Press Release - The National Basketball Association announced today its new affiliation and assignment system for the NBA Development League. Under this system, each of the eight current D-League teams will be affiliated with either three or four NBA teams, and the NBA teams may assign players in their first two seasons to play in the D-League. ?This is another step in the right direction to assist in the continuing development of players,? said Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations. ?It has long been our goal to have team affiliations between the NBA and the D-League and this structure should be mutually beneficial to both leagues and the players.? The team assignments include: Fayetteville: Charlotte Bobcats , New York Knicks , Detroit Pistons . Austin: Denver Nuggets , Spurs, Houston Rockets , Los Angeles Clippers . Fort Worth: Golden State Warriors , Los Angeles Lakers , Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers . Arkansas: Atlanta Hawks , Cleveland Cavaliers , Memphis Grizzlies , Raptors. Florida: Heat, Magic, Celtics, Timberwolves. Tulsa: New Orleans Hornets , Indiana Pacers , Milwaukee Bucks , Chicago Bulls . Albuquerque: Jazz, Phoenix Suns , Sacramento Kings , Seattle SuperSonics . Roanoke: New Jersey Nets , Philadelphia 76ers , Washington Wizards . Jackson said the NBA plans to remain flexible in implementing the new system, although one of the ground rules will require teams to forfeit control of an assigned player's playing time to the coach of the D-League team <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Fort Worth: Golden State Warriors , Los Angeles Lakers , Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers . </div> So, whos on the team? Pavel Podkolzin, Monta Ellis, Andris Biendris(?), Andrew Bynum, Von Wafer, Martell Webster (?), Linas Kleiza (he even on Portland?), Ricky Sanchez, etc
Kleiza is actually on Denver. Apparently Fort Worth is one of four expansion teams in the D-League, so they don't have a current roster of players. The team has a 12 man roster, and each NBA team can send down a maximum of two players. If all 4 teams send down the maximum, players could actually be sent to a different affiliate. There is also a restriction on being able to only send down first and second year players. I think the Mavs will send down Podkolzin and Rawle Marshall. The Lakers will likely have Von Wafer play there, but Bynum should be on the Laker's roster from Day 1. The other player could be Sasha Vujacic, Will Conroy, Douthit or Deven Green.
Here's pretty much all we know about the Fort Worth Flyers: -New head coach is Sam Vincent. I watched him up-close and personal when I was living in Mobile, Alabama where he coached the NBDL's Mobile Revelers to the championship. He is a very good motivator who works well with little resources. So, at least we know that what players we send down will be working with a coach who wants to coach winners. - Tryouts are Oct. 15-16. The NBA preseason will also begin shortly after. So, the rosters will be established as the various NBA teams decide who they are retaining. Most likely, any player who is within their first two years in the league and isn't an immediate backup at their position will spend at least a brief stint in the D-League for a number of reasons: 1) It will give them a chance to build their confidence. 2) It will give teams a chance to geige the abilities of other D-leaguers. 3) It gives teams a chance to adjust the roles of their more veteran players, and more NBA-ready rookies or sophomores who are otherwise D-League available. 4) It will be a great opportunity for players to work through a minor injury. So, the Mavs will quite possibly send Podkolzine, Marshall, and Powell for brief stints. Mbenga and Diop would be great for the D-League, but are too veteran. I personally expect the Mavs will leave Podkolzine and Marshall in the league as long as they can, whereas Powell is going to be learning more on the job.
