Yet seven seasons after the NBA started the D-League as a training
ground for all levels, from management and referees to players and
coaches, the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs remain the only franchises to
run their own affiliate. No matter how logical it seems for the
development of first-round picks and other well-regarded hopefuls, the
28 other organizations, including the Kings, share assignments and have
no authority to dictate the critical decisions of hiring coaches,
distribution of minutes or the style of play.
ground for all levels, from management and referees to players and
coaches, the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs remain the only franchises to
run their own affiliate. No matter how logical it seems for the
development of first-round picks and other well-regarded hopefuls, the
28 other organizations, including the Kings, share assignments and have
no authority to dictate the critical decisions of hiring coaches,
distribution of minutes or the style of play.
"I think it is a big advantage (for L.A. and San Antonio),"
Timberwolves general manager Jim Stack said. "They’re running all their
stuff. They can kind of control it how they want to control it, where
we may be able to influence it, but we don’t control it. There’s that
level of difference between those two things."
Timberwolves general manager Jim Stack said. "They’re running all their
stuff. They can kind of control it how they want to control it, where
we may be able to influence it, but we don’t control it. There’s that
level of difference between those two things."
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Corey Brewer. Wolves’ fans hoped the rookie,
seventh overall pick and 2007 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
would prove to be the sleeper of the draft. He demonstrated flashes of
great athleticism and enough length and ability to defend the other
team’s best player many nights. But he also couldn’t shoot a lick,
averaging 5.7 points on 37.5 shooting for the season. So skinny, Brewer
must get stronger and relax with his shot.
seventh overall pick and 2007 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
would prove to be the sleeper of the draft. He demonstrated flashes of
great athleticism and enough length and ability to defend the other
team’s best player many nights. But he also couldn’t shoot a lick,
averaging 5.7 points on 37.5 shooting for the season. So skinny, Brewer
must get stronger and relax with his shot.
From Sid Hartman:
While awaiting his appeal in his lawsuit against the University of Minnesota, in which he claimed he quit his job as an Oklahoma State men’s basketball assistant coach because he already was hired to do the same job with the Gophers, Jimmy Williams is conducting a clinic for young players, and one his students is Gerald Green, the former Wolves player who was traded to Houston and subsequently released by the Rockets.