Hardwood Paroxysm got to talk to new Cleveland Cavalier Lance Allred, an alum of the D-League's Idaho Stampede. One particular slice from Allred made me consider the state of the Developmental.The D-League is a different experience. You've got guys constantly trying to see where they're at for call-ups, coaches, trying to balance politics with the experience. Coaches want jobs. Players want jobs. Every game is life and death there.(Emphasis mine.) Isn't this the point of the D-League as a minor league for the NBA -- to breed the best, brightest, hardest-working players the nation can offer? To provide a decent stateside landing pad for dedicated prospects just a touch too raw or muted for one of less than 450 guaranteed league contracts?
Throughout this season, various D-Leaguers have mentioned the money is waiting in Europe, but the real opportunity to make the NBA remains here in the Developmental. That -- and the fact the call-ups are actually happening, on championship contenders -- tells me the NBA has made this minor league an early success, which is impressive.
(While we're mentioning Paroxysm: Tremendous young blog, if you didn't already know. The perfect combination of ha-ha, analysis, and swift writing.)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-19-2008 @ 11:35AM
Phil C said...
The problem with being cutthroat is that it doesn't necessarily breed the best mentality, especially if they happen to make the next level. In addition, people looking to get the stats to get noticed may play to the detriment of the team...
And when everyone is an unknown, backstabbing to get a leg up isn't an impossibility.
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