NBDL daily developments
February 23, 2005 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
NBDL QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Nothing really. It's easy if you like being around players and you like working. If I was a rich man, I'd do it for free." ...Asheville Altitude assistant coach and NBA veteran Kermit Washington told the Asheville Citizen-Times when asked about things he has had to adjust to after coming to the NBDL.
JT GOES TO CLEVELAND: Roanoke Dazzle forward James Thomas signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, making him the 45th overall GATORADE Call-Up since the NBDL began play in November 2001.
NOT HIS FIRST RODEO: This is James Thomas' second GATORADE Call-Up this season. He played out a pair of 10-day contracts with the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this year, playing in nine games (two starts) and averaging 2.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 12.4 minutes. Ironically, he had his best game against the Cavs, grabbing 15 rebounds and scoring six points on January 19.
LINE FORMING: James Thomas' call-up marks the sixth time an NBDL player has navigated his way to the front of the line to taste a sip of GATORADE this season.
2004-05 GATORADE Call-Ups
Player NBDL Team NBA Team Date
Smush Parker Florida Flame Phoenix Suns Jan. 19
Brandin Knight Asheville Altitude Houston Rockets Jan. 16
Obinna Ekezie Columbus Riverdragons Atlanta Hawks Jan. 10
James Thomas Roanoke Dazzle Portland/Cleveland Jan. 9/Feb. 22
Kirk Penney Asheville Altitude Los Angeles Clippers Dec. 26
WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN? Success in the D-League is often a double-edged sword. Riding a six-game winning streak, the Roanoke Dazzle is hoping to buck the trend beginning tonight when it hosts Columbus, a team just one-half game behind them in the standings. A fact of life in the NBDL, however, is that when the engine is running smoothly, the parts are often plucked and placed in a faster car, leaving the coach the opportunity to begin developing the engine all over again.
TWIN: Catch "This Week in the NBDL" Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
DEADLY TRIO: The top three scorers in the NBDL all wear the same uniform, the one that says Roanoke across the front. Matt Carroll (20.1), Isiah Victor (18.0) and Cory Alexander (16.5) lead the D-League scoring parade.
ROUNDING OUT THE TOP FIVE: Kirk Haston of Florida and David Young of Fayetteville round out the top five scorers in the league at 16.5 points per game each.
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NBA G League Stories from February 23, 2005
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- NBDL daily developments - G League
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