Ridiculous Upside: FanShots

Marcus Hubbard traded to Reno for Quaintance

2009-11-06T23:09:41Z

Marcus Hubbard traded to Reno for Quaintance

Of course, right after I finish writing my draft wrap-up I see this. Rio Grande Valley has traded power forward Marcus Hubbard to the Reno Bighorns for forward Haminn Quaintance. I like this move for RGV. Hubbard is talented but prefers playing out on the perimeter and shooting threes, even though he's best suited for playing inside. Quaintance, on the other hand, is actually a good three-point shooter. For Reno, Hubbard gives them another backup big man, and Hubbard has gotten a lot of attention this offseason after playing for the D-League Select Summer League team and participating in the NBA Asia Challenge.

TRADE REPORT! BayHawks trade Rob Kurz to Ft. Wayne Mad Ants for 10th Overall Pick...BayHawks Select...

2009-11-06T06:33:09Z

TRADE REPORT! BayHawks trade Rob Kurz to Ft. Wayne Mad Ants for 10th Overall Pick...BayHawks Select Alade Amino with the 10th Pick

From the Erie BayHawks Twitter. I guess Erie liked Alade AminU so much they traded Rob Kurz for him. I also know that Fort Wayne was angling to get Kurz as a local allocation player, so I guess this is a win-win. It remains to be seen, however, if this is a win-win-win.

Grizzlies Waive Trey Gilder

2009-11-05T20:24:22Z

Grizzlies Waive Trey Gilder

Booooooooo.

SEE MARGE, THIS GUY GETS IT

2009-11-05T19:50:53Z

SEE MARGE, THIS GUY GETS IT

I didn't make a huge deal of this in my D-League preview because, as with Brandon Jennings in Europe, I'm not sure we'll be able to pass total judgment on how successful or unsuccessful going from high school to the D-League is based on one player, particularly a player who's going to the D-League as a last resort like Latavious Williams. That said, Shanoff completely nails why having players go from HS to the D-League to the NBA should work for all parties involved. Psst, Henry Abbott, I've been saying the same things for awhile now.

Dakota Also Targeting Big Men

2009-11-05T19:16:11Z

Dakota Also Targeting Big Men

I don't know if the headline is "news," since one could figure out the team's needs based on who they're bringing back, but the Wizards are apparently targeting Garrett Siler and Alade Aminu. Aminu is really athletic but also really raw, so I'm a little surprised he's being targeted so much while a guy like John Bryant doesn't seem to be as high on anyone's lists. If not a big man (since Dakota drafts 11th in the first round), according to that article they could go with Orien Greene or fellow point guard Jason Richards, or just the best available guy.

BayHawks ISO: Big Man

2009-11-05T19:02:08Z

BayHawks ISO: Big Man

As alluded to in the comments section of the preview, Erie coach John Treloar is targeting big men with the second pick in tonight's draft, specifically Carlos Powell and Alade Aminu. This makes some sense, because as I wrote in that preview, there are enough point guards that Erie (and other teams) can address that position in the second round or later. One thing doesn't make sense, though: Powell is not a center. In fact, he might be best suited to play small forward. Erie had "success" last year with Erik Daniels playing out of position, but doing the same with Powell seems like a terrible idea to me.

Nancy Lieberman to become first female head coach in the D-League

2009-11-04T23:13:47Z

Nancy Lieberman to become first female head coach in the D-League

According to ESPN sources, she will take over the new Dallas affiliate for the 2010-11 season.

Will Blalock Joining the Maine Red Claws

2009-11-04T17:10:43Z

Will Blalock Joining the Maine Red Claws

The Maine Red Claws were allocated Will Blalock, who's originally from the Boston area. Blalock already has a few D-League stints under his belt in addition to a little over a dozen games in the NBA and some time in Europe. The combination of Blalock and Billy Thomas (acquired through the expansion draft) should give the Red Claws a really solid starting backcourt this year.

Welcome to the D-League, Robert Swift

2009-11-04T03:21:17Z

Welcome to the D-League, Robert Swift

As reported by KERO 23 (Bakersfield's ABC affiliate), center Robert Swift will be playing for the Bakersfield Jam this season. Swift played high school basketball in the area, and was last seen not doing so well in Summer League. Swift has had some injury problems during his young career, but the fact is he just hasn't developed much in the NBA. Hey, that's what the D-League is for!

Joe Krabbenhoft to play for Sioux Falls

2009-11-03T21:25:38Z

Joe Krabbenhoft to play for Sioux Falls

I hate to bump Mr. Boom Tho out of the top spot for this, but news is semi-news. Former Wisconsin Badger and Sioux Falls native Joe Krabbenhoft (college stats) will play for the SkyForce this season instead of signing over in Europe. According to that article, both Portland and Memphis wanted him to go to the D-League in case they want to call him up, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this guy.

Boom tho is back. You could've been cool, Indiana Pacers. You could've been cool.

2009-11-03T20:37:33Z

Boom tho is back. You could've been cool, Indiana Pacers. You could've been cool.

It's official Luke Nevill (UofU) and Lee Cummard (BYU) are putting aside their differences and...

2009-11-02T22:01:57Z

It's official Luke Nevill (UofU) and Lee Cummard (BYU) are putting aside their differences and playing for the Flash this year.

Brandt Andersen's Twitter. You can find some of RU's thoughts on Nevill here, here and here.

Training camp predictions, revisited

2009-10-29T16:29:25Z

Training camp predictions, revisited

Mark over at ShamSports gives his take on all the end-of-preseason waiver moves.

Dakota Wizards Hold Dance Team Tryouts, Local News Gets Awkward Video as Proof

2009-10-29T15:00:12Z

Dakota Wizards Hold Dance Team Tryouts, Local News Gets Awkward Video as Proof

I love local news stories. The Dakota Wizards held tryouts for their dance team and the local news showed up to get some clips of girls in skin-tight outfits awkwardly learning dance steps. I hope you enjoy the video as a welcome break from the depressing world of NBA team waivers.

No more D-League for James "Flight" White

2009-10-21T13:49:04Z

No more D-League for James "Flight" White

"I would probably go overseas,'' said White, a forward who averaged 25.9 points last season for the Anaheim Arsenal. "I'm not going back to the D-League. It's more financially. It's a not a good thing (financially). If I haven't proven myself from the D-League and (an NBA) team doesn't like me from being in the D-League last year, I don't think I can improve my status from the D-League. I played great last year in the D-League, and did all I can do. My best bet is to go overseas.''

Didn't last year prove to him that if he's on the cusp of the D-League to keep going hard and get the call-up? Methinks the "Flight White, now with less attitude" of yesteryear was a bit flukey.

Too much Rod Benson: Gets waived by Pacers

2009-10-19T17:53:59Z

Too much Rod Benson: Gets waived by Pacers

Along with Demetris Nichols and Lawrence Roberts. Via Indy Cornrows.

David Griffin, the Suns Sr. VP of Basketball Operations and the go-to source for Suns player...

2009-10-17T20:37:50Z

David Griffin, the Suns Sr. VP of Basketball Operations and the go-to source for Suns player personnel information agreed with Gentry. He feels that Powell is definitely an NBA caliber player and better then some other guys that are currently on NBA rosters with guaranteed contracts. He described Powell as a talented and skilled player who can create shots for himself and his teammates and who's game is very well developed.

Carlos Powell: Working Hard to Reach the NBA. Phoenix Stan over at Bright Side of the Sun has a great post up about Carlos Powell. The takeaway is that it's doubtful he'll make the team given their luxury tax situation, but several teams around the NBA like his game and he's a strong call-up candidate this year.

Interview with New Rio Grande Valley Coach Chris Finch

2009-10-15T23:18:12Z

Interview with New Rio Grande Valley Coach Chris Finch

Vipers Director of Broadcasts and (very) occasional RU commenter Alex Del Barrio has a good interview with the new Vipers head coach. Of particular note is Finch talking about how he'll coach both the Vipers and the British national team and the style of play he favors (up-tempo with a lot of three-pointers). The link above goes to an mp3 of part one of Finch's interview. Here's part 2, where they discuss Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Paul Mokeski.

BSotS Writer Attended Iowa Energy Tryout

2009-10-13T03:46:19Z

BSotS Writer Attended Iowa Energy Tryout

Cool look at watdogg10's attempt to make the Iowa Energy.

Here's an account from a radio guy that tried out for the Springfield Armors.

D-League Draft to be Televised on NBA TV

2009-10-07T20:39:37Z

D-League Draft to be Televised on NBA TV

This year's D-League draft, set for Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 pm Eastern, will be televised on NBA TV and streamed live on the D-League's website. In case you've forgotten, here's this year's draft order.