Watchability Rankings for the 2015-16 NBA D-League Season

Tonight, the 2015-16 NBA Development League season begins and we couldn’t be more excited.

There’s a lot going on in the D-League right now, with more teams being added by the day and player movement being at an all-time high, but we want to make life easy as possible for you when you’re deciding on which team(s) to watch this season. To do so, we’ve created a League Pass Rankings of sorts by voting on a number of variables that we consider are the most important as you frantically flip from game-to-game on YouTube.

We being Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles) and Chris Reichert (@Chris_Reichert), the captain of this ship and your resident D-League expert.

To make sure we’re all on the same page, here’s a look at each category that was rated on a scale of 1 to 10:

• Vine-Ability: Because who doesn’t like a good Vine? This can be because of a single player, an exciting system or just a team at large. We like highlights and we can only assume you do, too.
• Hashtag Worthy: Every year, someone in the D-League seems to come up with their own hashtag, like Pierre Jackson’s #TheySleep and Willie Reed’s #CallWillieUp. We based this more on roster makeup and funky names than anything else.
• Come on Down! Much of what makes the D-League exciting is NBA prospects on assignment. We’ve seen the likes of Clint Capela, Jeremy Lamb and Terrence Jones dominate after being drafted and we can only expect that trend to continue for the new folk. We based this on who could be assigned and how likely it is to happen.
• D’Antoni Factor: The D-League has become a test lab for extreme systems in recent years, but some teams are pushing the envelope more than others. Running and gunning makes for exciting TV, after all.

With that out of the way, on to the rankings!

19. Delaware 87ers

Notable Players

Jordan McRae, Gary Talton, Rodney Carney and Rysheed Jordan

Potential Assignees

Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten (rehab assignments)

Explanation

Scott: The problem Delaware is faced with is that the 76ers are doing almost all of their development in house. That’s not throwing shade at the process in any way, shape or form. It’s just the way it is. Rather than assigning someone like T.J. McConnell to the 87ers, they can afford to play him nearly 30 minutes per night. It helps that he’s playing well, too. The 87ers have some players to keep an eye on, but the team as a whole won’t keep you awake at night.

Chris: All of the excitement here comes from Rodney Carney and Rysheed Jordan. Carney is trying to prove he still has hidden trampolines in his lower body and Jordan is trying to improve his draft stock for next season. Other than that … uhh, it’s pretty rough.

18. Canton Charge

Notable Players

Quinn Cook, Sir’Dominic Porter, Antonio Barton and Kevin Olekaibe

Potential Assignees

Jared Cunningham and Joe Harris

Explanation

Chris: Canton has some potential for eye-popping plays with D.J. Stephens, Kevin Olekaibe and Sir’Dominic Pointer, but the issue here is they basically walk up and down the court. In a league that thrives on pace and high-scoring affairs the Charge will likely hover around 95 points a night. The roster make-up hints at a possible change in pace — there’s only one real post player in Michael Dunigan — but until I see it, they’re low on my list. 

Scott: Right, it’s just hard to rank a team that plays at a snail’s pace and bludgeons teams to death with their defense high on this list. Quinn Cook brings some excitement on offense, though. The final spot on Cleveland’s roster this season was between him and Jared Cunningham, so you know he’ll be looking to separate himself from the rest of the talent in the D-League.

17. Westchester Knicks

Notable Players

Travis Trice, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, DaJuan Summer and Durrell Summers

Potential Assignees

Cleanthony Early

Explanation

Scott: Jimmer Fredette’s call-up to the Pelicans hurts the Knicks in a big way. Tuning in to watch Thanasis Antetokounmpo pin opponents’ hopes and dreams into the backboard is well worth the price of admission, but nobody on the roster can replace the “Holy s—!” factor Fredette had going for him. Also, the triangle tends not to be the most glamorous of systems, especially at the minor league level. This is basically Antetokounmpo’s time to shine.

Chris: My first thought when I saw the Jimmer call-up news was basically the same. Seriously, this kills them in terms of watchability. Thanasis will still be good for a Vine or two per game, but they might have been top 10 with Jimmer because of #JimmerRange.

16. Idaho Stampede

Notable Players

Phil Pressey, Brandon Fields and Jeff Ayres

Potential Assignees

Chris Johnson, Elijah Millsap, Trey Lyles and Tibor Pleiss

Explanation

Chris: The Stampede should be much improved this season in terms of wins and losses, but they have gone down in terms of these rankings. Phil Pressey already earned a call-up and the only other big name is Jeff Ayres. Jeff Ayres?! That’s what I’m being sold on? How Scott has them with an above average Vine-ability rank is beyond the realm of possibility as far as I’m concerned. Also, R.I.P.#Benimonster, who is no longer in the D-League.

Scott: The Pressey call-up certainly hurts their Vine-ability in a big way, but I’m confident in Ayres’ ability to get it done. He was the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft and had a few solid years with the Spurs. Even if he’s not dunking on people or sending shots into the front row, he’ll be someone to watch as the season progresses.

15. Sioux Falls Skyforce

Notable Players

Corey Hawkins, Tre Kelley, DeAndre Liggins and Byron Mullins

Potential Assignees

Josh Richardson

Explanation

Scott: I’ve got one name for you: Byron Mullens. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got.

Chris: OK, this one was rough for me to score so low because they were fun to watch last season. Here’s the problem, though: I just don’t see it this year. Mullens is good for a funny haircut or silly shot from time-to-time, but my eyes are going to focus on DeAndre Liggins and his lock-down D. I’m also interested in Tre Kelley’s comeback attempt, as he was one of the league’s top point guards two seasons ago.

14. Grand Rapids Drive

Notable Players

Ryan Boatright, Adonis Thomas, Devin Ebanks and Sam Thompson

Potential Assignees

Reggie Bullock, Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard

Explanation

Chris: I think we missed the boat on this one to be honest. The roster is stacked with Ryan Boatright, Devin Ebanks, Adonis Thomas and Sam Thompson. Thompson (OSU alum) could be the most athletic player in the entire league and this team looks poised to put up points in bunches. Throw in the potential of seeing Spencer Dinwiddie assigned and they should definitely be higher than 14, but no higher than 10. Actually, maybe we didn’t mess up that badly.

Scott: I totally agree, especially if Dinwiddie spends a lot of time in Grand Rapids this season. But even if he doesn’t, it’s worth checking in on Boatright. Undersized point guards with a knack for scoring tend to thrive in the D-League. Like we saw with Pierre Jackson a few years ago, it might not be long before Boatright is putting up huge numbers and establishing himself as a walking human highlight reel.

13. Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Notable Players

C.J. Fair, Marcus Simmons, Terran Petteway and Kadeem Jack

Potential Assignees

Shayne Whittington, Rakeem Christmas and Joe Young

Explanation

Scott: Most of the excitement coming out of Fort Wayne this season derives from Indiana’s second round pick, Joseph Young. Young put himself on notice with an impressive performance in the Orlando Summer League and appears to be in the Pacers’ long-term plans, but that likely involves some time in the D-League during his rookie season. Beyond Young, the Mad Ants are looking to push the pace more, so that’ll be fun.

Chris: C.J. Fair was one of my favorites last season and he’s back for a second-term with Fort Wayne, so that’s awesome. Joe Young has “everyone move and watch me score a ton” potential once he’s assigned and the opening night roster has NBA assignees Rakeem Christmas and Shayne Whittington. Kadeem Jack and Terran Petteway fall in the “Who Are They?” category, but fans will quickly fall in love with their seemingly unending energy on both ends of the court.

12. Erie BayHawks

Notable Players

Tyler Harvey, Keith Appling, and Myck Kabongo

Potential Assignees

Devyn Marble

Explanation

Chris: Tyler. Effin. Harvey. Sure, there are other notable players on the roster — though at times it might seem like he doesn’t need them — but Harvey is the cream of the crop for me. He’s a draft rights player for the Magic, so only they can call him up, which is good because I think he is going to light the league up to the tune of 25-plus points per night. Camp rumblings were “we don’t have a Seth Curry type of player this year” and I call BS on that — Harvey is that dude and he’s going to drain lefty jumpers all season long.

Scott: Word. He is the Jimmer Fredette of the league now that Jimmer Fredette is no longer in the league. Long range 3-pointers and mind-boggling heat checks are all in order. It’s Harvey’s time to shine.

11. Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Notable Players

Jaron Johnson, Raphael Putney and Jarvis Threatt

Potential Assignees

K.J. McDaniels and Sam Dekker

Explanation

Scott: The Vipers are always exciting. Their run-and-gun system didn’t translate into many wins last season, but they’re hoping Matt Brase can tidy up a few loose ends. The one thing they were missing heading into this season was an exciting draft prospect from the Rockets, à la Terrence Jones, Nick Johnson and Clint Capela. (Dekker has the potential, but we’ll see.) Then, they shocked us all by assigning K.J. McDaniels to the Vipers on Wednesday. I think we may have them too low.

Chris: Of course K.J. McDaniels gets randomly assigned the day before we do this — thanks, Rockets! K.J. is going to be fun to watch and honestly, I hope he gets an extended stay like Capela did last season because it will be glorious to behold. Jarvis Threatt finished last season very strong and he’s the reigning dunk champion for the D-League, so he’s good for a highlight or two nightly. Perhaps the most intriguing storyline for me will be the journey of Chris Walker. Once heralded as a top prospect and sure-fire lottery pick, Walker fell into obscurity while at Florida and now is his chance to emerge like a phoenix from the ashes.

10. Oklahoma City Blue

Notable Players

Dakari Johnson, J.P. Tokoto and Talib Zanna

Potential Assignees

Josh Huestis, Cameron Payne and Mitch McGary

Explanation

Chris: If Mike Qualls was healthy the Blue might be even higher in my book. My co-hort has OKC super Vine-able and I’m going to assume that’s due to Tokoto because other than that I don’t see much excitement on this roster. The Blue have another domestic draft-and-stash player in Dakari Johnson, which should help them supremely in the win column. Hopefully we get a Mitch McGary sighting or two but for now, I think a top 10 rank is too high for this bunch.

Scott: You’re right, this is 100 percent because of Tokoto. Look, Tokoto has a lot of work to do before he’s an NBA player. (That’s assuming he is an NBA player, which I think he is.) But it’s going to be worth tracking his progression this season, if only because he can jump out of the building. Seriously, he’s destined to put some poor soul on a ridiculous poster. Also, the Thunder have a way of developing big men, leaving reason to believe that Johnson will eventually become a serviceable backup.

9. Austin Spurs

Notable Players

Jarell Eddie, Bryce Cotton and Orlando Johnson

Potential Assignees

Jonathon Simmons and possibly all of the Hawks’ assignees (!!)

Explanation

Scott: Even though the San Antonio Spurs didn’t pick someone like Kyle Anderson up in the draft, the Austin Spurs will pack some firepower this season. Bryce Cotton and Jarell Eddie, both of whom are on your top 10 returning players list, can catch fire at any time from 3-point range and will be among the favorites to score a call-up all season long. Jonathon Simmons, who signed a contract with San Antonio following an impressive Summer League, is also expected to spend time in Austin, which gives them the best backcourt in the D-League … right?

Chris: This roster is stacked. I think the best backcourt in the league might be on the west coast (we’ll get to them later), but Cotton, Eddie, Orlando Johnson, Cady Lalanne and Simmons are top level talent. Add in the fact that the Spurs will likely take most, if not all, of the Hawk’s assignees via the flex rule and they are going to have an overflow of talent. Just today, the Hawks assigned Walter “Edy” Tavares to play with Austin, so they could roll out a starting lineup of Cotton, Simmons, Eddie, Lalanne and Tavares. That’ll conjure up a “that’ll do donkey, that’ll do” response from this Shrek lover.

8. Bakersfield Jam

Notable Players

Earl Clark, Renaldo Major, Terrico White and Askia Booker

Potential Assignees

Archie Goodwin and Cory Jefferson

Explanation

Chris: If Bakersfield played “Slam” on repeat all game long, they would be No. 1 on this list. Alas, we can’t always get what we want. What the Jam do possess is the league’s all-time leading scorer in Renaldo Major, a newly-acquired Earl Clark, returning flash point guard Xavier Munford and guys who can jump out of the gym in Terrico White and Deonte Burton. Throw in a new flex assignment partnership with the Clippers (Branden Dawson and C.J. Wilcox are currently on assignment) and the Jam have it all — ahem, pardon me, Mr. Ellis.

Scott: Terrico White is bound to do something insane this season. Just watch his highlight reel. He actually has pogo sticks for legs. And following some time overseas after his NBA dream was cut short due to injury, he’s ready to prove he belongs again. I’d tune in for White alone, making the additions of Clark, Major and Munford all the more exciting.

7. Maine Red Claws

Notable Players

Omari Johnson, Ralph Sampson III and Ella Ellis

Potential Assignees

Terry Rozier, Jordan Mickey and James Young

Explanation

Scott: Despite being on a team in the midst of a rebuild, James Young, Terry Rozier and Jordan Mickey run the risk of getting bench splinters this season, making them perfect candidates to be assigned to the Red Claws. Given how talented all those guys are, it bumps the Red Claws into the top 10 even though they’re lacking in other areas. 

Chris: The Claws have a guy with one of the better stories from last season in Omari Johnson. Johnson made the team from tryouts, was the best sixth man in the league and ultimately earned a Summer League and training camp spot with the Portland Trail Blazers. And, yes, as Scott mentions, for some reason whenever James Young comes to Maine he obtains super powers and scores whenever the hell he wants. It’s almost like he’s more talented or something. Strange.

6. Iowa Energy

Notable Players

Andrew Harrison, Patrick Christopher, Cartier Martin and Perry Jones III

Potential Assignees

JaMychal Green and Russ Smith

Explanation

Chris: The Iowa Energy had two top 5 picks in the D-League Draft and somehow ended up getting Perry Jones III and Cartier Martin. Jackpot! Jones is going to prove to be a mismatch against almost any foe he will see in this league and should average 20/10 by walking into the gym on a nightly basis.

Scott: I always thought Jones needed one more season in the D-League to really find his feet in the NBA, making this the perfect opportunity to refine his entire game. Expect him to put up big numbers from the get-go and be amongst the favorites to score a call-up. I’m also interested in how Andrew Harrison adjusts to the pro game. He’s not ready for the NBA yet, but he could put himself back on the map if he embraces his time in the D-League. There’s a lot of intrigue with this team.

5. Santa Cruz Warriors

Notable Players

Xavier Henry, Darington Hobson, Ronnie Brewer and Elliot Williams

Potential Assignees

Ian Clark, Kevon Looney and James Michael McAdoo

Explanation

Scott: Casey Hill could make any team in the D-League a title contender. Well, maybe not any team, but he’s a spectacular coach. It helps, of course, that he enters the season with a number of former NBA players on the roster, like Ronnie Brewer and Xavier Henry, as well as talented returnees, like Darington Hobson and Elliot Williams, who are on the brink of scoring NBA contracts. The beauty of the Warriors, though, is that they have a way of making you forget you’re watching minor league basketball.

Chris: This roster has a who’s who on past NBA talent with Xavier Henry (who is still rehabbing right now), Elliot Williams, Daniel Orton, Ronnie Brewer and Darington Hobson. Oh yeah, by the way, they also have Juwan Staten who I might be even more excited about than any of the others because of the teency bit of the unknown. They are the defending champs and are attempting to make their FOURTH straight Finals appearance. The problem is that most of these guys will likely be gone by that time, but for now you should watch them play because it will be stupendous.

4. Texas Legends

Notable Players

Satnam Singh and Toure Murry

Potential Assignees

Salah Mejri, John Jenkins, Jeremy Evans and, one can hope, Justin Anderson

Explanation

Chris: Full disclosure, Scott clearly loves the Legends and I’m not exactly sure why. I have them ranked pretty high, too, and though I love Toure Murry and the idea of Satnam Singh, I’m at a loss that they are top 5 to start the year. One thing you should certainly watch for is Nick Van Exel who takes over the reigns as head coach this season and that will assuredly be fun to watch. The team also traded for Jamil Wilson who does a legit bow and arrow celebration after big 3-pointers and that, my friends, is why they are top 5. Honestly, I still don’t know.

Scott: They’re probably higher on this list than they should be, but where’s the love for Satnam Singh? He’s not the most gracious of athletes, but I won’t turn down the opportunity to watch a 7-2 center awkwardly pirouette around defenders and dunk on them … or clunk a hook shot so hard off the backboard that it ignites a fast break for the opposing team before he’s able to lumber his 290 pound frame to half court. Also, if Justin Anderson ever gets assigned (which he probably won’t), you won’t complain about them being top 5. I’m all in on the Legends.

3. Los Angeles D-Fenders

Notable Players

Manny Harris, Vander Blue, Malcolm Thomas and Robert Upshaw

Potential Assignees

Anthony Brown, Larry Nance Jr. and Ryan Kelly

Explanation

Scott: There are plenty of players to fall in love with on this roster — Vander Blue, Josh Magette, Malcolm Thomas — but most of the intrigue will be geared towards Robert Upshaw. Based on talent alone, he would’ve been a first round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. But because of some off the court issues, it didn’t exactly work out for him. The Lakers have given him the perfect platform to prove he belongs in the NBA and he’ll probably put up absurd numbers doing it.

Chris: This team should be No. 1! I’m Kanye right now and you can’t tell me nothin’ because the talent here is silly for the D-League. Manny Harris, Vander Blue and Robert Upshaw alone make them top 3 and then you add in guys like Josh Magette, Michael Frazier and Malcolm Thomas, taking them to a whole new level of amazingness. Look, I’m not saying they’re gonna go 50-0, but they might go 50-0. WATCH THIS TEAM, PEOPLE.

2. Raptors 905

Notable Players

Shannon Scott, Sim Bhullar, Mike Anderson and Scott Suggs

Potential Assignees

Bruno Caboclo, Anthony Bennett, Norman Powell and Lucas Nogueira

Explanation

Chris: At first glance of this roster you might call us crazy for having them this high. Plus, they’re an expansion team for God’s sake. But, consider the assignments we are going to see all season long and things change drastically in their favor. Bruno Caboclo, Lucas Nogueira, Normal Powell, Delon Wright and even Anthony Bennett could all make appearances and some could be quite lengthy. The team in Toronto is good and these guys need playing time, especially Bruno. This is why they went out and made this happen so quickly, so the assignments are coming. It’s only a matter of time.

Scott: I want to watch Bruno and only Bruno. As you said, the Raptors were quick to establish a D-League affiliate because they saw it as the perfect opportunity to develop some of their younger players, namely Mr. 2 Years Away From Being 2 Years Away. He won’t likely put up eye-popping numbers this season, but he no longer has to worry about being buried on the bench with the Mad Ants. All the minutes are going to be his and he’ll look to make the most of it by doing what dudes with 7-7 wingspans do.

1. Reno Bighorns

Notable Players

Marshall Henderson, Sundiata Gaines, Ricky Ledo and Reggie Hearn

Potential Assignees

Seth Curry, Duje Dukan and Eric Moreland

Explanation

Scott: The System is so exciting that the Bighorns don’t need star power to grab your attention. They smother teams with a full-court press, fire up 3-pointers at an unprecedented rate and run teams off the court. But they do have star power! Marshall Henderson is going to jack up 3-pointers until his hand falls off and Ricky Ledo will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Quincy Miller by honing his shooting skills. There really isn’t a more entertaining team to watch in the D-League, even if nobody’s coming down from the Kings.

Chris: The Bighorns and D-Fenders combined to score 343 points in a regulation game last season. REGULATION. Now, they’ve added Henderson and Ledo and the wheels could quite literally fall off. Also, please consider a scenario where the Kings send Seth Curry and Eric Moreland on assignment. (My mind just exploded thinking of a backcourt of Curry and Henderson!) The D-League is coming, ya’ll, and the Bighorns are at the forefront of the revolution of entertainment it aims to bring.