Idaho Stampede Get Better, Then Get Betterer

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 14, 2026 6:10 PM EST in Transactions Comment 7 comments

Earlier today, the Idaho Stampede announced that they had acquired Coby Karl, who was considered a returning player after playing 22 games in Boise last season. Karl made the Cavs this season and played three games before being released last week so that his contract wouldn't become guaranteed. Also, I predicted this.

Then, this afternoon, they sent out a release saying that they had re-acquired Lance Allred. Allred's intelligent, writes books and, in his spare time, has put up double-double's for the Stampede for the past two seasons (Full disclosure: He's played three seasons with the Stampede, but in his first season he was stuck behind Peter John Ramos and Jeff Graves - still, he averaged 17.3 points and 9.6 boards per 36 minutes). He also earned a call-up during the 2007-08 season for the Cavaliers, during which awkward, shirtless pictures were taken.

Interestingly enough, the Stampede now have three former Cleveland Cavaliers on their roster: Karl, Allred and Cedric Simmons (2007-08).

The Stampede have plenty more NBA experienced players:

Anthony Tolliver has played 21 NBA games over the past two seasons, playing 19 games with the Spurs last season and two on a call-up from the Blazers this season.
Donell Taylor played in 98 games from 2005-07 with the Washington Wizards
Patty Mills, who was recently re-assigned to the Stampede by the Blazers, has played just one game in the NBA after recently recovering from a Summer League injury.
Roberto Bergeson, while not having played any NBA games, was a 2nd round pick of the Portland Trailblazers in 1999.

If Sundiata Gaines comes back from the Jazz, this team is ripe with NBA talent. In fact, even if he doesn't, this team is still ripe with NBA talent. Add in the phenomenal system run by coach Bob MacKinnon and aassistant Joel Abelson, then put this team together since the beginning of the NBA season and I think they could have won, at least, three games by now.

Also, though it wasn't mentioned in either press release, Ridiculous Upside would like to wish Lanny Smith a quick recovery from his knee injury.

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Read More: Cedric Simmons (F - SAC), Dwayne Jones (F - SAN), Donell Taylor (G - POR), Lance Allred (C - CLE), Anthony Tolliver (F - POR), Coby Karl (G - CLE), Patty Mills (G - POR), Sundiata Gaines (G - UTA), Lanny Smith (G - SAC), San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers

Comments

Ho ho ho!!!

Coach Liv - time to get your sneakers out, the reunion tour is looking for you!

by Rumble on Jan 14, 2026 8:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I put out an APB for Cory Violette

I blog at Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 14, 2026 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, we need Cory...

…also if Josh McRoberts is not busy lets have him stop on by.

Scotty, sorry I did not get to chat with you and show you around my mom’s basement…er, bachelor pad while you were in the “Treasure Valley.” I was bummed by the timing because I only got to only got to see part of this years action but hey, a coyote has other things it’s gotta do sometimes - like watch the FIESTA BOWL.

It was a great week for Boise, Gaines, PF Changs, DJ and the Grove Hotel - and not necessarily in that order.

Rumble

by Rumble on Jan 15, 2026 2:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I was a little pissed when nobody came up and said “Hi, I’m Rumble and I luv Ridiculous Upside.”

McRoberts apparently thinks he’ll get to play in the NBA this season, so I’ll see if Jeff Graves is busy. I feel he’d be excelling right now.

I blog at Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 15, 2026 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Umm, I don't think Sundiata Gaines will be back anytime soon

based on his game-winning shot vs. the Cavs tonight. That’s gotta be worth at least another 10 day.

Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.

by Aisander D on Jan 15, 2026 1:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That made me cry a little bit. I’m so happy for the kid

by TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsMichaelBourn on Jan 15, 2026 2:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

We talk about how a lot of these guys would do well given the opportunity. Well, there’s one for ya. The more guys we see come up and do well, the more we’ll see in the future.

Well done, haq-a-yata.

by richardhkirkando on Jan 15, 2026 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs