Minor-league system could help young guys

Is it about time the NBA got serious about establishing a viable minor-league system? While the Continental Basketball Association and the National Basketball Development League are nice, as Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel writes they are just not doing enough for the game.

Imagine how much it would have benefited Magic rookie point guard Reece Gaines to be sent down for seasoning? Or Magic center Zaza Pachulia? Or Detroit center Darko Milicic, the No. 2 pick in last year's draft?

Instead of languishing on the bench, Gaines could have repaired his broken confidence -- and maybe his shot. Then he could have been called back up from the minors to the majors without the Magic losing his rights.

Players in the Continental Basketball Association and the National Basketball Development League, which has NBA ties, are brought up routinely in a procedure similar to those in baseball and hockey. But it's never worked the other way with youngsters and rookies already in the NBA.

"I like the idea. That would be terrific," Magic Coach Johnny Davis said. "I think that's something that is needed for our league. Baseball does it."

Chicago is experiencing first hand the effects of players coming into the league too young and taking longer than expected to develop. While Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford have all shown flashes - some bright - in their young NBA careers thus far, all three would have benefited from a minor system which allowed them to hone their skills under the watchful eye of the Bulls rather than lose big and often.

Maybe Portland would not have given up on a young teen named Jermaine O'Neal if there was a minor-league alternative.

The idea would have its rules. Schmitz' idea is to limit the concept to a player's first two seasons. Or maybe even expand NBA rosters or allow flexibility. Teams would retain rights to players, maybe several clubs -- say Orlando, Miami and Atlanta -- could field a farm team in a joint venture.

As one league scout and former coach says, "It would be a win-win deal. We really need it now with all the young guys coming in. Guys who sit on the bench for a year or two lose their value."

With yet another draft containing a strong High School representation something has to be done.

Via Orlando Sentinel

General Basketball, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers

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Blazers sign Forward Desmond Ferguson to 10-day contract

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers signed free-agent forward Desmond Ferguson to a 10-day contract Friday.

Ferguson replaces guard Omar Cook, who was placed on the injured list with left quadriceps tendinitis.

Ferguson has played professionally since 2000 in the Netherlands, Italy, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. He also has played three seasons in the Continental Basketball Association.

This year, he appeared in one regular-season game and four playoff games for the CBA's Rockford Lightning. In the playoffs, he averaged 19.3 points and 4.5 rebounds a game.

Via Associated Press

Portland Trail Blazers

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Union criticizes Stoudamire drug test

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers violated the collective bargaining agreement when coach Maurice Cheeks witnessed Damon Stoudamire take a drug test for a newspaper columnist, the NBA Players Association contends.

``It goes without saying that it's a violation of the collective bargaining agreement for any team personnel to have any role whatsoever in drug testing that falls outside of the collective bargaining agreement,'' union spokesman Dan Wasserman said in a statement on Monday.

Wasserman also said the union doesn't think it's a good idea for players to engage in ``publicity driven freelance drug testing.''

The statement neglected to say if the union would press the matter.

Last week, Stoudamire produced a urine sample for Oregonian columnist John Canzano. The two made a deal before the season that Canzano could test him at any time.

Cheeks was unaware of the agreement, but was asked by Canzano to serve as a witness. Cheeks aided the test by holding open a lavatory door at the team's practice gym.

``I didn't see any harm in it,'' Cheeks told the newspaper. ``I didn't do it for any other reason than to be there for Damon.''

Stoudamire, 30, passed the test and told Canzano that he hasn't used marijuana for more than six months.

Stoudamire was arrested on marijuana possession charges last year while preparing to board a plane at the Tucson International Airport. It was Stoudamire's third such arrest in 18 months.

Via Associated Press

Portland Trail Blazers

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