This is part three of our six-part series grading all 30 NBA teams on their usage of the D-League. Be sure to also check out the grades for the Pacific and Atlantic divisions. If you missed the original post and are unfamiliar with the genesis of this idea or want a full, detailed explanation of how the grades were determined, read the introduction of this post.

Otherwise, here’s the quick and dirty recap of how we graded: Bloggers were asked to consider quantity and quality of each team’s assignments and call-ups, ownership and communication with the D-League affiliate, and any other factors that contribute to effective usage of the D-League. For each team, I took the TrueHoop Network team blogger’s grade (THN), Matt Moore’s grade (MM), Ridiculous Upside’s grade (RU), and my grade (MH), and calculated a final GPA.

With that in mind, here are the grades and rationales for the teams of the Northwest Division:

Denver Nuggets: 0.92 GPA
High Grade: C- (THN)
Low Grade: F (MM)
Players Assigned: 4 (2 in last two years)
Players Called Up: 8 (2 in last two years)

THN’s Take (by Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company): The Denver Nuggets were the very first NBA team to call up a player from the D-League when they signed Chris “Birdman” Andersen [in 2001], who at the time only had 40 percent of his torso covered in tattoos as opposed to his current 110 percent. That move worked out exceptionally well and things have gone downhill ever since.

Several times the Nuggets attempted to replace the draft picks they haphazardly and repeatedly gave away by acquiring prospects on the cheap through late season call-ups of players such as Von Wafer, Bobby Jones and Coby Karl. It was a smart tactic to employ, but none of those moves ever delivered a rotation player, though I had high hopes for Karl.

Denver did find Dahntay Jones after he played one season with Fort Wayne, and he became an impact player the season they reached the Western Conference Finals. Denver also managed Sonny Weems well as he was able to develop his game with the Colorado 14ers, although they gave him away in a trade for Malik Allen.  Weems is now in the mix to start for the Toronto Raptors.

The Nuggets greatest failure was not recognizing the value of having the 14ers playing just a hop, skip and a jump away in Broomfield, Colo. Instead of buying a controlling stake in the team, the 14ers were sold to a group headed up by Donnie Nelson and moved to Frisco, Texas, where the Dallas Mavericks can reap the benefits.

Matt Moore’s Explanation: Coby Karl does not a system make. The 14ers died on their watch. Okay, not really. But still. I liked that team’s logo.

Final Assessment: The Nuggets did snatch a couple of late season call-ups last season, but both Brian Butch and Coby Karl were waived earlier this summer. Depending on what happens with Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets could be in rebuilding mode sooner rather than later. Yes, they deserve a few bonus points for the league’s first call-up, but that was almost a decade ago, and they haven’t really had a successful call-up since. The departure of Colorado as a D-League franchise wasn’t good for them, but they shouldn’t use that as an excuse for refraining from assigning players in the future. If they want an affiliate in Colorado, pony up the cash to make it happen.

Minnesota Timberwolves: 1.44 GPA*
High Grade: C+ (RU)
Low Grade: D (MH, MM)
Players Assigned: 5 (1 in last two years)
Players Called Up: 3 (1 in last two years)

Matt Moore’s Explanation: They have a franchise down the road, ready to contribute. Nothin’. They have a team losing that can afford to experiment. Nothing. Imagine what Darko’s $20 mil could have done in the D-League.

Final Assessment: David Kahn’s “plan” in Minnesota is unclear to most basketball fans, but it’s pretty clear that utilizing the D-League is somewhere behind drafting young point guards and acquiring other team’s failed draft projects. That said, the team did call-up Greg Stiemsma late last year and sign him for the 2010-11 season. They also added former D-Leaguer Anthony Tolliver—though not until after he’d been called up elsewhere. Tolliver’s Decision Part Deux aside, high profile free agents aren’t flocking in droves to Minnesota, so it’d be a wise move for Kahn and company to look into the possibility of developing some homegrown talent.

Oklahoma City Thunder: 3.75 GPA
High Grade: A (MM, THN)
Low Grade: B+ (RU)
Players Assigned: 10 (7 in last two years)
Players Called Up: 11 (4 in last two years)

THN’s Take (by Royce Young, The Daily Thunder): I would honestly give the Thunder an A. I know that seems a bit homerish, but honestly, what are they doing wrong? They utilize call-ups as much as anyone, own their affiliate and have installed the same system in both OKC and Tulsa. Also, Sam Presti oversees all transactions done by the 66ers.

The Thunder even used the D-League to scout Latavious Williams and then acquire him via trade on draft night. And then they’ll use the D-League to grow Williams as well. If anyone is taking advantage of the D-League, I’d say it’s OKC.

Matt Moore’s Explanation: They have a stocked roster and still find room to send guys up and down. Fruit doesn’t fall far from the black and silver tree.

Final Assessment: The Thunder is that intriguing new kid in class that all the girls are talking about. Good-looking, fun, smart and lovable (unless you talk to ex-girlfriend and scorned lover, Seattle). But back on point, the D-League aspect of the Thunder definitely falls under the smart category. With 11 combined assignments and call-ups over the past two seasons, it’s clear that this is a team determined to utilizing the D-League to develop its young talent. They’ve built a team that’s set to contend in the West with a young and improving nucleus, and they’re supplementing that core with pieces that they’re molding and fine-tuning in the D-League. Using the D-League is not a perfect science, but that doesn’t stop the Thunder from experimenting. Continue Reading »Grading NBA Teams’ Usage of the D-League: Northwest Division