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Q & A With Nba D-League President Dan Reed

November 22, 2011 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


Currently in his fifth season as President of the NBA Development League, Dan Reed is responsible for all of the league's day-to-day operations encompassing business, basketball, and league operational matters. Under Reed's leadership, the NBA's official minor league has achieved significant business growth, while producing an ever-increasing number of NBA players, coaches and referees. Reed sat down to discuss the state of the NBA D-League as it embarks upon its 11th season, beginning Friday with a seven-game slate that includes league newcomer the Canton Charge hosting the defending champion Iowa Energy on NBA TV (7:30 p.m. ET):

Q: As the NBA D-league gets set to begin its 11th season, what are the key ingredients that continue to drive this league'

Reed: We've always been, first and foremost, very focused on making sure we get the best prospects into our league, and giving them the best opportunity to be promoted to the NBA. That's the ultimate engine of this, and given that NBA D-League players make up over 20 percent of NBA players now, it has spurred a lot of interest and growth in our league. Over time, as we've evolved, the league has really matured quite a bit as a business. We have 16 outstanding owners of our teams across the country that are doing a fantastic job in their local markets, putting on entertaining game experiences, getting out in the community, employing very sophisticated sales approaches, and the business has grown. We broke attendance records last year for the second year in a row with over 1.1 million attendees. That has led to an increase in franchise value, an increase in the number of teams, and now we're seeing NBA teams invest in their own NBA D-League teams, partly because of the basketball benefits of managing their own affiliate, but also, they feel it's a good investment. This year, with nine single affiliates, we feel it's a trend that will continue

Q: How would you describe the evolution of the affiliation system'

Reed: This league has made a major transition from being largely an independent league when we started to being, now, a very strongly affiliated league with the NBA teams. You see the connection Oklahoma City and Tulsa have, that Houston and Rio Grande Valley have, that Dakota and Golden State are building. That is definitely the future of this league. NBA teams have told us they value having their own NBA D-League affiliate, and developing their own players in their own system. Now that we've started to scratch the surface on what's possible, we see a lot of growth in this area. And as great as we think these relationships between NBA teams and D-League affiliates are today, we think it's going to blossom even more as we continue to grow.

Q: Del Harris recently signed on to coach the Texas Legends. Eric Musselman has been a head coach in the NBA. You have several former college coaches, who've had major success, as well as former NBA players serving as assistants. How happy are you with the level of coaching talent in the NBA D-League'

Reed: When we met with our coaches at our annual coaches meeting, we said, and we meant it, that this is the strongest group of coaches we've ever had in this league. That's a huge driver of our success, because it's those coaches who, at the end of the day, are responsible for developing our players and helping them achieve their NBA dream. At the same time, we've been very successful at helping produce coaches for the NBA. This past year, Chris Finch, Darvin Ham, Dee Brown, who were all head coaches in our league last year, are now assistant coaches in the NBA. I think we've established our league as a great place for a coach who's aspiring to reach the NBA.

Q: What are the main areas in which you'd like to see improvement as a league this season'

Reed: I think our biggest area of focus is increasing the awareness and exposure of our games, of our great players, and why fans should want to follow us. We think we have the best basketball in the world outside of the NBA. NBA fans who are in the know are following our league because they know the next NBA prospects are coming out of our league, but not enough people know that. We're investing heavily in getting our games on television [insert TV info]. We'll have over 80 games broadcast on Comcast, with their regional sports networks. We'll have a full slate of games on NBA TV. Our games will be available on your cell phone, on your I pad, and if we do it right, our highlights will be everywhere. We think we have a great product, and we need to do a better job of helping the world find it and consume it.

Q: What's your vision for the NBA D-League moving forward'

Reed: As we grow, we'll have more one-to-one relationships with NBA teams. You'll see more direct integration and usage of our system by NBA teams. Just to give an example, last season, of our 39 players that were assigned to play in the NBA D-League, 18 of those players were first-round draft picks. I think if you added up the previous five years of assignment players, you wouldn't get that number. So, I think you'll see not only more integration, but a higher caliber of integration. You'll see more trust in our league. If we do it right, I think our games will be more widely available. I think we'll be integrated into the NBA in a very organic way. When you see a Sportscenter, or when you see the NBA covered on ESPN, they may cut down to what's happening down on the farm with the NBA D-League affiliates.

PROSPECT REPORT

Jerome Dyson, Tulsa 66ers -- Dyson averaged 15.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 47 games for the 66ers this past season. Not drafted by an NBA franchise in 2010, Dyson made the most of his first season of professional basketball, leading the 66ers in scoring, despite only starting 10 games. Known more for his defense at Connecticut, Dyson continues to work on his ball-handling and shooting, while still showing great instincts on the defensive end. He's been lauded by Tulsa coach Nate Tibbetts for his professionalism and team-first attitude.

Chris Hunter, Fort Wayne Mad Ants -- After earning All-NBA-D-League second team honors in 2008-09, averaging 19.3 points and 9.4 rebounds in 47 games for Fort Wayne, Hunter realized his NBA dream in 2009-10, appearing in 60 games (nine starts) with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 4.5 points and 2.8 rebounds. He returned to Fort Wayne at the start of the 2010-11 season and played in seven games before tearing his Achilles tendon on Christmas Day. A solid rebounder with the ability to face the basket and knock down mid-range jumpshots, Hunter figures to be one of the better big men in the league.

Leo Lyons, Austin Toros -- Lyons appeared in 34 games for the Toros last season, averaging 14.9 points and 6.0 rebounds. Not drafted by an NBA franchise in 2009, after a standout career at Missouri, Lyons has played in the NBA Summer League with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. A combo forward with a soft touch and advanced offensive skills, Lyons is coming off a strong showing playing for the NBA D-League squad that took part in the Pan American Games.

Donald Sloan, Erie BayHawks -- Sloan, a four-year standout at Texas A&M, was not drafted in 2010, but made it to training camp with the Sacramento Kings, and was one of the team's final cuts. Last season, Sloan appeared in 49 games for the Reno Bighorns, averaging 10.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds. More of a scorer in college, Sloan continues to refine his point guard skills, while showing NBA-caliber strength and quickness. Following a strong performance in the Pan American Games, Erie acquired Sloan in a four-player trade that sent NBA D-League standout Blake Ahearn to Reno.

Durrell Summers, Maine Red Claws -- After playing exceptionally well during Michigan State's run to the Final Four in 2010, Summers, once considered a first-round prospect, fell into a deep shooting slump as a senior and wound up going undrafted in 2011. An NBA-caliber athlete, with terrific speed, length and leaping ability, Summers needs to re-discover his outside stroke, while continuing to utilize his impressive physical attributes and defensive capabilities.

NEWS & NOTES

NBA D-League and Comcast Announce Regional Television Deal for 2011-12 Season

The NBA Development League and Comcast Sports Group, part of the NBC Sports Group, have announced the NBA D-League's first significant regional sports agreement, ensuring that the league's games will be seen in major markets on selected Comcast Sports Group regional sports networks this season. Comcast Sports Group's regional networks will air a combined total of more than 80 NBA D-League games during the 2011-12 season, providing each of the NBA D-League's 16 teams exposure during the league's 11th season.

NBA D-League Conducts Annual NBA D-League Cares Week of Service

The NBA Development League, its teams and players tipped off the 2011 NBA D-League Cares Week of Service on Nov. 14, and have hosted a variety of hands-on service events, carrying on through Nov. 23, in an effort to give back to youth, families and communities, while increasing fan awareness about the importance of service. More

Eastern Conference Preview, Part 1

From now until the start of the 2011-12 NBA Development League regular season on Friday -- including a live broadcast on NBA TV (7:30 p.m. ET) of the Canton Charge's first-ever game, when the newcomers take on defending champ Iowa -- NBA.com/dleague looks at the teams, players and storylines you should know as the NBA D-League preps for its most competitive season yet. A breakdown of four teams from the Eastern Conference is up first, with the second half to follow on Wednesday. More

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Erie BayHawks practiced at East High before a select group of students last Thursday afternoon. It was the first time the BayHawks had practiced before high school students. The practice was part of East's "Celebrate Success" program in which students were recognized for positive behavior. The kids will receive a free ticket to the BayHawks' Dec. 1 home opener ... Earlier this month, the Maine Red Claws announced that 15-year NBA veteran Donyell Marshall has been named the team's assistant coach under Head Coach Dave Leitao . Marshall, the fourth pick in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, played for eight teams during his tenure in the NBA: Minnesota, Golden State, Utah, Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, Seattle and, most recently, Philadelphia.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

Boston's Ray Allen needs 28 threes to pass Reggie Miller (2,560) for first on the all-time list. Boston's Kevin Garnett needs 60 rebounds to pass Charles Barkley (12,546) for 16th on the all-time list. The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant needs 52 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for eighth on the all-time list. Bryant needs seven steals to pass Rod Strickland (1,616) for 22nd on the all-time list.

-->LOOKING AHEAD

Del Harris, the 1995 NBA Coach of the Year, makes his NBA D-League debut at the helm of the Texas Legends Saturday, as the team hosts Austin (4:00 p.m. ET). Harris coached 14 seasons in the NBA, compiling a record of 556-457 ... Eric Musselman, who guided Reno to a record of 34-16 and a trip to the playoffs last season, now calls the shots for Los Angeles, which hosts the Bighorns on Monday, Nov. 28. Musselman had two head coaching stints in the NBA, with Golden State and Sacramento ... In a rematch of the 2011 NBA D-League Finals, defending champ Iowa visits Rio Grande Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Nick Nurse, who coached the Energy last season, is now the head coach of the Vipers.

GATORADE CALL-UP BOARD

Boston's Ray Allen needs 28 threes to pass Reggie Miller (2,560) for first on the all-time list ... Boston's Kevin Garnett needs 60 rebounds to pass Charles Barkley (12,546) for 16th on the all-time list ... The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant needs 52 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for eighth on the all-time list. Bryant needs seven steals to pass Rod Strickland (1,616) for 22nd on the all-time list.

ASSIGNMENT BOARD

NBA Players Currently on Assignment in the NBA D-League:

Player NBA Team NBA D-League Team Assignment Date G PPG RPG APG

Hassan Whiteside Sacramento Reno 11/29/10 7 5.1 3.2 0.1

DeMarre Carroll Memphis Dakota 12/14/10 6 35.7 18.3 6.8

Pape Sy Atlanta Utah 12/27/10 6 24.0 5.5 5.0

Devin Ebanks L.A. Lakers Bakersfield 12/27/10 6 26.5 12.0 8.0

Garret Siler Phoenix Iowa 1/4/10 16.0 4.0 7.0

Cole Aldrich Oklahoma City Tulsa 12/30/10 28.8 7.3 8.1

-->Today's Quote Erie coach JAY LARRANAGA, on his team's center Chris Daniels : "I think he has the ability to be the best big guy in our league. His game really suits our style of play this year." Erie Times-News, Nov. 22, 2011.

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