NBA D-League Daily Developments - November 28, 2008
Published on November 28, 2008 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
News and Notes from the NBA Development League
OPENING DAY (Tonight's Games)
Bakersfield @ Los Angeles 6:30pm ET
Erie @ Fort Wayne 7:30pm ET
Iowa @ Sioux Falls 8:00pm ET
Tulsa @ Rio Grande Valley 8:00pm ET
Utah @ Austin 8:30pm ET
Colorado @ Albuquerque 9:00pm ET
DEVELOPING STORY: On the brink of tipping off its eighth season, the D-League begins the 2008-09 season with six games scheduled, including the first-ever game for the Erie BayHawks, who travel to take on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in a Central Division matchup. The following night, the Reno Bighorns tip off their inaugural season, hosting the Bakersfield Jam at the Reno Events Center, in a Western Division showdown. This will be the biggest season yet with an all-time high 16 teams competing in three divisions.
SEASON OF CHEERING: The NBA Development League, in conjunction with NBA D-League Cares, will celebrate the start of the 2008-09 season beginning on Friday, November 28 with a "Season of Cheering," a league-wide effort to cheer on fans and give back to D-League communities for their continued support. During the "Season of Cheering" (November 24 through December 31) more than 200 NBA D-League players and coaches will participate in over 150 charitable events and activities throughout the 16 team cities.
ASSIGNMENT BOARD:
Player, NBA Team, D-League Team, Date
Ian Mahinmi, San Antonio, Austin, 11/14/08
Richard Hendrix, Golden State, Bakersfield, 11/14/08
DeMarcus Nelson, Golden State, Bakersfield, 11/14/08
J.R. Giddens, Boston, Utah, 11/15/08
Steven Hill, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, 11/20/08
Bill Walker, Boston, Utah, 11/20/08
Hamed Haddadi, Memphis, Dakota, 11/25/08
60: The number of players with D-League experience on 2008-09 NBA opening day rosters, up from 44 to start the 2007-08 season, including 2007-08 assigned guard Ramon Sessions (Tulsa, Milwaukee) and Kelenna Azubuike, who earned a GATORADE Call-Up during the 2006-07 season from the Fort Worth Flyers to the Golden State Warriors. Last season, 15 percent of all players in the NBA were NBA D-League alumni, including the NBA D-League's 100th GATORADE Call-Up, Golden State's C.J. Watson Additionally, one-third of the 2007 NBA draft class played in the NBA D-League to improve their skills and accelerate their development.
SHOWCASE PREVIEW: The Utah Flash has been awarded the opportunity to host the fifth-annual NBA Development League Showcase. The event will be held at the McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah from January 5-8. The 2009 NBA D-League Showcase will feature all 16 teams - playing two games apiece - with four games being played each day. Every NBA team is likely to be represented at the Showcase, by a president, scout, general manager or other front office personnel.
IN REVIEW: The Idaho Stampede enjoyed a memorable streak on their way to capturing the 2008 NBA Development League championship, clinching the D-League's best record and winning 18 straight games between December 19 and February 9.
NBA G League Stories from November 28, 2008
- Skyforce drops home-opener to Energy - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Giddens hits buzzer beater to drop Toros - Austin Spurs
- Vipers Win Home Opener 83-82 - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Giddens hits buzzer beater to drop Toros - Austin Spurs
- Giddens jumper lifts Flash to 93-91 OT win - Utah Flash
- Energy Win Season Opener 113-101 - Iowa Wolves
- D-Fenders Drop Season Opener to Jam - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - November 28, 2008 - G League
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