Transitioning to the D-League

Transitioning to the D-League
Dec 18, 2007
Posted by Morris Almond




Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE/Getty Images

About eight days ago, I was assigned to the Jazz’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Utah Flash. I had a meeting after practice one day with my coaches, and that’s where I was I was informed of my ‘assignment.’ I wasn’t too surprised when it happened. We were roughly 20 games into the season, and I wasn’t logging many minutes, so I was able to anticipate that the NBA Development League might be a viable alternative.

Before I was drafted into the NBA, I had always had more of an unfavorable opinion of the ‘D-League.’ But I was young and too dumb then to realize how beneficial the league really is and what it can offer young players like myself.

After sitting on the bench for the vast majority of 20 straight games however, you’ll really learn to appreciate the Development League for what it is: an opportunity to play. And that’s really what its all about. After the luster of the Draft, your contract, and opening night slowly fade as the grind of the season continues—you just want to play. That’s how you improve. And with that being said, that’s why I was actually kind of looking forward to my stint with the Flash.

Of course coming into this season, I had personal goals and aspirations with the Jazz. A lot of people around me had goals and aspirations for me. Numerous expectations. I mean, I was a first round pick, so I’m supposed to step right into the starting line-up, right? The Jazz made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season—Derek Fisher left, so I’ll take his spot and we’re all set to go win the championship this year, right?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work like that. At least not instantly. Young players need to adjust and develop before major steps are taken. And that’s where the Development League comes in, in the mean time, in-between time.

The transition to my new team was real smooth. I probably knew about half the team already from having played against some of them in college, high school, and even AAU ball. It was also convenient that the Utah Flash practice and play about 30 minutes from where I live here in Salt Lake City. I get to stay in my same apartment and sleep in my own bed every night, so that’s definitely a good thing. (The same can’t be said for the assignment players from the Flash’s other NBA affiliated team the Boston Celtics. Shout out to Gabe Pruitt and Brandon Wallace.)

My first day with the Flash was the day of a game. We won big, and I played about 35 minutes, so it was a good night. I hadn’t played a full game like that since summer league, and that was five months ago back in July.

I feel like I’m getting better. There are a lot of talented, hungry players in this league, and they are all looking to make a name for themselves, so I make sure I come ready to play every game. In this business, it seems like the only thing that is consistent is change, and there’s often a thin line between an NBA and D-League roster. Players realize that, and play like their lives depended on it—because it does.

I’m in a good spot right now. Being that I didn’t have to go very far for my Development League assignment, I stay in pretty close contact with the team. I still go workout in the evenings at the Jazz practice facility, and I still attend most home games at the arena.

At this point in time, I think it’s the perfect situation. The season is like a marathon, and it’s all about the big picture. The long run. My team knows I’m still fairly new to the grind and demands of the pre-, regular, and post seasons, so they are putting me in the best position to excel. And that’s when I finally wrapped my mind around this whole concept. Everything’s right on schedule. I don’t know why I didn’t figure this out earlier.