D-League Showcase Day 1 Live Blog

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 1:15 PM EST Comment 42 comments

~~Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages, the D-League Showcase proudly brings to you the D-League Blogging Champion of the World...~~
Alright, with the first game just barely underway, I'm going to be live blogging. Please, join along, as these first two games are being shown live on NBA TV. I also went to PF Chang's last night instead of writing previews. I'll try getting a brief done before these games really get interesting.

Albuquerque Thunderbirds vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers

What to look for: Albuquerque has, possibly, the best offensive player in the D-League (Carlos Powell) while RGV has one of the better defenders in the league with Antonio Anderson.

Player to watch: Carlos Powell. Powell's been getting heavy looks around the NBA, from what I'm told, and with good reason. After having a stellar Summer League/pre-season with the Phoenix Suns, he re-joined the D-League and is dominating. With an improved attitude but the same stellar stats (23 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 53% FG), I expect that he could get some love.

Other Players of Note: Yaroslav Korolev, Garrett Temple, Joey Dorsey, Kevin Pitsnogle

Los Angeles D-Fender's vs Maine Red Claws

What to look for: This is a battle of two NBA-owned teams*. One shows you the right way to do it and one shows how Los Angeles is doing it. Still, should be a good game.

Player to watch: Diamon Simpson. I just like this guy. He was good at St. Mary's last season and he's a good player to watch in the D-League. He played for the Washington Wizards this Summer and then Golden State in the preseason, so he's on some NBA radars as well. A 6'7" combo forward in the D-League, Simpson has a Lou Amundson-type game and is currently averaging 16.8 points and 9.8 boards per game in 32 minutes.

Other Players of Note: Joe Crawford, Michael Fey, Gabe Pruitt, Dar Tucker, Alexis Ajinca, Billy Thomas and Mario West

*Maine isn't actually an NBA owned team, but they're run by former Celtics assistant Jon Jennings and Bill Ryan, runs TD Banknorth and they hired Austin Ainge, son of Celtics GM Danny Ainge. They're a bit Celtics-heavy.

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Read More: Carlos Powell (F - PHO), Antonio Anderson (G - OKC)

Comments

Garrett Temple is lighting it up!

Apparently the stats aren’t online, but he has six or eight of RGV’s 11 points.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 1:17 PM EST reply actions

They're online now.

I see they finally moved Conroy to the starting lineup.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, whatevz.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

He's a shining beacon of sportsmanship

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

by Aisander D on Jan 4, 2026 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Once again, RGV has had all of its players on the floor before the end of the half.

What’s the deal with that?

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 1:58 PM EST reply actions

It's weird

specifically, the way they subbed Jonathan Wallace in as often as they did. Wouldn’t expect him to split minutes so evenly withe the Chosen One, Will Conroy.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

I could understand it yesterday

since they were playing so poorly on. Albuquerque has played nine guys already as well.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

They are using the patented UNC method

just subbing guys like crazy and not letting anyone get into the feel pof the game.

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

by Aisander D on Jan 4, 2026 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

NBA owned D-League teams (3)

66ers, D-Fenders, and Toros. Not the Red Claws. Study up before going to the showcase!

by hoopsfan15 on Jan 4, 2026 2:15 PM EST reply actions

You missed the Vipers

And Maine is owned by Celtics boosters. I count them.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

Hybrid?

The Vipers have the “hybrid”, but they aren’t owned by the Rockets. How does that count? Just because they have control of the basketball ops?

by hoopsfan15 on Jan 4, 2026 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry

I’m glad you didn’t mention your own team, the Red Claws, in calling me out. Please stick with one name.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Cuse fan

I’m just a Cuse fan - following the d-league for guys like Devendorf in Reno and Paul Harris in Maine. Used to follow McNamara’s progress as well… great question about him the other day in your post

I’m still learning about the league and wanted to make sure I understand everything about it - Just thought things should be factual, sorry if you’re offended.

by hoopsfan15 on Jan 4, 2026 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, okay

Because we had an account under your name that was attributed to Jana Spaulding, the Maine Red Claws PR person. Odd.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

Maine

is not owned by an NBA team, or Celtics boosters. They’re associated with two teams. You’re wrong.

by JFoss on Jan 4, 2026 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

If Carlos Powell doesn't get a call-up after this Showcase

then Hulk Smash.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 2:25 PM EST reply actions

Does "Hulk Smash" = Bitter posts for a week?

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

by Aisander D on Jan 4, 2026 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Something like that.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

Yep

Then multiplied when he goes overseas.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

Haha

Truth. Or until he goes overseas with one of these 1000 foreign scouts…

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 2:33 PM EST reply actions

Kurt Looby

needs to call whomever helped Dwayne Jones with his free-throw shooting.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 2:36 PM EST reply actions

Actually it looks like he's doing okay.

But still.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Hater.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

You're right.

60 percent is good enough.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

Glad we agree

You’re not getting Loob’s for his offense. Also, relatedly, he’s a nice guy.

by Scott Schroeder on Jan 4, 2026 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sure he is

and certainly about his offense. But that’s true about Jones as well. Improving his free throw shooting would dramatically increase his value. Plus it would show that he’s committed to working on his game, etc.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Jan 4, 2026 2:50 PM EST up reply actions