I'm writing you from Springfield, Massachusetts, home not only of the Springfield Armor, but also a quaint little event this Friday - the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement of Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan, and C. Vivian Stringer.
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The NBA D-Leaguers have been a big hit at the Asia Challenge.
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You might think I'm here for the enshrinement ceremony. Well, yes I will be there, but I'm here primarily because we have a ton of great NBA D-League events happening here this weekend, in support of our newest team and in conjunction with the NBA. The events here this weekend, along with our participation in the 2009 NBA Asia Challenge in Korea and the Philippines, represents some of the unique and fun things we can do as the only minor league that's so deeply integrated with its respective major league.
With the support of EA and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, we're holding the first-ever NBA D-League Jam Session, which is a free event that will be open to the public from 10-4. Tons of fun interactive games and events, including the ability to sneak preview EA's NBA Live 10, and a special appearance from the Hall of Fame inductees as well as Armor head coach Dee Brown at a noon pep rally. Should be a lot of fun for the Springfield community, as well as current and future Armor fans!
We're also having a little bit of fun at our first annual NBA D-League Hall of Fame Fantasy Camp. 30 campers will participate in an NBA-style practice, led by Dee Brown, with the assistance of two of our esteemed NBA D-League alumni -- the New Jersey Nets' Bobby Simmons and the the Indiana Pacers' Dahntay Jones. The campers also get to attend the induction, hang out at an exclusive VIP party after the ceremony. Truly a unique experience for those campers, and one we're very happy to put on.
At the same time, halfway around the world, six NBA D-League players are playing alongside NBA Legends Dominique Wilkins, Tim Hardaway, Robert Horry, and Vlade Divac in a series of exhibition games called the Asia Basketball Challenge. Coached by Dakota Wizards head coach Rory White, as well as assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the "NBA Generations" team has been barnstorming across Korea and the Philippines, not only playing games but doing some great work as well. For example, today the team ran a basketball clinic for 100 under-privileged kids from various communities in Manila, and participated in a renovation project in the Gawad Kalinga community. Tomorrow, the team plays the PBA All-Stars in their final game before coming back to the States. Big shout out to Russell Robinson (Reno Bighorns), Chris Ellis (Tulsa 66ers), Derrick Dial (Tulsa 66ers), Billy Thomas (Colorado 14ers), Lanny Smith (Idaho Stampede) and Marcus Hubbard (Rio Grande Valley Vipers) along with Coach White for representing the NBA D-League so well! And may I add, even overseas in the off-season these guys are making a case for a call-up -- for example, Billy Thomas went 12-for-12 and led the team in scoring with 27 points in the Generations' victory against the Incheon Etland Elephants, while Russell Robinson and Lanny Smith went for 17 and 15 points, respectively. Pretty good!
