I must say, I love the way Minnesota is making use of the D-League by sending players over there just to shake off rust. First Flynn and now they're going to send Webster over there. I think our team can benefit from something like that for Yao and Brooks. More senior players can get into better game shape that way. I'm not entirely sure about the restrictions, who can go and who can't. I think it's something to consider though. Hurts the first team much less, and helps the players get a good game in before returning to NBA action. Thoughts?
1) It's not true. http://www.nba.com/dleague/fan_faq.html#fanfaq15 2) The Rockets don't own the Vipers. It's simply a one-team affiliation instead of a 2-3 team affiliation. http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rockets_Partner_With_DLeague_-317751-34.html
It remains under local ownership with Alonzo being the majority owner. He has never sold his stake to the Rockets or Les. http://www.nba.com/dleague/riograndevalley/contact.html Owners: Alonzo Cantu David DeAnda David Guerra Kenny Hausenfluck Hector Ramos Humberto Rodriguez Larry Safir
As of right now only players in their first or second year can be assigned to the D-league for any reason. Now, if the team signs a vet, waives them, and no other team pick them up... the d-league affiliate gets first dibs on them if they choose to spend time back in the minors regardless of the number of years they have been in the NBA. The good thing is that they are working on making the dleague more of a minor league system, but it all depends on the agreement that the players association makes with the NBA. As of right now the agreement stands as 1st and 2nd year players because they don't want their vets getting stranded down there. Eventually I think it will be more and more like baseball, but for right now the Rockets are ahead of the curve in how they use the dleague. We haven't had a first or second year player need the rehab time in order to utilize the Vipers in that way.
Hopefully Budinger's out of his slump after yesterday, but that would've been a good idea with him a week or so ago. Send him down, let him get his touch back, put him right back in the rotation...
Ownership of the team is irrelevant. Veterans (third year players and up) must consent to being sent to the D-League. It's part of the current CBA.
NBA a vets/ All stars are to high and mighty to play in a place like Rio Grande! They wont even play in Cleveland for god sake
Ron Artest would agree to it. He played in the Summer League for no apparent reason in his 8th season lol
That is correct. A couple years back Elton Brand wanted to do a re-hab in the D-League.. but of course was not allowed..It's in the CBA. This could change when this next CBA gets signed. But until then no-rehab assignments are allowed unless you are a D-League eligible player.. 1st or second year.
