D-League Guide

Ten things to watch in the NBA D-League, which tips off its ninth season Nov. 27:

10. Maine Red Claws. The expansion team is run by Jon Jennings, an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics during the Larry Bird era, and coached by Austin Ainge, the son of former Celtics guard and current president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.

9. Springfield Armor. The franchise formerly known as the Anaheim Arsenal has relocated to the home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Ex-NBA guard Dee Brown is the head coach, making him the sixth former Celtic to coach in the D-League (joining Joe Wolff, Tiny Archibald, Sam Vincent, Jay Humphries and the late Dennis Johnson).

8. Tulsa 66ers. The Oklahoma City Thunder affiliate is now owned by Thunder owner Clay Bennett, and the 66ers are now as tied to their NBA franchise as the Los Angeles D-Fenders are to the Lakers. In other words, the 66ers have adopted the Thunder’s colors and system, making them a true farm system. Bennett bought the 66ers for $2.25 million, proving that the value of D-League franchises is on the rise.

7. Alex Gee. The Austin rookie is already considered a star on the rise after the Toros made him a first-round draft pick in early November. Gee is a 6-foot-6 guard out of Alabama who scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Toros’ lone preseason game, a win over Rio Grande Valley. One NBA scout has already predicted Gee will be with NBA parent club San Antonio by season’s end.

6. Anthony Tolliver. A 6-9 center with the Idaho Stampede, Tolliver is expected to be among the league’s top big men, having spent time with San Antonio and New Orleans last season in the NBA. Also keep an eye on Stampede point guard Sundiata Gaines, a first-round pick out of Georgia.

5. Russell Robinson. The heady and quick point looked good in training camp with Cleveland, and is in the perfect spot for further development by landing in Reno. After all, the Bighorns are coached by longtime NBA point guard Jay Humphries, who’s in his second year with the team.

4. Dakota Wizards. One of the most well-run organizations in all the minors, the Wizards have been to the playoffs in each of their four D-League seasons after moving over from the CBA. Leading the charge this year will be new coach Rory White, who was an assistant under Mike Dunleavy with the Los Angeles Clippers last season.

3. Curtis Stinson. The former Iowa State standout guard returns to the Iowa Energy after having led the D-League in minutes played last season. The 6-3 Stinson was also third in the league in assists (8.4 per game), and many NBA types feel he’ll have a place in their league should Stinson continue to develop his point guard skills. Returning to join Stinson in the Energy backcourt is NBA veteran Jeff Trepagnier.

2. Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Not only do the Mad Ants boast one of the best nicknames in the minors, they will also be coached for the first time by D-League veteran Joey Meyer. Fort Wayne is one of only two teams with three NBA affiliates (Detroit, Milwaukee, Indiana) and became the first team with an NBA call-up this season, as returning second-team all-league center Chris Hunter has joined the Golden State Warriors.

1. The Showcase. No event, including the playoffs and championship series, is as important to the D-League as its annual in-season Showcase. It features all 16 teams, who play in a “carnival” style format in front of general managers and scouts representing all 30 NBA teams (as well as more than a few international scouts). Since it began in 2005, 15 players have joined NBA clubs during or immediately following the Showcase. This year’s event will be held Jan. 4-7 in Boise, Idaho.