D-League Call-Up Rankings

Well, we haven't done this for awhile, so the whole crew got together last night and sorted everything out, solidifying the perfect call-up rankings as compiled by the top D-League bloggers on the internet.  we all just plugged our rankings into a spreadsheet.

Hope you like them!

Also, the most interesting thing about these rankings is that we're all further apart than we've been in the previous installments, but the top five remained in the same order.  I can't really figure out why, and I'm not sure I like our varying opinions, but I'll guarantee you one of us is right!

1. Mike Harris, Rio Grande Valley Vipers (26.5 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 58% FG) - Honestly, I'm not sure what else he has to do to warrant a call-up.  His teams winning, he's consistent, he has an NBA resume.  If it's because NBA teams don't give him a chance because he's positionless, that's dumb.  Put him on the floor and let him go.  It'll work.

2. Carlos Powell, Albuquerque Thunderbirds (22.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.9 apg, 49% FG) - There really isn't much more you could want out of a 6'7" forward, actually.  I'll let Jon L's comments explain the rest: "Powell does many things very well: He's top 10 in the league in scoring; is averaging just under five assists per game - as many or more as some starting point guards; Just under two steals per game, again in the company of point guards. Just five rebounds a game and not much of an outside shot, but now we're just nitpicking."  And if you're looking for than five rebounds out of the small forward spot, you're definitely nitpicking. (I didn't update this, because it's all this the same. He's consistent.)

3. Reggie Williams, Sioux Falls Skyforce (25.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 56% FG, 38% 3pt) - Over at D-LeagueDigest, a random commenter, Billy Hoyle, pens the following after seeing Reggie Williams for the first time during Saturday's All-Star game: "How is Reggie Williams not in the league? Dude has a sweet stroke, isn't undersized, doesn't appear to be slow, and is confident. I saw visions of Michael Redd during the all-star game. What don't I know?" Regular watchers see this every game from Williams and now that more people saw it at the all-star game, I'm wondering how long it will take until NBA GM's find out what we already know: Williams is good.

4. Morris Almond, Maine Red Claws (26.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 50% FG) - Well, yesterday he was traded from the worst team in the D-League, the Springfield Armor, to one of the best teams in the D-League.  If he can mesh with the NBA talent that Maine has assembled, as opposed to being the best player on a bad team (his role in college at Rice and the D-League), I think he'll finally get another NBA opportunity.

5. Dwayne Jones, Austin Toros (16.8 ppg, 14.8 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 62% FG) - For Jones, I'm not sure what the next step is.  He recently told the Delaware County Daily Times (seriously)"I've definitely cost myself money over the past year turning down jobs (overseas), but I want to stay here. I have a young son. I don't want to be forced to take my family certain places until I'm to the point where I can't make it here."  Since that all but rules out an overseas opportunity, he'll be forced to keep dominating the D-League until NBA GM's take notice.

6. Alexander Johnson, Sioux Falls Skyforce (23.8 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 54% FG) - I'm going to assume Johnson is the next player to get called-up from the D-League.  He's got all of the buzzwords going for him - he's explosive, has a great body, he's skilled and has an NBA resume (102 NBA games in two seasons between Miami and Memphis).  Plus, in the game I watched against the Maine Red Claws, he absolutely abused them to the tune of 30 points and nine boards in 30 minutes.  He's got an ugly but effective mid-range shot, is quick enough to put it on the floor from the pinch post, and pretty much just plays hard.  As an aside, I'm going to assume he was ranked lower by the other members of the panel simply because they've yet to see him play in the D-League (six games with three starts thus far).

7. Mustafa Shakur, Tulsa 66ers (19.8 ppg, 6.7 apg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 spg, 49% FG, 37% 3pt) -  DailyThunder had a pretty good update on Shakur (via Kevin Henry), and since I've said about all I can about Shakur as of late, that's what you're getting out of the Shakur summary.

8. Rob Kurz, Fort Wayne Mad Ants (18.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 52% FG, 45% 3pt, 81% FT) - Kurz gets my mid-season award for using the D-League most effecitively. Last season with Golden State, he was primarily (read: only) a pick-and-pop shooter. After that gig didn't fly in a number of opportunities this offseason (Orlando Summer League with the 76ers/Nets combined team, Vegas Summer League with the TWolves, preseason with the Cavs), he came to the D-League and has worked on becoming more than a shooter. It's actually really working. I'm not sure how much credit to give to his coach (Joey Meyer was also credited for developing Ramon Sessions while in the D-League), but Kurz is now able to score in the post and averaging over 10 boards per game as the lone bright spot for his struggling Mad Ants. Oh, and don't worry - his 45% shooting from beyond the arc proves he's still able to shoot as well.  In fact, all of those shooting percentages are pretty good, no?

9. Alonzo Gee, Austin Toros (19.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 50% FG, 39% 3pt) - From what I'm hearing, he's been ranked here mostly due to "his one-bounce, one-arm tomahawk in the dunk contest".  Honestly, after watching in slow motion, I don't blame them.

10. Cartier Martin/Othyus Jeffers, Iowa Energy - Pretty amazing that they're on the same team and would both play the same position if they were to be called-up.  I'd be very interested to find out the dynamics in the locker room - while they're completely different players, they're both essentially vying for the same position.

To round it out (i.e. tell you guys that were ranked individually, but not collectively), Jon L and Steve Weinman both ranked RGV's Antonio Anderson as the ninth best player in the D-League; myself and Matt Moore each had Desmon Farmer in our 10 spot; and Jon L ranked Courtney Sims in his 10 spot.

For the next list, I'll assume Coby Karl (who is expected to rejoin Idaho today), Rod Benson and possibly Dontell Jefferson (injured) will make the list.

Anybody we're missing?