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NBA D-League Update

January 31, 2014 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


TYLER, JOHNSON FLASH STAYING POWER

The climb to the NBA can last years for NBA D-League prospects, but after all of those hours upon hours in the gym, only 10 days are typically guaranteed once they reach the NBA.

So while getting that first 10-day contract from an NBA team represents the biggest hurdle, winning coaches and decision-makers over enough to earn a second 10-day -- and eventually a rest-of-the-year deal -- is a whole other challenge.

We've covered the rousing success of early-season Call-Ups, but more recent prospects have been able to extend their stays in the NBA and spark their teams. The rundown:

Jeremy Tyler, New York Knicks -- Tyler has proven to be just the type of player the Knicks need to pick themselves back up: both a big body to fill in on their banged-up front line and a source of energy off the bench on an aging roster. The 22-year-old sparked the team on Tuesday with his best game as a Knick, scoring 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting off the bench with five rebounds and two blocks. It's clear that he brings another level of activity, explosiveness and excitement compared to New York's other bigs, which gives this a chance to turn into another NBA D-League success story.

Chris Johnson, Boston Celtics -- In our Call-Up Breakdown 12 days ago, we lauded Johnson as the NBA D-League's most ready-made role player, a new-age "3-and-D" specialist and the league's best corner three shooter. It's clear that the Celtics did their homework -- and that Johnson knows his game as well as any prospect. He's filled the same gaps in Boston that he filled in Rio Grande Valley, shooting 6-for-10 on corner threes and 7-for-8 in the restricted area while playing 20-plus quality minutes a night for coach Brad Stevens.

Manny Harris, L.A. Lakers -- There's no getting around the fact that Harris has struggled in his seven games on L.A.'s big stage. He's gone from being the quickest and most gifted player on the court at all times to just another talented scorer. Just ask any underperforming NBA rookie how difficult that transition can be. Harris is not the Chris Johnson/James Nunnally glue-guy type that can fill a background role; he needs the ball and his share of shots to make an impact. And he appears to be going through another adjustment period as he gets used to NBA defenses again, where he can't get to the rack with ease and he needs his jumper to fall to keep them honest. His 6-for-9, 18-point showing in Sunday's Lakers-Knicks game could be a kick-start.

Prospect Report

Tyshawn Taylor, Maine Red Claws -- There aren't many guards in the NBA D-League who can match Taylor from a physical standpoint, and that's why he spent the first year and a half of his NBA career with the Brooklyn Nets on an NBA contract, before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans and subsequently waived. He has the size (6-3), superior end-to-end speed, strength and lateral quickness teams covet in the backcourt. He's also an improving perimeter shooter and stout defender. So, why is Taylor without a job in the NBA today after being selected with the 41st overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft? Questions persist about his decision-making and whether he can be trusted as a point guard. It was the knock at Kansas, and continues to give teams pause. Most NBA coaches prefer their backup point guards to be steady, careful with the ball, able to run the offense and not rock the boat in short minutes. That said, Taylor's obvious physical gifts will be hard to ignore, especially if he tears it up over the next few months, as most expect he will.

NEWS & NOTES

NBA D-League All-Star Game Returns to NBA All-Star Festivities

The NBA Development League All-Star Game returns to NBA All-Star 2014 for the eighth consecutive year on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m. ET. The Prospects and Futures teams, made up of 20 top NBA D-League players, will take to the court at Sprint Arena inside NBA All-Star Jam Session at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in a game slated to air live on NBA TV. Canton Charge head coach Steve Hetzel and his staff along with Rio Grande Valley Vipers head coach Nevada Smith and his staff will coach the teams in New Orleans. Smith, in his first season with the Vipers, earned the trip to New Orleans based on posting a league-best 19-6 (.760) record in the three-division NBA D-League in games played through Jan. 26. Hetzel, in his first year helming the Charge, and his staff will make the trip to the NBA D-League All-Star Game by virtue of a 16-9 record and owning the tie-breaker with Nate Bjorkgren and the staff of the Iowa Energy, which had the same record through games of Jan. 26, for the league's second-best winning percentage. Hetzel will coach the Futures teams while Smith will guide the Prospects squad. The 2014 NBA D-League Dream Factory presented by Boost Mobile will again be integrated into the day's events with the Boost Mobile Three-Point Contest tipping off the action at 2:30 p.m. ET and the Boost Mobile Slam Dunk Competition taking place during the game's halftime break.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Boston Celtics have assigned center Vitor Faverani and guard Vander Blue to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League. Faverani, a 6-11 center, has appeared in one game for the Red Claws this season where he recorded 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Jan 25. Faverani has appeared in 37 games for the Celtics this season and has recorded 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 13.2 minutes per game. Blue, a 6-5 guard, has appeared in three games for the Celtics this season and has totaled five points, three rebounds and an assist in 15 minutes of play. He was signed to a 10-day contract on Jan 22 ... The Jan. 7 game between the Tulsa 66ers and Los Angeles D-Fenders, which was postponed due to weather-related travel interruptions, will be played on Tuesday, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET in Tulsa ... The Maine Red Claws have acquired point guard Tyshawn Taylor, who will join the team on Sunday. Taylor (6-3, 185, Kansas) was the 41st overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, who then traded his rights to the Brooklyn Nets. In 61 career games with Brooklyn (three starts) Taylor holds averages of 2.9 points in 8.0 minutes per game. While a member of the Nets, Taylor played in 10 games (nine starts) while on assignment with the Springfield Armor, posting averages of 21.5 points, 6.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Taylor was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 21, in exchange for cash considerations and the rights to Edin Bavcic. Taylor was waived by the Pelicans on Jan. 23 ... The New York Knicks have assigned guard Toure' Murry to Erie. Murry (6-5, 195), is averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 assists over 8.1 minutes in 28 games for the Knicks this season.

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