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NBA D-League Update

Published on December 13, 2013 under NBA G League (G League) News Release


CASTING CALL-UP

You could argue the "development" stage of the respective careers of Chris Douglas-Roberts and Hilton Armstrong is in the rearview mirror.

That's not a knock. Only the greatest basketball players in the world make it to the NBA, and both crossed the threshold and managed to hang around for a while.

What's happened to both players is that they've been typecast. So, you have two small forwards on the shelf with injuries, and you need a wing who can put the ball in the hoop? Douglas-Roberts is available and works cheap. A little thin across the front line and not satisfied with some of the younger guys you tried to fill the void with? Armstrong can be there in a few hours (literally, going from Santa Cruz to Oakland).

Both players got the call this week -- Douglas-Roberts to the Charlotte Bobcats from the Texas Legends, and Armstrong going from the Warriors of the NBA D-League to the Golden State Warriors. Douglas-Roberts averaged 7.5 points in 161 games with the Nets, Bucks and Mavericks. Armstrong has played in 277 NBA games with the Pelicans, Rockets, Wizards, Hawks and Kings, averaging 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.

Both are representative of another terrific benefit of the NBA D-League. NBA teams are not only in the market for young prospects, or to have a place for young players on their roster to develop. In many cases, they have to fill an immediate need, and the league is proving to be fertile ground for this purpose.

If one were to dig a little deeper as to the failure of Douglas-Roberts, the 40th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, to find a permanent NBA home, it probably comes down to a few small things. He's not a three-point shooter/floor spacer, and he's not a stout defender. In today's NBA, if you're a wing, and you don't perform one of those two jobs, your chances of hanging around go down.

In Armstrong's case, the NBA has changed a great deal since he was the 12th overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft. The game has clearly shifted to the perimeter, and teams are more reluctant to keep an extra big body over a guard or a wing. That said, both players know the ropes of the NBA, and won't be overwhelmed by all that goes with it.

Douglas-Roberts was up to his usual tricks, averaging 18.7 points in six games with the Legends. He should provide some depth for the Bobcats, who've been without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and also have Jeff Taylor playing hurt. Armstrong was averaging 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks for Santa Cruz. Golden State is still awaiting the return of Festus Ezeli, and have been in the market for an additional big.

Prospect Report

Jarvis Varnado, Iowa Energy -- Varnado has an NBA championship ring, earned last season as a member of the Miami Heat. What he doesn't have is a spot in the NBA, despite extraordinary shotblocking skills tucked neatly into a live 6-9 frame. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra makes no bones about it. He's a Varnado fan, dating back to Miami selecting the NCAA's all-time leading shotblocker with the 41st overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. Varnado, who also spent time with the Boston Celtics during the 2012-13 season, was in training camp this Fall with the Heat, but was a late-cut, before the guaranteed portion of his contract kicked in. He was acquired by the Energy in a trade with Sioux Falls, with whom he spent the bulk of last season. In seven games with Iowa, Varnado is averaging 15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and an NBA D-League-leading 5.9 blocks. In last night's victory over Fort Wayne, he recorded nine blocks. From an NBA perspective, Varnado is limited offensively and doesn't have the requisite beef to be a full-time post threat. But, you can't teach the timing and aggression he shows with respect to erasing shots. He's probably a safe bet to make it back to the NBA this season.

NEWS & NOTES

CBS Sports Network Announces 2013-14 NBA D-League Schedule

CBS Sports Network returns to the hardwood for its second season of NBA Development League coverage with a slate of up to 21 games, including 10 regular season games, two games from the NBA D-League Showcase, postseason action, and exclusive coverage of the NBA D-League Finals. The Network also airs NBA ACTION, a weekly show providing an inside look at the NBA's top players and storylines every Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET. The schedule tips off on Sunday, Jan. 5, when the Philadelphia 76ers-owned Delaware 87ers visit the Reno Bighorns, the single affiliate of the Sacramento Kings (5:30 p.m. ET) in a 2014 NBA D-League Showcase game.

Prospect Watch: Looking Up

After a week where he dominated the paint, especially on the defensive end, everyone else is looking up at Jarvis Varnado, the new No. 1 Prospect. Meanwhile, Idaho's Pierre Jackson leaps to No. 2. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Hilton Armstrong were at three and six, respectively, but have since gotten the call, leaving spots to fill.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The San Antonio Spurs have recalled Malcolm Thomas from the Austin Toros. Thomas, who was recently signed by the Spurs on Dec. 3, played in two games for the Toros, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 35.5 minutes per game. Prior to joining the Silver and Black, Thomas appeared in two games for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. For the year, Thomas is averaging 26.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 38.0 minutes per game while shooting 66 percent from the field ... The Bakersfield Jam has acquired forward Ike Diogu (6-9, 250, Arizona State) from the NBA Development League's Available Player Pool. Diogu was originally selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round (ninth pick overall) of 2005 NBA Draft. Most recently, Diogu played in six preseason games for the New York Knicks where he averaged 7.2 points, on 56.7 percent shooting, and 4.0 rebounds before being released on Oct. 25. He holds career averages of 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 12.4 minutes in 225 games (18 starts) over six seasons with Golden State, Indiana, Portland, Sacramento, L.A. Clippers and San Antonio ... The Iowa Energy has acquired forward Carlos Emory from the Available Player Pool. Emory (6-6, 225) attended Oregon and averaged 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds during his senior year ... The Erie BayHawks have added guard Lewis Jackson to the active roster. He is expected to be uniform for the BayHawks on Friday night when they travel to Canton. Jackson (5-10, 165, Purdue) was released by Sioux Falls on Nov. 21, after appearing in just one game for the Skyforce. In 16 minutes, he recorded three rebounds and two assists. While at Purdue, he averaged 10.4 points and 4.2 assists during his senior year. Following both his junior and senior seasons, he was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention by both the coaches and media. He spent last season playing for Siauliai (Lithuania) and averaged 6.8 points and 3.5 assists ... The Cleveland Cavaliers have recalled Carrick Felix, Sergey Karasev and Henry Sims from the Canton Charge. Felix has appeared in three games for the Cavs this season, averaging 1.3 points in 5.0 minutes per game. He has also played in three games for the Charge, averaging 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. Karasev has played in 12 games for the Cavs, averaging 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game. He scored 16 points in his lone appearance with Canton this season. Sims has appeared in six games for the Cavs, averaging 1.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 5.8 minutes per game and three Canton games with averages of 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 22.3 minutes.

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NBA G League Stories from December 13, 2013


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