Ridiculous-osity
NBA D-League, And It's Blogosphere, Announces All-D-League Teams
I got together with the D-League blogosphere awhile back to discuss the best in the D-League from the regular season. In the end, though, we decided to give out the same awards that the D-League coaches vote on: Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Impact Player of the Year and Coach of the Year - as well as our own All-D-League teams.
Rod Benson Being Done With The D-League Is Downright Disappointing
The above tweets are from Reno Bighorns big man Rod Benson, also known as "Boom Tho", following a 135-118 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers that ended his season. Benson averaged an impressive astounding 24 points, 16.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, but still wasn't able to get the opportunity of an NBA call-up that so many of his D-League counterparts received.
Phoenix Suns Exploring D-League Expansion in Prescott Valley, Arizona
According to a story from the Arizona Republic's Paul Coro, the Phoenix Suns are exploring the opportunity of running the basketball operations of an expansion D-League team in Prescott Valley, Arizona. The Suns wouldn't outright buy an entire D-League team, however, but rather go the way of the innovative Rio Grande Valley Vipers-Houston Rockets hybrid affiliation.
Texas Legends Picked as New D-League Frisco Franchise Name
The new Frisco, Texas franchise announced Saturday night that they'll be called the Texas Legends when they begin play in the D-League next season. This beat out the Texas Shooters and the Texas Stars, which is understandable, but I still have to assume there was a better option available.
Investing In The D-League: Changes Are Needed
Which raises the question of whether the Jazz will or should take the next step with the Flash. The Jazz have been an affiliate throughout the Flash's three-year existence, with the Flash running the Jazz's system and hiring former Jazz scout Brad Jones as coach. Morris Almond, Kyrylo Fesenko and Kosta Koufos all have played in Orem.
Looking Ahead To The D-League Playoffs
Typically, I do my best to shield myself from ever being wrong. This morning, though, I'm opening myself up to that very notion thanks to the suggestion from Basketballogy for me to break down the D-League playoffs. I was going to consult Jon L to come up with an RU consensus, but figured I'd go off the cuff instead - first instincts are always right, right?
Frisco D-League Team Close To Getting A Name
Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and co-owner Evan Wyly announced Wednesday night that the D-League team that will debut next season in Frisco is down to its final three name nominations. Those three finalists are: Texas Legends, Texas Shooters and Texas Stallions.
How NBA 2K10 Taught Me Why Some NBA General Managers Overlook The D-League
Unfortunately, the game plan didn't work out how I wanted it to work out, leaving me frustrated, yet teaching me valuable things about being an NBA general manager: Mainly, that there aren't any faces in the D-League.
Rod Benson's Newest Music Video, Featuring Me B-Boying
I'm going to be honest with my critiquing of Rod Benson's newest music video: I love it, but I thought Internet Dominance probably could have used a video all for itself. Still, the production is top-notch, so we'll give it four stars out of five.
Twittering NBA D-Leaguers: An Investigative Report
Typically I report on puff pieces, but lately I've been inspired by the work of D-League Digest's Steve Weinman to do some investigative reporting. there's recently become a trend in the D-League just too difficult to ignore: Twitter. Twitter is an epidemic sweeping the nation, so I'm told, and recently it's even baited a bevy of D-League players into its seductive trap.
Hoops for St. Jude Week: March 1-7
The SB Nation Basketball Network is proud to join with the NBA to spread the word about the Hoops for St. Jude Week. This is a great program for a great cause and we encourage you to participate.
No Biedrins? No Biggie. Former D-Leaguer Anthony Tolliver To The Rescue!
Former D-League call-up Anthony Tolliver came in off the bench to play 42 minutes. How'd he do in those 42 minutes? 19 points, 14 boards, five assists and a steal. He even hit 3-of-6 from 3-point range, single-handedly proving that I'm not an idiot when he remembered that he's not a terrible 3-point shooter.
Educating The Uninformed On The NBA Development League
If you follow me on Twitter, you probably would've noticed a myriad of tweets devoted to me being perturbed about the use of the phrase 'There's a reason they're in the D-League.' I'm able to give the average NBA fan a pass as they're not paid for their opinion. I get a bit more perturbed, however, when someone from ESPN is so uninformed.
Unsolved Mysteries: The Curious Case of Dwayne Jones
While in-season tryouts usually aren't privy to the public (the only D-League player to have an in-season tryout I've been made aware of this season is Dwayne Jones, though I'm sure there are others), it certainly strikes me as odd that he's 0-for-2 in getting a 10-day contract.
RUMOR: Mark Madsen To Resume Playing Career?
From the Salt Lake Tribune's Ross Siler: I thought of the name last night and somebody seconded it this morning - - Mark Madsen - - now that the Jazz are looking for a 13th man. Madsen has spent this season as an assistant coach with the D-League's Utah Flash, who run the Jazz's system and everything.
D-League Digest Dominates Dialogue Dictation
Steve Weinman posted an excellent recap of nine D-Leaguer's answers to the question "What do you need to do to take your game to the next level?" There were a couple of guys that made excuses, a couple that pointed out things they need to work on and the rest essentially said they just have to keep doing what they're doing and everything else will fall into place.
Well, at least I'm a celebrity! Also, Sorry Desmon Farmer.
From the other end of the tone-of-conversation spectrum: Ridiculous Upside's Scott Schroeder is a celebrity, although perhaps not in the way he envisioned. When I approached Reno guard Desmon Farmer after the All-Star game, he started by asking, "You know where that dude from Ridiculous is? His name's Scott...He better not be here. He been hatin' on my game all year for no reason. I'm not tripping though."
Luke Schenscher Needs Your Help!
I'm getting rid of the PONY TAIL!!! C'mon all you Perth Wildcats Fans....and basketball fans in general. Get behind me! For those of you who have told me to "get a hair cut" put your money where your mouth is! I'm taking part in the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave 2010. Please sponsor me and donate what you can, every dollar makes a difference.
D-Leaguer's in the NBA Update
ANTHONY TOLLIVER HAD 29 POINTS LAST NIGHT. HE SHOT 11-OF-16 FROM THE FIELD, 3-OF-3 FROM BEYOND THE ARC AND 4-OF-5 FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE. KTHXBAI!
D-League All-Star Replacements Announced
Dakota's Romel Beck, Bakersfield's Brian Butch, Los Angeles' Joe Crawford, Reno's Desmon Farmer, Austin's Curtis Jerrells, and Los Angeles' Diamon Simpson were today selected to compete in the 2010 D-League All-Star Game.
Want to play for the Filipino National Team? Be tall, play in the D-League.
According to my favorite Filipino newspaper, the Philippine Star, the Filipino National Team is looking to naturalize a D-Leaguer in hopes for an "ambitious Olympic bid." Apparently they're willing to just grab any big man from the D-League, because last I heard, Keith Closs was their top candidate after answering an internet ad.
Kevin Cutler, The Big Whistle, Garnering National Headlines
Kevin Cutler's long been known in D-League circles as being a great official. Now the New York Times knows as well.
LeBron James is evil, apparently.
With LeBron James becoming a free agent at the end of this season, Iowa Energy forward Othyus Jeffers says NBA teams are saving money to have a boatload of cash to throw at the Cleveland Cavaliers' megastar this offseason.
Celtics' Bill Walker Says No Thanks to D-League Dunking.
Earlier today, the NBA Development League announced their contestants for the D-League dunk contest. They forgot to announce this to the participants, however. Bill Walker, who was assigned to the Maine Red Claws from the Boston Celtics earlier this season, apparently had no idea he was supposed to be dunking for the D-League.
D-League Dunk Contest Contestants Announced!
Once again, our dunk contest will be better than yours.
I couldn't think of a headline to do this justice.
I couldn't think of a headline to do this justice. Probably the greatest thing I've ever been a part of. Also, my first Spanish language D-League interview.
And The D-League Dunk Contestants Are...
For the dunk contest contestants, I have youtube footage, so I'll hit you with my nominations after the jump!
Happy Lance Allred Day!
According to my favorite source (Facebook - add me), today is Lance Allred's birthday. Happy Birthday Lance!
NBA D-League All-Star Rosters Announced
They'll need to replace Sundiata Gaines and Joey Dorsey (as of right now) and Ron Howard isn't currently on a D-League roster (released due to injury), but he could be back by All-Star weekend. This means there are a few spots that could change ("replacements, if necessary, will be announced in the days leading up to the game"), but the gist of the D-League All-Stars was announced today.
FUTURECAST ARCHIVE!!!!!!
Well, this could be my greatest discovery yet. It's obviously not complete, or they're only uploading a few games this month, but this is better than nothing.
JamesOn Curry Didn't Even Get a Record Out Of The Clipper Cutting
I thought JamesOn Curry's four days played of a 10-day contract would be a record. It isn't.