This article from Hoopsworld makes it sound like things aren't progressing fast enough to send the rookies down this year (consider the source)

This may have slid under the radar for many of you, but former Players Union President Michael Curry has found a new job… Vice President of Player Development for the D-League. Several agents joked about the manner in which Collective Bargaining talks went, saying while Michael was a good and genuine leader, you could see he was thinking about life after basketball. It’s amusing that the NBA gained its minor league system in the new labor deal, and Michael Curry who delivered the deal is now has a key role in the system. While NBA teams will have the ability to send down players up to three times per season, within their first two years of a NBA players career. One general manager said the exact mechanism of the D-League process has still not been hammered out, it is unlikely players on rosters now will be sent down this year – but in coming years as the D-League teams are fleshed out and expanded - teams will use it to help young players adjust. An eastern conference GM said, until the NBA announces franchise alignments and coaching staffs, it would impossible to gauge the instructional value of the D-League this year, but the concept is a nice new tool. The NBA’s plan is to expand the D-League to 15 teams, and align two NBA teams to each D-League team, based on proximity. The NBA wants its parent teams to have reasonable access to its development teams. The most obvious match would be the Florida Flame, which plays in Fort Myers Florida, about 4 hours from Orlando, and 2 hours from Miami. The D-League is currently comprised of 8 teams.

Lee may end up being right on this one...sure hope they can work it out.

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With politicians the future lies ahead

It's too bad about this because it is a great tool for the young guys to get sent down for conditioning (think bloodflow) and playing time.

AFAIK you can only send down guys who are on the roster, so it would shorten the bench, but man what an asset to call up say J-Max or Delfino in a pinch and they are game ready to play serious minutes.

I mean, what baller doesn't want to play? "No Joe, I would rather sit on the bench and watch than go play 20~30 MPG every second night".

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Too much politics going on for the Minor league to get going. Why don't they just adapt a practice squad like the NFL. You get to keep 4 or 5 guy's on a practice squad and let these guy's play pick up games versus other teams practice squad 2 hours before each game. It would give the early arrivals something to do at the Palace and other arenas instead of sitting there looking stupid.

I love the D-League concept. I would prefer them to force the kids to go to college and get an "education." But, since that is not reasonable, I would love to see tomorrow's stars bumpin' and grindin' rather than wasting away on the end of the bench.

The Euroleague has done a good job of filling that roll to some extent, but who gets to watch Euroleague games. Let them do it here, in America. I also like the idea of "calling up" players.

I just hope they use regular colored balls and not the old-style colored ones. I HATE that.

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"I'm working closely with David Stern on [returning to New Orleans], and if you know David Stern like I know David Stern, you don't mess with the Pope." --George Shinn

Maybe it's me. I don't know much about "Hoopsworld," but that article seemed to be very poorly written. I read it several times and all I seem to get out of it is that there will probably be a delay in the minor league system.

Does anyone know what the problem is? It would really be a shame if they do not get it going this year because it seems like it would be really beneficial to everyone. What's holding it up? If it is politics what are the issues?

That would be a great opportunity for Amir Johnson.

According to the Denver Post it's back on again this year.


"Minor leagueThe Nuggets and three other NBA teams will start the first minor-league affiliation in Austin, Texas.
NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson and NBA Development League president Philip Evans are scheduled to announce team affiliations today. The Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers are expected to be affiliated with the new NBDL franchise in Austin. The NBA will be affiliated with the now eight-team NBDL for the first time in the 2005-06 season.
NBA teams can send players with less than two years' experience to play for the NBDL teams. Players on the Nuggets' roster eligible to play for Austin include rookies Julius Hodge, Linas Kleiza, Ricky Sanchez and Luke Schenscher. NBA teams will pay the salaries of players sent to the NBDL and will lose a roster spot for any player sent down. Teams can option a maximum of two players at one time to


the minors. A player can't be optioned more than three times. The Austin Toros begin play Nov. 25 at Arkansas (Little Rock) and open at home Nov. 26 against Fayetteville (N.C.). The team will be coached by former NBA coach and player Dennis Johnson, who coached NBDL Florida last season.
Former Nuggets interim coach and NBA player Michael Cooper is coaching NBDL Albuquerque.
afiliates to be announced"

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With politicians the future lies ahead

Good deal

I thought only two teams were going to share the minor league team? I wonder who the Pistons would share with. Logically, it seems it would be Cleveland due to proximity and the Piston's relationship with Gilbert/Rock Financial.

Milwaukee as the third? I just can't see Indiana partnering with Detroit.

lol. So it is Detroit and Indiana after all.