Putting the 'D' in development
by Sam Amico
Published on February 13, 2006 under NBA G League (G League)
Good news for NBA clubs: Their players have been getting the opportunity to produce in the D-League.
Following a 10-day stint with San Antonio, guard Melvin Sanders scored 21 points and passed for six assists in his first game back with the Fayetteville Patriots.
Guard John Lucas had 19 points and six assists in his return to the Tulsa 66ers after a pair of 10-day deals with Houston expired.
Washington center Peter John Ramos not only scored 21 points in his first game back with the Roanoke Dazzle, but he did it on 9-of-11 shooting from the field.
And let's not forget Denver rookie Julius Hodge. In his first game after being assigned to the Austin Toros, all Hodge did was make seven of 14 shots for 22 points.
In other words, the league is doing a good job of serving its purpose.
Just look at 2005 D-League MVP Matt Carroll, who erupted for 26 points (including five-of-seven shooting on three-pointers) in Charlotte's loss to Milwaukee on Feb. 10. Carroll played for the Dazzle most of last season.
That same night, 17 former D-League players -- and eight former referees -- were participating in the NBA.
D-Plus Coaching Jobs
Entering the season, Tulsa coach Joey Meyer was the D-League leader in wins -- but the former DePaul coach has since been passed by Florida's Jeff Malone.
As of Feb. 10, Malone owned a 122-109 record, compared to a 116-112 mark for Meyer.
This is Malone's first head coaching job following a long, successful NBA playing career with Utah and New Jersey. Meyer's first gig was taking over for his legendary father, Ray Meyer, at DePaul.
Livingston Back in Idaho
Former NBA point guard Randy Livingston returned to professional basketball in the United States when he signed with the CBA's Idaho Stampede last week.
This is the 6-foot-4 point man's third stint with the Stampede (he played in Idaho during the 2000-01 and â03-'04 seasons). He played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce last season and had been playing professionally in Turkey this year.
Livingston's most recent NBA stop came with Utah, which signed him to a 10-day contract last March. In all, Livingston has played for eight NBA teams.
Levingston's Head of Steel
The Gary Steelheads are hoping Cliff Levingston can bring some of his basketball magic to the CBA, having hired the former NBA power forward to assist head coach Jaren Jackson.
Levingston won two championships as player with the Chicago Bulls (1990-91 and â91-92), then later coached the Dodge City Legend to the USBL title. He has also been an assistant with the Harlem Globetrotters and was the head coach of the ABA's St. Louis Flight last season.
Levingston is filling the assistant's chair vacated by Kelvin Upshaw, another former NBA player who left the Steelheads for personal reasons.
He's Been Patrooned
The CBA's Albany Patroons recently waived forward James Richardson, after he failed to follow coach Michael Ray Richardson's instructions to enter a game.
Richardson the coach tried to put Richardson the player into a blowout win over the Michigan Mayhem, but Richardson the player refused. Two anonymous sources on the Patroons bench confirmed the report in the Albany Times-Union.
"After the game, he said he didn't want to be here," Micheal Ray Richardson told the Times-Union. "So, we released him."
James Richardson's departure left the Patroons with eight players on the active roster.
CBA-to-NBA Call-ups
Cavaliers rookie Stephen Graham and Suns swingman Josh Davis have tied the CBA record with three call-ups apiece to the NBA this season. Here's a look at all the CBA-to-NBA journeys this season:
⢠Idaho's Davis to Milwaukee (Dec. 5); to Houston (Dec. 29); to Phoenix (Jan. 9).
⢠Sioux Falls' Graham to Houston (Dec. 10); to Chicago (Jan. 17); to Cleveland (Feb. 6).
⢠Michigan's Darrick Martin to Toronto (Nov. 16).
⢠Gary's Randy Holcomb to Chicago (Jan. 5).
⢠Yakima's Ronny Turiaf to L.A. Lakers (Jan. 18).
⢠Albany's James Thomas to Chicago (Jan. 27).
Minor League Notes
⢠NBA types should keep an eye on Dakota Wizards swingman Kasib Powell, who has been a human double-double in the CBA. Powell is a strong rebounder, always hustles, and finds ways to score. Ex-Baylor University coach Dave Bliss is Powell's coach with the Wizards.
⢠As for possible future NBA coaches, Rockford's Chris Daleo is making a strong case. Daleo was named the CBA Coach of the Month for January.
⢠The ABA's Pittsburgh Xplosion held a press conference to announce they would return next year -- ending speculation that they would or fold after the season. "Some people predicted that the Xplosion would be silent after our first year," CEO Richard Hersperger told reporters. "I'm here to assure you that the Xplosion will be playing next season, as we take steps to broaden our fan support and build an even brighter future for pro basketball in Pittsburgh."
⢠Names you may know who participated in the ABA All-Star Game on Feb. 11: Tim Hardaway (Florida); Armon Gilliam (Pittsburgh); Lawrence Moten (Maryland); Chris Carrawell (Rochester); Caleb Gervin (Bellingham); Randy "White Chocolate" Gill (alternate, Maryland).
Sam Amico is the editor of ProBasketballNews.com. Contact him at amico@probasketballnews.com.
NBA G League Stories from February 13, 2006
- Rimrockers steal one from Patriots, 115-111 - Fayetteville Patriots
- Toros Celebrate Valentine's Day - Austin Spurs
- Flame Read To Achieve Event At Franklin Park Magnet School This Wednesday - Florida Flame
- Flame Announce 3-On-3 Tournament - Florida Flame
- Putting the 'D' in development - OSC Original by Sam Amico
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
