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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 02130.html

The Rockets have taken operational control of the D-League team, the Rio Grande Vipers, who play in McAllen, Texas. Rather than buying one of these teams, the Rockets have become the first NBA franchise to participate in the "single affiliate partnership model." They'll have control over the coaching, staffing and system of play utilized. It will allow them more opportunity to actually "develop" talent they send down towards their own system of play.


From the article:

“The Rockets will have the ability to completely manage the day-to-day basketball operations, including the coach, the system, the scouting, the recruiting, the roster management. The opportunities for collaboration involve areas where business and basketball naturally intersect. This is a very important step in the evolution of the NBA Development League, and we’re really happy this has happened.”

Reed said he does not anticipate problems with the needs of the Rockets and Vipers conflicting when it comes to developing players for one team while seeking victories with the other.

“This is a pretty typical arrangement in affiliated minor leagues, although it’s new for the NBA Development League,” Reed said. “Those issues crop up from time to time, and based on the history we’ve studied in other affiliated minor leagues, they generally work themselves out.”

This should help the Rockets.

^ I agree - if we can send the likes of Taylor, Buddinger, Dorsey and White down to a team that is coached in Adelman's philosophy then we should get a good look at how they can do, and how they can improve. One of the first comments I read on the story said it best - the current system was essentially like a pickup game at the Fonde Rec Center. Now it is closer to an actual "farm" team.

Mr. E wrote:^ I agree - if we can send the likes of Taylor, Buddinger, Dorsey and White down to a team that is coached in Adelman's philosophy then we should get a good look at how they can do, and how they can improve. One of the first comments I read on the story said it best - the current system was essentially like a pickup game at the Fonde Rec Center. Now it is closer to an actual "farm" team.

Yeah, this is probably the best thing the Rockets have done since winning a championship in '95. Morey has established a small farm on the day he signed Justin Williams and have him trained by the team. Then he went on to sign Gerald Green, Joey Dorsey and James White. Unfortunately injuries and the small roster space prevent Morey from keeping Williams and Green. With an actual farm, they have theoretically extended their roster size to 15++ spots. Rockets get the rights to many prospects (more than any other teams in the league) and when injury hits, replacements will become easier.

I expect to see more teams having their own NBDL teams, but as now the Rockets are 1-up against the rest of the league. What a terrific day to become a Rockets fan.



EDIT: I knew this news was too good to be true. As it turned out, it came as a package. One great news followed by a terrible one. Poor Yao Ming.

So, from what I understand we can send players down for 2 years while retaining their rights in the process, is that correct?

Honestly, I'd like to see some Rio Grande Valley Vipers games next season if we could see our young guys playing in our system. Does the NBA televise the D-League games, or do they stream them online?

Mr. E wrote:So, from what I understand we can send players down for 2 years while retaining their rights in the process, is that correct?

Honestly, I'd like to see some Rio Grande Valley Vipers games next season if we could see our young guys playing in our system. Does the NBA televise the D-League games, or do they stream them online?

Yes. From my understanding only players with less than two years of experience can be sent down to NBDL.

Mr. E wrote:So, from what I understand we can send players down for 2 years while retaining their rights in the process, is that correct?

I was under the impression that any players under contract assigned to the D-League count against your roster numbers on the big league squad.

Anybody got clarification? Because that would mean you can't send 4 guys to the D-League unless you only want to dress 8 or 9 for the Rockets.