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34 mpg
23.2 ppg
.440 fg% (8-18)
.370 3pt (3.2-8.5)
9.17 rebounds
1.7 assists
2.40 steals
1.36 blocks

Because Grand Rapids Drive first round/first overall draft pick Robert Covington put up these gaudy numbers as a rookie in the D-League last season (winning rookie of the year honors) and will surely be snatched up sooner than later by another NBA team. He almost worked out a long term deal with the 76ers, they offered him four year deal but he wanted a shorter one and they couldn't come to an agreement. Would seem that Philly wanted to lock him in cheap and Robert believes enough in himself that he wants a shorter contract to prove himself and then cash in during FA. It of course, also helps that he's getting paid the $917K by the Houston Rockets who signed him to a guaranteed two year deal at the start of last season and had to waive him due to roster crunch, and thus could turn down the Philly money knowing he wouldn't be making $25,ooo on a standard D-League contract otherwise.

You know what, I'll say yes. Datome did win an Italian League MVP. I never even heard about Robert Covington before right now, but I think that the fact that he is putting up that statline in the Dleague and is still not on an NBA roster means that the level of competition isn't that great.

I'd rather take the cap hit cutting Mitchell and putting this guy on the active roster though. 6'9, 215, SF... obviously he can shoot the 3. He instantly becomes more valuable than Mitchell.

Peyton Siva was a 20 PPG scorer in the d-league last year.

Gigi was a MVP in Italy, so I would think he could put up those numbers without much hassle.
I still think he could a good player in the NBA, he just doesn't seem to get much of a chance.
With Meeks and Martin out and Jerebko not doing much when given minutes, i'd like to see Gigi get some burn.

Assuming they spend any time in Grand Rapids, the D-League will be good for the following (among "our" guys);
Luigi Datome, Hasheem Thabeet, Robert Covington, and Ben Hansbrough. Maybe Josh Bostic, but that depends on if Robert is primarily a 4 or a 3.

Luigi and Hasheem need it for the confidence boost. Robert and Ben for the experience.

Tony Mitchell would just be a dunk machine without a position down there. Lorenzo Brown will put up good numbers at that level, but I don't think it will translate to NBA success. Most of the other guys seem like roster fillers.

chrbal wrote:Tony Mitchell would just be a dunk machine without a position down there.

Mitchell played in the D-league last season. He was still awful, even with the lax defense.

I didn't mean dunk machine as a compliment.

I dont think any D league team could reach the Final 4.

Yea its kind of weird stan hasant given him some minutes,considering he values guys that can shoot the 3.

Could Datome put up these numbers in the NBA - https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/5253/splits/

What is the point of Gigi staying Stateside if he's never going to play. I mean he's not even dressing anymore - how is he going to earn his next NBA contract if he never plays AT ALL? Should he ask for a D-League stint? Should he just ask for a buyout and go back to Euroball for the ROS or even a couple of years and then try catching on in the NBA again with a better situation?

I mean the writing is on the wall with the Tolliver acquisition that bumped Gigi to the low man on the totem pole here, and took away any chance at PF shooter minutes. Path would seem a bit clearer to get SF minutes but Singler and Butler are ahead of him there and KCP gets minutes there as well now. And none of that matters if he's in street clothes and will be for the forseeable future barring an injury as who is going to not dress to make room for him - maybe Cartier Martin, but that's it. Datome has to offer more than Martin, but Cartier is also a Stan Van signing while Datome is a Dumars guy. Stan and Co probably want his contract on the books and thus tradeable at least through the trade deadline in case he's needed as a throw in to make the salaries work.

Also might as well pimp another D-Leaguer here that we should sign outright, or at least offer a 10 day contract to ASAP - Quincey Miller. http://stats.nbadleague.com/playerGameL ... PerPage=25

I wanted Quincy Miller the day he was let go by Denver.

6'9" or 6'10" SF with shooting range and still VERY young. Why not give him a shot??

I still think GIgi should get a chance, I'm surprised that he hasn't.

Gigi can't guard NBA SF's

Gigi can't guard NBA PF's

That's why he can't get minutes.

I could put up those numbers in D-League. They don't play defense there. It is all about marketing yourself in order to play somewhere else.