WHO NEEDS NICHOLSON? Rainey Qualley will be performing with the Asheville Dance Academy at halftime of the NBDL postseason title game Saturday in Asheville. Rainey is expected to have her mom, film star Andie MacDowell, tagging along to help cheer on the Altitude against the Huntsville Flight.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Both Asheville coach Joey Meyer and Huntsville coach Ralph Lewis were asked a series of questions focusing on the upcoming championship game of the NBDL postseason classic. Today’s question was…
The final game comes down to the league’s best road team (Huntsville) visiting one of the league’s best home teams (Asheville). Who has the advantage?
Meyer: “Based on that notion alone, nobody. The championship will come down to one game and the team who plays better during that one game. At this point all the rivalries are out the door. It only matters what happens on that night.”
Lewis: “It depends on how you look at it. The home team has its crowd and fans for support. The road team has only each other to count on.”
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s going to be a real physical game. They’ve (Asheville) got real good big men. If we control the big men, it’s going to be a good game for us. The Lowgators (were) more of a guard-oriented team. Asheville’s more of a big men team. It’s going to be real important for the big men to step up.” …Huntsville forward Damone Brown analyzing the game in the Huntsville Times.
ALUMNI CHECK: A story in the April 26 issue of ESPN The Magazine notes that former D-Leaguer Rafer Alston (Mobile Revelers) was the only reserve in the NBA to lead his team (Miami Heat) in both assists (4.6) and steals (1.4) per game.
NBDL POSTSEASON QUIZ: What player could be the first two-time NBDL champion?
LEAGUE LEADERS: Saturday’s title game features the NBDL’s leading scorer in Asheville’s Desmond Penigar (19.6 ppg) and the league’s leading rebounder in Huntsville’s Rodney Bias (10.1 rpg). Six of the top 16 scorers in the NBDL will be playing in the game.
NO MPG IN TEAM: While the game features several players among league leaders in various statistical categories, neither the Flight nor the Altitude has a player among the top eight in minutes played.
ANOTHER PIPPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: If Huntsville forward William Pippen has any questions about what it takes to win a championship, the answers can’t be more than a phone call away. It’s a good bet that Uncle Scottie could provide a little advice on the subject.
NBDL ON NBA TV: NBA TV will air the postseason championship game tape delayed basis. The game will air Monday, April 26 at 4 p.m. ET. Rick Kamla handles play-by-play and Sam Vincent the analysis.
WANNA GO? For tickets to the NBDL Delta Air Lines Postseason Classic title game, call 1-800-4 NBA TIX or 828-782-1000. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster and the Asheville Civic Center box office.
NBDL CONTACT: Kent Partridge, 843-460-1001 or 843-810-1778
QUIZ ANSWER: Huntsville guard Rod Grizzard was also a member of the 2003 NBDL Champion Mobile Revelers.
