With LeBron James becoming a free agent at the end of this season, Iowa Energy forward Othyus Jeffers says NBA teams aren't calling D-League players up, instead saving money to have a boatload of cash to throw at the Cleveland Cavaliers' megastar this offseason.
"There are a lot of things going on right now in 2010 with the 'LeBron Act' so they didn't want to spend money this year," said Jeffers, who was the D-League rookie of the year last season.
"They're pinching pennies," Jeffers said. "They don't want to give up any extra money. They don't want to go over the luxury tax even though they could use (D-League players) right now.
"They said, 'We'll take our losses cause we need our money,' but there is nothing people in the D-League can do about it. You just have to bide your time, wait, stay consistent and be ready when they call."
Jeffers foresees more D-League players going to the NBA after the spending spree for 2010 free agents ends this offseason.
- An excerpt from GoErie's Duane Rankin with the possibly misleading title "D-League players blame LeBron for lack of call-ups"
Considering we're four call-ups ahead of where we we were last season at this juncture, I'm not so sure LeBron is to blame.
Still, I'm all about more D-League call-up's, so if they think LeBron is at fault, he probably is.
Comments
Sadly, this actually makes some sense.
By NothingButHornets on 02.05.10 2:16pm
Well
I appreciate Jefferies honesty, but honestly this can’t help him in the eyes of NBA GMs to be speaking out like this.
All of those NBA GMs read this site so we know they’ve now put OJ (ouch) on their Do Not Call (up) list. right?
By Seth Pollack on 02.05.10 3:31pm
not sure why they would
it’s not like he said anything super controversial
By enron4515 on 02.05.10 4:44pm
he's basically
calling out the guys who he wants to hire him…saying they are cheap and dumb.
Not a big deal but not a genius move from a guy looking for a job
By Seth Pollack on 02.05.10 11:22pm
i didn't see it like that
i thought he was explaining the economic strategy of GMs, and did it well. this past year, there have been lots of nba trades with no care of who the players or draft picks are, just trying to get the money right.
By enron4515 on 02.06.10 12:31pm
Regardless
When you’re looking for a job, this is not the best way to get noticed..
By Scott Schroeder on 02.06.10 4:05pm
As a Washington Wizards fan, I'm inclined to agree this is true
but…I’m not sure about this.
By Jon L on 02.05.10 4:08pm
keep in mind
that golden state and portland have had unbelievably injury-plagued seasons and needed to go to the d-league. it’s probably the same pace as last year.
By enron4515 on 02.05.10 4:47pm
clarify
excluding golden state and portland.
PS the clippers are weird
By enron4515 on 02.05.10 4:47pm
Damn you lebron! Damn you to hell!
By Michael Levin on 02.06.10 10:45am