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Exclusive: Q&A with former D-League Executive Chris Alpert

By Chris Reichert

Nov 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; A view of the basketball game ball during the game between the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 95-92. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; A view of the basketball game ball during the game between the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 95-92. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Prior to the start of the 2015-16 season, Yahoo! reported that Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Alpert was parting ways with the NBA D-League. To many followers of the NBA’s minor league, this came as quite a shock.

Alpert had been with the league since it’s inception in 2001 and he was a vital cog in the ever-growing machine that the D-League has slowly but surely become. Many of the questions we initially had were left unanswered, as there was no follow-up announcement that Alpert had taken a new position elsewhere or that he was retiring.

With that in mind, Upside & Motor recently reached out to Chris Alpert and he was gracious enough to talk to us about his departure from the league he helped build. Due to his previous position within the league, he declined to answer some questions.

You were with the D-League from its inception in 2001 until your departure this offseason. What do you miss most about working with the D-League?

First and foremost, I miss the daily interaction with people with the D-League office, with all the departments in the NBA that assisted our efforts, and with all the D-League teams. There are so many talented and passionate people that help make the league great and I miss working closely with all of them. Second, I miss the interaction with the players and coaches. They are the people that really make the league terrific. Their commitment, passion, perseverance, and hard work inspire those around them and we all feel tremendous fulfillment when they make it to the NBA.

When the league began there were eight teams. Now, there are now 19 teams (22 beginning next season), all of which are affiliated with an NBA club. Is this what you envisioned eventually happening all those years ago or does this surprise you?

The goal of the league has always been to be the best minor league for the game of basketball and to provide a valuable service to NBA teams, the league and the communities in which they play. To see how the league has grown from 8 teams to 22 teams (starting next season) has been truly remarkable. It continues to be a total team effort and that will continue as the league strives to have a minor league team for each NBA team.

Did you have an issue with how quickly the league has been growing over the past 2-3 seasons?

As a league, we were very happy with the rapid growth of the league. The NBA D-League has become an integral part of the NBA and it was very exciting to be a part of the growth. I’m extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish. NBA teams see how important it is to have their own team, evidenced by the number of NBA teams acquiring their own team. The growth of the league was inevitable and the league office, along with the teams, have done an excellent job of ensuring the league’s (and each team’s) long-term success.

Was/is there any animosity between you and President Malcolm Turner?

None at all. Malcolm is a terrific person and a tremendous leader. I enjoyed my time working with him and feel the league’s future is extremely bright with him leading the way.

Player salaries have been a hot topic for nearly a decade in the D-League. What do you think about player compensation in the league as it currently stands?

I think you will see some changes with player compensation in the coming seasons.

President Turner has publicly stated that having a D-League franchise for every NBA team is priority No. 1. Do you think NBA clubs should own player rights to every player on their D-League club, or would you prefer it to remain an open market for players as it is now?

I believe the league will follow the model that baseball has and teams will have rights to players on their minor league teams. What exactly those rights will be will need to be worked out, but it would be significantly more helpful to NBA teams if they have rights to the players on their D-League team so they can develop them without the worry of losing them during a season.

What have you been doing since you left the D-League?

I’ve been doing some college scouting and still follow the D-League closely. I’ve been to numerous D-League games and have been encouraged by the amount of player movement between the NBA and D-League. I’ve also been taking some leadership seminars to sharpen my leadership and management skills.

What are your future plans, career wise?

My goal is to stay involved in the game. I have so much passion and commitment toward the game and l look forward to using my experience, skills and dedication to help contribute in any way possible.

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