New York Knicks: Allan Houston Explains Value Of NBA D-League
The NBA D-League has come a long way since the inception of the league back in 2001. When the inaugural season kicked off, the league had eight teams: the Asheville Altitude, North Charleston Lowgators, Columbus Riverdragons, Fayetteville Patriots, Greenville Groove, Huntsville Flight, Mobile Revelers, and Roanoke Dazzle.
With the Greensboro Swarm, Long Island Nets, and Windy City Bulls entering the NBADL for the 2016-17 season, the league now stands at 22 teams. The Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers have been in discussions about adding a team to the NBA D-League.
NBA executives, presidents, and NBA D-League general mangers are embracing the positives of the NBA developmental league. While eight teams are without a NBA D-League affiliate, teams and general managers scout the NBADL to find contributors and diamonds in the rough.
During the New York Knicks’ 90-88 preseason victory over the Washington Wizards, Allan Houston, the general manager of the Westchester Knicks, gave his thoughts on the benefits of the NBA D-League.
"“Well, really what you just want to do is provide an environment for players to develop and get better,“ Allan Houston said to Al Trautwig of the MSG Network. “And when they come into training camp, for the guys that don’t get a lot of playing time, you want it to be as seamless as possible. And then you have guys who come into the D-League and they’re looking for a showcase.““So, the biggest challenge is motivating them to not look at it as a demotion, but it’s a place where they can truly develop,“ Houston continued. “And with us being in the same facilities and having the same coaching and the same terminology, our coaches—Phil [Jackson], Steve [Mills], everyone’s right there, Jeff [Hornacek] is right there—to see these guys develop and get better.“"
Since their inaugural season in 2014, the Westchester Knicks have utilized their affiliate. The New York Knicks assigned Cleanthony Early several times during his two-year stint with the New York Knicks.
The Knicks also called-up three of their players—Langston Galloway, Jimmer Fredette, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo—during those two years.
One of those players, Galloway, showed his value after receiving a 10-day call-up on January 7, 2015. The 6’2″ guard went on to play in 45 NBA games during his rookie season, which included 41 starts.
During those 45 games, Galloway averaged 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 32.4 minutes per game. In turn, he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.
After spending the following season in New York, the Louisiana native signed a two-year contract worth $10,634,000 with a player option for the second year.
Even though the former St. Joseph’s guard wasn’t drafted, he proved that he could be a spark plug on an NBA team.
There are some players on the Knicks’ preseason roster who may be waived and signed to Westchester as an affiliate player. Like Houston said, being sent down to the NBA D-League shouldn’t be look as a demotion.
Those players who get waived will have an opportunity compete for extended minutes and prove they can be on an NBA roster.
Related Story: What Are The Expectations For The 2016-17 Season?
In the past two seasons, at least one player received a call-up each year. Last year, two players received a 10-day contract.
By the end of the 2016-17 NBA season, there’s a chance that another member of the Westchester Knicks will receive a 10-day contract.