The NBA D-League is holding open tryouts for their camp. All you need is $500 bucks and a way to get to Suwanee, GA on June 27-29.

I think this is yet another pretty cool idea by the D-League to open it up. There’s no telling who’ll show up to this thing, and it’s a nice opportunity for the guys who don’t think they’ll be drafted to make a show for themselves to try and make it into the system. One of the central tenants of the positives I give people when they ask about the D-League is how many great players slip through the cracks, and programs like this can help to serve as nets for that fall.

An interesting note, here. In order to apply, you only need be 18. So I double checked with the D-League on this.

Turns out you can play in the D-League at 18, as long as your high school class has graduated.

Huh.

So theoretically, if you were a high school mega-star, and didn’t want to worry about college (and who would with all the girls and drinking and television exposure), you could head to the D-League and start making money, immediately. Do that for two years, terrorize the league and get valuable experience against guys with NBA experience, and you can get called up. In reality, this loophole only applies to guys with severe academic issues or couldn’t guarantee a spot at a major college, but it’s an interesting little shift in the amateur/pro dynamic regardless. Of course, there’s always the issue of you tearing your achilles and not being able to afford health care off of your $13,000 a year.

Update: Another interesting note, from the player registration form, under eligibility:

”

a. Either (i) The player has not attended a college or university in the United States during the academic year that takes place during all or any part of the Season; or (ii) The player has no remaining intercollegiate basketball eligibility.

UPDATE: I received this update from the league to clarify:

“The rule you mentioned from the player registration form, under eligibility is if you are enrolled in a college or university in the United States you cannot play in the D-League during the same academic year. If you commit to a college you do NOT have to graduate OR wait 4 years to play in the D-League.”

Thanks for clarification, D-League!

A lot of players are blessed with ability that trumps effort. They have natural athletic ability that they have to develop, for sure, but it’s still a gift they’ve been granted. Kasib Powell did not take the easy way. He went undrafted out of Texas Tech University. He spent time in Serbia, Greece, Bosnia and Russia, before landing in Sioux Falls. This year, in his second season with the D-League, he averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. He also proved to be a leader for the Skyforce.

Kasib ended up being pretty valuable. As in, Most Valuable. After being called up to the Miami Heat, he was awarded the Most Valuable Player for the D-League. After his 10-day contract expired with the Heat, he was sent back to Sioux Falls where he collected his trophy. Five days later, the Miami Heat signed him for the remainder of the season. That night, he led the Heat in scoring with 18 points to go with 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a win over the Chicago Bulls. I talked to Kasib last week about what it meant to win the D-League MVP, and about his season with the ahem… struggling Miami Heat.

HP: Kasib, first off, congratulations on all the success this year, it’s been quite a season for you.

KP: Thanks, man, I appreciate that.

HP: First, let’s talk D-League. What led you to your decision to play in the D-League versus overseas this year?

KP: I just wanted to give it one more shot in the NBA. At my age, if I went overseas, the window may have closed. The last time I played in the minor leagues, it was the CBA. I had heard good things about D-League, and I wanted to give it one more good shot to try and get in the NBA.

HP: Did the D-League do anything for you to improve your game to the point where you could get the call-up?

KP: It really did help me. My time there helped me a lot with scoring with the ball. I got a lot of extra work in, with all the games and practices. I had a young coach, and we spent a lot of hours in the gym. The league has done a great job in developing players, and I benefited from that.

HP: How much did winning the D-League MVP award mean to you?

KP: It means a lot. I was on the verge of thinking about going overseas at the beginning of the season, and for me to come here and get the D-League MVP shows I made the right decision. It really made me feel proud of all the work I put in.

HP: Are you and the other guys from the D-League close on the Heat?

KP: Yeah, we’ve got a close bond. We stay together. We go to the gym together. We all came in together. We knew each other a little bit from playing in the D-League. Right now we’re just trying to stay here in Miami.

HP: The Heat have obviously struggled this season. There’s been a stigma against them because they have so many active players that are D-League call-ups. Do you feel that that criticism is fair?

KP: It’s not fair, but at the same time, it’s a great opportunity for us. We’re trying to play well so we can be here. People can say what they want, and I’m not listening because it’s a great opportunity.

HP: After the last Celtics game, Paul Pierce said that they were supposed to beat your team, implying that you were inferior because you have D-Leaguers on the roster. What’s your response when you hear something like that?

KP: You can take it a couple of ways. He’s an All-Star, they have a great team, the best team in the league. His comments didn’t affect me or hurt me; they just made me want to work harder.

HP: How big is the adjustment to NBA-level play from Europe and the D-League?

KP: The big difference between the D-League and the NBA is that in the D-League I was looked at as a scorer, and in the NBA I’m a role player. It’s an adjustment but not a huge adjustment. There’s a difference, but you just have to adjust to it. The NBA is the highest level and you have to be ready to do what you need to.

HP: You were let go by the Heat and sent back to the D-League. Did they tell you they were going to resign you when they released you?

KP: I didn’t really know if I was going to be called back. I just knew that they had some roster problems with the injuries. I wanted to stay ready in case something happened, and I was really fortunate to get that opportunity.

HP: When you came back, you popped off for a career high and led the team in scoring. Were you determined to make a statement that night, or did the game just come to you?

KP: It just kind of came to me. I wanted to be aggressive, and when I came in, I had some opportunities to score. I hit a couple shots and my teammates got me open, and the outcome was good for me and the team.

HP: One of the things I’ve noticed talking to the players is that they need a certain amount of time in the NBA to get used to the pace and speed of the game in order to get their confidence to a level where they can contribute. Do you agree with that statement and what are your thoughts on it?

KP: It’s true. So many teams will just run and gun trying to score a lot of points. And the pace is so different, it’s a hard adjustment. We play Memphis, and that’s going to be a fast game. I like playing a fast pace game anyway.

HP: How hopeful are you of getting a full season contract next year?

KP: I just want to finish up this season strong, and hopefully we can get some wins. With the organization there will be a lot of changes. The only thing I can do is try and finish up strong.

HP: If for any reason you didn’t get a long term contract, would you return to the D-League, knowing you can compete at this level, or would the overseas money be too good to pass up?

KP: In my mind, that’s plan B and C. Hopefully, I’m definitely with a team next year. Hopefully this one. I’ll make that decision next year; it’s hard to tell right now. The D-League’s been good to me, but it’s really early to tell.

HP:Tell me about the website. How long have you had it?

KP: Probably a year now. I got some people helping me with it. My sister helped me with it. It was just for exposure and to get my name out there. and show what I’m doing in my community back home.

HP: Can you tell me a little bit about how it felt to step on to that NBA court the first time?

KP: A lot of emotion going. You’re nervous, and you’re anxious at the same time. It’s a great feeling. It’s something you’ve dreamed about as a kid. But once you get some sweat going, it’s just another basketball game.

HP: It’s obviously been a rough year for the Heat. What’s the locker room like as the season winds down?

KP: The locker room atmosphere has actually been really positive. Everyone understands it hasn’t been a great season, but they also understand we have injuries. Everybody’s positive and keeping their heads up, trying to go out there and compete every night.

HP: Kasib, thanks so much for your time, congrats on the MVP and the call-up, and best of luck the rest of the year.

KP: Thanks, I appreciate it.

Oh, you KNEW I was gonna mention this.

(Image thanks to Yahoo!Sports/NBA/Getty Images, Photoshop idea ripped directly off of Need 4 Sheed. They do much more awesome pictures, but this once I wanted to use it.)

Doesn’t matter that the Heat were better served losing this game. Doesn’t matter that this more clearly illustrates how FUBARed the Bulls are at this point. Doesn’t matter that no one believes in him.

Here are the facts.

The Miami Heat defeated (as in, WON!) the Chicago Bulls tonight.

Leading scorer?

NBA D-League Most Valuable Player 2008.

Kasib. F’ing. Powell.

18 points. 6 Rebounds. 3 Assists. 1 Turnover. 50% from the floor.

Ladies and Gentlemen, can I get a “D-LEAGUE!”?!!!

Apparently, Rod Benson has had his fill of the Dakota life. He states in the latest blog that he’s ditching the D-League next season. This is kind of a blow for the D-League, as Benson’s one of the more marketable “stars” they have. And with his youth, upside, and, you know, absurd length, it really hasn’t made sense why he hasn’t been called up. Let’s take a look at the rest of the NBA D-League All-League selections.

1st Team:

Randy Livingston- NBA Experience
Eddie Gill- With the Sonics currently
Kasib Powell- Just got back from Miami.
Sean Banks- A rare exception, and only 22.
Ian Mahinmi- Spurs assignment player.

2nd Team:
Andre Barrett- NBA experience, just got back from the Clippers
Blake Ahearn- Currently with Miami, despite Ira Winderman’s sulking.
Kaniel Dickens- Spent time with Cleveland this season.
Lance Allred- Currently on contract with the Cavs.
Rod Benson- WTF?!

3rd Team
Billy Thomas- Spent time with the Cavs; NBA Experience
Morris Almond- Jazz Assigment player
Carlos Powell- Oh, we’ll get to Carlos shortly.
Marcus Williams- Currently with the Clippers.
Jelani McCoy-7 year NBA veteran.

Maybe you were wondering about Benson’s numbers? I mean, after all, you don’t get a D-League guy to score, you get him to rebound and play defense and if he can’t do those things well then…

13 points, 12 rebounds per game, including 28 rebounds in one game.

28.

For the love, of God, he’s only 23 years old. Sign him, give him a min contract, send him down to the D-League to keep developing. Don’t let this guy go to Europe. It would be such a waste of talent and charisma.

I talked to someone from the training staff for the D-League last Wednesday and they told me that Boom Tho was absolutely horrible in his first stint in the league. But seeing him now, “it’s a complete 180; he does all the little things he didn’t then. When he first came in, he was completely lost, now he looks like he knows where everything’s going on the defensive side.”

To be sure, there are some things to work on, and he does still get lost, especially in baseline coverage. But you’re not looking for him to come in and shut down Tracy McGrady.

It’s a shame, because Rod’s done everything an NBA player can do in the D-League to earn a callup. So much of it, too much of it, depends on luck.

The Good Guy stays.

Allred signed through this season.

And next.

Hell. Yes.

That’s right, peoples. I’m coming to you live from the Austin Convention Center as the Toros take on the Thunderbirds. If you want to follow along, kiddos, the game’s streaming over at NBA.com.

Why should you care?

Because tonight I’ve got more pro talent than Oakley’s birthday. Julius Hodge, back from a stint in Australia. Phoenix rookie and all-time leading scorer at Wisconsin, Alando Tucker, WVU standout Kevin Pittsnogle, Spurs assignment and future Duncan replacement, Ian Mahinmi, and former Nugget Carldell Johnson. Boom!

So get this. The Toros and Albuquerque have been trading all season, and now all the guys know each other. Also, Kenton Paulino for the Toros hit the winning shot to end Kevin Pittsnogle’s WVU Mountaineers magical run two years ago. So there’s that.

Dorsey’s got great speed, right off the bat. Him versus Andre Barrett to start off with should be, well, blindingly fast.

Pittsnogle got yanked from the starting lineup. That’s interesting.

Dorsey keeps trying to harrass Andre Barrett, and Barrett keeps looking at him, like “I just got back from the Clippers. Please.”

Dermarr Johnson really should have worked out. He’s got the length, he’s got the touch. If you’re looking for a veteran three, he wouldn’t be a bad pickup.

Toros up 11-4 early. Serge Agounou just killed his man with a pumpfake and layed it in. Should have dunked that. Also, the Thunderbirds coach looks like he’s heading out for a round of golf. Tan shirt and khakis. Then I remember that he lives in the middle of the freaking desert. I’d wear white, too.

They have this DJ with ridiculous glasses who works the game. We’ve also had some sort of high school girl’s act with batons, and of course, my personal favorite, later on we’ll have the giant spinning bottle of barbecue sauce. Mock it all you want, it’s no better at a Charlotte game. We have proof.

Actually not a bad crowd here tonight. I’m hoping folks will show up for the playoff game, since there’s a better than even chance the Toros are going to the championship.

“Hi, my name is Ian Mahinmi. I’m big. I’m French. And I will wreck you. “

And Jeff Ruland is angry in khakis. Technical fouls do happen in the D-League, by the way.

Corey Underwood keeps going after Ian Mahinmi. He’s either heard that Ian goes to pieces when he starts to pick up fouls, or he very much enjoys the feeling of the ball being forced down his throat.

You can tell Tucker is only mildly interested in this game. I wouldn’t blame him considering he was guarding Manu Ginobili two months ago. And in response, he nails a jumper. I understand, Alando. I still love you.

22-7, and the Thunderbirds have just decided they don’t want to guard Mahinmi at all.

Woah, okay, seriously, my bad, Tucker’s got some nice moves.

Apparently coach happy slacks got tired of the crap the Thunderbirds were putting out and subbed in four players. I don’t think I’ve seen that in a long while.

Oh, good. We have D-League hecklers behind me. Awesome. “You stink, Pittsnogle!” *Pittsnogle drains three. “Awww…”

Mahinmi at some point needs to learn not to go to the fadeaway against the bigger guys. They may be bigger, but he’s stronger.

The DJ has a jersey that says “D-Train.” I’m going to resist the obligatory, “yeah, that’s what I ran on your mother” joke.

Big lineup for the T-Birds. Darvin Ham (you may remember from Texas Tech and the Pistons), Chayne Gadson, Conroy, Mills, and Pittsnoggle.

New Toro Josh Gross has an awesome beard. Modified chops. Ian just airballed a hook. Not exactly the type of NBA caliber play Popovich is looking for.

9-0 run by the T-Birds.

More expert heckling from behind, “You guys stink!” Awesome, nice job.

Everytime the heckler yells at Pittsnoggle, he drains a three. I wonder how many Pittsnoggle has to score to get him to shut up. 40?

You can tell the Toros miss Marcus Williams. They’ve got no primary driver.

I’ll take Quin Snyder’s in game coaching over anyone’s. The constant yelling, working the refs, hand motions. It’s like a one-man show with fantastic hair. Wait, did I just write that? I’ve been watching What Not To Wear with the wife too much.

26-21 Toros at the end of 1, DerMarr’s got 11, Pittsnoggle with 10. Man, I’ll tell you, Pittsnoggle has filled out. He’s got a whole poor man’s Mehmet Okur thing going on.

Again with the missing Marcus. Pick and roll to the baseline and no one followed the ball. Luckily Yemi Nichols decapitated the young man. Always tragic to see, but necessary, since he missed the free throw.

Sweet Jesus, Darvin Ham is big.

Toros are tired from the road trip. They don’t have their usual energy. Keep it on the down low, but Justin Bowen has turned into a reliable scorer. He’s got a nice touch and a versatile set.

No! Pittsnoggle missed it when the heckler yelled “You Suck!” No, Kevin! You’ll only encourage him!

33-32 Toros, Bowen gets picked, T-Birds lead by one. Toros are exhausted. Quin’s also got a reserve lineup in. Thank God, here comes Ian, Barrett, and DerMarr.

Barrett with a three. I still don’t really understand that whole, “Smush Parker is way better” thing the Clippers have going.

And now for the only part of the night that features actual noise. “Free stuff!” I hate this part of the game. People go absolutely bezerk for this stuff and for the life of me I can’t figure out why.

Thoughts while pondering more in-game entertainment: You ever think about what a truly cruel musical chairs is, yet a perfect teaching tool for life? Completely unfair, totally random, debilitating to one’s self-esteem. I’m Mr. Happy Thoughts tonight.

More “You sucks!” to everyone now.

Barrett nails another jumper, he’s got 8. If he could just grow three inches. Maybe stilts… hmmm….

Mahinmi can pretty much score anytime he wants to, when he settles and works. And he’s giving up 20 pounds to Pittsnoggle.

58-49 Toros. Pittsnogle has 17 in the first. Mahinmi with 13 and 8, 2 blocks. It’s good to be the king.

Josh Gross was supposed to be the replacement for Marcus. Maybe he’s just getting used to the system, 10 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 3 turnovers. Ew.

Toros have more turnovers but more fast break points. Odd.

T-Birds with a run to start the third. DerMarr Johnson would be incredible for this league if he were to attack the rim a lot more.

Great defense by the T-Birds.

Correction: Kevin Pittsnogle would be like Mehmet Okur, if Mehmet Okur were rooted to the ground by his legs, firmly planted deep into the crevices of the Earth.

You can’t give Barrett the jumper. You just can’t. If you give him range, he’s killer.

See, there KSnog goes again. I make fun of him, he nails another jumper. 19 for the Nog.

“You suck Hamm!” on the way to the scorer’s table. Hamm responds with a bow. Classy. I know this sounds hypocritical coming from a blogger, but heckler’s really do suck. I’ll criticize a guy if he doesn’t do his job well, but I respect what he does for a living and the effort he does. If Hamm were to come and bug this douchebag at the 7-11, he probably wouldn’t think it’s so awesome.

THANK YOU DARVIN HAM! Ham lets his coach know about the heckling douchebag, and he’s tossed! Coach was about to climb over the seats to erase his ass. It’s a shame, because the crowds here are usually pretty good.

I love that moment when you can tell a team is surging. It’s palpable, and it’s a beautiful thing.

So Darvin Ham has a championship ring, it turns out, with the Pistons. He has size, and range. It’s clear he’s on a different level from the rest of the guys. You have to wonder what injury did to his career. Seems like a good leader, though. Also, he has one of those terrible free throw shots that are so endearing.

Oh, good, we’ve added Hooters girls to the big giant spinning barbecue bottle game. I hate Hooters girls. That adds the classiness to the awesomeness. Kill me.

Darvin, you may be big, but Ian is the Future.

The other place the Toros miss Williams is on the pick and roll. Barrett’s not tall enough to lob the entry pass on the roll, Ian doesn’t have the range for the pick and pop, and DerMarr is too much of a perimeter player to assist.

JAW DROPER BLOCK BY MAHINMI! AND THE SLAM AT THE OTHER END! The block, he extended forward and simply overpowered the drive. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2010 starting center for the San Antonio Spurs, Ian Mahinmi.

For some reason the T-Birds keep going with small guards. Gadson’s got some length, but Conroy doesn’t have hardly anything.

DerMarr can stroke it from the outside, though.

82-74 Toros after three. One more solid burst by the Toros in the fourth shoot put ‘em down. The T-Birds don’t really have anyone that can create that much offense. Even though Pitts has 21. He’s only got two rebounds. Little effort, big guy. Little effort. Andre with 9 in the 3rd, he’s got 19 and 7. Mahinmi with 21 and 11.

Darvin Ham is 35 and has out-hustled every guy on the floor tonight.

Former Toro Cheyne Gadson hits a three, it’s a three point game, T-Birds ball. Anytime you want to get that “burst” guys.

T-Birds within 1. Another block for Mahinmi. Three consecutive offensive fouls against the Toros. I’m waiting for Quin to blow his lid.

T-Birds by one, 7:14 left. Yikes. The Toros just look exhausted after their road trip. Cheyne has been killing it against his former team. Stupid revenge games. In other news, I hate audience dance contests.

Justin Bowen has terrific range, and he’s really worked on it. If he keeps his defensive growth up, he could really develop.

DerMarr Johnson ties it with a three from the corner. Mills answers, the T-Birds can’t miss right now.

Bowen with the floater, Barrett is injured. That is bad. BAD. Not good. They already are thin on point guard.

Gadson with the dunk, all tied at 95, 4 minutes left. Ian with the hook. He’s incredibly solid in the left post. Bowen’s lost on defense. The switches the T-Birds are putting on him are flipping him out.

Back and forth, 2 minutes remaining, T-Birds by one. Gadson has absolutely murdered the Toros defense this quarter. Hamm strips Ian, scramble. Jump ball.

This is quite exciting. Ian on Pittsnoggle. They double, he gets pissed, jump hook, good. Toros by one.

Toros off the rebound, to Mahinmi, to Bowen, good, and one! Barrett’s back! Good times in the ATX!

Toros by 4, 1:14 remaining. Toros win, they clinch a playoff berth. They need this one. Don’t tell me the D-League’s not important!

The Toros Bull is doing the Soulja Boy. Seriously, guys. That dance jumped the shark when we played it at my wedding.

Also, Ramon Sessions, who you may have heard nailed the game winner for the Bucks over the Wiz tonight? Most of the season? D-LEAGUE!

Ham hits a layup, and then an offensive foul? Oh, crap. T-Birds within 1 and th ball. Stolen by Bowen!

Barrett has no burst. Ham, basket and the foul! Went away from Ian and drew the foul. Veteran move.

Ham nails it, Toros down by one. 24.8 seconds remaining.

Is YMCA really appropriate in this scenario? The entire place is doing it. Apparently, it is. Sigh.

24 seconds, need a shot. It’s gotta be Ian or Bowen. I don’t think DerMarr’s going to get the separation he needs. Stolen on the inbounds! Barrett just doesn’t have any sort of acceleration. Two shots. Mills makes them both, 3 point game. Well, hell. Barret airballs a shot with 12 seconds left on the clock. That was not a wise decision.

Foul, Toros are going to drop this one. Not much they could do there. Barrett’s the only guard you can trust, and you don’t have any other ball handlers. Wow. Killer breakdown.

Postgame, Quin’s pretty distraught.

“Team just had mental breakdowns down the stretch. We played well in the beginning, but just coulln’t keep it together.”

My people! I have brought before you the greatness… okay, the obscure awesomeness that is the D-League! And now, even in our finest hour, the Celtic bastards that continue to deride us have challenged the D-League yet again! Don’t let the self-entitled masses overwhelm us! They may take our pride, but they can never take our obscure and slightly creepy mascots!

VOTE FOR D-LEAGUE!

The NBA is a league where upside is everything. Potential is such a primary part of negotiations and evaluation, sometimes it seems that it matters more than what actually happens on the court. A lot of the time, guys have a ton of potential, but never put the effort in. Funny thing. Marcus Williams has got that potential, and he’s putting it to good use.

Williams came out of Arizona after a stellar season. Many projected that had he come back to school, he would have been a lottery pick the following year. There was a lot of doubt about whether he was NBA-ready. But Williams truly believed he could play now and wanted to take his opportunity. He was drafted by the Spurs, brought to camp, then released. He signed with the Spurs’ Austin Toros and worked on his defensive game all year, coming into his own.

Now, I’m really not big on player predictions. I think they depend on too many factors, are too subjective, and should be left to scouts.

Marcus Williams will start inside three years. I truly believe that.

Watching him, it’s got nothing to do with his jaw-dropping performances on the court against the D-League. The league itself admits that there’s a lot more to preparing a player for the NBA than just having that player fill up the stat-sheet. But Williams’ progression on the court is apparent. He’s developed into a defensive specialist. He was aware early on that the biggest thing the NBA is looking for in call-up players is defense. So he committed himself to that end. And it paid off.

In a span of three games, I saw Williams defend a 7-0 center prospect for the Pistons, a 6-5 shooting guard with NBA experience, and a 6-8 combo forward with NBA talent. He also averaged 28 points in those games. And 7 rebounds. It’s not the stats, though, it’s the commitment. I talked with his coach in the D-League, Quin Snyder, and he raved about the commitment Marcus made on defense this season.

“You’ve got a young guy like that, and learning to really commit themselves to the defensive end is hard. But he really took it in stride and made it something to hang his hat on. He’s obviously got the physical tools and the offensive ability. He’s a great shooter. But he’s proven that he’s willing to put the work in, in order to get himself to that level.”

Williams put in the work, and it paid off for him. He received a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, who he had worked out with before last year’s draft, for the remainder of the season. I spoke with Marcus via telephone about Austin, getting called up, his commitment to defense, and his favorite flick.

HP: For you this was more of an expectation, given your talent, youth, and upside. Were you still excited when you found out?

MW: Oh, yeah, it’s still a feeling of excitement. I’d been playing well, but it’s a real pleasure to get called up finally. In the NBA you hear rumors, but until it happens and you sign the contract and get your uniform, you’re always wondering.

HP: Can you take me through how you felt when you found out you’d been signed again, this time for the remainder of the season?

MW: I was at the mall in LA, and I got the call. I was like “Wow.” I tried to play it cool, I told my friend who was with me. I was trying to play it cool, but he says I said it with this huge smile, though. I get a chance to show what I can do, and I’m looking forward to it.

HP: What have the Clips told you about their plans for you?

MW: Just bits and pieces. I’ve got a good chance to get some playing time, which is great. They just say I’ve got to learn the plays. Mostly they’ve said, “Just play how you play”. I’m hoping I can make an imapact on defense and be a playmaker. All I can do is show how I can play and if they’re interested in me long term, that’s up to me and how I perform.

HP: How do think the D-League helped you develop your game, and do you think it was a major part of getting you to this point?

MW: The D-League helped me a lot. I give a lot of credit to Coach Snyder. For a young guy like me to actually get as much playing time as I did in Austin was huge. The D-League was great for me, personally. It’s got a lot of resemblance to the NBA game. There are guys down there with legitimate NBA talent you can test yourself against. I did a lot of growing down there.

HP: Do you know anybody on the Clippers?

MW: Nick Fazekas. Al Thornton. They were in the rookie system, so I knew them from a couple of events. None of the veterans, though.

HP: How has the reception been for you?
It was good, everyone was cool. The team was great, actually. The whole organization has a really positive attitude, even though they’re going through some tough times.

HP: You told me a little over a week ago that you thought defense was the most important thing you’ve worked on, and it’s been something the coaches have commented on in the D-League. Do you feel your defense is NBA-ready?

MW: I think it’s going to have to be. As a role guy, to impact the game, I’m going to need to impact it on the defensive end. I need to get into the passing lanes and disrupt the opposing offense. that’s my biggest focus, that and just making plays when and where I can.

HP: What position in the NBA do you think you’re best suited to play at right now, the 2 or the 3?

MW: I can play both. I talked to the Clippers, and they think I can play both. I’ll probably lean towards the three but I can play both.

HP: After your first game, what kind of feedback did they give you?

MW: They told me I’m gonna play more, I just gotta learn the playbook. They gave me a set of plays to start learning, to get my feet wet. I’ll work with the coaches. The more I learn the plays, I can be more fluent everywhere on the court.

HP: Was it a big thrill for you getting the call-up?

MW: Big thrill. Really big thrill realizing I was going to be in LA. I had a workout with the Clippers for the draft, so I knew they liked me. It feels good to be here. Great crowd, plus, we got a win on the first night so hopefully things are off to a good start.

HP: What do you do in your spare time?

MW: I’m really into music and movies. I’m kind of a homebody, since it’s so rigorous playing ball all the time. Usually I just like to chill and listen to my iPod.

HP: What’s your favorite artist?

MW: Lil’ Wayne, man.

HP: And your favorite movie?

MW: Goodfellas.

HP: Finally, have the Clippers talked to you about a long term contract, if they like what they see of you through the rest of this season?

MW: They haven’t gotten into that. It depends on how I perform. I’ve got a lot to go, but as time progresses, that might come into effect, they’ve told me.

HP: Marcus, congratulations on the call-up, and good luck.

MW: Thanks, man, I appreciate that.

Turns out Mr. Ahearn is sticking around. Hoo-wah! D-LEAGUE!

Thanks to everybody that’s been linking to the Reed interview. It was the featured story on NBA.com today which pretty much made my day. So thanks again.

First off, go vote for the D-League in the bedlam tournament. Please. Come on. I’ve made the case over the last three months. Help me out. You know you want to.

Oh, Daily Dime. And you’d been so quiet lately Too. But noooo…

WEDNESDAY’S WORST
Kasib Powell, Heat forward: Who? Spends 34 minutes on the court in an 85-69 loss to the Pistons, missing 7 of 8 shots. The Heat’s newcomers, including Powell, Stephane Lasme and Blake Ahearn, are making Chris Quinn seem like a household name.

Really? So the fact that Ahearn and Lasme combined for 23 points and 8 rebounds last night is just, what? Luck? How about Powell’s 14 points the night before? Oh, and this is only their third game with the team? Oh, that’s completely irrelevant. Face it, Dime. You took a cheap opportunity to rag on the D-League guys. Weak. Kasib had a terrible game last night, like I figured he would going up against the Pistons’ size and speed. But to write off the trio when they’re busting themselves is kind of a cheap shot. Could you tell me how awesome Kobe is again?

Developmental Education this weekend.