Exclusive D-League Affiliate Coming?

[Shantz]

According to Times Warner Cable Network, the Toronto Raptors are in negotiations to have the Rochester RazorSharks as their exclusive D-League Affiliate.

These quotes are from Upside and Motor:

Ever since the Raptors made it clear that they intended on developing Bruno in house rather than overseas, I've thought the need for an exclusive D-Leauge Affiliation was crucial.

Sharing the Mad Ants with 12 other teams would guarantee Bruno no playing time, or personalized coaching to fit with the Raptors long term vision/goals for him. He could spend a year in Fort Wayne and have wasted a year of development.

If the Raptors can close the deal with Rochester, it could mean big things for their young talent. And to have a team that is as close to Toronto as Rochester NY would just be gravy.

[mcHAPPY]

Great news.

Article said masai has been running things for 2 years. Obviously false. Heading in to his 2nd full season now.

Raps have had new ownership for 2 years though.

Things are looking good and they are only looking better.

[Fully]

Full time D-League affiliate would be a nice addition to the franchise, especially given Masai's commitment to developing young players. They could hand pick the entire staff in Rochester and turn it into their own mini basketball factory for all their prospects.

[Axel]

Great news. One thing I've wondered about is an overseas affiliate instead. Couldn't MLSE buy a Turkish league team for example? Higher quality team

[Axel]

To expand on that thought; I'm not sure of exactly how the various leagues and rules interact, but if it is an option it should be considered strongly. A higher quality league would offer greater competition to the players, would attract lots of overseas guys who are looking to impress the NBA owned team (seeing it as a fast track to the NBA) and would also be a very attractive coaching option; so they could bring in high quality young coaches. The time difference and flight time wouldn't be any different than LA.

I think eventually an overseas direct affiliated for the NBA is likely but it could take years for it to happen and perhaps an overseas league in need of financial assistance gets taken over by the NBA or by a group of NBA teams.

[mcHAPPY]

Great news. One thing I've wondered about is an overseas affiliate instead. Couldn't MLSE buy a Turkish league team for example? Higher quality team

Call ups and send downs would be a hastle.

How long a flight is Rochester to toronto in Larry t's private jet?

[DanH]

Call ups and send downs would be a hastle.

How long a flight is Rochester to toronto in Larry t's private jet?

Passenger jet makes it in 50 minutes.

[planetmars]

Good.. hope it happens sooner then later. NBADL can be a joke but if you have your own affiliate then it can really be beneficial. And Rochester might be the perfect location.

[Axel]

Call ups and send downs would be a hastle.

How long a flight is Rochester to toronto in Larry t's private jet?

How often do call ups happen? What if the team is playing Sacramento, call up from Rochester would be as long a flight as a Turkey-Toronto flight.

I think the flight time issue is negligible.

[planetmars]

How often do call ups happen? What if the team is playing Sacramento, call up from Rochester would be as long a flight as a Turkey-Toronto flight.

I think the flight time issue is negligible.

I don't think the flight time would be an issue either.. I think the issue would be how the games would be officiated. In a Euro league I suspect that they wouldn't be playing NBA rules on an NBA style court. Calling up a player that's not used to the NBA style could hurt their game and development. In order for the Euro team to play NBA style rules there would need to be multiple teams.. just not sure how expensive that venture would be to create an entire league out in Europe that is used for the sole purpose of developing NBA players.

[aharris46]

Bad News from Time Warner

Good.. hope it happens sooner then later. NBADL can be a joke but if you have your own affiliate then it can really be beneficial. And Rochester might be the perfect location.

The time warner report is false and they should not report this news without any validation. The Raptors GM has been in Africa and this news is simply hype made by the owner of this PBL team. Rogers Communications is not going to partner with this group.

[Axel]

I don't think the flight time would be an issue either.. I think the issue would be how the games would be officiated. In a Euro league I suspect that they wouldn't be playing NBA rules on an NBA style court. Calling up a player that's not used to the NBA style could hurt their game and development. In order for the Euro team to play NBA style rules there would need to be multiple teams.. just not sure how expensive that venture would be to create an entire league out in Europe that is used for the sole purpose of developing NBA players.

Yeah, that would be the larger issue but again, I think it would still be worth the venture. The number of in-season call ups in basketball is very low (not like the NHL) so it would mostly be about seasonal development to provide guys for training camp; essentially the Euro draft and stash route, except we own the team and can control things like playing time, coaching staff, etc. I don't think playing a higher competition level with FIBA rules would hurt a players development at all.

[007]

D=League team would be great, develop our players how we want them to develop, while getting a lot more playing time than if they were with the NBA team.

[white men can't jump]

Sweet, Rochester was my #1 choice too. Closeby minor league town that already has a bball team, and that should have good fan support since that PBL team has been very good recently.

Really hope this happens.

[white men can't jump]

Yeah, that would be the larger issue but again, I think it would still be worth the venture. The number of in-season call ups in basketball is very low (not like the NHL) so it would mostly be about seasonal development to provide guys for training camp; essentially the Euro draft and stash route, except we own the team and can control things like playing time, coaching staff, etc. I don't think playing a higher competition level with FIBA rules would hurt a players development at all.

It could also have to do with league and contract rules. The NBA already has a callup system in place with the D-League. But it's totally different with Euro teams. You have to sign a pro contract to play in Europe, and thus you can't be called up because you can't be under 2 different pro contracts in NBA and Europe. The rules dictating how guys can move from one league to the other would have to seriously change.