FanHouse NBDL

Riveting, isn't it? Eddie Gill was the first overall pick of the D-League draft last night, landing with the Colorado 14ers and earning him untold millions of dollars hours riding the bus during road trips. Considering the D-League draft goes 10 rounds, being selected No. 1 is a bit more prestigious than being taken first in the NBA draft, right? Hmm ... on second thought, maybe it doesn't work that way.

Personally, I'm just excited that 34-year-old Darvin Ham, drafted third by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, is keeping the dream alive -- steal of the draft! In fact, I was this close to using the draft as an excuse to post this video of him demolishing the backboard back when he was in college. He was with the Mavericks in the preseason before being waived last week. Other guys drafted that NBA fans may recognize include Jelani McCoy (Los Angeles D-Fenders) and Kevin Pittsnogle (Austin Torros), as well as several other players who appeared in NBA training camps but failed to make the cut.

Like many loyal NBA fans, I can't tell you but one or two facts about the Developmental League. Julius Hodge volunteered to spend time there. There was a nasty fight during a Dakota Wizards practice. James White was there briefly. And Eddie Robinson is plotting his comeback around those parts. But if you asked me why I don't pay attention, it would probably be because I don't think it's awesome.

Let's face it, the NBDL hasn't done a very good job of selling itself to fans of high-octane, uber-athletic basketball. While minor league baseball bills itself as a day at the ballpark, just a little less grand, I have no idea how the NBDL relates to the NBA.

That is, until today. According to the Argus Leader, this kid Amir Johnson is making Sioux City fans "[speak] in tongues." He's currently on loan to the Skyforce from the Pistons, and will be a restricted free agent this summer. What I care about, though, is these glimpses into his game:

On Saturday, when he finished two assists and three blocks shy of a quadruple-double, he threw a one-handed bounce pass in transition that covered nearly half the court - somehow avoiding a well-positioned defender - to teammate Stephen Graham on the doorstep for an uncontested jam. Later, he snagged a loose ball off his shoe tops in traffic, led the fastbreak down the floor and delivered a behind-the-back pass to Robert Hite for a layup.

Consider my interest piqued. If the NBA could convince that the DL was a combination of raw, exciting prospects and hard-working dreamers, I might even go to a game.

(via Detroit Bad Boys)