The James Singleton Memorial 2012 D League Thread

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

One of the most efficient D-Leaguers, and a guy who's numbers make me think could perhaps start at PF for the Wizards, Eric Dawson, got called up by the Spurs.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/eric_dawson/

The San Antonio Spurs today signed forward Eric Dawson.

In 18 games with the Toros this season, Dawson (6-9, 250) averaged 15.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 blocks in 29.3 minutes. He has recorded 12 double-doubles, including a season-high 28 points in a 105-100 win over the Springfield Armor on Dec. 29, 2011.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1myDZ0oMu


I never mentioned Dawson before because he's already almost 28 years old. I like his passing especially, because not too many guys in the D-League are looking to pass. He gives good rebounds, steals, and blocks and seems like a complete player who the Wizards need to keep an eye on after his 10 days are up with SA (if they don't retain him all season). Other guys the Spurs have called up, Danny Green, Alonzo Gee, Othyus Jeffers, and Larry Owens have all proved to be NBA-worthy. So is Dawson, most likely.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

FWIW, I think the D-League is probably just as good as the draft when it gets past lottery picks.

If the Wizards don't get a top-5 pick, there are plenty of D-Leaguers out there who can make it and contribute perhaps even faster than some of the top NCAA players.

[closg00]

With Young, Mason, Mo, & probably Crawford not being in the Wizards future plans, now is the time to audition some hungry guys for filler-roles for next year. Mack's back-up PG role is also ripe for an upgrade. Be pro-active Ernie.

[verbal8]

With Young, Mason, Mo, & probably Crawford not being in the Wizards future plans, now is the time to audition some hungry guys for filler-roles for next year. Mack's back-up PG role is also ripe for an upgrade. Be pro-active Ernie.

They have the open roster spot, they just need to use it. Maybe Evans is being kept around for leadership, but I think Mason could be waived to free up another space.

[Ruzious]

What's the latest on Jeffers? I was impressed with him on the Wiz late last season - he belongs in the NBA, imo. Has he recovered from the injury that cost him a contract with the Wiz?

[sashae]

Would love to see Gerald Green and Marcus Lewis given a shot. Green seems to have settled down a great deal, and has actually dramatically improved his outside shooting. Lewis is a monster rebounder which we sorely could use...

[closg00]

Would love to see Gerald Green and Marcus Lewis given a shot. Green seems to have settled down a great deal, and has actually dramatically improved his outside shooting. Lewis is a monster rebounder which we sorely could use...

YES YES YES. Manny Harris just received a call-up. Get off your ass Ernie and start auditioning upgrades, don't wait to see what's going to happen in the draft.

[Nivek]

Just plugged D-League stats into my rating system and these guys rate near the top (everyone in the stats I could find had at least 120 minutes):

1. Terrel Harris
2. Craig Brackins
3. Nick Fazekas
4. Brian Butch
5. Greg Smith
6. Eric Dawson
7. Malcolm Thomas
8. Andre Emmet
9. Manny Harris
10. Leo Lyons

Marcus Morris is 11th. Gerald Green 12th. Alando Tucker at 13.

Warning sign on Morris -- his ortg is about 102.6 -- average from this sample of players was 106.

Kinda interesting to see Harris at the top of the list. He performed well, got a contract with the Heat, and he's played pretty well for them when he's had a chance.

Brackins, on the other hand, was awful in limited playing times with the Sixers.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just plugged D-League stats into my rating system and these guys rate near the top (everyone in the stats I could find had at least 120 minutes):

1. Terrel Harris
2. Craig Brackins
3. Nick Fazekas
4. Brian Butch
5. Greg Smith
6. Eric Dawson
7. Malcolm Thomas
8. Andre Emmet
9. Manny Harris
10. Leo Lyons

Marcus Morris is 11th. Gerald Green 12th. Alando Tucker at 13.

Warning sign on Morris -- his ortg is about 102.6 -- average from this sample of players was 106.

Kinda interesting to see Harris at the top of the list. He performed well, got a contract with the Heat, and he's played pretty well for them when he's had a chance.

Brackins, on the other hand, was awful in limited playing times with the Sixers.

Fazekas would be absolutely PERFECT except last I heard he was pretty seriously injured.

He's the guy I liked at Nevada (along with Sessions and a Marcellus Kemp) when Javale was there. Nick Fazekas was their starting C. Great fundamentals. Plays like a much weaker, slower, Tim Duncan. I would really like to see the Wizards bring in a clean-up-Javale's-miscues PF. Fazekas would probably have his back when Javale dare take a shot. He would crash the boards. He might even be one guy McGee would kick the ball out to.

Fazekas' name was one of the first I noticed when I looked at prominent D-League performers.

Many of those 10 are already in the league.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

ALSO, no matter what his stats say, Morris Almond would be absolutely perfect for this team.

I've been thinking a lot about players since Jeremy Lin. Why do certain guys go overlooked? Morris is a low-energy player at times, but I think he must have some other thing that detracts potential teams.

You can't tell me the dude can't shoot it.

It took years but FINALLY somebody realizes how useful a Steve Novak can be. Almond is way better than Novak because Almond CAN create his shot and he can flat stroke the ball.

[doclinkin]

I can pick a helluva nice D-League team. I'd flagged Fazekas, Almond, Brackins and Lin all as players. Part of the deal is that I never expect much from the lotto and set my sights on picking up late steals. I also try to look at players who fit the system needs since otherwise they'll never get PT (hence Fazekas and Brackins as long range bigs who could spread the floor and allow then-Gilbert room to maneuver).

Personally I get more invested in these late picks than looking at machinations at the top end of the Draft. All the players I set my sights on as possibles get picked one or two slots before ours -- Spencer Hawes as a stretch 5, Rod Stuckey as a Larry Hughes sidekick for Gil, Jonas Valanciunas as a high motor C, Stef Curry since Gil's constant injuries reminded us that there's no such thing as redundancy, we call it depth. Okay the last one being an exception that proves the rule, no point getting too excited at any one player. Yeah we all want Blake Griffin, not gonna happen. Landing John Wall was saint Abe's miracle in action, but other than that I can't see that we can sacrifice a philanthropic owner every year just to get a few wins, if not to say a ch'ip.

Still, there are players every year I just know can play if they get a chance, given opportunity and health. This is one reason I want a Wiz-dedicated D-League squad closer to home (B-more say) so I can keep an I eye all my possible future toldja-so's.

Jeffery Taylor. Herb Pope. Trent Lockett. Future allstars for your Baltimore Wire D-League champs.

[Nivek]

Fazekas is playing the in the Philippines right now. A couple days ago, he had 23 and 16 in a "Commissioner's Cup" game for the Petron Blaze.

[closg00]

Twenty of the NBA Development League’s top prospects, including eight who have NBA experience, have been chosen to play in the sixth annual NBA D-League All-Star Game Presented by 26 Seconds on Saturday, Feb. 25, on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session. The game will air live on NBA TV at 2 p.m. ET

http://www.nba.com/dleague/allstar2012/#rostergrid

Will record and watch this, I hope some of you guys will as-well.

[Ruzious]

I think Jeff Foote could play in the NBA if he worked ridiculously hard with a personal trainer for an entire offseason. I remember watching him at Cornell - he was a legit 7'1 with a thick build and had good skills shooting and passing - and just played smart. But obviously the foot speed wasn't there. But it wasn't there with Marc Gasol or Hibbert, either until they got in great shape.

I saw an LA DLeague game a month or so ago. I think they had the top 3 guys in steals on the LA team - and steals are basically the only defense I've seen in these games. But Elijah Millsap impressed me as a guy who can really defend on the wing - good size, strength, energy, and long arms. He's got 3 point range - if he can just be more consistent there, I don't see why he can't play in the NBA. He can do what Wes Matthews does.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Plus, he's a Millsap. You know the dude is tough as heck.

[7-Day Dray]

Watching the D-League All Star game right now. I'm sure most of the PG's in this game would be better options than Mack.

[closg00]

Watching the D-League All Star game right now. I'm sure most of the PG's in this game would be better options than Mack.

I am comfortable saying that Blake Ahearn & Justin Dentmon could steal Mack's job. Ahearn would rack-up a lot of assists with his Jason Kidd-type game, but he would get abused on the defensive side of the game. Ahearn is a very good passer and he understands the pace of the game.

Not seeing much else today, I will go-back and watch the 2nd half on tape. Not feelin Gerald Green either. Overall, this could just be a bad setting to try and evaluate these guys.

[hands11]

Im still waiting to see EG pull a deal like he did Kwame for CB. Time to add a smart, skilled, tough player. That was his best add.

Anyone remember the details around the AJ trade. Was it for L8ner ?

Last year was fun having a slot open to audition players.

[sashae]

Gerald Green gets a 10-day with the Nets...

[closg00]

Gerald Green gets a 10-day with the Nets...

Green has a decent chance of getting an offer from the Nets, Avery Johnson likes him.

I wish Ernie doesn't wait too-long to realize that Mack is not an NBA player, I really wish Ernie would bring-in Moses Ehambe to try-out to be our sniper and Blake Ahearn or Andre Emmet to replace Mack. Mack has been a huge disappointment (yeah he's a back-up, but still)