Transitioning to the D-League

Posted by Morris Almond on December 18, 2007

‘Practice Makes Perfect’ (M. Majchrzak - NBAE/Getty Images)

As you may know, I was recently 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.

My team’s just saving me for the ’08 Playoffs. Lets get it!

9 Comments

MW on December 19, 2007 said:

Hang in there! We are all waiting for the day that you put you put on the Jazz uniform for good.

Linda McFarland on December 19, 2007 said:

I wish all the young players had the same attitude that you have! You have your head and your heart in the right place so now it is work, work, work and be sure to KEEP the attitude. I am realizing that a good attitude is one of the hardest things for an NBA player to keep any more. Once they become very good there are many of them that forget where they came from and that it is a TEAM effort.

R.I.P. Pimp C on December 19, 2007 said:

Morris, I have read that your lightin’ it up down there. Keep up the good work man, I can’t wait to watch you play in real life. For now, I will be content with watching you destroy the competition in NBA Live 08.

Kev on December 22, 2007 said:

Hang in there Morris! I have seen you play a couple of times and you have one of the nicest shots I have ever seen. You are a true shooter. Keep up the good work and attitude and success will definetly come your way.

Jeremy Botelho on December 31, 2007 said:

Morris,
I agree with you that the D-league is a great way to bring on and transition new players into the “show”. I think, outside of the top 4 or 5 rookies, all new players in the NBA are being shown a disservice by either sitting on the bench regularly, or being forced into games out of necessity. I have watched several of the Flash’s games on “on demand” and can easily see the competition level is extremely high; certainly a step and a half higher than college, since you are playing against elite college and foreign players, many of which were drafted by NBA teams. I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about the “goings on” in various sports and I need to compliment you after watching a couple of Rice’s games, a few RMR games and now several with the Flash; YOU GOT GAME! I think confidence plays a big role with shooters in the NBA and it’s hard to get that confidence in your game at practice, on the bench during a game, or only playing two or three minutes. The game is the same. All the demensions are identical on every court around the country. So why are some shooters so good in their backyards or on the practice courts? Confidence! And it is easy to see from the few games I’ve seen of the Flash that you are gaining in confidence and I can’t wait until you get the call up and get some consistent game time with the Jazz. You were born with something and have worked hard to develop that something into what you have now, and that is GAME!!! Keep working hard for all of us fans that are pulling for you and you’ll be there before you know it, only more prepared and more confident than many of your peers.

Jenifer on January 03, 2008 said:

Congrats on your GREAT play down there!

Travis on January 05, 2008 said:

Morris you are gonna be a great player.The 51 points you scored was incredible. keep up the good work. Did you ever play any sports like baseball or football before?