RealGM’s Player of the Week: Jae Crowder (Texas Legends)

The Dallas Mavericks assignee recorded a pair of triple-doubles in both of his games this week to earn RealGM’s Player of the Week honors. He averaged 22.5 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field in two wins. The 6-foot-6 small forward out of Marquette was a second round pick in 2012 and has seen a decent amount of action in the NBA rotation. He’s a glue guy who can do a little bit of everything, shown in his stat-stuffing line with the Legends. This past week should boost his confidence going forward.

Game of the Week: Texas Legends 137, Los Angeles D-Fenders 126 (OT)

In a game that featured 11 players with NBA experience, it was only fitting that it needed an extra period.

The game was tied at the end of the second and third quarters with little separation between the two squads. With 47 seconds left the D-Fenders trailed by five, but a three from James Southerland and a lay-up by Manny Harris tied it at 121. P.J. Hairston missed a tough runner at the buzzer as the game went into overtime. Texas dominated the extra period after opening with an 8-0 run and when it was all over, the Legends walked away with the 137-126 win.

Hairston led all scorers with 36 points (11-18 FG, 7-12 3FG) while teammate Damion James added 34 points (15-22 FG, 3-4 3FG) and nine rebounds. Crowder had 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists while fellow Dallas assignee Shane Larkin impressed with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

Manny Harris led the way for Los Angeles with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Terrence Williams (27 points), Shawne Williams (20 points), and Xavier Henry (19 points) also made strong contributions. Josh Magette ran the point well with seven points and 11 assists.

Five Stars

Vander Blue (Delaware 87ers): Blue averaged 41 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game in a pair of losses. He made a case for Player of the Week honors while shooting 52 percent from the field and 47 percent from three. After leaving Marquette as a junior, Blue was undrafted and spent time overseas in the Israeli Basketball Super League. He returned to the States and earned a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics earlier this season but didn’t stick with the squad. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is a quality scorer which showed in his eye-popping scoring totals this week.

Jamaal Franklin (Fort Wayne Mad Ants): The Memphis Grizzlies assignee was able to see plenty of action this week after only playing seven NBA minutes in February. Franklin averaged 24.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game in a pair of Mad Ant victories. His most impressive display was on Saturday where Franklin scored 31 points (8-15 FG, 4-7 3FG), dished 11 assists, and grabbed seven rebounds. The ultra-athletic 6-foot-5 shooting guard out of San Diego State is still working on his three-point jumper, but his motor and defensive ability give him loads of upside.

Bernard James (Texas Legends): Another Dallas Mavericks assignee, James was absolutely dominant in his lone game in the D-League. In 37 minutes, the 6-foot-10 big man had 38 points (18-20 FG), 18 rebounds, and four blocks in a win. The former second round pick out of Florida State was unstoppable for the Legends and was quickly recalled back to Dallas. He’s only averaging 4.9 minutes per game for the Mavericks but showed why he’s held onto an NBA spot.

Othyus Jeffers (Iowa Energy): The scrappy 6-foot-5 small forward averaged 25.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this week while shooting 54 percent from the floor. He’s a tough defender and earned a brief call-up with the San Antonio Spurs earlier this season. Jeffers can still improve on his three-point jumper, as he’s shooting 27 percent from deep.

Kevin Jones (Canton Charge): Jones recorded a double-double in all three of his games. He averaged 25.7 points and 14.3 rebounds per contest this week on 54 percent shooting. The D-League All-Star has recorded five straight 20+ point, 10+ rebound performances and proves to be a double-double machine. He’s slightly undersized at 6-foot-8, but the power forward out of West Virginia has been one of the most productive players in the league since the All-Star break.

Call-Ups

Chris Babb (Maine Red Claws): After spending the preseason with the Boston Celtics, Babb played well enough with the affiliate Maine Red Claws to earn a 10-day contract in Boston. Babb was averaging 12 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 38 percent shooting in the D-League and although Babb’s stats may not stand out compared to other recent call-ups, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard is primarily known as a defender. He’s played two NBA minutes and hasn’t recorded a stat.

Dewayne Dedmon (Santa Cruz Warriors): Dedmon earned his fifth 10-day contract this season after spending 20 days each with the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors this year. This time, it was the Orlando Magic who signed the 7-foot center out of USC. Dedmon was averaging 15.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the D-League but hasn’t played a game in Santa Cruz since January. He was playing well with the 76ers, averaging 3.4 points and 4.5 rebounds on 51 percent shooting in 11 minutes of action, but Philadelphia ultimately let him go, stating that, “The whole year is about evaluating people.” Dedmon has played three minutes for the Magic so far where he scored three points and grabbed two rebounds.

Justin Hamilton (Sioux Falls Skyforce): One of the most underrated players in the D-League, the 7-foot center received a 10-day deal with the Charlotte Bobcats. Hamilton was averaging 19.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and two blocks per game on 49 percent shooting before receiving the call-up. He’s also been able to stretch the floor, shown in his 39 percent three-point shooting percentage. A second round pick in 2012, Hamilton yet to see NBA action after the Bobcats recently bought out Ben Gordon’s contract.

DeAndre Liggins (Sioux Falls Skyforce): Liggins was averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game with the Skyforce before earning a 10-day contract with the affiliate Miami Heat squad. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard out of Kentucky has previously played in 56 NBA games, even starting one game for the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his lone NBA start he had 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-3 3FG) and nine rebounds in 40 minutes of action. Liggins was a D-League All-Star but has yet to log a minute for the Heat.

Adonis Thomas (Springfield Armor): After declaring for the draft following his sophomore season at Memphis, Thomas went undrafted and was sent to the D-League. Thomas has vastly improved his game since college, primarily in becoming a threat from deep. The 6-foot-6 wing was averaging 16.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Armor on 46 percent shooting, including a 47 percent clip from three. This was enough to earn a 10-day contract with the Magic where he’s scored five points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3FG) in 14 minutes.

Jarvis Varnado (Iowa Energy): The shot-blocking machine signed with the Philadelphia 76ers after spending the previous 10 days with the Chicago Bulls. He’s played 18 minutes with the 76ers and recorded two points, four rebounds, and three blocks.

And One: Joe Freeman of the Oregonian reported this week that the Portland Trail Blazers will end its one-to-one affiliation with the Idaho Stampede. Portland assigned C.J. McCollum earlier this season as he was recovering from a foot injury, but did not use its affiliate for any other purpose this year. With the lack of usage and distance between Portland and Boise, it’s understandable that the Trail Blazers ended its two-year-old affiliation and the Stampede will look for a new affiliate. Utah, Phoenix, and Denver seem to be possible partners as each team is in a multi-affiliation at the moment and are close in proximity. Utah was the only team of the trio to sign a D-League prospect this season in Diante Garrett, but he’s been a key player in the rotation this season. Perhaps his success can influence the Jazz to make a deal.