An Interview with NBA D-League President Dan Reed, Part 2

In part two of my interview with Dan Reed, he talks about the decision to select Erie as a D-League city, his experience at a BayHawks game, what he's looking forward to this season, and more. Also, in case you missed it, check out part one of my interview with Dan Reed where we discussed D-League issues including innovation, scheduling, and finances.

Blog Talk BayHawk (BTB): Let's switch gears to the BayHawks since I operate an Erie BayHawks fan blog. How many cities were in contention for the expansion spot granted to Erie last year, and what was it that made Erie stand out?

Dan Reed (DR): There were several cities in the mix that we evaluated. Without necessarily naming names, we evaluated several cities within proximity of Erie and the Cleveland area. We also evaluated a lot of possibilities just generally in the midwest as we were looking for a team in the midwest or sort of a near-northeast region.

Ultimately, what made Erie stand out were a few things. One, it's a real sports town. That was clear from the moment I got off the plane. I grew up in Michigan, and it reminded me of the sort of passion that I grew up with following teams in Detroit, and that was immediately evident.

It also has a strong basketball history. Gannon University is very closely followed there locally, and we thought that would translate well. We had excellent support from the mayor, from the county commissioner, from the arena, and another significant factor was an extremely strong set of owners with Steve Demetriou from Cleveland as well as Owen McCormick and a group of investors there in Erie.

We felt that the team was in very good hands. So, when you combine the strong sports heritage of Erie, a suitable arena, excellent support from the city, and wonderful owners, we thought it was an opportunity that we had to take advantage of, and we're very excited.

BTB: As a lifelong Erieite, it's always nice to hear someone say that we have a great sports heritage here. That's pretty cool.

DR: I would just add that the Cavaliers were important in consideration. The Cavaliers really threw their support behind the idea of an NBA Development League team nearby them. They were in support of Erie, as you know, during the team launch, and really in the ongoing operations they've been big supporters of the team and have helped in a number of different ways. And I think that's a payoff for the fans of Erie because they're so closely connected with the Cavs―and now the Raptors, who are also nearby―we thought that'd be a good thing for the fans in Erie, and that has played out.

BTB: How would you assess the BayHawks' first year as an organization compared to other teams in the league?

DR: I think they had a good year. It seems like the word is out. They closed the season on an excellent note; they had a great turnout for some of their end-of-season games. I was there for their home opener, and it seems like their games overall were well attended and the basketball was top-notch. There aren't many expansion teams that get in the playoffs their first year, and I think that is a really impressive achievement for a first-year team. It speaks to the quality of their organization from the top on down to be able to do that.

Of course, like any team, there are lessons learned in the first year, really like any business. But they are completely committed to making sure that there is a wonderful fan experience at the BayHawks games, that it's affordable, family-friendly, top-notch basketball. And the fans in Erie, if they haven't gone to check out a BayHawks game, they should go because it's really a wonderful organization, and they are committed to being the best.

BTB: I know one of the keys―not only at the Development League level but also in the NBA is getting the organization, including the players and the coaches, out into the community. I think that really resonates at the Development League level because the teams aren't as well known, and they don't have that level of media exposure. What does the Development League do to encourage community involvement with teams like the BayHawks?

DR: We certainly encourage it. It's an important part of our mission and the NBA's mission through NBA Cares and NBA Development League Cares. One thing we do as a league, and it's a major advantage of being associated with the NBA, is we have a group here that all they do is share best practices between teams in the area of ticket sales, in the area of sponsorship, in the area of fan experience, marketing and community relations.

So, if a team has a particularly successful community event, we will take that and share it with the rest of the league so they can take that information, and if it makes sense in their market, they can do that. In addition, we have our vice president of community relations and player development working with all of the teams, collaboratively, to not only share those best practices but also to provide support in terms of theme weeks, developing national relationships and tracking information and being able to share it with the teams in real time so they can make the smartest decisions for their organization and their community. Getting into the community and making a difference is really part of our DNA. It's something that's critically important for us because we are the NBA in Erie, and we have an obligation based on the celebrity and notoriety that comes with that to be able to give back to the community and make a positive impact.

BTB: So you've already answered my next question. You were in Erie for a game last year. So instead let me ask, was your experience good enough? Are you going to come back to Erie for another game sometime in the near future?

DR: Oh I'm sure I'll be back in Erie for a game in the near future. I certainly enjoyed my time at the BayHawks game last year. I try to make it to a game at every team in the league every year. I haven't yet been successful because we have so many teams, but it's still a goal that I shoot for, so I hope to be able to see the fans in Erie this year.

BTB: Speaking of the fans in Erie this year, there's a huge sports tradition in Erie (as you said), a huge basketball tradition with Gannon in Erie, high school rivalries are really intense around here. So there are a lot of local basketball fans. The key is getting this to translate into supporting a professional team. What is it about the Development League that should translate to your average basketball fan?

DR: If you're a fan of basketball, you should want to watch NBA Development League games because it truly is―other than the 30 NBA teams―the highest level of basketball you're ever going to see. For college fans, I would say that over 60 percent of the players in the NBA Development League were all-conference or better in college. We are a major college all-star team every single night in the NBA Development League.

For fans that are interested in basketball because of the hard work, leaving it on the floor every night, the speed of the game, the intensity of the game―that is unmatched in the NBA Development League. All of our players, who are not only talented and very credentialed in the basketball world, are playing every single night in front of NBA scouts. They're playing every single night to try to prove that they're a great team player, that they have the skills, the attitude, and the intangibles it takes to make it to the NBA.

I think that fans will be very pleasantly surprised to see the intensity at a game, the speed of the game, the skill level of the players. There are no plays off in the NBA Development League, I will tell you that. In many ways, the games in the NBA Development League represent the skills and the athleticism of the NBA as well as the passion and energy that you see in the college game.

And all of that happens in a very affordable, fan-friendly atmosphere where you can sit in an intimate arena, like Tullio Arena. A family of four can come to a game for less than 40 bucks and see NBA players, former college players, and top prospects who are just playing for the love of the game and hungry to get to that next level. I think that's why a basketball fan, whether in Erie or elsewhere, would want to and should pay attention to what's happening in the NBA Development League.

BTB: I agree, I think there's no better basketball for your buck. I went to a couple games last year and have season tickets this year. Now that I'm trying to cover the team as a fan, I'm hoping to attend as many games as possible and looking forward to it. The basketball is great. I'm just hoping that through what the league is doing, through my blog, through the efforts of the BayHawks, that we can keep raising the fan interest level because nothing makes the game more exciting than having a sellout crowd going crazy throughout the game.

Dan, I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with me. I'm going to let you get out of here with one last question. What are you personally most looking forward to about the upcoming season?

DR: I think more of the high-level basketball and affordable, fan-friendly entertainment that we've provided year after year. I'm excited about the launch of our two new teams, the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor. Both of those teams are off to great starts with ticket sales and sponsorship revenue. They just had their expansion draft, so the jury's still out on whether they can replicate the BayHawks' success of getting in the playoffs their first year, but they're off to a great start.

I'm excited about everything. I think we're going to have a great year. I think the on-court play will be better than ever. I think that fans will be able to follow their team more easily through our media and social media. And I think we're in line for another great season of call-ups to the NBA and the success of our players in the NBA, and the next generation playing right in the NBA Development League.

BTB: Again, I'd like to thank Dan Reed for taking the time to speak with me at Blog Talk BayHawk. Please check out his blog, Reed and Write, on the official NBA D-League site.

An Interview with NBA D-League President Dan Reed, Part 1

Since taking over as NBA Development League President on July 1, 2007, Dan Reed has overseen continued growth of the NBA's minor league system. He's helped the league grow and expand into the eastern part of the country with Erie last year as well as Maine and Springfield for the upcoming season.

Reed has also spearheaded the league's efforts to be the most accessible league in the world, embracing social media and encouraging the D-League to reach out to fans via blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. So I probably should not have been surprised when Reed graciously agreed to speak with me about the D-League and the Erie BayHawks, but I definitely was excited.

Our conversation was so information-rich that I've decided to break it up into two parts. Part one focuses on issues that affect the D-League as a whole. Enjoy!

Blog Talk BayHawk (BTB): Though there is still room for the D-League to grow in terms of mass appeal, there is a clear cult following of fans that is evident, especially on the Internet through blogs, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc. Some leagues like the NFL seem almost scared of social media but the D-League seems to embrace it wholeheartedly. Why is that and how has it paid off?

Dan Reed (DR): In the NBA Development League, we aim to be the most accessible sports league in the world, and we made a decision that embracing social media was a great way to provide fans with access, provide fans with the opportunity to really understand how this league works—both in front of the scenes and behind the scenes. And selfishly it was a great opportunity to share our message directly with the fans because we are still a relatively new league on the scene.

As you mentioned, there is a very deep following of NBA D-League fans, but there are still many people that are still learning what this league's about. And it's a great opportunity for us to share a very authentic message directly with fans who are interested in knowing. What we've found is that the fans who are believers in the league and the people that are very knowledgeable about the league are using the same social media tools to tell everybody else. And that was part of the idea because we know we have a great product.

We know it's a great experience in the arena, and we produce nearly 20 percent of NBA players and growing. So, we've got a great message and a great story. It's just a matter of getting the word out, and we feel that social media is a great way to do that while at the same time providing the level of access to our fans that we pride ourselves on.

BTB: Absolutely. When I jumped into this blog thing, because I didn't really see people in Erie getting as excited as I thought they should be, it was really great to see that other people around the country were doing this for other teams. You've got Ridiculous Upside covering the D-League as a whole. It was great to see that there are lots of people that are really passionate―not just about basketball, but actually about the D-League―and I think that's going to help it grow. I think it's cool that you guys are so open to people like me and others in social media. You're ahead of the curb in terms of most sports leagues.

DR: Well, thank you. We also strive to be innovators, so it's nice of you to say that.

BTB: Sticking off the court, the D-League has grown significantly since beginning with eight teams in 2001. The BayHawks were part of an expansion last year, and two additional expansion teams in Springfield and Maine will begin this year. However, there have also been a handful of franchises that have gone under, including last year's champion Colorado 14ers. What is the D-League doing to continue the growth of the league while also working to protect its teams/cities from going under?

DR: I think the really positive news is that we have been growing so aggressively. In the last three years, we've doubled the size of the league from eight to 16 teams, and we'll have the same number of 16 teams playing in the league this season. What that shows is that the demand for NBA Development League teams is very strong, and we have a very strong set of owners.

If you look at the newest teams that have come into the league, the Maine Red Claws are owned by the chairman of TD Banknorth, one of the largest companies in Maine. The Springfield Armor are owned by a gentleman who owns four very successful minor league baseball teams. The Reno Bighorns are owned by the group that owns the AAA baseball team, the Reno Aces. Our new Frisco team is owned by Donnie Nelson, general manager of the Dallas Mavericks. So, if you look at the latest teams that have come into our league—and that's not even mentioning Erie, who's owned by the chairman of a Fortune 500 company in Cleveland—it demonstrates that a very strong caliber of owner is increasingly attracted to this league, and we continue to grow despite the challenges of the economy and despite the fact that I think every league in the world is reevaluating the team business model.

It's just sort of a tough business for everybody in every industry right now with the economy being what it is. And so, in terms of what we're doing, we're continuing to invest in our teams. We're continuing to work closely with our teams to take costs out of the system like trying to get smarter with the way that we schedule. Teams are looking at every item and trying to find ways to reduce costs but at the same time looking to find new revenue opportunities.

We're working on how can we grow our media presence, how can we continue to grow our sponsorship base―and those numbers have been growing consistently over the last three years―our team sponsorship revenues increased by double digits every year. Our team ticket sales have also been steadily increasing over time. And most importantly, the valuations of our teams have quadrupled over the last two years. We, like very company in every industry, are focused on how do we continue to improve the fundamental business proposition in our league. I think it's very strong now, but it can and will get stronger.

BTB: One of the things that I think helps you as a business, and I think you would agree with me on this, is your connection to the NBA that other minor leagues haven't had in the past. What is the D-League doing to get more NBA teams to invest more―money but also time―into utilizing the D-League as a developmental tool for their organization?

DR: One fundamental change we made that I think over the long term will have a big impact on both the NBA and the NBA Development League is the adoption of our single-affiliation partnership model―or as it is popularly known, the hybrid model―which allows NBA teams to essentially take control of the basketball operations for their NBA Development League team.

This is something that NBA teams have expressed a lot of interest in because some NBA teams have not been able to take advantage of the league the way that they would like to—sometimes because of injuries or because of circumstances outside of their control. Everyone is very passionate about the NBA Development League. Everyone sees the value that the NBA Development League provides, and it's really just whether the opportunities line up to take advantage of it.

There are many NBA teams that have expressed that they would be even more engaged if they actually had control of the basketball operations, so we made that opportunity available. It says a lot that in this tough economy there was an NBA team that took advantage of it last year. The Houston Rockets partnered with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and now the Rockets are in full control of the basketball operations of the Vipers. And by the way, while the Rockets obviously see a lot of value in that from a basketball standpoint, that's another thing that helps the economics of the NBA Development League team because those basketball operations costs come right off the bottom line for that team.

That's one thing that we've done based directly on NBA team feedback that allowed them to get more involved. Other things that we do are our Showcase. It's an event that we hold every year that all 30 NBA teams participate in. It's a great scouting opportunity for them, and it's an opportunity for them to get closer to the D-League. We have what we call an affiliate partner program where we encouraged NBA teams and NBA Development League teams both on the business and the basketball side to work together. So, over the last two years, you've seen an increase in the number of NBA D-League head coaches who have participated in their NBA parent team's training camps, for example. You're seeing teams that are having weekly/daily calls when a player's signed. You're seeing teams share information about what sets they're running and what skill that they'd like a particular player to improve upon.

There are conversations all the time between NBA teams and NBA Development League teams―and, frankly, from us at the league office―about how teams can use the system and how it can grow. I think we're in a good place.

If you look at the stats, the fact that nearly 20 percent of NBA players are formerly of the NBA Development League. We had an all-time high number of players called up to the NBA last year; we had 20 players called up to the NBA. The number of assignments from NBA teams to the NBA Development League continues to grow. The system is working. There's no doubt about it. It's just a matter of, over time, proving out that adoption model. But we've seen steady and consistent growth in this area, and we expect to see even more down the road.

BTB: Keeping along those lines, you talked about how the affiliation model has worked out. As the D-League continues to grow and expand, does the D-League aim to someday work as a farm system for the NBA similar to Major League Baseball where there's a one-to-one team correspondence? Is that something that's in the plans or what is the direction of growth for the D-League in the future?

DR: I would say that our goal is to build the perfect minor league system for the NBA and the game of basketball. There are certainly other models out there to look at. You mentioned the minor league baseball model where it's a one-to-one relationship. You can look at hockey where it's not quite a one-to-one relationship, but the system still works quite effectively. I think there's still an open question as to what is the ideal model for basketball.

We are certainly the closest to the ideal model that's ever come about so far. Every team is directly affiliated with an NBA Development League team. We are seeing the up-and-back movement that you typically associate with those leagues, and the proof is in the pudding. If you look at the players in the NBA Development League, 20 percent of the players in the NBA Development League in any given year will also play in the NBA that same season. And, I think in minor league baseball, 8 percent of all the players in minor league baseball will ever make the majors—much less in the same year.

In many ways, we are already that quote-unquote true minor league system for the NBA. But the answer is yes, we're still looking to grow and strengthen it. I expect that over time we will add more teams to the league. I expect that over time NBA teams will continue to take more and more advantage of the league. I think the upcoming collective bargaining discussions with the NBA Players Association offers an opportunity to continue to change our model. In eight short years we've made big progress, and I think that eight years from now the league will look even better in terms of being a true minor league for the NBA.

BTB: Yeah, it's really impressive how much has developed In such a short time. I guess the Development League is an appropriate name in that sense. I think one of the thing that helps is that you [the D-League] are innovators, you're not afraid to try new things. Playing the game of H-O-R-S-E at All-Star Weekend and the pick-your-poison playoff format adopted last year immediately come to mind. Are there any experimental plans in the works this season, anything new the D-League will be trying out?

We do have a history of that, and it's something we pay a lot of attention to. It's part of our mission to be the [research and development] department of the NBA. There are two areas that we are spending a a lot of time on now.

One is how do we continue to be better at the core process of development. We are taking a look at other leagues, other industries, other businesses, and identifying what tactics we can apply to our league because we are the Development League after all. And while we've certainly demonstrated that we have a good track record with our promotions to the NBA―not only in terms of players but also with coaches and referees―we want to be the best in the world at that, and we have to innovate in order to do that.

The other area that you can expect to see some innovations from us over the coming years is in the area of statistics. There is certainly a cult following around basketball statistics and the evolution of basketball statistics. I think the unique thing about our league is that unlike NBA teams, who are all investing in statistics in a lot of different ways but they're also very proprietary―they're not interested in sharing their methods, not interested in sharing their stats because it would let go of their competitive advantage—is that we have no such issues.

In many ways, we can be a laboratory to experiment with different ways of collecting and calculating statistics. If there are new statistics out there that should be incorporated into the game, we're a great test lab to do that. We've actually assembled a group of people from around the country who have expressed interest in working with us on this, and we're looking to work collaboratively with them and see how we can reorganize ourselves and eventually help move the discussion along in terms of basketball statistics.

BTB: Is that something that's going to show up in the box score? Is it something that we're going to see this year or a bit more down the road?

We're still in the midst of determining how fast we can move in the area, but that certainly would be the long term goal, that to the extent that there are meaningful statistics that can be captured and calculated, that we can implement them. And not only the way that we capture and report statistics but the way that we report them to NBA teams as it relates to having them evaluate players in our league to be called up or how their assigned players are progressing. That may not happen right away. First you've got to figure out what statistics make the most sense and how to capture those. But the idea would be to use that information throughout the league.

BTB: One last general D-League question. The new schedule came out not too long ago and everyone noticed a shift in the way the schedule was put together with the unbalanced model promoting local rivalries. What was the thinking behind the new model and what has the response been?

DR: It certainly does serve to promote local rivalries as teams that are nearby each other are going to play each other more frequently. This is one of those areas when we looked at how to continue to invest in the business because if you look at other minor leagues, they have a very highly regionalized, and in many cases, unbalanced schedule that serves to promote rivalries but also to reduce travel costs.

For us, we thought it was an appropriate time to take that step to do those same things in our league. We're spread pretty well around the country, and this was an opportunity to pump up the rivalries locally while saving teams a pretty significant amount on travel. I'm happy to say we were successful in that effort. We still will make sure that every team gets to play each other at least once during the course of the season, and we think it will serve to promote rivalries and fans in every market will still get the opportunity to see the best players in the league and the best basketball in the world outside the NBA on their floors during the season.

BTB: I was really happy to see that yout kept it so that each team is going to play every team at least once, so that someone like me with season tickets can get to see pretty much everybody in the league that way. And it certainly makes sense from a financial standpoint to save on travel costs, especially in today's economy. So it's sort of the best for both worlds that way.

DR: I think that's right. And I'd say as well that with NBA Futurecast, fans also have the ability now that they didn't have a couple years ago to watch every team in the D-League regardless. That's an areas where we're putting some additional investment as well, and I think you'll see an improved NBA FutureCast as well as an easier ability to catch highlights of the teams in the league this season.

BTB: That's great news, and I'm definitely looking forward to that, especially for the BayHawks' road games this year.

***UPDATE: Check out part two of my interview with Dan Reed where we speak about the Erie BayHawks, their arrival on the D-League scene last year, and the league president's impressions of Erie as a basketball town.

An Interview with Jarvis Gunter

Jarvis Gunter played in 38 games with the Erie BayHawks last season, averaging 12.6 minutes per game. He shot a team high 58.1 percent from the field, and his rebounding rate of 12.95 rebounds per 48 minutes was second highest on the team.

The former Arkansas-Pine Bluff forward, hoping to play for the BayHawks again this season, was nice enough to answer a few questions about his first season in Erie, his offseason activities and his hopes for the future.

Had you ever been to Erie before last season?
No, not before I came for tryouts in October.

How would you assess last season, your first year playing in the D-League?
It was a great learning experience. I learned how different it is from the college and how good it was playing against former NBA players, former great college players, and overseas players.

What's your favorite moment from last season?

My favorite moment was getting the game winning rebound against the L.A. D-Fenders at home and becoming player of the game.

Have you kept in touch with any of your former BayHawks teammates?

Yeah, I've actually seen Tejay [Anderson] , Oliver [Lafayette], and Ivan [Harris] when I was in their hometown. I also keep in contact with Maureece [Rice], Geary [Claxton], and Darian [Townes] by Facebook or MySpace. I text all of them every once in a while.

What did you learn from Coach Treloar?

I've learned how to be a student of the game by studying game film to get better, reading sports books, and just keep trying to get better day by day.

What have you been doing this summer to improve your game?

I've been lifting wieghts, doing a lot of stretching, shooting and trying to extend my range, ball handling, pool workouts, and even started yoga.

What basketball players influenced you growing up/who do you model your game after?

I've always admired Kevin Garnett, not just because he's a great player but also because of what pushes him to get better—his competitiveness, how he pushes his teammates, and how bad he wanted to be a champion.

Finally, what are your plans for next season? Are you going to return to the D-League or are you looking elsewhere?

I plan on returning to Erie for next season and helping Erie win a title by any means necessary.

An Interview with Jordan Sams of Liberty Ballers

Liberty Ballers, part of SBNation, is one of the best places on the Web for fans of the Philadelphia 76ers. Liberty Ballers blogger Jordan Sams resides in Las Vegas, and clarifies that "no, I don't gamble and hang out with prostitutes every night." He's been running his own Sixers blog for a little over a year now. He started out at Sixersoul.com, and more recently began running Liberty Ballers. "Even after a year of writing, some Sixers fans hate me because I'm also a Cowboys fan," he laments.

But football fandom doesn't skew our view or opinion of the good work he does at Liberty Ballers. Recently Sams was kind enough to respond to a few questions I had for him about the Sixers, their connection with the BayHawks, and the upcoming NBA Draft.

For two straight seasons, Philadelphia has made the playoffs and threatened an upset before bowing out in the first round, including this year when they held a 2-1 series lead on the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Orlando Magic. With Elton Brand coming back from injury, do you think the current roster has championship-level talent? If not, who or what are they missing to get over the hump?
Interesting question. I think if everyone stays healthy AND Andre Miller returns to play point guard, then yes, the Sixers have a borderline championship roster. That said, the chances that Andre Miller returns are slim to none. He's missed numerous mandatory meetings. He hasn't been seen or heard all summer, and rumor has it that he dislikes complicated offenses. This might be a problem considering the Sixers will be operating the Princeton Offense next season.

Other important variables in the Sixers chances for success are the health of Elton Brand and the development of future all-star Thaddeus Young.

Are there any current 76ers that could benefit by spending part of next season fine-tuning their game in the D-League?
Unfortunately, no. I'm a little shocked more NBA teams don't use the D-League more often. The one player on the Sixers roster who you could make a case for is Marreese Speights. If he's ever going to evolve into the NBA player Sixers fans think he will, he needs to improve his defense—but defense isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the D-League. (This might be a completely ignorant assumption, but I don't follow the D-League at all.)

Philadelphia has the 17th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. What should Sixers fans expect out of this selection?
Ed Stefanski and Eddie Jordan have publicly said that the Sixers plan on drafting the "best guard available". I would be shocked if they drafted otherwise. Ninety percent of Sixers fans want them to draft the point guard of the future—and I think they'll do just that.

Is there a rookie on the board who might fall to number 17 that you would really like to see in a SIxers uniform next season? If so, who?
Brandon Jennings, Johnny Flynn or Stephen Curry—wishful thinking, I know. Odds that any of the three fall to 17 are .06 percent.

Last season, Philadelphia did not assign any of its players to a stint in the D-League. Would you like to see the organization become more involved in using this developmental opportunity?
I would love to see the Sixers be more involved in the D-League. I think it can be an extremely valuable tool if used properly. That said, the Sixers have no D-League caliber players on their roster. Best case scenario would be if they bought their way into the second round and threw whoever they draft into the D-League.


How do you expect new coach Eddie Jordan to impact the team, specifically in regards to the development of the young nucleus of talent within the Sixers organization?
I expect the Sixers to finally have an organized half court offensesomething they haven't had in years. As far as the young nucleus goes, I wish I could tell you how Eddie will help their development. I honestly have no clue. Two players I think will benefit from Eddie Jordan are Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams. Watch out for Thaddeus Young folks. I fully expect this season to be Thaddeus Young's coming out party, partly because of Eddie Jordan's offense.

As a Sixers fan, and someone who writes for an audience that certainly includes a lot of Sixers fans, I'm interested to hear your perception of the D-League. What do you see as strengths and weaknesses of the BayHawks-76ers affiliation heading into year two?
Man, I wish I could tell you. I know nothing about the D-League. I'm going to have to use this question to plug my boy, and fellow SBNation blogger, Scott from Ridiculous Upside. This is the website I check out for all my D-League needs.

***And speaking of Ridiculous Upside, click here to find out who Liberty Ballers selected on behalf of the Sixers with the 17th selection in the SBNation mock draft.

An Interview with John Krolik of Cavs the Blog

Cavs the Blog, part of ESPN's TrueHoop Network, is one of the best places to go for fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers. And just like Cavs the Basketball Team, Cavs the Blog subscribes to the notion that a child shall lead them.

OK, OK. Truth be told, LeBron James is no child basketballer and similarly John Krolik is no child blogger. At 20 years old, Krolik has just completed his sophomore year studying creative writing at USC, but as Aaliyah once sang, "Age ain't nothin' but a number." In addition to covering the team he loves at Cavs the Blog since December 2008, Krolik also writes for SLAM Online and is an occasional contributor to FreeDarko.com.

Whether you view the NBA Drafft as the end of the season or the start of the long offseason, it's right around the corner, and it definitely has implications for both the Cavaliers and BayHawks. Krolik was nice enough to lend his Cavalier perspective to answer a few questions I had about the draft and the Cavs-BayHawks relationship.

Many expected the Cavs to win the title this year. Is the team, as its currently composed, capable of improving to championship level next year. If not, what or who are the missing pieces they need to put around LeBron?
I definitely think the Cavaliers were at the championship level this year—sometimes it just comes down to winning those few games, and the Cavs weren't able to pull that off against the Magic. If they can re-sign Varejao and keep the fountain of youth going for Z, I think they could win a championship with their current roster. That's not to say there aren't areas they could improve in—a big man who can create shots and make plays, a post defender, and a bona fide playmaker in the backcourt spring to mind, as well as another swingman off the bench.

Are there any current Cavaliers that could benefit by spending part of next season fine-tuning their game in the D-League?
I thought Tarence Kinsey was a better player than Wally Z and Sasha Pavlovic, and even Boobie Gibson, in the limited minutes I saw from him this season. He could use some time in the D-League to streamline his offensive game a little bit, and Hickson could use the time to develop some post moves, but ultimately I feel like the D-league is a double-edged sword when you're talking about a team as good as the Cavs are and how strict the roles have to be. Letting J.J. go to work on the block might be a good idea in a D-League game, but on the big club he should be focusing on getting energy baskets and playing pick-and-roll basketball, things like that.

The Cavs have picks #30 and #46 in the upcoming NBA Draft. What should Cavs fans expect out of these selections?
I would say guards. Hickson's going to be treated like a first-round pick in the frontcourt, Jackson's going to get run, and that's a fairly crowded situation as is. You're just not going to find a starting-quality big man at #30, and the Cavs have enough rotation bigs. They'd love a true point guard to back up Mo because Boobie and Delonte aren't really born PGs, but they'll see what's there, I'd imagine.

Is there a rookie on the board who might fall to number 30 that you would really like to see in a Cavs uniform next season? If so, who?
Darren Collison would probably be the best-case scenario for me. DraftExpress has him at 24, but he's my pipe dream because he's a pure point who can flat-out shoot. After seeing Patrick Mills go toe-to-toe with Team USA this past summer, it's hard not to get excited about him. He's not a pure point and his shooting percentages have been iffy, but as a change-of-pace guard off the bench, he can push the ball as well as anyone in this draft and create his own shot. Ever since LeBron came aboard, people have waited on a true transition point, and Mills just might be able to be that guy for 20 minutes a game.

And I could sell myself on this French kid, Rodrigue Beaubois. He's a point guard with a 6-10 wingspan who was third in the entire combine on his agility drill. He can handle the ball and could definitely be effective in a French Rondo-type way: he doesn't have Rondo's point guard skills, but his defensive ability alone could make him invaluable, and the reports say he does the little things. And he shoots 65% on two-pointers—Rondo's ability to finish around the basket is one of the things that makes him so special. Still, he's a guard who can't shoot 65% from the line, so my optimism would definitely be cautious.

In the second round, I think Greivis Vasquez can really play but hasn't put it together yet, A.J. Price would be a Boobie-like steal with less shooting but more playmaking, and Danny Green is from the type of program you want when you're drafting onto an elite team.

BayHawks guard Maureece Rice will play for the Cavs summer league team, and BayHawks players Ivan Harris and Jarvis Gunter have been invited to Cleveland's June minicamp. Do you see any of these players catching on with the Cavaliers next season?
I think Mike Brown will have an open mind, but with Jackson, Hickson, and Kinsey all really already on the squad, talented enough to play, and waiting for their crack at the rotation, I would say it's unlikely that new blood is going to get called up over those guys. But MB's surprised me before.

Darnell Jackson was sent down to Erie to play a couple of games last season. Do you think either he or J.J. Hickson has what it takes to become an impact power forward?
I think J.J. Hickson is the most offensively talented big man LeBron has ever played with. He's an absolute freak athlete who runs the court like a deer and has quick and authoritative springs. He's quick laterally, and he can stroke it out to 18 feet. He even shows nice moves around the basket. He just needs to learn how to play off the ball a little better, and, more than anything, show that he can make his defensive rotations consistently and not be a liability on that end. With DJ, I think everyone sees him as a Joe Smith-type for many years to come. If he can get that 18-footer he likes going, he'll give you good minutes.

As a Cavs fan, and someone who writes for an audience that certainly includes a lot of Cavs fans, I'm interested to hear your perception of the D-League. What do you see as strengths and weaknesses of the BayHawks-Cavaliers affiliation heading into year two?
Like I said earlier, I'm not sure if the D-League is meant to develop players for a team as good as the Cavs—MB's defensive system has a steep learning curve, playing offense with LeBron James is a system you're not going to learn in the D-League, and the team really can't afford young guys coming up who don't know their roles. But I'm ultimately a huge D-League supporter, and think it's going to do a ton of good for guys that get drafted in the long run. I think it was a forward-thinking move of [Cavs Owner Dan] Gilbert to get the share in the BayHawks.

An Interview with Matt Bresee, Erie BayHawks Vice President of Business Operations

Starting something new is challenging, even something as simple this blog. I can only imagine how challenging it is to start a brand new professional sports organization. That was the task facing the management staff of the Erie BayHawks this time last year. Recently I had the opportunity to interview Matt Bresee, vice president of business operations, to find out what it was like helping the BayHawks take flight for their first year of play and what the organization is doing to prepare for year two.

As vice president of business operations for the BayHawks, tell us about your role with the organization.
My main duties consist of managing the day-to-day business operations of the organization, including oversight of all of our corporate partnerships and supervising our ticket sales, promotions, marketing and communications. And fortunately we have a great staff that helps make my job easier every day.

Off the court, what was the biggest challenge during the BayHawks’ first year?
We certainly had several challenges, including starting a new business venture during such challenging economic times, but beyond that we were challenged most by managing our game night operations. We’ve heard that this wasn’t noticeable from the fans’ perspective, which was the goal, however we feel we have a lot of room to improve the fans’ game night experience. This consists of everything a fan sees, hears and experiences from the time they walk through the front door. Don’t get me wrong, we think we did a lot of good things—we have a great mascot and dance team and provided a different “show” every night—but we also feel we have the greatest potential for improvement in this area. Also, we did not have anyone on staff with basketball game experience. I spent nine years with the Erie SeaWolves (baseball), and our president Ron Sertz was with the Erie Otters (hockey) for 12 years, so we had a good sense of the framework necessary to manage game nights, but basketball presents some different challenges and opportunities than baseball and hockey.

What did it mean to the organization to make the playoffs in its first year?
It was outstanding. On the business side of things we are always focused on making the organization successful off the court, meaning we’ll create a fan-friendly environment, deliver a great fan experience with giveaways and in-game entertainment, provide our corporate partners great value, etc., regardless of wins and losses. So to have the team play as well as they did, gel so quickly as a young squad, and make the playoffs in our first season was icing on the cake. Coach Treloar and Coach McDonald deserve a lot of credit for what the team accomplished.

How has it been working with the team’s NBA affiliates? How closely do they monitor what’s going on with the team in Erie?
We have good relationships with both affiliates and they have both helped contribute to our success in the first year, but in different ways. Because of our close proximity to Cleveland, we are fortunate to have built a strong relationship with several members of the Cavaliers organization. General Manager Danny Ferry was in Erie about five or six times this season, and he has extended assistance to us in both the basketball operations and player development area and in the business operations area. Danny was also gracious enough to call Coach Treloar the night we clinched a playoff berth, so that tells us he’s keeping an eye on what we’re doing.

As for Philadelphia, the fact that they are seven hours away has not allowed for as many opportunities to work together, but they have been helpful in providing some promotional support, and they sent a representative to Erie for Opening Night to help usher in the new season.

You work in the front office, but I know you’re a pretty big basketball fan yourself. Talk about the level of talent playing in the D-League, and what it means to have players of that ability playing in Erie.
I absolutely love it. And we’ve heard from so many fans about how much they love it and how impressed they are with the level of play in this league. On our roster alone this year we had a guy that scored 1,100 points at Kentucky (Erik Daniels), a guy that won a national championship with North Carolina (Jackie Manuel), another that played in a Final Four with Ohio State (Ivan Harris), and Philadelphia’s all-time leading scorer in high school (Maureece Rice). As an Erie native, it’s great to see the tremendous talent that is being showcased here on any given night during the season, and I’m really proud that Erie has this franchise.

Sticking on the court, is there any particular game or play that sticks out in your mind from the season?
It was the first night Darnell Jackson came down and was our first-ever NBA assigned player to play here. We played the Utah Flash that night and they had J.R. Giddens on their roster, on assignment from the Celtics. It was great seeing that caliber of players on our court going at it. Jackson had 24 that night and Giddens had 18, but more importantly we got the win and Jackson threw down a sweet alley-oop from Oliver [Lafayette]…which might have been the highlight play of the season, too. It was a lot of fun watching that.

The nature of minor league sports discourages roster continuity from year to year. What steps go into assembling the BayHawks’ roster for next season?
It’s in coach’s hands. He has indicated we can expect to see at least a few players return and intends to stick closely to the fundamentals of what this league is for—to bring in guys that he believes have potential to develop into NBA-caliber players. He will attend the League’s pre-draft camp to scout talent, we’ll hold open tryouts again in September or October, he’ll make his claim (to the league) for a group of allocation players, and the D-League draft will take place in early November. Eighteen guys will come into training camp in mid-November and fight for the 10 roster spots.

The D-League has seen some teams fold, but ultimately the number of teams has doubled from 8 to 16 since the league’s inception in 2001. What are your overall impressions of the D-League and its long-term viability?
The league as a whole is getting stronger every year and the NBA is working to help each organization be successful. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with other team operators and there is a lot of talent on the business side of this league too. I envision the league eventually getting to a pure minor league system with a one-to-one ratio of NBA teams to D-League teams, however it will take a while. But I believe there are plenty of viable markets capable of supporting franchises and it’s just a matter of time for more owners to see the investment potential. That being said, rumor is the next collective bargaining agreement could be interesting and may impact things at the D-League level too, so who knows how that will play out.

What are the important upcoming dates on the calendar for the BayHawks before the tipoff of the 2009-10 season?
The pre-draft camp is June 19-21 and the NBA Draft is June 25, so we’ll be interested to see who the Cavs and Sixers select as their draft picks will always have the potential to play in Erie. And the 2009-10 schedule should be announced sometime in July. After that we’ll have tryouts in September or October, the D-League draft in the beginning of November, and training camp will start mid-November.

And finally, what should BayHawks fans expect for season two?
We truly are working on improving every aspect of our organization, and I can attest to all the hard work our staff is doing every day. We learned so much during our first season and have a lot of ideas for how we can get better. I can promise fans that we’ll continue to make attending a game affordable and the show off the court will be even more entertaining. And if last season is any indication, Coach Treloar and Coach McDonald will again assemble a roster that’s going to play hard, compete every night, and represent Erie well.