billy Thomas: Yeah, so what they wanted to do was get back at me, and so they kind of railroaded me. It’s a Serbian team and it’s mostly Serbians running the FIBA organization and it was a situation where they said I couldn’t play this season. I’ll try again next season. If the NBA doesn’t work out then I’ll be there.
Richard Walker: So it’s only for this season [that you’re ineligible to play]?
Billy Thomas: Yeah, it’s through April of this season.
Richard Walker: Nice. Are you hearing any rumors backstage about people getting called up?
Billy Thomas: Not sure man, but if there was I wish that rumor was about me!
Richard Walker: I wish it was about you too!
Billy Thomas: I appreciate it.
Richard Walker: Thanks a lot.
Billy Thomas: No problem.
Richard Walker: Take care.
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| Substance over Flash at the D-League All-Star Game |
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| by: Jim Hlavac, Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout, Richard Walker - D-League Scout |
| February 20, 2008 |
Generally the term all-star game makes one think about high flying dunks and big men bringing the ball up the court when the term is tied in with basketball. This couldn’t have been further from what happened at the second D-League All-Star game over the weekend in New Orleans, where the fundamental team basketball of the Blue Squad brought an easy victory against the Red Team.
The Game
The game stayed fairly close at the beginning with the momentum hanging slightly in the favor of the Red Squad. Lance Allred started the game hot from the field, and finished the quarter with 10 points and 5 rebounds on 4/5 from the field. Kasib Powell also started out the game with a strong push, scoring 9 points. Kyrylo Fesenko was the counter inside early on for the Blue Team, finishing with 6 points on 4 attempts from the field.
The second quarter was controlled by power forward Elton Brown of the Colorado 14ers. Brown was unstoppable inside, finishing with either a hoop or a trip to the free throw line nearly every time he touched the ball down low. Despite Brown’s strong performance, the Blue Team was able to score many easy baskets in transition, and limited the scoring of the Red Team outside of Brown to gain a 53-43 halftime lead.
The second half continued to work in favor of the Blue Team, who was led by the play of two NBA wing players in Jeremy Richardson and Morris Almond. Richardson’s ability to create his own shot was on full display through the second half, and Almond displayed to all in attendance why he was a first round pick last June. Almond missed only 2 shots during the game, and the Blue Team coasted to an easy win by a 117-99 margin.
The end featured some flashy fast break plays and the usual transition basketball that fans expect in an all-star game, but with NBA scouts in the audience, the focus was on fitting in and playing team basketball. Players focused on executing on offense and closing out with the proper rotations on the defensive end of the floor.
The Stars
The obvious star of the game was wing player Jeremy Richardson, who was quickly rewarded with a call-up. Harold Ellis, the minor league scout for the Hawks, watched Richardson from the sidelines as he showed the ability to shoot the three and create his own shot off the dribble. The second year player scored very efficiently and at key times to grab the MVP award for the game. Particularly impressive was Richardson’s play on the defensive end, which has clearly improved with the time he spent at the NBA level this season. He finished the game with 22 points on 9/15 from the field.
“As a team we were coming in trying to play hard and win first of all and most importantly,” said Richardson after the game. “For me personally I’m just trying to go out there and be aggressive and have fun. It worked out that I got the MVP and I’m very thankful for it.”
Morris Almond could have easily won the MVP award with his play, scoring 20 points on an extremely efficient 8/10 from the field. He showed an impressive ability to get his shot off quickly while moving off screens, and improved scoring ability off the bounce compared to a season ago at Rice. The rook still needs to work on his defensive game, but has a great attitude and looks to be a steal considering his draft position.
Andre Barrett also showed his value setting up his teammates in the winning cause, and showed impressive finishing ability at the hoop in the win. Ian Mahinmi also impressed with his quick leaping ability on a couple blocked shots, and Kyrylo Fesenko showed nice hands down low on a number of easy dunks.
Coach Brian Gates of the Idaho Stampede couldn’t get things going for the Red Team, but was thankful for the chance to coach the team that featured three of his own players and 4 Colorado 14ers. “It was nice to have that team, they’re all veterans, the Colorado guys have been through this before. Obviously, with Randy, Cory and Lance, that continuity was there we just couldn’t get it to fall.”
“When you shoot it up there and it doesn’t go in, and we’re missing free throws, missing layups, that’s going to happen,” said Gates about the loss. “Games like games today are the best reason we’re basketball coaches and not football coaches. We don’t have to sit around for 6 days to think about it.
Elton Brown was the star for the losing Red Team, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. It would be hard to imagine Brown maintaining his level of play this season and not receiving a look from an NBA team at some point. Low post scorers are hard to find, and the big man shows amazing footwork considering his size.
Kaniel Dickens started the game slowly, but really picked up his play in the second half. He showed the ability to stroke the three point jumper with great accuracy, and his freakish athletic ability wowed everyone in the gym on a couple of dunks. The veteran forward currently suffers from a hip bruise that makes it difficult for him to play, but he has caught the eye of a lot of NBA scouts this season.
Lance Allred finished the game with 16 points and 8 rebounds, showing the ability to play the high post and the low post. Dwayne Mitchell also impressed with his athletic ability at the rim.
It was a successful weekend for the D-League looking back at the two days of events. The All-Star game proved that team basketball can be fun to watch in an exhibition setting. The dunk contest was outstanding considering the high level of athleticism as well. With the expansion of the D-League over the past few season, we can only look forward to what is on the way for the 2009 All-Star weekend in Phoenix.
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jim.hlavac@draftexpress.com mike.schmidt@draftexpress.com richard.walker@draftexpress.com |
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