D-League Expands; Ontario in Running for L.A. Franchise?
As Citizens Business Bank Arena goes up in Ontario, we like to keep track of the NBA D-League ... because it would seem as if the D-League is the arena's best bet for a second semi-major tenant.
The D-League today announced it will have an expansion team in Reno next season.
Steve Eckerson, head honcho for the arena, said last month the arena is in conversations with the Lakers about having the D-Fenders -- who are a Lakers affiliate -- play in Ontario next season.
Hence, somebody else getting an expansion team doesn't hurt Ontario's chances of getting a D-League team ... because Eckerson and AEG are talking with the Lakers about their existing team. If would be a move to Ontario, not a new team.
Anyway, the league seems to be doing fairly well. A steady trickle ("flow" would be too strong a word) of guys from the end of NBA benches down to the D-League -- and sometimes back -- seems to have been established.
The Lakers' Coby Karl has spent time with the D-Fenders twice this season. Jordan Farmar was with the D-Fenders for two stints last season. So these guys can play. Not at NBA levels, generally, but not far off.
The D (short for "developmental) League seems to be a solid concept, with NBA backing, and I'm thinking it could be a tenant with an ability to draw some people, in Ontario.
Here's the D-League publicity release about the expansion team:
D-League Expands to Reno, NV
Team to begin play next season
Reno, NV – Feb. 29, 2008 – Reno, Nevada has been awarded an NBA
Development League franchise and will begin play during the 2008-09
season, it was announced today at a press conference at the Boys and
Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing an NBA Development League team to Reno,
one of the truly remarkable economic success stories in America the last
several years,” said the team’s owner David Kahn, who also operates
Southwest Basketball LLC. “With the increase in population and the
diversification of the economy, we believe the market is primed to
support high-quality family entertainment at affordable prices.Ӭ
The announcement featured 300 local children, Kahn, Fat Lever, a
two-time NBA All-Star and current Director of Player Development for the
Sacramento Kings, and Dan Reed, the president of the D-League.
“There’s no doubt our league is thriving,” said Reed. “Attendance is up
over 20%, our team sponsorship numbers and team season ticket sales
numbers are up as well, and we continue to provide NBA teams with
high-quality players. I expect Reno will be very happy with the brand of
basketball we feature, and also the positive impact our players make in
the communities that we serve.”
Although the NBA teams Reno will be associated with will not be
determined until this summer, the team will be the affiliate of two or
three NBA teams that can assign their first and second year players to
Reno a maximum of three times per season. This season there have been 30
players assigned to the D-League by NBA teams in order for the player to
gain valuable playing time and enhance skills.
Tickets for Reno D-League games are currently on sale and can be
purchased on their website www.nbareno.com or by calling 775-284-2NBA
(2622).
About the D-League:
The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the
first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now
in its seventh season the D-League’s goals are to provide affordable,
NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue
to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the
NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA,
fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played
outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10
percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in
total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA
referees and 17 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent
with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly
growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing
ground for new initiatives like the live web-streaming of all games
available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also provides
continuing education and professional development resources for its
players, and is committed to serving its local communities through
D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.
# # # #