Los Angeles D-Fenders Earn Regular Season Championship Award
April 10, 2012 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
NEW YORK, April 10, 2012 - The Los Angeles D-Fenders secured the 2011-12 NBA Development League's Regular Season Championship, having finished the season with an NBA D-League all-time best record of 38-12. For the first year, the team with the best regular season record is specifically recognized by the NBA D-League for its consistency in delivering excellence on the court all season long.
The D-Fenders, rejoining the NBA D-League in 2011-12 after a one-season hiatus, not only fulfilled the NBA D-League's mission to develop top prospects for the NBA, ultimately helping players earn a total of seven GATORADE Call-Ups during the season, but also achieved unprecedented on-court success. Among D-Fenders making the jump to the NBA, four signed season-long contracts, including Courtney Fortson (Houston Rockets), Gerald Green (New Jersey Nets), Ishmael Smith (Orlando Magic) and Jamaal Tinsley (Utah Jazz).
"The D-Fenders' front office staff and head coach Eric Musselman have done a fantastic job this year," said Chris Alpert, vice president of basketball operations and player personnel for the NBA D-League. "They have embodied what the NBA D-League is about, not only in developing talent that has gone on to become key NBA contributors, but in recovering from the losses of those players and continuing to win games."
Los Angeles' regular season record bests the previous record of 37-13 set by the Iowa Energy during the 2009-10 season and represents a 22-game turn around from the team's 16-34 finish that year.
The D-Fenders begin their NBA D-League Championship run on Wednesday, April 11 when the team travels to face the eighth-seeded Energy in Des Moines.
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