“I was at work when I got the call. It was either going to break my heart, or make it.”

This is the story of a stubborn mind. A determined consciousness with a refusal to quit. This is the story of Brandan Striplin, and his unconventional quest to an NBA D-League contract. Read More »

Add the Golden State Warriors to the growing list of teams that own and operate an NBA D-League affiliate. The team’s purchase of the Dakota Wizards makes them the fourth NBA team to own and operate its “minor league” team. They also join seven other teams in having one-to-one relationships with their affiliates. Read More »

Chuk-a-what? With the 56th pick in last night’s NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers left a lot of viewers (and analysts) scratching their heads by selecting Chukwudiebere Maduabum. Besides being 6-9, 20 years old and from Nigeria, not much is known about Maduabum, who was quickly shipped from the Lakers to the Denver Nuggets for a future second-round pick. Here’s what could be scrounged up from a few minutes of research. Read More »

Knicks fans have probably been wondering why the team has worked out so many second-round prospects. Now they have an answer. In a joint announcement, it was revealed today that the Knicks and the Erie BayHawks of the NBA D-League will band together in a single affiliation partnership starting next season. Fully controlling the BayHawks’ basketball operations, the Knicks become the sixth NBA team to add a one-to-one D-League affiliate. Read More »

When the NBA Development League was first constructed 10 years ago, there were questions about just how beneficial it could be. Some weren’t sure it would really work and rightfully so. Basketball isn’t baseball, where there are enough spots and specific skill sets to warrant all of the minor league opportunities. Many figured the D-League would turn into a run-down, NIT version of the NBA, where teams might rarely make call-ups and only in the event of an injury. It’s safe to say that the league has exceeded expectations. Read More »

As one of the biggest Maine Red Claws fans on the planet, and as a fellow New Englander, I feel it’s my duty to share with the world the greatness that’s coming out of Portland. And today, that comes in the form of ice cream. For their final home game of the 2010-11 season, the Red Claws teamed up with Shaker Pond Ice Cream of Alfred, Maine, to officially unveil Red Claws Crunch Ice Cream and the Crusher Crunch Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich. And yes, there were free samples. Read More »

After an illustrious four-year career at Villanova, Scottie Reynolds didn’t go down the typical path of a consensus First Team All-American. Finishing his tenure at ’Nova second all-time in scoring and leading the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance in ’09, Scottie went undrafted in 2010. After a brief stint with Prima Veroli in Italy, he set his sights back on America, specifically the Springfield Armor of the D-League, in hopes of getting the opportunity to play at the next level. As one of the perennial figures of Villanova Basketball and a current standout in the D-League, we decided there was no one better to turn to for an inside scoop on life in the NBA’s minor league. In his latest entry, Scottie talks about his favorite jersey numbers, the iPad 2 and a trip he took with Ed Pinckney. Read More »

Here’s all we can tell you: In addition to playing for the Texas Legends in the D-League, Rashad McCants (a.k.a. Suni Blac) has made a music video for his song, “Ballin’.” Apparently, even after four years in the NBA, ballin’ is just his hobby.

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What could you do tonight if you live in Portland, Maine? Well, if you want to take a break from watching March Madness, you should definitely be one of the first 1,000 people through the turnstiles for tonight’s Red Claws game against the Texas Legends in order to get your hands on a Larry Bird bobblehead. Thank us later… Read More »

Yesterday, the Utah Jazz signed Marcus Cousin (not DeMarcus Cousins) of the Austin Toros, making him the 14th Gatorade Call-Up from the D-League this season. But even after averaging 17.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in his last five games, it appears the 6-11, 255-pound center couldn’t get any respect when he suited up for Utah’s 7:00pm tip-off in Toronto last night. Read More »