This Day in History, July 19 On this day in 2005, the National Basketball Developmental League forwards the process to rename the league the “NBA Development League” in order to reflect the league’s new intentions under the new CBA agreement. The NBA Development League is a place where players maybe not directly ready to play in the NBA can come and gain experience while being connected as a direct affiliate with the current NBA teams throughout the league. In this article we will look over what the 2005 CBA terms were, what the NBA Development League offers to the players and referees, and finally we will take a look at a few successful NBA Developmental League Alumni. In 2005, it would take a grueling 6 months to come to terms with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new agreement stated that a teams minimum salary could be $37.125 million. Veteran players would now be eligible for four random drug test throughout the year, but the rule would be altered for the rookies. 2005 would also be the year that the NBA would stop high school players from going straight to the pros making the young players eligible after being one year removed from high school. During this agreement the max contract that any player could receive would drop from 7 years to only six and from six to five for players switching teams. The players would receive no less than 57% of revenue from the league the finally the second year Charlotte Bobcats minimum salary could be an accepted $27.84 million dollars. The NBA Development League has many things to offer the more than 120 current league prospects. The league offers the chance for players who are maybe just not ready to make the jump to the big league just yet, so the players can gain experience and potential while playing in front of the 17 D-league affiliated teams across the country. This league offers a chance to be an active role in communities on and off the court. The D-League also offers more than 40 coaches a chances to show top talented teams what they know about producing a productive team and making the best of what is given to them. The D-League is also responsible for being the starting grounds for all current NBA referees that were hired after the year 2002. Let us now take a look at three former D-League players that you might notice from around the league today! *Marcin Gortat: For those of you who don’t know, Gortat signed a 5 year 60 million dollar deal with the Washington Wizards in which he claimed was one of the happiest days of his life. Gortat came off of a very stellar season averaging about 13 points per game and 9.5 rebounds. He only missed one game this year while being the Wizard’s big man in the middle. Gortat will look to keep the intensity going this coming season as the Wizards are expected to be a very strong contender throughout the Eastern Conference next season. *CJ Miles is currently coming off this offseason inking a new deal with the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are in desperate need of some shooters who will extend the floor for players around him. CJ is a decent defender with a deadly deep three ball. Last season he shot 0.393% from behind the arch when he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He only averaged 9.9 points per game as he was in and out of the starting lineup behind Dion Waiters. *How could we talk D-League without mentioning the first big name to be called up. Chris “Birdman” Anderson. Anderson had a troubled beginning when in 2006 he was expelled from the league for violating the anti drug policy. Luckily he appealed and won. Known mostly for his trendy hairstyles, colorful tattoos, and his lead role on the Miami Heat’s Harlem Shake video, Anderson has been playing off the bench for the Miami Heat. This past season Birdman had a career high in field goal percentage at 0.664%. This offseason the Knicks quietly pursued the big man, but Birdman remained faithful and has agreed to a multiyear deal with the team that gave his career a new beginning. Have any D-League players or moments you would like to share with us? Go ahead and drop a comment below and share your views with us and fellow NBA fans. -”C”
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 04:06:11 +0000
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