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D-League Call-Up Rankings - Hey Potential, Meet Reality!

We've done different versions of this over the past few weeks between my Prospect/Quick Fix list and Jon's playoff hopefuls (East and West).  This morning though, I figured we'll go back to the list.  It's pretty tough to do this list, as there are about six myself and Jon both agreed on and the rest were up in the air, so have mercy - not even Jon's going to agree with this.

1. Marcus Williams, Austin - Williams is the consensus for us as the player most deserving of a call-up.  In the month of March, Williams averaged something ridiculous - 25.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, shooting 92% from the free-throw line along with showing improved range, hitting 36% from beyond the arc.  He's also extremely long and handles the rock quite a bit for the Toros.  Williams has had a little trouble adjusting to the recent additions of DeMarcus Nelson and Malik Hairston, but lines like his last game - 11-of-20 from the field for 29 points, including 3-4 on his threes, six rebounds and four assists are becoming the norm for him.

2. Josh Davis, Colorado - I sing his praises more than what is healthy, but I won't stop until he gets a look, so somebody better get on this guy pretty soon, as I'm running out of things to tell you that I haven't already.  Davis is a player you need to see in person.  Davis is a hard worker, got a sweet stroke, is too quick to guard in the post, but too much of a shooter to leave him alone on the perimeter, and as long as he's on the court, you can tell he's working his butt off.  Love his game, as he's a tweener, but definitely serviceable as either a small forward or pick-and-pop power forward.  In his 13 games in March, Davis' rebounding numbers dropped just a bit, but his percentages went through the roof.  Davis averaged 19.6 points and 6.9 boards (in 32 minutes), but shot an incredible 47% from beyond the arc, along with a very efficient 52% from the field.  As the glue guy to what I consider the best team in the D-League, he might get my MVP vote.

3. Blake Ahearn, Dakota - This might come off as a homer pick (Ahearn is a longtime favorite of mine), but Dakota wouldn't be the same team without him and every team could use a shooter with as sweet of stroke as Blake's.  Ahearn is known for two things: His quirkiness and his shooting ability.  While it'd be nice for him to round out his game and become more of a point guard, he's shown this season that he can somehow get to the basket, which is just as valuable for him as his point guard abilities.  He's been to the line 261 times this season, making 248 freebies (95%).  Along with the free-throw shooting, he stepped up his 3-point shooting in March, hitting 46% from beyond the arc.  On the season, he's also averaging 22.6 points and 5.3 assists per game.

4. Othyus Jeffers, Iowa - I love watching good defense in the D-League, and Jeffers is, in my eyes, the premiere defender in the D-League (second: Brent Petway, Idaho).  He is also a prolific scorer (inside the 3-point line) and rebounds at least as well as any 6'5" swingman that's ever come through the D-League.  You want numbers?  I'll give you numbers.  The rookie and reigning NAIA player of the year played 11 games in March, averaging 22.2 points and 9.6 rebounds, showing a variety of ways to score while shooting 49% from the floor.  The only flaw in his game is his shooting from beyond the arc, as he's just 7-of-25 from deep.

5. David Noel, Reno - Noel's been in the D-League all season, but this is really the first time I've focused on him - don't worry, his quick rise is warranted.  Noel started with Albuquerque, was traded to Reno, and boom tho, he's dominating.  I'm not sure what's in the water in Reno, but if you want to revive your D-League season, ask for a trade to Reno.  In Noel's last two games, h'es averaged 20.5 points, 12 boards and 9.5 assists - Ridiculous.  In March the former 2nd round pick of the Bucks averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists and 6.5 boards, shooting 55% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc.  He's ready.

Star-divide

6. Jawad Williams, Rio Grande Valley - Williams is a 6'9" combo-forward that can score.  He's not going to contribute much else to your team, but he will contribute points.  Lots and lots, from all over the court.  Since coming to the D-League after a couple of stints with the Cleveland Cav's, Williams is tearing the league up.  Williams is averaging 25.5 points and shooting 45% from beyond the arc.

7. Dwayne Jones, Austin - He's already played six games in the NBA with the Bobcats to start the season, and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get a couple more under his belt before the season is over.  He's got an NBA body and NBA experience, two of the qualities that a league called the NBA should be looking to pick up during the season.  Jones has had a double-double in all but two of his games in March.  Averaging 15.7 points and 13 boards on 60% shooting.  His best game of the season came on March 13, when he shot 14-18 for 33 points and 23 rebounds with three steals and a block.  Jones also leads all centers in rebounds per 48 minutes.  The downside is that he occasionally turns the ball over too much along with a tendency to get frustrated when things aren't going well.

8. Chris Hunter, Fort Wayne - He's kind of the yin to Jones' yang, as both are great big men, just differ in the way they went about getting those titles.  With Jones, his defense and rebounding would be the reason for a call-up.  For Hunter, it's going to be his offense.  He's polished in the low post and has shown a serviceable jumper when it's called upon.  While he's not a bad rebounder (9.1 per game), his 20.9 points and 87% shooting from the charity stripe are what's going to catch the attention of the scouts.

9. Walker Russell, Fort Wayne - Personally, I'm not as sold on him, but Jon has him ranked much higher than myself.  He's younger than who I would have put here (Eddie Gill, maybe even Mateen Cleaves) and is excellent at penetrating and dishing along with running the fast break, averaging 10.9 assists per game.  The thing I'm not sold on is his scoring.  Even though he's averaging 16.3 points this season, he's shooting just 43% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.  Those numbers aren't going to help his chances.

10a. Rod Benson, Reno - I know, he blogs, he'll never get called-up, he's too entertaining and real!  Well, sorry, I'm including him.  Boom Tho himself had a very impressive March despite being traded and starting only half of his 12 games.  We've talked about him at length this month, so I'm just going to give you the numbers he ended up with while averaging 31 minutes per game: 15.7 points, 9.2 boards, and 2.7 blocks.  Boom tho, indeed.

10b. Dominique Coleman, Colorado - I should have let Jon write this, as I'm not sold on him, but he forgot about him when he sent me his original rankings!  Regardless, I'll give it a shot.  Coleman is extremely efficient and on the season, he's averaging 15.7 points, 7.9 boards and 4.8 assists and 2.8 steals, shooting 51% from the floor and 42% from beyond the arc.  The negatives are that he's a 6'3" 2-guard shooting 69% from the free-throw line and his numbers across the board fell dramatically during March.  I'm probably late to the game as he belonged here last month.  This month, I'm not as sure.

Honorable mention: Trey Johnson, Bakersfield (3 point %'s, assists dropped big in March); Derrick Byars, Bakersfield (bad shooting month for Bakersfield, apparently); Kurt Looby, RGV (Rookie has been very impressive on defense and the boards); Richard Hendrix, Dakota (plagued by foul trouble and I'm questioning his motor); John Lucas, Colorado (bit on the small side, but he can run an NBA team); Eddie Gill, Colorado AND Mateen Cleaves, Bakersfield (Decided to promote the upside RU is known for).

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Marcus Williams

has been impressive in the games I’ve watched. Although I do wish he would pass out of going-no-where drives more often. He tends to want to take the contested shot in the paint than find other guys sometimes, but that may be more a symptom of Austin than his game.

by Aisander D on Apr 1, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The rankings look okay to me.

I knew I probably had Russell too high when I sent them to you. As for more positives for Coleman, he’s a really solid perimeter defender, and handles himself well when he gets swtiched onto a big man in the post.

by Jon L on Apr 1, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Where is Forehan-Kelly

Come on Ridiculous, give a shout out to Forehan Kelly of the Defenders. I know he was not one of the draft picks for the Lakers, but have you noticed who finishes games (Kelly) and who is sitting on the bench (Mitchell). Also, check the record when he has played at least 30 minutes. The guy is third in the league behind the arc, even though they do not show it on the stats for some reason. He is the Luke Walton of the Defenders, keeps the offense flowing, makes passes and is very careful with the ball. Very high basketball IQ.

by gpralph on Apr 1, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Is being the Luke Walton of the D-League really a compliment?

by JRose on Apr 1, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's like being

the Waffle House of fast food restaurants…. second tier utility player? Forehan-Kelly’s jumper does remind me of hashbrowns.

by Aisander D on Apr 1, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's too old

I can’t give a 109 year old a call-up. In all reality, I like him more than Mitchell, but there’s no chance he gets called up this season.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 2, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Second Tier Utility Player

It’s not like Walton is the sixth man on the Clippers. Last I checked the Lakers had the second best record in the league. Pretty good waffle, or hashbrowns.

by gpralph on Apr 1, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Walton's No Waffle House

He’s more of an IHOP, open all the time and dishing up everyone’s favorites. If Forehan-Kelly is the poorman’s Luke Walton, then count Waffle House as the poorman’s IHOP…. or something along those lines.

by Aisander D on Apr 1, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The real question

Is what does this make Sun Yue? I say he’s the Corona (without lime, naturally) of beers.

by JRose on Apr 1, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

In the first metaphor

Sun Yue is a half-empty vending machine in the basement of a Chinese YMCA whose change dispenser, control panel, and dollar bill reciever are on the left-side. And the machine is 6’9". And the machine has an Chinese avatar girlfriend. And the vending machine needs to be put in the basement of an American YMCA.

by Aisander D on Apr 1, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sun Yue

Got to look at the big picture. David Stern puts the arm on a few owners to draft a couple of stiffs and presto chango we now have NBA China.

by gpralph on Apr 1, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Of course

there is actual basketball and business upside to Sun Yue and his ilk. But the unintentional comedy of the whole scenario is too amazing to pass up. The jokes practically write themselves.

by Aisander D on Apr 1, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Very small sample, but I like Jeffers

Very impressed in the 2 games I watched of him. Tremendous defensive prowess, he’ll just need the savy and the reputation to become a good NBA defender, I think. I’m hoping Ainge picks him to next season training camp. Josh Davis could certainly be a good safety valve for a playoffs team that is thin upfront.

As a side-note, correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re not JR Giddens biggest fan, right? If so, why? He looks a very solid, even if not overwhelming or utterly impressive, basketball player from my point of view. (yeah, this is a blatant off-topic, not a side-note, but I’ve been trying to make you this question for awhile and I always forget to).

Btw, why do you have two April Fool’s Day jokes in the frontpage, btw? I mean, there are two, right?

by cordobes on Apr 1, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So many questions!

First, I like love Othyus, but as I talk to more people, a good point is brought up- can he guard 3’s in the NBA. He’ll be able to defend most 2’s, but he’s probably not big enough to defend bigger players in the league.

Not sure what gave you the impressions I’m anti-Giddens. I don’t mind him, but like you said, not overly impressive. He’s slightly under-performing what I would have projected him to do in the D-League. He’s a pretty good D-League player, which doesn’t get me too excited when he’s on NBA assignment.

I had two April Fool’s Day jokes because it was 24 hours of Aprils Foolsness. I wasn’t aware of the rules on amount of April Fool’s day jokes one was permitted. Regardless, I’m a rebel. I would have went with one more than needed anyway.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 2, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the answers

Who are those 3s Jeffers can’t defend, now that Bonzi Wells is gone? Pierce? Even guys like Granger, LeBron or Hedo aren’t that complicated to be defended by smaller players. If Courtney Lee, Quinton Ross et all can have a place in the league as wing defensive specialists, so can he.

I remember reading a comment of yours on Giddens and Walker a few moons ago saying you weren’t impressed. Fair enough. I like his defence, rebounding and energy enough to project him as a backup role-player in the NBA.

I like standardization and conventionalism. The Spurs rock!

by cordobes on Apr 2, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yikes

I don’t think with Jeffers size he could defend LeBron, Hedo or any of the NBA guys that have 3 inches and 30 pounds on Jeffers.

I haven’t been overly impressed with Giddend and Walker, but I do hold NBA-assigned players to a higher standard. Since they’re being paid 10 times as much as they’re competition, they should stand out.

I hate the Spurs.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 2, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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