One Call Away: NBA D-League Providing Chance At A Dream

Hope can be a powerful thing when it’s linked with performance.

“What I try to get across to the young guys is don’t play thinking today’s going to be the day,” Maine Red Claws guard Billy Thomas said. “At the same token, that’s the goal.”

Each of the league's 16 teams are taking part in this week's annual Showcase. It’s an opportunity for scouts and front office officials to watch potential prospects firsthand. Thomas believes events like the Showcase provide a great opportunity, but players should not concentrate on when a call-up may happen, instead work hard to make themselves a candidate for it. It’s a “catch 22,” as he describes it.

“Don’t go every day thinking you’re going to get called up because then if it doesn’t happen disappointment can set in,” Thomas said.

Thomas is one of dozens of NBA D-League players who have played in the NBA before. The 34-year-old split three years at the pro level with the New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers. His best season came in 2004-05 with the Nets when he averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in 25 games. It’s that taste of NBA life that continues to keeps Thomas’ drive growing strong.

“I just want to show that I can contribute to an NBA team, to show them I can fill a role,” he said.

Thomas’ reasoning is just one of many that players will give as to why they should be in the NBA.

“I wanted to just go out there and show people I can be a leader for anybody’s team, as well as provide energy,” Red Claws guard Will Blalock said. “I wanted to prove to people I can be a pretty consistent point guard, which I tried my best.”

Dakota Wizards guard Maurice Baker is in a similar situation as Blalock and Thomas. Baker spent five games with the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers five years ago. This season, he’s averaging 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the fourth-place Wizards. Baker believes the Showcase helps NBA officials keep his name fresh in their minds.

“The Showcase just lets everybody know I’m still around and can still play,” Baker said. “Whatever happens with me happens. I’m just trying to show everybody I can still play.”

Baker, Thomas and Blalock put together solid enough performances at the Showcase to possibly catch the eye of an NBA team or two. Thomas scored 22 points in Maine’s victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders, while Blalock added 21 in his team’s loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Baker, meanwhile, dropped 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Dakota’s Monday night win against the Reno Bighorns.

Nearly all of the NBA D-League’s players are considered free agents. This allows these individuals the opportunity to sign with any of the NBA’s 30 teams. Sundiata Gaines was one of those free agent players heading into the Showcase. The University of Georgia product has been one of the league’s emerging rookie stars, averaging nearly 24 points over 14 games for the Idaho Stampede this season. On Monday, Gaines put on a show for those in attendance, dropping 19 points in his team’s win at home against the Springfield Armor.

By noon on Tuesday, there was word that the Utah Jazz had signed Gaines to a 10-day contract. It’s this type of movement between the NBA and its minor-league system that provides hope for others that they could be next.

“You can’t focus on when you’re going to get called up, you have to just go out and compete and show that you can play the game,” Iowa Energy forward Cartier Martin said. “If you’re worried about when you’re going to get called up, it affects your performance. If you’re playing well, it’s all about what teams need.”

While most players in the NBA D-League are considered free agents, a handful have their rights held by NBA teams. This allows these individuals to get minutes and hone their skills until they can contribute on a consistent basis at the professional level.

Red Claws center Alexis Ajinca is one of those players. Ajinca was the 20th selection in the 2008 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. The French native appeared in 37 games over two years with the Bobcats, but has had Tyson Chandler and Nazr Mohammed in front of him on the team’s depth chart. Instead of putting Ajinca on the end of their bench, the Bobcats assigned him to their affiliate in Maine.

“I know I have a different situation, but it’s still the same goal to try and get out of here,” Ajinca said. “If someone, a scout, from my team can see what I’m doing, it’s pretty cool.”

Ajinca’s teammate Trey Gilder was also in the NBA this season. The 6-9, 205-pound power forward went undrafted out of Northwestern State in 2008. He inked a deal with the 2009 NBA D-League champions, the Colorado 14ers, and performed well enough to earn a Summer League invite from the Memphis Grizzlies. Gilder signed with the NBA team shortly after. After appearing in just two games, the 24-year-old became a part of the Grizzlies’ number’s game and was released. Now he’s hoping the Showcase will prove to NBA officials he deserves a contract.

“Personally, I want to continue to develop my game and get better. I want guys to see my game and hopefully to get back,” said Gilder, who averaged 12 points and eight rebounds in Maine’s two games this week.

The Showcase also presents an interesting scenario for coaches. Each would like to come out of the four-day event with wins, but they also want all of their players to display their skills. Those like Albuquerque Thunderbirds head coach John Coffino know there’s a reason this league has the word “development” in its title.

“This is for them,” Coffino said. “This is a great way for everyone to show what they’ve got.”

While players are auditioning for NBA teams, coaches also have the opportunity to catch someone’s eye.

“If this is your first Showcase, you might put a little more pressure on yourself, but if you’ve been around you know not to,” Tulsa 66ers head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “If you do it the right way all the time, players, coaches, front office, you’ll get noticed.

Tibbetts has been an assistant and head coach in the NBA D-League for five seasons. His mindset is similar to other head coaches, including the Utah Flash’s Brad Jones, who says you’re only as good as your team.

“I think the reflection on a coach is how your team plays,” Jones said. “I figure if team is prepared and plays well together, whether it’s NBA, junior college or high school, somebody will hopefully have a job for you.”

Employment in any of the NBA’s 30 cities would be the perfect addition to any D-League player’s resume.