Mike Schmidt covers the NBDL (D-League) as well as various other basketball topics including the NBA and NCAA. Check back frequently for the latest NBDL scouting reports, breaking news, and inside information. You won’t find more complete coverage of the NBA’s Developmental League anywhere on the web. http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/D-League-Blog/}Mon, 12 May 2008 02:45:39 CST 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. Point guard Randy Livingston won the MVP awards this season, while we also voted on all-league teams. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2007-2008-DraftExpress-D-League-Awards/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2007-2008-DraftExpress-D-League-Awards/ Sun, 04 May 2008 01:34:13 CST We take a look at the two teams squaring off in the three game series for the 2008 D-League Title. Austin hosts game one tonight at 8 PM eastern time, while Idaho will have a chance to host the final two games of the series. Included in the preview is a look at some of the NBA assigned players and prospects to notice while tuning into the game. For more information on the series, visit the official page of the D-League. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/D-League-Finals-Preview/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/D-League-Finals-Preview/ Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:43:56 CST We take a look at the second round match-ups and the players to watch as the D-League playoffs continue. Los Angeles plays a road game in Idaho tonight, and the Austin Toros will host the Sioux Falls Skyforce tomorrow. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/D-League-Playoffs-Second-Round-Preview/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/D-League-Playoffs-Second-Round-Preview/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:45:27 CST Jim Hlavac and Mike Schmidt take a look at the two opening round games of the D-League playoffs, the key players involved, and which teams might come out in front. The playoff games start on Tuesday and more information is available at the official website of the D-League. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Previewing-the-D-League-Playoffs/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Previewing-the-D-League-Playoffs/ Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:10:35 CST 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. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Kasib-Powell-Signed-by-Miami/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Kasib-Powell-Signed-by-Miami/ Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:30:36 CST 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. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Interview-with-Lance-Allred-of-the-Cleveland-Cavaliers/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Interview-with-Lance-Allred-of-the-Cleveland-Cavaliers/ Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:47:38 CST A latest look at all the recent happenings from the NBA's Development League. Bobby Jones flew to Houston today for his physical with the Rockets, and Andre Barrett was traded to Austin for Justin Reed. Mateen Cleaves has re-joined the Bakersfield Jam, and Courtney Sims was signed by the Iowa Energy. Also updates on the D-League teams and NBA assigned players. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Inside-the-D-League-Bobby-Jones-Added-to-the-Rockets/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Inside-the-D-League-Bobby-Jones-Added-to-the-Rockets/ Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:02:57 CST 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. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Interview-with-Billy-Thomas-of-the-Cleveland-Cavaliers/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Interview-with-Billy-Thomas-of-the-Cleveland-Cavaliers/ Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:22:25 CST 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. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Substance-over-Flash-at-the-D-League-All-Star-Game/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Substance-over-Flash-at-the-D-League-All-Star-Game/ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:10:21 CST The NBA’s D-League had their first annual All-Star game last season, and after a good turnout in Vegas, the league decided to expand on that success this season and the D-League Dream Factory Friday Night was born. Four competitions pitted 16 competitors against each other in an entertaining night filled with some memorable moments. In addition to a Dunk competition and a three point shootout, the D-League held a much anticipated H.O.R.S.E. competition. As a league sometimes used for experimentation, the league office wasn’t afraid to throw some new wrinkles into the often repetitive competitions. It resulted in a very entertaining night and as usual, DraftExpress was there to witness the events as they unfolded. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/From-New-Orleans-The-D-League-Dream-Factory-Friday-/ http://www.draftexpress.com/article/From-New-Orleans-The-D-League-Dream-Factory-Friday-/ Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:21:43 CST