Blazers D-League affiliate Idaho loses playoffs in OT to Spur D-League team

It was a good game, with Idaho Stampede top scorer Mohammed Abukar (PF/SF) going for 36 points - off the bench! Countered by Austin Toro's Malik Hairston going for 34 (G/F out of Oregon) and Marcus Williams (PG, recently released by Warriors) adding 33. Too bad, the Stampede were the defending champions.

Interest in the D-League and our affiliate is not really high on BE although games can be watched free online a la league pass and some of those guys really can ball (ca. 20% of all current NBA players have been in the D-League at some time). I wrote a comment on Ridiculous Upside about that, and I suppose it would have been much higher had Nic or Jerryd been sent down at some time this season. Maybe next year(s) with more later draft picks, a la what the Spurs are doing who use their team very intensively. But I thought I would let you know about the game.

Here is the rest of the playoff bracket.

about 3 years ago Norsktroll 1 comment 1 recs |

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Minor correction

Marcus Williams was just signed by the Spurs, when they released Malik Hairston.

The D-League playoffs are a great time to start watching, as there are a lot of good prospects on these teams. For instance, Othyus Jeffers (unheard of, but was on his way to Golden State earlier this week before they were OK’d to play with 7), Demetris Nichols (Syracuse, shooter), Courtney Sims (D-League MVP, 4 10-day’s this year), Denham Brown (UConn, former 2nd round pick) all are playing for the Iowa Energy tonight. On the other side of the ball, Richard Hendrix (Golden State’s 2nd round pick), Blake Ahearn (finished with Miami last season, was with Spurs for awhile this season), Renaldo Major (Golden State call-up 2 years ago) and Romel Beck (Kobe Crossover at the FIBA tourney not long ago) all play for the Dakota Wizards.

Should be a good game. Did an interview D-League president with Dan Reed last week, and he pointed out that 1 in 4 players in camp this season played in the D-League last season. That’s a pretty big number.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 16, 2009 5:10 PM PDT reply actions