SBNation.com User Blog: Keith_Schlosser

Could a Top Three Draft Selection Be NBA Team's Ticket Into the Playoffs?

Keith_Schlosser — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:40:18 -0000

Though watching the ping-pong balls fall in your team's favor at the NBA Draft Lottery can be a cause for immediate celebration, the fact that any team is in the lottery in the first place is usually a cause for the concern. There may be hope for the future, but a team's place in the lottery also often represents their failures of the past.

As many deserving fan bases have come to know and understand all too well, a rebuilding process isn't the most fun thing to watch a team go through. Still, the three teams that were awarded the top three selections in next month's NBA Draft are perhaps closer to soon snagging a spot in the playoffs than most lottery teams usually are.

With that in mind, could a solid selection in the NBA Draft be that extra piece that eventually punches a young, up and coming squad's ticket to the postseason next year?

Injuries proved to be the downfall of two of three teams with top selections in the NBA Draft. The oft-injured (dating back to his freshman year at Duke) Kyrie Irving displayed flashes of greatness this past season. The 21 year old proved that not only can he handle being the leader of his team, but can also shine in the pressure-filled moments. Playing as good as any M.V.P. candidate during Cavaliers' wins (they did, however, only have 19 of them with Irving on the floor), a bevy of NBA teams could only watch as Irving scorched them and left them for dead.

But as even superstars like Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant (who was without Russell Westbrook) proved this postseason, sometimes they too are unable to carry their teams and do it all alone. Who can expect Irving to?

Anderson Varejao showed signs of a potential career-year, but he too saw himself shut down due to injury. Towards the end of the season, Dion Waiters also missed a few games, forcing the Cavaliers to sign D-League starter Chris Quinn. Clearly, there needs to be more help than that. Cleveland has a future M.V.P. candidate in town, but in order to hold onto him for years to come, they need to show progress and a commitment to winning. If their players can remain healthy, perhaps all the Cavs really need to put them over the top is an athletic big man to do the dirty work along with Varejao; someone who balances the offensive production they get from the backcourt. Nerlens Noel could be the answer, should the team not look to trade the pick.

With the number two selection in next month's draft, perhaps the Magic have a bit more work to do than Cleveland...or so it would seem. In a league watching its elite teams build themselves up around massive star power, the Magic don't have that luxury after losing Dwight Howard last summer. Still, with a team full of promising youth and ridiculous upside, Orlando could be more committed to modeling themselves after a team like the Denver Nuggets.

Having acquired Tobias Harris (among others) in a trade for J.J. Reddick, the Magic have given the young forward more of a stage to strut his stuff and put his versatile skill-set on display. Emerging as one of the more promising players in the game after coming to Orlando, Harris could stand to be a perfect number two or three option on any other borderline playoff team.

In addition to Harris, the Magic now feature other young talents like Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, and Doron Lamb. Like Harris, Aaron Afflalo also represents the perfect type of complementary player who has been forced into more of a starring role with Orlando. Perhaps the two will continue to grow and emerge as leaders together.

The Magic could go in two different directions with the draft selection. Should they ultimately decide star power is necessary, perhaps the pick can be packaged with any number of their more expensive veterans (such as Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Glen Davis, and/or Al Harrington) in order to reel in a more talented player. If not, any prospect they select will undoubtedly fit right in with this already eclectic group.

Like the Cavs, the Wizards (who own the third pick in next month's draft) are likely closer to breaking in to the playoffs next season. With a bonafide all-star already leading the way in John Wall, the rest of Washington's roster looks really promising on paper. Balanced by some promising young talent (Bradley Beal & Chris Singleton, among others) and a couple of proven veterans (Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, and Nene), perhaps all that's needed for them to squeeze into the postseason is a healthy Wall.

Even so, some extra help never hurts. Though the Wizards may be poised to compete next season (even at where they stand now), there's no doubt they could capitalize and take advantage of what Wall's half-season has earned them: a highly coveted draft pick. Ernie Grunfeld certainly agrees, and apparently already has someone in mind who he'd like to bring into the fold.

Any of these teams may simply be nothing more than a move or two away from ultimately earning a spot in the NBA postseason next year. It's up to the very executives to capitalize on the options available to them to ensure they won't be in the same spot next year as well.

NBA Executives Reflect Upon The Value of NBA D-League (VIDEO)

Keith_Schlosser — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:23:28 -0000

With just four teams left in the NBA playoffs, players and executives from eliminated teams have been coming forth recently to reflect upon the past season.

Addressing the good, the bad, the ugly, and more, many executives are already beginning to assess what went right and what went wrong for their squads.

Though Russell Westbrook's postseason injury perhaps gave way to an earlier playoff exit than many expected for the Thunder, General Manager Sam Presti has since recognized Reggie Jackson's ability to step in during his attempt to fill a massive void for OKC at point guard.

Jackson's recent play has garnered talk of whether or not he'll be ready to emerge as sixth man for the Thunder next season. There's no doubt that his time in the D-League this year certainly aided his progress as he aimed to get ready for playing in big moments.

Like Jackson, many of his OKC teammates, such as Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb, DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton, all spent time with the Tulsa 66ers. Could they all too be ready for somewhat elevated roles? How much might their time in in the minors influence that? Presti addresses the value of being able to nurture some of the Thunder's younger talents through the D-League in the clip below.

Since becoming minority owner of the Golden State Warriors, Jerry West has undoubtedly played quite the part in helping the organization instill a winning mentality. Like the Thunder, Golden State also values being able to nurture talent by providing them further guidance and playing time in the D-League.

In the clip below, the NBA Hall of Famer turned executive discusses the D-League exclusively, having recently watched his organization's minor league affiliate compete in the NBADL Finals. West goes on to note how great having a team in the city of Santa Cruz really is, and how he believes some of the up and coming minor leaguers may be able to soon make an impact in Golden State.

Has Danny Green Emerged As Most Credible Poster Child For NBA D-League?

Keith_Schlosser — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:15:12 -0000

On January 20th, 2012, while on assignment by the New York Knicks, Jeremy Lin tallied a triple-double in an Erie BayHawks' victory.

Such an outing not only sparked the eventual start of something really special for Lin professionally, but also changed the national sports scene forever.

The impressive feat was enough for the Knicks to call upon Lin rather quickly in a last ditch effort to find the right person to solve their existing point guard woes. From there, "Linsanity" began. Never before had an athlete on the national sports stage been propelled to such greatness in such a short amount of time.

Lin's success (even fast-forwarding to now, as he stands tall as starting point guard of the Houston Rockets after capitalizing on his Big Apple stardom for a lucrative contract) helped him emerge as the unofficial poster child for the NBA D-League.

Never once had a minor league alumni experienced the same level of immediate (and/or eventual, for that matter) stardom that Lin garnered. For many NBADL players, simply breaking into The Association is a huge accomplishment in itself. Emerging as a starring attraction is almost always considered out of the question.

But since Lin left New York and level of play has become more mediocre as a member of the Rockets, his most recent success is measured on an even playing-field as most NBADL turned NBA role players.

With the point guard no longer the obvious choice, is there a new considered poster child for whom's success NBADL athletes should strive to achieve in similar fashion?

Lin may still be a candidate of sorts for providing such credibility to the league, but perhaps there's a more ideal choice these days.

For some NBA fans, the Spurs' Danny Green may have burst out onto the scene within the last year or two out of nowhere. But the fact is, before he was a sharpshooting starter for the best team in the Western Conference, the guard started from the bottom. (Now he's here).

Green played for three NBADL teams between 2009-11, and even played alongside Lin and Steve Novak on the Reno Bighorns. In the Bighorns' arena, there's a life-size cardboard cut out of Lin in a D-League uniform. One of Green himself stands tall right next to it as fans enter the building.

On the Spurs, Green has emerged as exactly the type of player the minor league strives to produce. The perfect complementary player, Green's top-notch shooting prowess spreads the floor for San Antonio and opens things up for stars and potential future Hall of Famers in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.

Prior to pouring in 16 points in game one of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday (further helping the Spurs to a series opening victory), Green has averaged 10 points (on 44% from the field and 42% from downtown), 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in the postseason.

While he's undeniably a capable defender, Green is a player with a perfect niche necessary for a team to be successful. He's developed a skill-set that helps arguably the NBA's best team on a nightly basis. Would his other Spurs' teammates be just as successful without his contributions?

Perhaps not. And that's exactly why Green's been able to slowly but surely emerge as the new unofficial poster child for the D-League. He's a winner, and continues to prove he's not one to back down from the big moments. He's as clutch as they come, and holds his own amongst three of the better talents the league has ever seen.

Above all else, Green is quite the minor league success story. He's come a long way from being part of a minor league swap that involved himself and Patrick Ewing Jr. The NBA D-League should be proud to have him headlining the bevy of players who their current players look towards in hopes of duplicating the same success.

Should the Mavericks Consider Drafting NBADL Finals M.V.P. Glen Rice Jr?

Keith_Schlosser — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:43:34 -0000

Fresh off leading the RGV Vipers to an NBA D-League championship, Glen Rice began hitting the NBA Draft Combine circuit this week, working out for and/or interviewing with a slew of NBA teams.

The Celtics and Spurs have been among those teams confirmed to have spent time with Rice Jr. this past week in Chicago, according to a most recent report.

Despite having been dismissed from Georgia Tech following his junior year due to disciplinary reasons, Rice Jr. took the otherwise untraveled path of playing in the D-League this past season as he aimed to mature as a man while improving his game.

In the minors, he fought his way to the top this past season, emerging as much more than the bench warming backup he started out as following last fall's NBADL Draft. From there, Rice Jr. worked his way up, even earning a "Top Player of the Week" award in the D-League en route to becoming a starter for Rio Grande Valley.

His minutes increased as the Vipers trusted him with a much more important role. After playing professionally for a year and competing against NBA assignees and other players on the cusp of making it to The Association, it's clear Rice Jr. may have a leg up on other draft prospects with regard to competing at the big league level.

Because of his past, he's already had to prove his progressed maturity to NBA teams. What's more, after playing in a league that's so close to the NBA game, Rice Jr. won't need to worry about adjusting to any and all rule changes young prospects usually have to pay closer attention to.

Though as many as five NBA teams have reportedly already spent time with the swingman, the Mavericks are not said to be one of them.

But perhaps they should be.

While Rice Jr. has certainly had to overcome obvious obstacles en route to becoming an NBA Draft prospect, he still fits the mold of the type of player the Mavericks are looking for. The fact that he's had to overcome so much already may actually give him more credibility with regard to his recent maturation. Dallas is aiming to reel in more experienced players, a la Bernard James and Jae Crowder from last season.

With more professional experience than just about any other prospect out there, Rice Jr. should stand to be a leading candidate in that category for the Mavericks. His maturity and recent experience should propel him there.

For what's worth, Mavs.com writer Earl Sneed also begins to suggest as much in his latest notes straight from the Combine in Chicago.

It'll be interesting to see if Dallas picks up on this in the coming weeks.

Notes from the NBA D-League Elite Mini-Camp In Chicago

Keith_Schlosser — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:30:57 -0000

The NBA D-League Elite Mini-Camp, a two-day workout featuring thirty-five of the minor league's top up and coming prospects, took place earlier this week in Chicago.

Recognized as the NBADL's version of the NBA Draft Combine, the camp provided a slew of NBA executives the opportunity to feast their eyes on some of the D-League's arguably more proven talent before scouting some potential draft selections later in the week.

According to the league's official website, up to 26 of the NBA's 30 total teams applied for credentials to be in attendance. More than half of those very teams were represented by officials during day one of the camp, with more expected to stroll in for day two as well.

Our buddy, NBADLeague.com's Kevin Scheitrum, caught up with Springfield Armor coach and camp coordinator Bob MacKinnon for some inside info on what big league executives could expect to see, in this piece here. Coach MacKinnon also provides some insight as to what the executives may be on the lookout for, and how the group of D-League coaches in attendance aim to help their prospects shine. The bevy of young guns are led through an array of drills and scrimmages by up to nine minor league coaches.

For more of an NBA executive's point of view of the value of attending such a workout (and some other offseason scouting notes as well), check out Nate Parham's latest piece on D-League basketball, highlighting Warriors' Assistant General Manager Kirk Lacob's thoughts.

Why Mark Madsen Is Perfect Fit To Help Guide NBA D-League Players

Keith_Schlosser — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:02:22 -0000

The Los Angeles D-Fenders made it official on Monday, formally announcing the hiring of two-time NBA champion Mark Madsen as the team's newest head coach.

The former Lakers' big man will return to the organization, taking over for Reggie Theus as the new man in charge of L.A.'s minor league affiliate. His press conference is set for Tuesday.

Besides being a past fan-favorite, Madsen returns to town qualified in more ways than one to lead a NBA D-League team. After obtaining his college degree from Stanford, "Mad Dog" went on to play nine seasons in The Association, learning from coaches like Phil Jackson, Flip Saunders, Dwane Casey, and Kevin McHale. He took the hardwood alongside future Hall of Famers like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett.

Since putting an end to his playing days, Madsen had returned to Stanford as an assistant coach. Still just in his mid-thirties, Madsen could better bond with the players, and was even seen scrimmaging with them at times as well.

He'll take all of his experience back to Los Angeles with him as he gears up to guide the D-Fenders. Interestingly enough, Madsen isn't the first former NBA player to be considered for such a coaching job. Of course, Theus was an NBA alumni himself, but Eduardo Najera is also the current head coach of the Texas Legends. Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing turned down the chance to coach the Erie BayHawks last fall.

But there may be a reason why Madsen is poised to do a better job in a similar spot than Ewing could have, and perhaps better than Theus did as well.

Not as quite far removed from his playing days, Madsen's on the court memories are undeniably from more recent times. Never exactly kept aboard for his star-quality, the big man took pride in putting forth a gritty effort, providing a physical presence, and being an excellent teammate.

Throughout his time in the NBA, Madsen knew what it meant to do all the necessary dirty work in order to make an impact. His mentality throughout his career is undoubtedly the same type of relentless one D-League players need to have, with regard to breaking into the league.

Madsen stands to be a great motivator for all NBADL athletes and aspiring big league players around him. Not only does he know what it takes to squeeze onto an NBA roster based on other things besides raw talent, but he also knows the importance of making an impact as a twelfth or fifteenth man, so to speak.

Whether it's dancing and prancing on the sidelines, or stepping in to muscle up and play physically on defense against a team's better offensive player (even if for nothing else but to use up your fouls), Madsen knows all the secrets to maximizing your value and/or talents for an NBA team. Surely, young guns who fight tooth and nail on a nightly basis in hopes of making The Association could learn a thing or two while taking notes from "Mad Dog."

Madsen is the perfect hire. He's a winner. He's a past fan-favorite. But perhaps more importantly than anything else, he knows (perhaps better than anyone else) exactly what'll take from each of his players to ultimately make it to the next level. How much more motivation would they all need to buy into his system from the get go?

NBA D-League Releases Full Roster For Fourth Annual Elite Mini-Camp

Keith_Schlosser — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:55:17 -0000

As RidiculousUpside.com reported last week, the NBA D-League will host its fourth annual Elite Mini-Camp for two days before the NBA Draft Combine this week.

The two-day workout will feature thirty-five of the minor league's top athletes. Nine D-League coaches will lead the array of prospects through a bevy of drills, scrimmages, and more. Each player is hoping to catch the attention of the handful of NBA executives scheduled to be on hand.

The NBADL released the full roster of players set to take part in the camp on Monday. Among the thirty-five are a handful of young guns, some minor league veterans, but also a trio of recently-crowned NBADL champions, and an All-Star (Ron Howard).

Take a look below for the full lineup. Josh Selby, Cory Higgins, and Darington Hobson, Mickell Gladness are among those who have spent considerable time on NBA rosters in the past.

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Birthdate	School	NBA D-League Team
Zach Andrews	F	6-9	230	3/9/85	Bradley	L.A. D-Fenders
Keith Benson	C	6-11	230	8/13/88	Oakland	Erie BayHawks
Christopher Cooper	C	6-10	245	1/17/90	Old Dominion	Bakersfield Jam
Nick Covington	G	6-2	200	8/23/85	Oklahoma City	Erie BayHawks
Chris Daniels	C	7-0	265	4/19/84	Texas A&M - Corpus Christi	Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Jarrid Famous	F/C	6-11	240	6/16/88	South Florida	Iowa Energy
Augustus Gilchrist	F	6-10	240	10/15/89	South Florida	Iowa Energy
Mickell Gladness	C	6-11	230	7/26/86	Alabama A&M	Santa Cruz Warriors
Lance Goulbourne	F	6-8	230	4/6/89	Vanderbilt	Santa Cruz Warriors
Reggie Hamilton	G	5-11	180	5/23/89	Oakland	Idaho Stampede
Stefhon Hannah	G	6-1	175	6/14/85	Missouri	Santa Cruz Warriors
Justin Harper	F/C	6-10	225	8/30/89	Richmond	Idaho Stampede
Paul Harris	F	6-4	230	10/15/86	Syracuse	Iowa Energy
Cory Higgins	G	6-5	180	6/14/89	Colorado	Erie BayHawks
Darington Hobson	G	6-7	210	9/29/87	New Mexico	Santa Cruz Warriors
Ron Howard	G/F	6-5	185	11/14/82	Valparaiso	Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Lester Hudson	G	6-3	190	8/7/84	Tennessee-Martin	Austin Toros
Justin Hurtt	G	6-5	210	3/10/88	Tulsa	Iowa Energy
Chris Johnson	F	6-6	201	4/29/90	Dayton	Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Cameron Jones	G	6-4	185	5/4/89	Northern Arizona	Santa Cruz Warriors
Tre Kelley	G	6-0	188	1/23/85	South Carolina	Austin Toros
James Mays	F	6-9	230	3/8/86	Clemson	Sioux Falls Skyforce
Toure Murry	F	6-5	200	11/8/89	Wichita State	Rio Grande Valley Vipers
James Nunnally	F	6-7	205	7/14/90	UC Santa Barbara	Bakersfield Jam
Josh Owens	F	6-9	240	12/7/88	Stanford	Idaho Stampede
Chris Roberts	G	6-4	205	3/24/88	Bradley	Austin Toros
Jamarr Sanders	F	6-4	210	8/2/88	Alabama-Birmingham	Austin Toros
Carleton Scott	F	6-8	218	10/9/88	Notre Dame	Springfield Armor
Josh Selby	G	6-2	183	3/27/91	Kansas	Maine Red Claws
Tommy Smith	F	6-10	215	12/480	Arizona State	Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Dominique Sutton	G	6-5	212	10/20/86	North Carolina Central	Tulsa 66ers
Jermaine Taylor	G	6-5	205	12/8/86	Central Florida	Maine Red Claws
Tony Taylor	G	6-1	191	8/9/90	George Washington	Tulsa 66ers
Hollis Thompson	G/F	6-8	206	4/3/91	Georgetown	Tulsa 66ers
Edwin Ubiles	G/F	6-6	204	11/26/86	Siena	Springfield Armor
Kyle Weaver	G	6-6	200	2/18/86	Washington St.	Canton Charge

Mad Ants' Guard Ron Howard To Participate in NBA D-League Elite Mini-Camp

Keith_Schlosser — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:28:19 -0000

Fresh off winning the 2012-13 NBADL Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award, Mad Ants' guard Ron Howard will take his talents to Chicago this week.

The veteran will join a slew of fellow D-League athletes vying for a chance in front of some key NBA executives through workouts in this year's Elite Mini-Camp, RidiculousUpside.com has learned.

Taking place just days before the NBA Draft Combine, the minor league camp serves a a great way for up and coming prospects to strut their stuff and get their name out there.

But this isn't Howard's first go around. In addition to being a past camp participant, the (soon to be) 31 year old also recently completed his sixth season as a Fort Wayne Mad Ant.

The 2012-13 season was arguably Howard's best as a pro, but an NBA call-up never came his way. Clearly not one to be too deterred, the guard will look to capitalize on his All-Star season by showing big league executives what they continue to miss out on.

RidiculousUpside.com heard from a separate source that officials from the New York Knicks (who had Howard in training camp during 2010) still hold him in very regard, even years following his initial participation. His most recent award for sportsmanship only further validate the type of value a player like Howard would have inside a big league locker room.

As the Knicks proved this past season with the likes of Chris Copeland, Pablo Prigioni, and even James White, they're not afraid of giving older players (who in the past haven't gotten as many NBA opportunities) a shot. In many ways, Howard himself is a veteran of sorts. Such a presence and/or mentality certainly helps at the end of an NBA team's bench.

This past season, Howard averaged 19.1 points on 46% from the field, 4.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. In addition to having a very explosive first step to the basket, the guard's game has clearly reflected his most recent efforts to balance being the smart floor general that is he, while at the same time, displaying some of his own offensive prowess as well.

NBADL Champion Glen Rice Jr. To Participate in NBA Draft Combine

Keith_Schlosser — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:11:04 -0000

Though most prospects from next month's forthcoming NBA Draft will have their first official opportunity to impress major executives next week at the Combine in Chicago, Glen Rice Jr. is sure to have a leg up on the competition.

That's because, unlike most of his fellow young guns, the son of the former NBA star participated in quite the extension prep course this past basketball season. Following his time at Georgia Tech, Rice Jr. found himself in the unique position of being able to catch on with a team from the NBA D-League.

Upon getting drafted by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the 2012 NBADL Draft last fall, minutes were a tad harder to come by than perhaps the swingman expected them to be. The minor league affiliate of the Houston Rockets, RGV found its roster filled with NBA caliber talents, as well as a couple of big league assignees.

But as the season progressed, Rice Jr. worked hard and began to earn favor with the Vipers' coaching staff as playing time became more available. Quickly emerging as a bit of an NBADL star, the swingman earned himself a "Top Performer of the Week" award en route to leading his team to a 15-2 record to finish off the regular season. Needless to say, he was stepping up to fill developing voids right in time for RGV's postseason run.

And in the playoffs is where Rice Jr. really shined. Free to explode onto the minor league scene with plenty of minutes on the hardwood to strut his stuff, the Georgia Tech product led the Rockets' affiliate to the minor league championship. He averaged 25 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals per contest through RGV's postseason run.

As previously reported, Rice Jr. will be able to enter this year's NBA Draft due to a unique technicality. Following his junior year at Georgia Tech, the swingman never declared for the draft as an early entry candidate. Thus, he is eligible to enter now instead.

With a season in the D-League under his belt, Rice Jr. will enter all the forthcoming draft workouts with a clear advantage. Not only will NBA executives already know him well from having a closer look at him through minor league competition, but the fact remains the young gun spent the year playing against a slew of NBA-ready talent and some actual assignees. No one in 2013's NBA Draft class is able to say the same.

Originally expected to turn up as a potential second round-pick next month, Rice Jr.'s NBADL championship title is helping him gain more serious consideration, perhaps as a first-rounder, or even a lottery pick instead.

Such consideration has been rightfully earned. NBA teams constantly assign their young guns to the D-League for more experience, gauging their readiness to eventually compete on the big league hardwood. If Rice Jr.'s recent success there is any indication, he may be poised to emerge as a promising rotation player come next season.

Though he'll compete in the NBA Draft Combine next week, it remains to be seen if Rice Jr. will also take part in this weekend's NBA D-League Elite Mini-Camp as well.

Three More Prospects Confirmed For NBA D-League Elite Mini-Camp

Keith_Schlosser — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:45:44 -0000

With the NBA Draft Combine set to take place next week in Houston, the D-League is hoping to take advantage of the presence of an immense amount of big league executives expected to be in Chicago.

Thus, the minor league will host its annual Elite Mini-Camp in town this coming weekend, before the Draft Combine. The hope, for the NBADL, is that some of their top up and coming talents will catch an executive's eye and make a strong impression before the draft prospects even step foot on the hardwood later in the week.

Previously, RidiculousUpside.com mentioned that 66ers' guard Tony Taylor and Armor swingman Edwin Ubiles will be amongst the approximately forty D-League prospects set to take part in the two-day workout. Now, three more players can be confirmed as throwing themselves into the mix this weekend.

RidiculousUpside.com has learned that Jam swingman James Nunnally, Stampede guard Reggie Hamilton, and Energy big man Jarrid Famous will all also be in attendance.

Out of the three, there's no doubt Nunnally saw the most growth in his development this season. Steadily emerging throughout the year from sharpshooting role player, to clutch sixth man, and finally, key starter (in place of NBA call-up Jerel McNeal), the swingman was trusted by Bakersfield more and more as the season progressed. Named to the NBADL's "All-Rookie" Third Team, the Santa Barbara alum finished the year averaging 10.3 points on 43% from the field and 41% from deep through 49 contests.

Hamilton joined Idaho midseason following sufficient rehab from an injury. A fiery and explosive young gun, the 5'11" Hamilton can score in bunches and provide his team with that oh so coveted boost off the bench. His 9.3 point per game average was highlighted by a season-high 28 points on April 6th in an Idaho victory.

Whereas Nunnally and Hamilton both completed their rookie seasons in the minors, Famous recently logged his second year in the league. Perhaps the more versatile of the bunch, Famous takes pride in asserting himself down low and fighting for gritty rebounds. Though he's not the most imposing presence on the offensive end, the big man can still efficiently capitalize on easy looks under the basket.

Each of these prospects will undoubtedly look to capitalize on the opportunity at hand this weekend to impress the big league executives in attendance.

NBA D-League To Hold Fourth Annual Elite Mini Camp in Chicago

Keith_Schlosser — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:38:19 -0000

Though the NBA D-League season recently came to an end, that doesn't mean there aren't other ways for the league's aspiring NBA athletes to strut their stuff in front of big league executives.

With the hope of helping its slew of young guns reach the next level, the D-League will host its fourth annual "Elite Mini-Camp" in Chicago this coming weekend.

Such a camp not only features approximately forty of the NBADL's top prospects, but also provides them with yet another stage to shine on. An array of NBA executives are expected to be on hand as the players go through a bevy of scrimmages and workouts, guided by minor league staffers.

The D-League hosts the camp prior to the NBA Draft in the hopes that NBA teams realize certain existing voids can perhaps be filled by past minor leaguers, rather than rolling the dice on a potential second round hidden gem rookie.

In past seasons, some of the league's top players, including past All-Stars have participated in the camp. So far, Springfield Armor swingman Edwin Ubiles has been confirmed for the two-day mini showcase. A source also told RidiculousUpside.com that Tulsa 66ers' guard Tony Taylor will also take part in it as well. Both players are undeniably worthy talents, as Ubiles was the 2011-12 NBADL "Rookie of the Year," and Taylor most recently earned himself a spot on the "All NBA D-League All Rookie" Third Team.

More on this as more participants are released.

NBA D-League "Rookie of the Year" Tony Mitchell To Play in Philippines

Keith_Schlosser — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:38:26 -0000

Last week, we dove into a discussion regarding the low pay of NBA D-League athletes. Though the most exposure to NBA executives comes while playing close to home in the NBADL, there's no denying the salaries for which they play for make it difficult for these prospects to make a decent living.

Thus, plenty of promising talents are tempted to play overseas for larger paychecks instead. However, perhaps those who are smart choose to go both routes, simply one after the other.

With the 2012-13 NBADL season now in the books, there seems to be little rest for the weary. With 50 games in the minors to add to their basketball resumes, some young guns have already ventured over international waters to keep playing ball. As previously mentioned, Courtney Fortson is playing in Venezuela, and now, D-League "Rookie of the Year" Tony Mitchell is heading to the Philippines to help Talk 'N Text during its postseason, according to most recent reports.

Mitchell will reportedly replace fellow NBADL All-Star Jerome Jordan on his new squad's roster, just in time for an intense playoff matchup.

Talk 'N Text previously served as the home of NBADL-hopeful Japeth Aguilar, who last fall tried out for the Santa Cruz Warriors. He was subsequently only kept on as a practice-player. Aguilar finished up the season playing for another team in the PBA after returning from Santa Cruz instead.

Mitchell and Talk 'N Text will now face off against fellow D-League forward Vernon Macklin, who is leading Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Examining the (Low) Pay of NBA D-League Players

Keith_Schlosser — Fri, 03 May 2013 06:26:47 -0000

In RidiculousUpside.com's recent interview with NBA D-League All-Star Courtney Fortson, the former number one overall rated prospect made it clear he will not be returning to the minors next season.

Of course, the former Rockets and Clippers guard hopes to re-join the NBA ranks come training camp later this fall. But should he not land some sort of guaranteed contract along the way, Fortson, like many NBADL players, realize there are much more lucrative offers to be had overseas.

Though Fortson was one of the league's better talents, player salaries simply tend to be rather low, and are often difficult to make a living off of. The big benefit of playing in the D-League clearly rests with the opportunity to potentially strut your stuff in front of NBA executives and stay close to home on a nightly basis. Doing so may better position players to eventually land big league gigs, but should they not, things may become difficult financially.

Second-year Lakers guard Andrew Goudelock is a perfect example. Though the young gun made $475,000 as a rookie last season in Los Angeles, this season proved to be a tough one. Cut by the Lakers following training camp, Goudelock laced up his sneakers and put on an NBADL jersey because he, like many who follow his game closely, thought it would only be a matter of time. If he stayed in the minors and played well enough, perhaps he'd be able to remind NBA teams what they were missing out on, and earn a call-up shortly after.

For whatever reason, though Goudelock tore up the league all season long, that oh so coveted call didn't come his way for quite a while. It wasn't until Kobe Bryant went down with a severe injury last month that Los Angeles called upon Goudelock once again to fill in during the playoffs. His further contract details at this point are still unclear, but expect the Lakers to yet again hold the cards with regard to training camp and keeping Goudelock in town.

Not much is guaranteed for these young guns, which is why it made sense (regardless of how unfortunate it still may be) that Goudelock said in a recent report that he was forced to borrow money from his girlfriend, a college student, during the regular season. The guard was reportedly earning

just $1,200 every two weeks in the minors.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, there are three basic levels of D-League player salaries: $25,000, $19,000, and $13,000. Taking the league by storm as he ran away with its M.V.P., award, it's sensible to assume Goudelock was earning the top amount. Still, such isn't much to write home about.

In addition to the modest salary, there are other varied perks. The D-League teams do in fact pay for player housing, provide certain benefits, and grant each of their players a $40 per-diem for food, etc.

Living life going from paycheck to paycheck is not the type of lifestyle not many would think of when considering the life of professional athletes. Nevertheless, it's all part of the D-League grind. The league's players are gunning for other opportunities, but if one in the NBA does't come along accordingly, it's easy to understand why the much more lucrative opportunities overseas become that much more temping and/or desirable.

NBADL All-Star Courtney Fortson Moving On From the NBA D-League

Keith_Schlosser — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:43:30 -0000

Many aspiring NBA athletes often use the D-League as their stage to shine on in hopes of securing a big league gig.

Of course, it's important to make the most out of your opportunity. But what happens if you do just that, and further NBA consideration doesn't follow?

Despite a stellar season in the minors this past year, Courtney Fortson finds himself in that exact boat. The point guard averaged 17.8 points, 7.1 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals through 46 contests for the Los Angeles D-Fenders, but that oh so coveted call-up never came his way.

Speaking to RidiculousUpside.com, Fortson reflected upon his time on the D-League, saying, "I thought I had a great year. Unfortunately, our team's record wasn't as good, so it kind of went unnoticed. But this season was a career-year for me as far as points and steals. I thought it was good year."

Besides an obvious potential call-up, the type of recognition Fortson had perhaps believed he earned was consideration for one of the league's top three "All NBA D-League" teams. There were other point guards with inferior statistics named to the squads, but perhaps what made the difference was team-records. There seemed to be two unspoken standards for making the "All-NBA D-League" teams. The first was that your team had to have won 50% of its games. The only players from losing teams to earn themselves spots were those who earned NBA call-ups this season. The one exception to the "rules" was Fortson's teammate, Jerome Jordan.

Though he stood tall as the league website's number one overall prospects for weeks, Fortson did not prove to be an exception like his D-Fenders' teammate. Clearly upset by such an outcome, the point guard took to Twitter last week to express his frustrations. He was subsequently encouraged and perhaps comforted by a number of fans, as well as fellow Arkansas alum/Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Ronnie Brewer.

Nevertheless, Fortson said he still valued his time in the D-League because of the opportunity given to showcase his skills. The guard continued, "I still think my time there was beneficial. [NBA] teams that were looking at me now know what they'll get out of me, because it's been two seasons in a row that I've averaged 18 and 6. Now it's just about playing the waiting game."

But the guard isn't just sitting around waiting by the phone. He's making the most of his time and ensuring he stays in shape. Immediately following the conclusion of the D-League season, Fortson ventured out to Venezuela to continue playing ball and make some extra cash, too.

"I'm averaging about 23 points and 7 assists, with about 5 rebounds here," he added. "So right now, I'm tearing this league up. My main thing was coming out here to get a feel and understand the way the game is played. I wanted to make sure I stayed in shape this summer, so that's why I came to Venezuela."

Getting a taste of the international game may prove to be a preview of what's to come for Fortson. He told RidiculousUpside.com that his time in the D-League has come to an end as he explores other opportunities. The guard asserted, "I won't be in the D-League again. It's either NBA, Europe, or China for me. But the D-League is not an option right now. I'm waiting until the right offer comes."

Been there, done that. That's the attitude Fortson can now have towards the NBADL. It's not that his time there was a waste, but rather perhaps it's time to move on to bigger and better things. His talents speak for themselves, and it's clear that his skill-set is worthy of helping him cash in on a more lucrative offer overseas. As Fortson noted, his time in the D-League may still stand for something. His two seasons stateside putting up impressive numbers will continue to stand tall as a highlight of his basketball resume. They serve as a testament to what he can do.

Addressing what may have held him back up to this point, the 5'11" Fortson added that his height could be a glaring factor for NBA executives. But he said that his versatility on both ends of the floor should in part outweigh that. The guard also only shot 39% from the field, but again, he's also known for other things on the court. Fortson's quick, is a very steady defender, and rebounds incredibly well for a player his size. There are plenty of guards in the NBA (like J.R. Smith and Jamal Crawford) who have become known for bold and/or questionable shot-selection. But what often earns those same players brownie points is the fact that they prove to be fearless in big moments, and can be trusted in the clutch.

Though he's begun to explore overseas options for next season, Fortson insists breaking into the NBA is still his top priority. While he's currently playing international ball, he'll still have the opportunity to catch on with a team in Las Vegas later this year during NBA Summer League if desired. He added, "Of course, I'll be back in time for that. I'm looking forward to it, because I played last season, but I had back spasms. I wasn't as explosive."

It's safe to say Fortson (who played 10 games with the Clippers & Rockets in 2010-11) is doing all he can in hopes of eventually proving to NBA executives he deserves another shot.

The 2012-13 NBA D-League Title: Royce White's Missed Opportunity?

Keith_Schlosser — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:34:49 -0000

This week, the previously not-so-known Patrick Beverley has been front and center on a national stage. So far starting three games for the Rockets in their first-round playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the guard has been doing what he can to help keep his underdog team alive.

The young guard's postseason has been highlighted by two 16 point performances and a near triple-double as he averages 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Most casual NBA fans may not have heard of Beverley before the postseason, but the path he used to get there is one that is being more and more frequently traveled by fellow aspiring NBA players.

The Arkansas product was signed by the Rockets just a week into the year 2013, and found himself subsequently assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston's affiliate. Beverley began his NBADL stint during the league's Showcase in Reno, and appeared in two games after that.

After watching him put up similar numbers to what would become his current postseason averages, the Rockets were convinced Beverley had done enough to begin proving his worth. He was called back up to Houston and would go on to play 41 contests for the NBA squad. Of course, this was all before he recently emerged as a playoff starter.

Such an opportunity came about, undoubtedly, because of the type of promise and potential Beverley had initially shown in the D-League. Many players before him (and what's sure to be plenty more afterwards) have achieved similar success after first flashing their prowess in the minors.

But Beverley's fellow rookie and Rockets' teammate Royce White failed to capitalize on a similar opportunity of his own this season.

For all everyone knows, White may soon represent a pioneer of sorts when it comes to standing up for your rights as an individual. He continues to fight and urge the NBA for more thorough accommodations as it relates to those with anxiety disorders. He's fighting for a higher understanding.

But as he continues to stand up for what believes is right, White also keeps himself off the hardwood.

After initially refusing to report to RGV following two Rockets' formal assignments for him to do so, White finally reported to Houston's minor league affiliate in mid-February after reaching what he believed to be a reasonable temporary solution with regard to certain disorder accommodations. He came to town following months of trying to get him on the court.

And because of the long layover, White didn't exactly look like the player Houston had hoped they were acquiring upon drafting him. He looked rusty for an up and coming talent, and his skill-set, at the core, appeared very raw. He was rough around the edges, and didn't resemble much of the versatile big man known for doing all of the little things and helping maintain fluidity for his squad on both ends of the floor.

As expected, it took the forward some time to begin coming into his own. Despite a bevy of doubts, however, he started to do just that. White played in 16 games for the Vipers and his progress (in terms of the numbers he put up) was quite uneven. That said, over his final five games in RGV, he averaged an impressive 15.6 points (on 48% from the field), 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in only 24.4 minutes per contest.

More important than the numbers, White looked good. He was steadily producing at a reasonable pace. What's more, he did in the flow of the team's system, even becoming a key contributor in the first five games of what would go on to become an overall sixteen-game winning streak. He began to look like that point-forward many knew him to be in college.

White's success may have continued, but he took matters into his own hands once again by opting not to join the Vipers for the postseason.

Rockets/Vipers' brass admittedly acquired D.J. Kennedy midseason in preparation that NBADL M.V.P. Andrew Goudelock would get called up to the NBA sometime soon. The St. John's alum went on to lead RGV to a minor league title in Goudelock's absence. Clearly, the Vipers couldn't prepare as though and/or depend on White to do the same thing.

Earlier this week, members of RGV were honored on the Toyota Center hardwood during halftime of a Rockets' playoff game to recognize their championship victory. The players have been commended, and there's no doubt the organization has continued to form a strong bond with each and every one of them.

Playing for the Rockets' D-League squad has clearly done wonders for many. Beverley and Greg Smith are contributors on Houston's playoff team, and the others who led RGV to a title can likely expect further looks from the big league team during Summer League.

After turning his back on the opportunity to emerge as a key NBADL playoff contributor, can White still expect the same consideration this summer? All off the court issues aside (and obviously with White, those very issues do make all the difference), one has to believe the Rockets may soon run out of patience.

There were plenty of young guns who went to work and aimed to prove themselves with the Vipers this season. It'll be interesting to see if they're given more of a commitment (with regard to each one's development) from Houston than White is.

RGV Vipers Defeat Santa Cruz Warriors to Become 2012-13 NBA D-League Champions

Keith_Schlosser — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:38:05 -0000

Going into the NBA D-League Finals, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers had won fourteen straight games --- dating back to the regular season and through the early rounds of the playoffs.

But the Santa Cruz Warriors were sure to put up a fight, and they did. Though RGV hit their home court on Saturday night with a 1-0 lead in the series, the Warriors didn't make obtaining that clinching second victory an easy task.

Santa Cruz played gritty defense through the contest, pestering RGV and even coming up with some points off turnovers after playing the Vipers so well defensively. Perhaps only constantly on the cusp of a run of their own to take a commanding lead, the Warriors just couldn't do enough to fully catch up with the running and gunning RGV.

The Vipers' offense is fast-paced, and so versatile in the sense that they can hit opponents in a bevy of different ways. Glen Rice Jr.'s 25 points (to go along with 13 rebounds) came within the flow of the offense. Though he didn't shoot very well, his ongoing attempts kept Santa Cruz honest and allowed RGV to continue controlling the tempo (which they made sure was up all the way) throughout the contest.

Rice Jr. served as a steady running mate to D.J. Kennedy in the clincher. Though Kennedy had previously served as just another key cog in the Vipers' engine while Andrew Goudelock was in town, he's truly risen up as the NBADL star most know him to be with Goudelock now playing for the Lakers. Scoring 27 points to lead his team, Kennedy attacked the basket and got to the charity stripe effectively and often. A versatile performer at all times, the swingman also added 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Warriors would inch their way closer and closer to RGV throughout the game, but every time they did, the Vipers seemed to have an answer to shut down yet another potential run. An emphatic dunk by Mike Singletary (who scored 10 points off the bench) in the middle of the third quarter allowed the crowd to roar, and seemingly represented the type of hammer continuously brought down upon Santa Cruz every time they would come close.

The Vipers 102-91 win not only helped them earn the crown of NBADL champions, but also served as their sixteenth straight victory.

Philadelphia 76ers Announce Acquisition of NBA D-League Team

Keith_Schlosser — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:11:15 -0000

On Saturday, the 76ers announced its purchase and acquisition of the operating rights to a dormant team in the NBA D-League, the Utah Flash.

The organization subsequently relocated the team to Delaware, and fittingly renamed the squad the Delaware 87ers. Such a move will keep the minor league squad close in proximity to 76ers' headquarters. Sixers' brass undoubtedly is looking to aid and strengthen its player development by acquiring their own minor league team. They become just the sixth NBA squad to own and maintain 100% control over such a squad.

One of the initial moves the 76ers' made upon announcing the purchase was finding a man to call Team President. Aaron Moszer, who has presided over a handful of minor league baseball teams in past years, will bring his immense amount of experience to Delware and fill the role. Moszer was most recently Assistant Vice President of Sales/Marketing for Ripkin Baseball. Inc.

Given his background, it appears as though Moszer would and should be more focused on the team's day-to-day operations as it relates to the financials, maintaing a presence in and interacting with the local community, etc. Will he involved in player acquisitions and team-building, or will the 76ers assign (D-League-pun intended) one of their already existing employees such a task instead? In the past, many NBA teams have put an assistant general manger in charge of those duties.

One thing Moszer will not have to worry about (at least for the time being) is finding and/or building an arena. The 87ers will play their games at the Bob Carpenter Center in the University of Delaware. Whereas the Warriors' organization built an arena up from scratch in Santa Cruz just last year, the 76ers' will instead hope to engage with the local community through occupying an already popular venue.

The 87ers will first hit the NBA D-League hardwood during the upcoming 2013-14 season. For more, visit our friends at Liberty Ballers.

RGV Vipers Win Game One of NBA D-League Finals Over Santa Cruz Warriors

Keith_Schlosser — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:59:11 -0000

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Santa Cruz Warriors hit the minor league hardwood on Thursday night for game one of the NBA D-League Finals.

The NBADL is a league continuously exploring growth opportunities, and as such, has broadcasted just about all of their games on YouTube throughout the season. Games two and three of the best out of three series will in fact be aired on television by CBS SportsNet.

Here's the official report from the NBA D-League on game one:

Glen Rice Jr. scored a game-high 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to a 112-102 victory over the Santa Cruz Warriors in Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Development League Finals on Saturday night at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, Calif. Rice's effort was complimented by Toure Murry's triple-double of 17 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the Vipers. Travis Leslie led a balanced Santa Cruz offense with 19 points in defeat.

The Warriors charged into the first quarter, stretching their lead to as many as 10 points, at 25-15 with 2:49 on the clock, before settling for a 31-24 lead heading into the second quarter. Chris Daniels scored nine of Rio Grande Valley's points in the first, while the Vipers out-rebounded Santa Cruz 18-11 in the opening frame.

The teams traded buckets and the lead in the second quarter, with Rio Grande Valley taking a 32-31 advantage, their first since the opening moments of the game, with 9:29 to play in the first. But, Santa Cruz's Scott Machado scored a quick five points to regain the lead, 42-38, with 6:49 to play in the half. He hit another three with 5:13 to play to lead his Warriors a 42-38 advantage. From there, Rio Grande Valley went on a 13-5 run, knotting the score at 52 with 1:41 to play before Santa Cruz took a 57-54 lead into the halftime break. Santa Cruz's Travis Leslie led all scorers with 13 at the half, while Daniels and Glen Rice, Jr. each had 12 for the Vipers.

The third quarter was a battle, with the squads locking in 10 ties and the lead changing hands six times. Rio Grande Valley's effort coming out of the half was led by seven Glen Rice Jr. points and six D.J. Kennedy points, while Santa Cruz saw point guard Machado, on assignment from the Golden State Warriors, scored six in the third period on two-of-three from the floor. At the end of three, Santa Cruz led by three, 85-82.

The Vipers dominated the opening three minutes of the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Warriors, 10-1, to take a 92-86 lead, with 8:34 to play in the game. Leading by as many as four points with less than four minutes to play, Santa Cruz rallied back, tying the game at 102 a piece on back-to-back Jeremy Tyler buckets with 1:26 to play. The teams remained tied until Kennedy scored the go-ahead bucket with 43.3 seconds to play, giving the Vipers a 104-102 lead. They never trailed again, eventually outscoring the Warriors, 30-17, in the game's final stanza en route to the 10-point victory.

All five of the Vipers scored in double-figures, with Kennedy and Daniels chipping in with 16 apiece and Chris Johnson adding 12 in the win. Six Warriors finished in double-digits, with Maurice Baker picking up 16 points off the bench, good for second-best for Santa Cruz.

For more, here are a couple of extra game-related notes:

This in particular NBADL Finals matchup features two NBA assignees, one from each respective squad. As mentioned in the report above, Scott Machado is playing for Santa Cruz despite recently signing a contract with Golden State just a couple weeks ago. The point guard had been playing for Santa Cruz prior to his promotion, so it's only fitting he now lends a helping hand when it matters most. His 16 points highlighted quite an assertive offensive performance, one that anyone who watches the floor general closely would be surprised to see. He's much more of a natural distributor.

The second assignee, Tim Ohlbrecht, is another player who earned an NBA promotion after proving his worth with a team's minor league affiliate. The Rockets' big man is yet again donning an RGV uniform, and was one of six Viper players in double-figures. He added 14 points off the bench in his team's victory.

The game's leading scorer, RGV's Glen Rice Jr., is perhaps one of the more intriguing prospects in all of the minor league. This is likely more due to his potential future path, rather than simply his playing abilities. Through a certain loophole of sorts, the swingman will enter this coming summer's NBA Draft. For more on that, please click here.

And lastly, if you're looking for an unique NBADL Finals prospective, RidiculousUpside.com had you covered this week with exclusive interviews with the head coaches of both remaining teams. Gino Pilato spoke with Santa Cruz's Nate Bjorkgren (click here), and I also spoke with Rio Grande Valley's Nick Nurse.

As previously mentioned, both latter games of the NBADL Finals can and will be seen on CBS SportsNet this coming Saturday and Monday.

Erie BayHawks Coach Gene Cross Spending Time With Knicks Through Playoffs

Keith_Schlosser — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:06:00 -0000

Though Coach Gene Cross' Erie BayHawks failed to make the NBA D-League playoffs this season, the team still put forth a valiant effort. Erie competed for a spot in the postseason until the final day of the regular season, keeping hope alive until the very end.

In the coach's first season in Erie, he still managed to lead the squad to a 26-24 as they coped with the early departures of team all-stars D.J. Kennedy and Henry Sims prior to season's end.

Putting forth such an effort as coach, Cross merely begun to put the building blocks for a winning environment in place, and proved to be able to do so while at the same time, being forced to make constant adjustments.

Though the BayHawks can do nothing more at this point than simply sit at home and watch the RGV Vipers and Santa Cruz Warriors go at it in the NBADL Finals this week, Coach Cross is already doing what he can to ensure his offseason doesn't go to waste.

Immediately following Erie's elimination from contention, the coach ventured out to the Big Apple on a more regular-basis to start spending more time with the Knicks, parent affiliate of the BayHawks.

Coach Cross and his staff (assistant coach Ben McDonald and athletic trainer Kyle Creasey) were all featured and could be seen in segments of "The Mike Woodson Show" on MSG Network, during which Knicks' head coach Mike Woodson and his staff discussed strategy in the video room earlier this season.

With New York now in the midst of a heated playoff matchup with the Boston Celtics, Coach Cross has been in town to take part in practices. No confirmation yet as to how much of a role he has (or if he's simply there to observe), but such a presence still proves the commitment of Woodson and the Knicks to integrating the minor league squad into what they do.

Earlier this season, Knicks Assistant General Manager (and acting BayHawks G.M.) Allan Houston spoke exclusively with RidiculousUpside.com, expressing his hope for a strong relationship between Woodson and Cross.

Whether he's simply aiming to learn more from the experience, or whether he's hoping to help guide the Knicks a bit himself, there's no doubt Coach Cross' presence in New York at this time is a positive one.

With regard to potentially building a stronger bond between big league squads and their minor league affiliates, such a seamless integration would be a smart thing for any NBA playoff contenders to execute right now.

Coach Nick Nurse Helps RGV Vipers Overcome Challenges & Adversities To Reach NBADL Finals

Keith_Schlosser — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:16:34 -0000

From day one, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers appeared destined to go far in the NBADL playoffs as they contended for a championship this season.

From a steady support staff in the form of the parent NBA affiliate Houston Rockets (who assembled a roster full of promising prospects and past NBA players) to a smart and experienced coaching staff, there was no reason why RGV wouldn't be posed to accomplish great things.

Fast-forward to the month of April, and the Vipers are right where they want to be: competing in the D-League Finals, which begin on Thursday, April 25th.

The Rockets' affiliate played steady basketball all season, securing the second seed in all of the D-League. It's arguable that they would have finished as the overall top dog as well, if it hadn't been for a couple of injuries. They were also forced to cope with a bevy of NBA call-ups and assignments. These same promotions can be considered both a blessing and a curse for minor league teams. On one hand, it's great to see one of your own get rewarded for their hard work. On the other hand, it's difficult to lose a player on a moment's time. There's no denying how quickly changes must be made following such departures.

Such challenges didn't seem to phase RGV Coach Nick Nurse all too much, as he tried his best to face those challenges head-on as he helped his team overcome adversities. Their 35-15 record in the regular season speaks for itself, and so does the team's success thus far in the postseason.

"It's obviously difficult," Coach Nurse told RidiculousUpside.com of having to coach around the potential call-ups. "You really don't know what's going to happen until you go through some games. Andrew [Goudelock] got called up [by the Los Angeles Lakers] about thirty minutes before game two of one of our playoff series'. You don't have any time to prepare. You address things as you go and then when you get a chance to practice, you make some adjustments. Our guys have been pretty resilient. We've had a lot of guys called up, many of them permanently, too. It's about plugging other guys in. They don't panic. There are good players on the bench, and it means they get to play more. Our guys have done a great job of handling it, really."

Whereas it's up to Coach Nurse to continue guiding his young prospects and putting them in the best possible positions to succeed, the Rockets have put a staff in place (headed by Houston Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas) to reel in attractive talent to balance and keep the RGV engine chugging along. Goudelock, a surefire D-League M.V.P. candidate, was a midseason acquisition himself. Fellow M.V.P. candidate D.J, Kennedy also joined the team a relatively short time ago. With Goudelock out of town, however, it's been Kennedy who's emerged as a true starring attraction for RGV as they've charged ahead in the playoffs.

"Our affiliation with the Rockets has been great," Coach Nurse added. "I really enjoy working with them. Obviously their first objective is to evaluate players and try to get guys into Rockets' uniforms. We've had a lot of assignments back and forth. Hopefully that's helped them. It helps us because we learn to adjust to different rosters and things like that. It's all about trying to get guys to buy into the system. It's important to not overreact when things are bad, but not get too happy when things are good, either. Our players are professionals each day, because it's about simply putting your best foot forward when given the opportunity."

That same mentality has resulted in the Vipers achieving great success, and now they find themselves poised to take on the Santa Cruz Warriors in The Finals. Like RGV, Santa Cruz is also entered in a single NBA team affiliation with the Golden State Warriors. They too have benefited from a bevy of player assignments throughout the season, and have solid depth across the roster because of the way the Warriors use the D-League as an authentic scouting platform for potential future NBA contributors. Either way, Coach Nurse likes the matchup at hand.

"I think it should be a great series. Both teams played well during the season and have played well as of late in the playoffs. There's a lot of talent because both teams are pretty deep," he added.

Of course, such a competition is about coming out on top with a championship victory as a way of rewarding either respective city and the fans. Nevertheless, there's quite the friendly rivalry in play when it comes to Nurse and Santa Cruz head coach Nate Bjorkgren.

"We're obviously great friends," the RGV coach said. "I was actually in his wedding. He coached with me as an assistant for four seasons with the Iowa Energy. He's done a great job and he's certainly his own man. They've played well all season long. It makes things interesting, but I'm just going to get our guys ready to play the best they can."

The familiarity each coach has with one another will certainly make things interesting, but perhaps nothing is more intriguing than how evenly matched the Vipers and Warriors may truly be. Each team's path to the NBADL Finals has been a similar one. The matchup between the two is sure to be a competitive one filled with some of tomorrow's more promising players turning heads from the start.

Tony Taylor Jr. To Participate in NBA Summer League With Oklahoma City Thunder

Keith_Schlosser — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:19:36 -0000

As mentioned in this piece from earlier this week, even as they contend for an NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder aren't turning their back on the potential stars of tomorrow.

The likes of Jeremy Lamb, DeAndre Liggins, and Perry Jones III (and previously Daniel Orton, too) had been in constant rotation between OKC and Tulsa (the home of the D-League affiliate 66ers) all season long before the 66ers were eliminated by the RGV Vipers in the NBADL playoffs just a few days ago. Each player has gone back and forth between cities (and each one's respective team) to ensure they get the most reps on the court as possible. The Thunder are committed to each player's development, because they know full well each of them could play a part in the NBA team's contending future.

With this all in mind, it's no surprise that the organization is reportedly set to bring 66ers' guard Tony Taylor Jr. aboard its Summer League team this coming July.

OKC clearly appreciates promising young talent, and Taylor undoubtedly did what he could all season long to prove he was just that. After starting the season off strongly, the GWU alum took a back seat to NBA veteran Chris Quinn, who was brought in by the team midseason. Nevertheless, Taylor still appeared in all 50 games, starting 24. He owns season-averages of 7 points (on 42% from the field and 41% from deep) and 3.2 assists per contest. His shooting percentage from long range ranked in the top among fellow NBADL point guards.

Taylor arguably finished the season even stronger than he started it, because with Quinn earning an NBA call-up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Sleepy Hollow, New York native was free to resume his starting role.

He led the way as starting floor general for the 66ers through the D-League playoffs, even looking like a minor league All-Star in Tulsa's final game. Despite a 113-106 loss by the 66ers, Taylor finished with 12 points and 12 assists on no turnovers, and had a plus/minus of +4 for the game.

Such an effort put a cherry on top of Taylor's final playoff stats, complete with averages of 11.2 points (on 54% from the field and 43% from long range), 5.4 assists, and 1 steal through five games.

Could this same promising stretch have been what sealed the deal for the Thunder, or was his steady progression all season long enough to convince them he's worth a look this summer?

Either way, Taylor will enter a very good situation. Not only will he be trying out for a winning organization, but he'll likely be doing so alongside fellow 66er teammates and past OKC assignees. His familiarity and comfortability with each one is sure to help him thrive.

Canton Charge's Alex Jensen Named NBA D-League "Coach of the Year"

Keith_Schlosser — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:38:21 -0000

The NBA D-League announced that Alex Jensen of the Canton Charge has been named the league's "Coach of the Year" for the 2012-13 season.

The decision to award one recipient with an honor like that over another is usually debatable, but alas, not so much so, in this case. Jensen should have been the clear-cut favorite for such an award, and without a doubt, he was.

The "Coach of the Year" award seems tailor-made for a man with the plan like Jensen. He may not have been able to help the Charge secure the very top seed in the NBADL, but there's no doubt he did the best he could and managed to get the most out of his players.

Out of the D-League two other fellow division leaders, the first-place Bakersfield Jam were led by two NBA call-ups from this season, Jerel McNeal and Damion James. The second-place Rio Grande Valley Vipers (the affiliate of the Houston Rockets) reaped the benefits of having a plethora of Rockets assignees don their uniform this year.

For the Charge, things were a bit different. Though Canton is in fact the single-affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers, it makes more sense for the NBA squad to keep their younger talent in town and develop them in The Association, as opposed to the D-League. Canton did welcome the likes of Josh Selby and Jon Leuer to town this season, but such assignments were both short-lived. Cavs' forward Kevin Jones was seen the most in Canton, but even he only played in 12 games.

Canton's roster isn't exactly full of prime NBA prospects currently knocking the door down in hopes of big-league call-ups. Going down the list, there aren't any clear-cut household names, either.

As mentioned previously, if there were, they'd probably be getting more time to develop in Cleveland than Canton.

But none of this ever seemed to matter to or discourage Coach Jensen from attempting to develop a winner. He found the strengths of a bevy of players, putting them in the best possible position to succeed and show off their abilities. Not too worried about guys getting called up or sent back and forth between leagues, Canton was able to instead focus on winning and playing together like a unit.

Jensen's guidance not only led his team to a division-leading 30-20 record this season, but will also likely go on to help a number of his players earn spots on NBA Summer League rosters this coming July. The fact remains that big league executives value winning, and if nothing else, each of Coach Jensen's players can be considered such after the season they completed.

Coach Jensen seems to understand how to nurture raw prospects, developing their games and helping them shine. Gritty forward Ryan Rossiter is a prime example. Heading into the D-League season, Rossiter was known for not being afraid to do the dirty work. He could defend and rebound well, and wasn't afraid to throw his body around, either. With the season now complete, Rossiter has expanded his game, all because Jensen wasn't afraid to help him explore different facets of his abilities. The forward was seen helping the Charge spread the floor as a long-range shooter all season long.

Jorge Gutierrez is another great example of a player Coach Jensen helped nurture. The point guard will likely go on to garner NBA consideration next season as he continues to develop. As a rookie in Canton, Gutierrez was given the green light to run the show and be a floor general. He may have buckled under the pressure in the playoffs a bit, but there's no doubt he made strides while learning how to set up his teammates the right way and be an outstanding team player.

These are just a couple of examples of players that Coach Jensen helped grow tenfold over the course of the season. The fact remains that the coach's efforts can be easily recognized across the board with this roster, as he guided such a group to quite the impressive winning season.

D.J. Kennedy's Triple-Double Leads Houston Rockets' Affiliate to NBA D-League Finals

Keith_Schlosser — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:32:20 -0000

There's plenty of reasons why the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League affiliate of the Rockets) have emerged as one of the top teams in the minors this season.

The squad employs a steadily smart coaching staff that pays special attention and care to its players. As the Rockets' affiliate, the team has been assembled by one of the best scouting staffs in all of basketball. What's more, those same staffs take no prisoners when it comes to reeling in worthwhile talent, no matter what point of the season it may be. They simply understand how to help everyone mesh with one another effectively.

It's sensible to assume RGV would have been successful either way, but midseason acquisitions of Andrew Goudelock and D.J. Kennedy surely didn't hurt.

Acquired in January, Goudelock was given the green light from the Vipers to shoot and score at will. Such freedom gave him the ability to unleash his offensive prowess without hesitation, and that, in turn, paid dividends for RGV. In addition to being a go-to-guy, Goudelock also began to effectively become somewhat of a facilitator as well this season. Such attributes helped the guard earned a recent NBA call-up with the Lakers.

But such a void certainly didn't leave the Rockets' affiliate empty-handed come playoff time. In addition to having some recently waived NBA prospects and a big league assignee or two in town, the team also knew D.J. Kennedy was poised to step up when need be as well.

Earlier this season, Kennedy gained notoriety as a surefire M.V.P. candidate himself for leading the way and keeping the Erie BayHawks afloat in the NBADL playoff race. After shipping him out of town, Erie faltered under the pressures of the playoff race. They're now forced to sit at home and watch as Kennedy rises up to lead RGV.

With Goudelock now in Los Angeles, there's no doubt Kennedy is the star of the Vipers. After averaging a near triple-double in RGV's first three playoff wins, the swingman finally logged one after all. In RGV's 113-106 series clinching win over the Tulsa 66ers, Kennedy led the way with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Like most of the NBADL's top talents, Kennedy has a lot of potential and promise, but may be a little rough around the edges. His shooting percentages over the course of a season may be considered a bit low, but the fact remains Kennedy is content being a main option and knows how to come up in the clutch. Though he has decent court-vision for a swingman his size, his execution is sometimes lacking. Still, the good intent is always there. From last season to this one, Kennedy has, without a doubt, made substantial strides and progress, which is what the NBADL is all about.

But to Kennedy, garnering more attention from NBA executives is all about proving that you can be a winner. The swingman told RidiculousUpside.com as much back in February, after his individual success earned him a D-League All-Star nod. He knew that carrying the BayHawks to wins would ultimately be what helped him turn more heads.

Now in April, Kennedy may don a different uniform, but has the same objectives. His latest efforts have helped the Vipers punch a ticket to the NBADL Finals, which begin this coming Thursday.

Jeremy Lamb Takes on Starring Role in NBA D-League Playoffs

Keith_Schlosser — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:49:13 -0000

Upon getting drafted into the NBA, whereas everyone enjoys being a part of a winning environment, there's no denying that the better prospects will usually get more playing time on teams that have struggled in the past and are looking for new potential positive contributions.

Selected by the Rockets as a lottery pick in last summer's NBA Draft, Jeremy Lamb was likely preparing to play substantial minutes for the rebuilding squad as they aimed to change the culture in Houston.

But instead of waiting to see how things played out and depend on their young talent to eventually develop, the Rockets had other plans as to how they would make themselves a winner once again.

Putting together a package of expiring contract(s) and promising prospects, Houston cashed it all in for a proven player in James Harden, who was poised and ready to be unleashed as an NBA star.

As such, Lamb found himself packing for Oklahoma City. On the championship-contending Thunder, the guard may have been a part of OKC's future plans, but minutes were going to be difficult to come by with the likes of top talents Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook running the show. Their time in now, and Lamb's time will be later.

But that doesn't mean the organization has turned their back on his development. Though they can't afford to give Lamb minutes on an NBA hardwood during this key time of contention, OKC has provided him with the next best thing.

On what seemed like almost a nightly basis, Lamb found himself going back and forth (with a rotation of his fellow young gun teammates that has included DeAndre Liggins, Perry Jones III, and Daniel Orton) between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, to log some minutes in the NBA D-League with the Thunder affiliate 66ers.

Whereas in the NBA, Lamb is forced to defer to two of the NBA's biggest stars, in the NBADL, he himself is looked at as the starring attraction in town. Averaging 21 points (on 49% from the field and 35% from deep), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals through 21 contests this season), the guard emerged as a D-League All-Star.

Though he's constantly going back and forth between NBA and minor league life, Lamb has recently returned to Tulsa on a more regular basis to help them through the D-League playoffs. After averaging almost identical numbers to those of his regular season stats, Lamb helped the 66ers past the first round. Despite scoring 29 points in Tulsa's first game of their next series against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (ironically the affiliate of the Rockets, who earlier traded Lamb to OKC), the guard failed lead the 66ers to victory against RGV. They'll need to the latter two games of the series if they want to punch a ticket to the NBADL Finals.

And you can bet if they do, Lamb is likely to be around for that ride as well. Rising up as a star for the 66ers clearly serves as a confidence booster. Oklahoma City assumedly hopes that such success will eventually translate on the NBA hardwood, but at least for now, they're doing the best things possible to better prepare him for a similar big league role in the future.

NBA D-League Rewards Two Santa Cruz Warriors With Year End Awards

Keith_Schlosser — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:06:55 -0000

With their 103-97 win over the Austin Toros on Friday night, the Santa Cruz Warriors have come out of the NBADL semi-finals victorious, and will be heading to the D-League Finals.

The team's impressive run has been highlighted by their immense amount of depth from top to bottom all season long, but two specific individuals recently received recognition for the very efforts that helped propel Santa Cruz to the squad's current point of success.

Over the past few days, the NBA D-League has begun to distribute year-end awards for special achievement, and thus, both Santa Cruz's Stefhon Hannah and Cameron Jones have been honored, respectively.

After a promising rookie season in 2011-12 with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Jones was forced to prove his worth all over again by beginning this past season with Santa Cruz. It may have taken the guard a few games to get into a new groove and convince the Warriors he has what it takes to handle major minutes, but once he began to succeed, he never looked back.

Jones averaged 12.6 points (on 48% shooting from the field), 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals through 50 contests for Santa Cruz. His stat-line from last season to this one saw subtle improvements in a variety of categories, including field goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and steals.

Such improvements may not have been drastic, but they were consistent across the board. What's more, he made his presence felt by making an important impact, playing well within the Warriors' system. He also stepped up big time in the absence of Travis Leslie, who had been called up by the Jazz earlier in the year.

While Jones' impact was more obviously felt more in bunches and on a "need to have" basis, Hannah on the other hand, served as nothing less than the anchor of the Warriors' defense for the second year in a row. As such, the floor general earned his second consecutive "Defensive Player of the Year" award.

Hannah is a pestering defender who likes to fluster opposing point guards by applying tight pressure and cutting off the passing lanes. Things start with Hannah on the defensive end, as by contesting the opponent's ball handler, he sets the tone for the rest of the Warriors' squad. He ranked in the league's top five in steals with 2 per game this season.

Both players have been key members of this Warriors' squad all season long. Their impacts have, without a doubt, been fell over the last few months, as each one has played an important role in helping Santa Cruz earn a spot in the NBA D-League Finals. Both are deserving of such awards for their efforts.

Former NBA D-League Forward Marvin Phillips Completes Successful Season in Canada

Keith_Schlosser — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 06:04:15 -0000

Marvin Phillips finished off the 2011-12 NBA D-League season known as one of the most efficient rebounders to grace the minor league hardwood over the last few seasons.

But with each new year and basketball season comes new opportunities for aspiring NBA athletes. Thus, Phillips found himself venturing to Canada to play for the London Lightning for the 2012-13 season.

As fate would have it, the forward took the NBL by storm, deservedly earning the fitting award of "Newcomer of the Year." Phillips averaged 14 points (on 45% both from the field and long range---the latter being a league-leading stat line), 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals through 38 contests.

But the big man's success didn't simply come to an end when the regular season came to a close. He only seemed to flourish as the pressure mounted. Phillips not only emerged as the NBL's All-Star Game M.V.P. (the game took place following the regular season), but also came up in the clutch during the postseason as well. He also rose above to lead the Lightning to an NBL championship win after averaging 19.5 points and 8 rebounds in the clinching series.

For his efforts, Phillips was subsequently named M.V.P. of the NBL Canada Finals. Such an achievement marks the second consecutive championship win for the Lightning, who are led by former Knicks star Michael Ray Richardson as head coach. Phillips' teammate, former NBA veteran Rodney Buford, won the league's "Sixth Man of the Year" award as well.

By all accounts, Phillips had a very strong season. While logging minutes the past few years in the NBA D-League, Phillips was most known for his gritty effort, assertive physicality, and efficient rebounding. Though there's nothing wrong with garnering a reputation as a player who likes to get inside and do all the "dirty" work, the forward had always aimed for more.

As he closed out his most recent season in the minors with the Erie BayHawks, Phillips had been working to also assert himself as a big man who could be trusted on the offensive end too. Developing his ability to step out a bit and knock down jumpers to keep defenses honest, the forward had been steadily emerging as someone who enjoyed hitting mid-range jumpers as well as those from deep every now and then too. His consistent (and league-leading) percentage from long range in Canada this past season only proves that he not only has been working to get better and meet certain individual goals, but also that he's been surpassing them as well.

Such an impressive season overseas only suggests that there are more positive things on the horizon for a player like Phillips as he enters the basketball offseason.

NBA Teams Favor Veterans Over Promising Prospects Down the Stretch

Keith_Schlosser — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:33:05 -0000

Last season, the likes of Antoine Walker and Antonio Daniels were each in their second seasons of using the NBA D-League as a potential path back to The Association. The pair served as pioneers for such a method, as many others seemed to follow suit.

Mike James parlayed a strong showing at the 2012 NBADL Showcase with the Erie BayHawks into a longer lasting gig with the number one seed Chicago Bulls. This season, time in the D-League proved to be twice as nice for the point guard, as James turned an audition with the Texas Legends (again, at the Showcase, this time in 2013) into a starting gig with their NBA affiliate Dallas Mavericks. The guard went on to start 22 contests in the months of March and April, appearing in a total of 44.

There's no doubt having a familiar name and face gives such veterans a couple extra brownie points when it comes to reaching the NBA once more. They're all doing it at the cost of certain young guns getting gigs instead.

Experience and proven past results appeared to bite the NBADL's top up and comers in the butt once again this week, as the likes of Tracy McGrady and Quentin Richardson saw themselves catch on with NBA teams just in time for the playoffs.

McGrady had been playing well in China, but previously was unable to earn himself a spot on an NBA roster after working out for the Spurs and Knicks last offseason. Richardson had been sitting out the entire season until signing with the Knicks on Tuesday.

What gives? Clearly, big league teams seem to favor adding veteran presences at this point, rather than players who have proven to have the utmost of success in the D-League this season.

Willie Reed (Memphis Grizzlies) and Scott Machado (Golden State Warriors) have appeared to slip through the cracks (in a good way) and break into The Association recently, despite not having as much previous experience. But there are plenty of other promising young guns deserving of similar opportunities who simply did not get them.

One way of looking at the situation is saying the players in the D-League have at one point or another, nevertheless, failed to make an NBA team this past season. Whether they played the entire season in the minors, or simply arrived after being waived by an NBA squad, prior failure had to occur somewhere.

But can't the same be said for some of these returning more well-known veterans as well? There's a reason why they haven't been on an NBA roster throughout the year. Whether they failed to make a roster earlier this season, or simply waited this long to sign a contract because their conditioning wasn't as solid, something's got to give.

Nevertheless, with just a couple of months to go through the most successful teams in the playoffs' postseason run, perhaps NBA teams take players for what they are at this point and prefer a proven veteran presence, rather than a rising star with ridiculous upside, for the next 6-8 weeks.

These veterans are safer bets, because what you see (and what you know) is probably what you'll get. What certain NBADL talents have to understand is that while they're looking to earn full-season gigs with an NBA team come Summer League or training camp time, these same veterans playing now will likely be sitting at home once again waiting for the months of March and April to come once again so they too can finally earn another (albeit, how brief) gig.

Tony Mitchell Earns 2012-13 NBA D-League Rookie of the Year Award

Keith_Schlosser — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:01:12 -0000

For his ability to pour in the points, some freakish athleticism, and (not to mention) some pretty impressive stats for a first year player, Tony Mitchell of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants was named the NBA D-League's 2012-13 Rookie of the Year.

Averaging 21.7 points per game this season, Mitchell was not only the second-leading scorer in the entire league, but also emerged as a steady leader for a surefire playoff squad after the Mad Ants watched NBA veteran Luke Harangody go down with an injury in February, and only return for more game after that the rest of the way.

From there, Mitchell was the one to carry the scoring load, and not to mention, his team as a group. The organization looked to the first-year forward to lead the way, and he answered such a call by pacing his squad on a nightly basis as best he could.

With few else to turn to, Fort Wayne fed Mitchell the ball as the centerpiece of the offense and he was able to rise up as a formidable offensive option. Clearly, by taking on such a role and helping his team achieve success while doing it, Mitchell was, by just about every account, the league's top first-year player.

But things don't necessarily get any answer from here. Out of all eleven past NBADL players to win such an award over the years, only three (Will Bynum, Lou Amundson, and Alonzo Gee) currently still stand tall on NBA rosters today.

There's no doubt Mitchell has talent and potential, and thus, should receive an NBA training camp invite or two this coming fall. Having said that, the forward is, at 23 years of age, still a very raw prospect. Though he can score in bunches, his offensive game isn't as polished as perhaps it should be. He's a volume shooter and scorer. As evidenced by his shooting percentages (42% from the field and 32% from deep), his ability to score was more often highlighted by how many shots he took, rather than the efficient way in which he scored those very points instead.

The tricky thing about Mitchell is figuring out how and where he would fit on an NBA team. What can he contribute to a squad that most other players cannot? He scores with ease and is arguably the most athletic swingman the league saw take its hardwoods all season long. The forward's isn't one to do so many of the "little things," so he'll have to either improve his all-around game, or hope that his offensive scoring prowess is better than that of most of his competition for rosters spots this coming fall.

Giving credit where credit is due, that same scoring prowess Mitchell displayed this season was in fact better than just about all of his NBADL counterparts, rookie or not. He's deserving of such an award.

The ROY nod is the third major honor the swingman earned this season, having previously been named an NBA D-League All-Star and taken taking home the league's Slam-Dunk Contest title.

Willie Reed Signs With Grizzlies & Earns Coveted Late Season NBA Call-Up

Keith_Schlosser — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:16:30 -0000

#CallWillieUp.

There are plenty of ways for aspiring NBA athletes to try and help themselves earn those oh so coveted call-ups while playing in the D-League. The easiest way, obviously, is impressing and turning heads with their varied skills. When all else fails, however, a certain Springfield Armor forward taught us all that you can always start a hashtag on Twitter.

In addition to logging twelve double-doubles this season and earning himself an "NBADL Top Performer of the Week" nod earlier in the year, Springfield's Willie Reed started his very own hashtag this season in hopes of catching someone's attention.

There aren't too many NBA executives on Twitter, but as a coincidence, recently hired Grizzlies' Vice President of Basketball Operations John Hollinger (the former ESPN writer) is. Whether or not the hashtag helped his call-up credentials, Reed still managed to build up quite the impressive social media fan base for a minor league player. From there, it was just a point of letting his play speak for itself.

Reed has been the type of player hungry for a golden opportunity all season long. From start to finish, his journey was first focused on at first earning more minutes on the NBADL hardwood as a key reserve for the Armor. After that, he had hoped his ongoing success would catch someone's attention.

It worked, as Reed is now a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

As his numbers creeped up each month, Reed went on to average increased numbers with 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per contest over the last two months of the season. Though he's only listed at 220 pounds, at 6'10", Reed is as efficient of a rebounder as they come in the NBA D-League. He made the extra effort this season to work on his offensive game, and clearly, proven results began to pay off as he looked more aggressive towards the basket.

Reed's call-up follows that of his Armor teammate Kris Joseph, who signed with the Brooklyn Nets (Springfield's NBA parent squad) just a couple weeks ago.

A source told RidiculousUpside.com that the Nets had hoped to be in the driver's seat when it came to the futures of both Joseph and Reed, bringing them aboard for training camp this coming fall. Despite being able to keep Joseph in the fold, Brooklyn can only watch as Memphis takes control with regard to Reed.

The forward's contract details are still being worked out, but should the Grizzlies attach some sort of non-guaranteed and/or team option for next season, they'd have the power to comfortably keep Reed in town at least through training camp. They'd then have the option of waving him, but would retain his D-League rights for their own affiliate, the Reno Bighorns.

Of course, Reed and his representation can negotiate and/or counter accordingly, but for a minor leaguer, perhaps any potential of sticking around an NBA environment is a positive one.

Grizzlies' officials have continued to be present at previous NBADL functions such as offseason workouts, the D-League Showcase, and the All-Star Game as well, so it's easy to see why they're comfortable enough turning to a player like Reed for some potential extra help as the playoffs approach.

Andrew Goudelock To Earn NBA Call-Up to Familiar Stomping Grounds?

Keith_Schlosser — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:45:29 -0000

Andrew Goudelock took the NBA D-League by storm this season, emerging as a surefire M.V.P. candidate as the months progressed. He not only served as a scoring machine, averaging 21.1 points (on 48% from the field and 36% from deep), but also logged 5.2 assists 52 contests also.

There's no doubt the combo guard can pour in the points with ease, but he also made the effort to develop his playmaking abilities also, working on his floor general instincts.

As much as Goudelock wants to develop his overall game, they don't call him "the mini-Mamba" for nothing. He's one heck of a scorer. After leading the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to a 15-2 record in the months of March and April (helping them earn the second seed in the playoffs, in which they're competing now), the guard will r eportedly join an NBA team that is clearly in need of his impressive scoring prowess.

After spending last season as an NBA rookie in Los Angeles, Goudelock is poised to re-join the Lakers once again, according to most recent reports. Still in the thick of a playoff race as they look to squeeze into the postseason with that coveted eighth seed, the Lakers could clearly use someone who will fit right in as he aims to make sure Los Angeles doesn't suffer all too much in the absence of Kobe Bryant.

Perhaps because he understands the organization quite well already, Goudelock fits that mold best at this point. Of course, the Los Angeles currently employs Mike D'Antoni to run the show for the now-fringe playoff squad. Though there's a new sheriff in town, a player with Goudelock's bold and savvy offensive skills surely stands to only reap the benefits of playing for someone like D'Antoni. There's a good possibility he'll thrive by being given the coach's green light.

With regard to potential NBA call-ups, it's anyone's guess as to why Goudelock has had to wait this long to earn himself one. Putting it simply, he's been one of the best (if not the best) offensive players the minor league has seen grace its hardwoods with season.

It'll be interesting to see if the timing and familiar location of this call-up will benefit the guard in any way long-term. With Bryant's injury in mind, it would make sense for the Lakers to sign Goudelock for the rest of the season, and perhaps potentially tag on a team-option or two for upcoming seasons.