RealGM

The National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the NBA, today announced the affiliation system for the 2011-12 season which included the Los Angeles Clippers continued affiliation with the Bakersfield Jam.

"The NBA D-League is a valuable resource in the development of our young players and we are pleased to continue our association with Stan Ellis, David Higdon and the entire Bakersfield Jam organization," stated Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey.

The complete affiliation system for 2011-12 is listed below:

2011-12 NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE TEAM AFFILIATIONS

AUSTIN TOROS (TX)
San Antonio Spurs

BAKERSFIELD JAM (CA)
Los Angeles Clippers
Phoenix Suns
Toronto Raptors

CANTON (OH)
Cleveland Cavaliers

DAKOTA WIZARDS (Bismarck, ND)
Golden State Warriors

ERIE BAYHAWKS (PA)
New York Knicks

FORT WAYNE MAD ANTS (IN)
Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks

IDAHO STAMPEDE (Boise, ID)
Denver Nuggets
Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz

IOWA ENERGY (Des Moines, IA)
Chicago Bulls
New Orleans Hornets
Washington Wizards

LOS ANGELES D-FENDERS (CA)
Los Angeles Lakers

MAINE RED CLAWS (Portland, ME)
Boston Celtics
Charlotte Bobcats
Philadelphia 76ers

RENO BIGHORNS (NV)
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
Sacramento Kings

RIO GRANDE VALLEY VIPERS (TX)
Houston Rockets

SIOUX FALLS SKYFORCE (SD)
Miami Heat
Minnesota Timberwolves
Orlando Magic

SPRINGFIELD ARMOR (MA)
New Jersey Nets

TEXAS LEGENDS (Frisco, TX)
Dallas Mavericks

TULSA 66ERS (OK)
Oklahoma City Thunder

Clippers.com

Last season we shared the Jam with the Lakers who are now back with the D-Fenders after a year long hiatus. More and more teams are buying their own D-League team and running them exclusively, which is the ultimate goal of the D-League. It seems like we'll be one of the last teams to actually get a team of our own. If/When we do, I hope that Anaheim or Ontario are considered.

We sent Willie down last season where he averaged: 19.2 points, 4 rebounds and 5.7 assists with shooting percentages of 45.3% from the field, 40% from 3 and 81.9% at the free-throw line in 27.3 minutes per game over 15 games. He along with Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins would be candidates to go down this season (if there is a season).

If the NBA is Locked Out, will there be a "D" League schedule?

Ross

RiversideClips wrote:If the NBA is Locked Out, will there be a "D" League schedule?

Ross

The D-League is slated to go on as planned regardless of the lockout. The downside is that players with international contracts on the table will opt for those as opposed to the D-League salaries. The benefit of being called up may not be there for them with the uncertainty of the lockout. So, they would be better off going for the sure thing. Also, the league will be without the players that NBA teams assign to their affiliates.

I figured that we would be still be affiliated with the Bakersfield Jam. I'm happy to hear that the D-League will still have a season. But like MK said a lot of guys may go international since they can get paid more and there won't be any call ups.