NBDL NORTH CHARLESTON COACH CHATTED ON NOV. 15
with Alex English
The National Basketball Development League, the NBA's new minor league, will tip off its inaugural season live at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 on Friday, Nov. 16, when the Greenville Groove (S.C.) hosts cross-state rival the North Charleston Lowgators (S.C.). No one is more ready than Basketball Hall of Famer Alex English, the Lowgators head coach.
 English |
And now, with the tip off of the NBDL, English will take on a new role as a teacher in the same community where he attended Dreher High School and the University of South Carolina. The Lowgators are sure to learn a lot in their English courses.
Fans asked English about coaching in the NBA's new minor league, his playing career, and his take on the current state of the NBA when he chatted here on NBDL.com on Thursday, November 15.
Joe Noel at 1:07pm ET
Based on the talent you have seen for the N.B.D.L.,do you feel players as well as coaches will get chances to move into the N.B.A.? (2)I Feel being consistant is one of the areas neccesary to play at the top level,what do you feel is needed for N.B.D.L. players to advance? Thanks,and good luck.
Alex English at 1:10pm ET
I think there is. This is a great training ground for the coaches and the front-office people, but I've seen a lot of very talented guys who have a chance to be NBA players. Sometimes it just takes an extra year or two, and this would be the place for them.
Definitely consistency. The ability to handle pressure situations. And they've got to show great work ethic. Most teams are looking for guys that are going to come in and work and be consistent and continue to work.
Joel Strickland at 1:10pm ET
Mr. English, although we haven't really had a chance to see the teams compete, do you have any ideas on who will be the teams to beat in the NBDL?
Alex English at 1:10pm ET
I think Tiny Archibald's team in Fayetteville is going to be very strong. They're 2-0 in the preseason and they have some quality players. Jeff Malone's team also has some quality players.
the manager at 1:11pm ET
how is the nbdl gonna scout for fresh talent and where will they be looking?
Alex English at 1:11pm ET
They've scouted the college ranks, and some of the foreign leagues, as well as some of the minor leagues here. Players have come from a number of different areas.
dannielle at 1:11pm ET
hello, alex! are you nervous before your first game tomorrow? what do you expect from the matchup?
Alex English at 1:12pm ET
I'm a little antsy. I want to get started. I would like to get that first victory, and build confidence in the players. A good start is vital. I'm very anxious to get started. We've waited a long time, so there's been a great amount of anticipation.
trent at 1:12pm ET
Has South Carolina changed much from when you lived there before?
Alex English at 1:13pm ET
It's great. It's changed a lot since I was young. Being in the South, people's minds have expanded, the cities have grown, it's just a different environment. It's great to be back here with the weather the way it is down here now. It's 75 degrees here in Charleston. It's beautiful.
Jasen Asay from infowest.net at 1:13pm ET
I noticed on the final roster of 11 players that Fred House is listed. Talk a little bit about what type of player he is and what he can bring to the team.
Alex English at 1:14pm ET
What he brings is high energy. He's a tough defender and a very serious player. He's a hard worker with a great work ethic. I'm looking for him to be the defender and give us some offense. He's just a competitor; a real strong competitor. In our passing game/fastbreak offense, it will suit his style of play very well.
Gary Hill at 1:14pm ET
What are your personal goals coaching in the NBDL?
Alex English at 1:15pm ET
I got involved because it's a way to stay connected to the NBA and possibly get a chance to work with an NBA team, which is my goal. Preferably the Nuggets; a team that I spent a long time with. I'd also love to see three or four of my guys get called up to the NBA. We've spent a lot of time with them, and that would mean that they've accomplished their goals: to make it to the NBA.
chago de jesus at 1:16pm ET
What is your opinion about Michael Return?
Alex English at 1:17pm ET
I didn't think that he would come back if he didn't feel that he could compete; not at the same level, but compete well enough to do really well. I give him kudos for doing it. He's had a difficult start, but if he can keep himself out of a mental slump -- every scorer goes through a mental slump at some point in the season -- if he can rise through it, he will do fine. He's in shape, and he's focused, and he's going to be a monster to deal with.
RJ Guest at 1:17pm ET
Alex,
What is your opinion on the Lakers team this year? Do you feel they will break the best record set by the Bulls 72-10? If so, are they possibly the greatest team ever?
Alex English at 1:18pm ET
I think they are building a dynasty. They have all the tools. They have young players that have stepped in, and I think they've only gotten better by adding Lindsey Hunter, if he can stay consistent. But just having the core of Shaq and Kobe is certainly the beginning of a dynasty.
Denver DAVE at 1:18pm ET
alex, i'm a longtime nuggets fan. you were an amazing player and one of the best shooters i've ever seen. knowing that, who would you most like to play in today's nba?
Alex English at 1:19pm ET
I don't know if I'd like to play against any of these guys; they'd probably beat me up ... (Laughter) ... A better question is what team I'd enjoy playing ON the most. That'd be the Lakers.
Gary Hill at 1:20pm ET
What's a Lowgator and why North Charleston rather than just Charleston?
Alex English at 1:21pm ET
For people that aren't familiar with the South, it's called the low country. It's low elevation, and you can get a lot of flooding. And there are a lot of gators here. And the people are tough; the way they came back from Hurricane Hugo, and made it a better and stronger city. The name implies that strength. It's a good name.
Charleston is similar to New York, in that it sits on a peninsula. It's made up of a lot of little towns once you get off the peninsula. Even though it's a suburb, it's a city also -- North Charleston. That's where the arena is, so it's only fitting that we are the North Charleston Low Gators.
Evan at 1:22pm ET
Which player has been the biggest surprise on your team? Any true longshots to watch out for?
Alex English at 1:22pm ET
I think Galen Young has been a surprise with his jumpshot. I didn't realize he could shoot it from the outside as well as he has. The other guy is Fred House. He's a pretty solid all-around player.
Jonny at 1:23pm ET
What will it be like to coach BJ McKie, who broke all your records at South Carolina?
Alex English at 1:23pm ET
It's going to be fun. He's a very savvy player. He's strong, but he's still adjusting to the point guard position from the two, but he's doing pretty well. He hasn't had any problems with it.
Gamecock Hoop Fan from wan-ip-uslec.net at 1:23pm ET
When people come to the opening game in Greenville tomorrow afternoon what kind of game can they expect to see? Will the players be fluid enough this early in the season?
Alex English at 1:24pm ET
I think we won't be the team tomorrow that we will be in a month, but we will be a fast-paced, fast-breaking, hustling, defensive-minded squad.
Byron from dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net at 1:24pm ET
Who Inspired You in Basketball?
Alex English at 1:25pm ET
I guess when I was young, we had a black and white TV and every Sunday it was either Boston-Philadelphia or L.A. Lakers-New York Knicks. Watching Bill Russell and how he played the game, and the fact that he had a slender build, I admired him.
luis at 1:25pm ET
What current NBA player reminds you of yourself?
Alex English at 1:26pm ET
I don't know if I see anybody that reminds me of myself. Quinn Buckner tells me this kid Norm Richardson reminds him of me, but he didn't really explain it. I like Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Allan Houston.
Joel Strickland at 1:26pm ET
Mr. English, among the coaches of the NBDL, there are some who were great players, including yourself. Of these coaches, who do you believe was the best player?
Alex English at 1:26pm ET
Tiny and I are probably in the best shape. Sam Vincent is in good shape too. We're all a little older, so it's not easy.
Joel Strickland at 1:27pm ET
Mr. English, I believe the Nuggets are a team on the rise with a bright future. Can you give me your take on them?
Alex English at 1:28pm ET
Well they do have some pretty good young players. Antonio McDyess is somone I like a lot. I havne't gotten too many opportunities to see them play this year, but once McDyess is back from his injury they'll be a pretty good squad. Antonio being out gives them a chance to develop some other players, which will only help them in the long run.
sammy from mis.prserv.net at 1:28pm ET
what do you think of the rule changes this year and do you think they will help the game of basketball?
Alex English at 1:30pm ET
I don't know. The jury's still out. Everyone isn't fully adjusted yet. They don't know how to best utilize it yet, but once most of the coaches have figured out how to use them, then we'll know. We'll use the same rules, and it is different playing under those rules. One of the things I think players are having a more difficult time with is that now you can't impede a guy's progress. You can't move him off of his path once he gets going. Guys are having a difficult time with that; moving their feet and sliding. We've seen a lot of fouls called for that in our league.
jb from sbclasslaw.com at 1:30pm ET
Will any player from the "Player Pool" be called up and if so, has a deadline for that been set?
Alex English at 1:31pm ET
Well, once a player is in the player pool, every coach gets the opportunity to look at him. And if a coach sees a player he wants, they have to wait and see if he clears waivers. Once he clears, the coach has a chance to pull the guy up. That's considered a roster move, and each coach gets 10 roster moves. If I were to bring a guy again, I would have to cut a player and that would count as one move against my 10.
basketball fan at 1:31pm ET
What advantages do you think players will gain from playing in the NBDL as opposed to playing overseas?
Alex English at 1:33pm ET
The biggest advantage is they're here in the states and all of the league's scouts will be able to see them. If they do well, they can get called up right then and there. In Europe, coaches don't usually get a chance to see you here.
Another advantage is you're at home. You're comfortable, and you're facing great competition, against guys who were barely not good enough to be in the NBA. It makes them better players.
Jonny at 1:33pm ET
Whats your prediction for Lowgators first game and season?
Alex English at 1:33pm ET
I think it's going to be a very tough game tomorrow. I can't predict the outcome; neither one of us has played a regular-season game, but I know that we're going to be a hard-working team and every time we go out on the floor we'll give it our all. It should be very exciting.
Alex English at 1:34pm ET
Thanks for coming to the site and participating, and come out and support the Lowgators and all of the other NBDL teams! Be sure to watch our first game on ESPN at 4 PM (ET), tomorrow Nov. 16
