FanPost

A Few Questions (& Answers) From a Prospective D-League fan

[Scott's note: Since everyone seems to love the Syracuse guys, I figured I'd answer Brandon's questions on the front page. Plus, it's Saturday and I get too mesmerized if I watch this John Wall kid for too long at a time.]

Hey guys, this is Brandon, a writer for SB Nation's Yankees Blog.

I have a few questions, if you don't mind.

1. What happened to Gerry McNamara? Gerry McNamara retired, or something. After playing 17 games last season for the Reno Bighorns, G-Mac left the team, citing personal reasons and hasn't played basketball since. In his defense, he probably wasn't going to be an NBA prospect while playing an ineffective 20 minutes per game in the D-League. McNamara is currently a grad assistant back at Syracuse with rumors that he'd like to someday get into coaching.

2. Paul Harris? Any chance he makes the NBA soon? No chance Harris makes the NBA soon, unfortunately, but it's not necessarily due to his talent. As the Niagara Gazette pointed out a few weeks ago, Harris tore an ankle ligament with the Utah Jazz and didn't think it was that bad, so he kept practicing on it and eventually went to training camp with the Maine Red Claws, who drafted him in the first round. In Maine, he found out it was that bad, and by "that bad", I mean potentially season ending. Then he went to the Boston Celtics doctors (their D-League affiliate is Harris' Maine Red Claws) and they told him he could be out for as little as six weeks. Six weeks would put him at a return sometime this month, so there's still hope.

3. Who's the Spurs affiliate? The Spurs actually own the Austin Toros, one of three teams to own their D-League affiliate. The other teams that own their D-League team are the OKC Thunder (Tulsa 66ers), Los Angeles Lakers (LA D-Fender's) and the Houston Rockets, who are in a one-of-a-kind hybrid affiliation with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Anyway, back to the Spurs. Their coach is Quin Snyder (Yes, that Quin Snyder). Notable players include Alonzo Gee, Dwayne Jones and Curtis Jerrells, all of whom played for the Spurs either in the preseason or during the Vegas Summer League this past year.

4. Has Eric Devendorf signed with anyone yet? Il Devo, as I just nicknamed him, joined up with the Reno Bighorns a couple of weeks ago. Last night, he played in his most productive game by far, getting 20 minutes of action and finishing with 11 points and four fouls. It looks like he's a bit out of shape. Hopefully he's able to develop his game to become more than a gunner with a questionable attitude in the D-League.

5. Where is Rod Benson playing? Boom Tho is also playing for the Reno Bighorns, coincidentally. Seeing as you're a Syracuse fan and familiar with Rod Benson, I'd suggest they become your new favorite team. They're not great, unfortunately, but the name recognition is there: Kansas' Russell Robinson, leading D-League scorer Desmon Farmer, and once in awhile former NBA player 7'2" Cezary Trybanski. Last year, they also had Patrick Ewing Jr, Damone Brown, Gerry McNamara and Donte Greene so they're a bit of a Big East haven (specifically Syracuse).

Thanks! Sorry if these are obvious answers, I'm trying to get more into the D-League!

This is a FanPost, not the work of the author of Ridiculous Upside. The People speak! Questions or comments about this post should be addressed in the comments. To issue a complaint about this FanPost, please email ridiculousupside (at) gmail (dot) com.

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