D-What?

It's only 7 years old, but the NBA Development League is flourishing nicely for such a young organization. The D-League acts as a sort of intermediate program for college basketball players who weren't drafted to the actual NBA before they graduated. And before you scoff, many well-known former NBA draftees and waived players have actually taken part in the D-League, including Chris "The Birdman" Anderson (of the Hornets, uh, before he got disqualified from the NBA for testing positive for drug usage . . . but still) and Matt Barnes (the Golden State Warriors). Anyway, the D-League's pretty important for development and enrichment. Kinda like kindergarten. Besides, you're not going to see team names like the Fort Wayne Mad Ants or the LA D-Fenders in the big leagues.
Mon., Feb. 18, 3 p.m., 2008