2008 Austin Toros training camp roster

[ChumpDumper]

Mohamed Abukar   F     6-10    220      San Diego State  
Serge Angounou 	  F 	6-8 	236 	 Arizona State  
Marshall Brown 	  F 	6-6 	205 	 Missouri
Kris Collins  	  G 	6-2 	190 	 New Mexico  
Eric Dawson 	  F 	6-9 	235 	 Midwestern State  
Isaiah Fox       F 	6-9 	270 	 Arizona
Andrew Francis 	  F 	6-7 	205	 UTSA
Charles Gaines 	  F	6-9     223	 Southern Mississippi	   
Malik Hairston 	   F 	6-6 	220 	 Oregon  
Carldell Johnson G 	5-10 	180 	 Alabama-Birmingham  
Robert McKiver 	  G 	6-3 	195 	 Houston
O'Neal Mims 	  F 	6-9 	235 	 Angelo State  
Tack Minor        G	6-0     196      LSU
Michael Sturns G 	6-5 	200 	 Holy Family
Jahmar Thorpe 	G 	6-6 	215 	 Houston
Ezra Williams 	G 	6-4 	205 	 Georgia  
Marcus Williams   F 	6-7 	205 	 Arizona

I'll just go ahead and make a guess at the lineup to start the season (starters underlined):

PG
Carldell Johnson
Robert McKiver

SG/SF
Kris Collins
Malik Hairston
Ezra Williams
Marcus Williams

PF/C
Serge Angounou
Eric Dawson
Charles Gaines
O'Neal Mims

I guess I'm reaching with Mims' making the team, but most of the big men in the draft after the top three were pretty unimpressive and it would be nice to have two shot blockers on an otherwise size-challenged team.

Sturns probably has a chance at taking one of the backup SG spots from Ezra Williams of Kris Collins as well.

The Toros should get most of their scoring from spots 1-3, and Gaines will be the main post scorer. The team looks like it's going to be a lot more perimeter oriented that last season.

[galvatron3000]

who broadcasts these games, I'd like to see a few?

[ChumpDumper]

You should be able to see them all online on the D-League site.

[timvp]

I need to go back and look at the draft. I skimmed it earlier and was underwhelmed with the choices. Then the parent team started to sink and I forgot about it.

Let's see here . . .

[ChumpDumper]

Every team seemed to panic-pick a big man or two. Anyone over 6'9" and/or 250 lbs. had a shot at being picked in the first two rounds.

I think the McKiver pick was solid, as were the Collins and Ezra Williams picks. The Toros definitely got their best players outside of the draft, but picked up some good pieces in it. They're pretty much up there with Albuquerque in the SW division race on paper.

[ChumpDumper]

November 20: AUSTIN
Waived G Michael Sturns, F Isaiah Fox, F Marshall Brown, F Andrew Francis. Waived F Mohammed Abukar due to injury.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/dleague/transactions.html

Abukar was their first round pick, but he didn't seem too special they have enough decent big men to compensate. The Toros also get the first shot at getting him back when he's healthy if they wish.

I was surprised that Collins got the start at point guard Thursday, we'll see how the minutes are distributed between him, McKiver and Squeaky Johnson in the next game.

The roster now stands at 12. I'm still sticking with my opening night roster listed above unless I see something significant tomorrow. If you happen to be around south Austin, the game is at Bowie High @ 6PM and admission is free -- though a donation to Bowie's athletic booster club would be appreciated.

[ChumpDumper]

Toros down 53 44 at the half. Ball movement stinks when Squeaky is not in. George Hill is here.

[mystargtr34]

Good stuff Chump, its good to have an insider on this stuff - i find it interesting.

[duncan228]

Originally Posted by mystargtr34

Good stuff Chump, its good to have an insider on this stuff - i find it interesting.

I had passing interest in the D-League before I got to ST. After I started reading ChumpDumper's stuff my interest, and knowledge, has grown. It's been a fun ride.

It's one of the best things about this site. There's some incredibly knowledgeable people posting.

[mystargtr34]

Originally Posted by MaNu4Tres

How does Mahimni look?

27 mins
5 fouls
7 points
1 rebound
1 block
3-3 FG

Struggling looks like, although im not sure why hes only taken 3 shots in nearly 30 minutes, maybe the new guys cant get him the ball.

Hairston on the other hand, is leading all scorers with 17

[ChumpDumper]

Ian with five fouls, still playing.. Toros down 62 72.

[boutons_]

There He Goes Again, excessive fouling

[ChumpDumper]

Tons of ice on both ankles for Ian. Pretty stiff. Don't expect him on the Spurs soon.

[tav1]

Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

Tons of ice on both ankles for Ian. Pretty stiff. Don't expect him on the Spurs soon.

Thanks, man.

[timvp]

Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

Tons of ice on both ankles for Ian. Pretty stiff. Don't expect him on the Spurs soon.

[vy65]

Ian Mahinmi: 4-4 From the Field, 9 Pts, 2 Boards, 5PF in about 23 minutes.

By no means awful, but if he's the savior, a game like that is going to make me think about switching religions.

[m33p0]

5 fouls in 23 minutes???

[SpursFan0728]

Just for curiosity, how much do these d-league players make?

Whats the min/max? is there a salary cap for the teams?

[Kori Ellis]

Originally Posted by SpursFan0728

Just for curiosity, how much do these d-league players make?

Whats the min/max? is there a salary cap for the teams?

They get paid between $12,000 and $24,000 for the season. They get their rent paid and they get $30 a day for food while on the road.

[Kori Ellis]

I think I'm wrong about the $24K - I think that was raised to $30K this season. I believe in the 2007 season, there were three levels of pay - $12K, $18K or $24K. I know that got up'd and I think the max is $30K now.

[DPG21920]

Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

I think I'm wrong about the $24K - I think that was raised to $30K this season. I believe in the 2007 season, there were three levels of pay - $12K, $18K or $24K. I know that got up'd and I think the max is $30K now.

That is correct. In the D-League they have players ranked into 3 tiers (A,B,C or I, II, III). You get paid according to your classification.

[sexinthatsx]

wow... that's not a lot of money but I guess if you love playing basketball, you're willing to take a mediocre paycheck to do it, unless these d-leaguers have other jobs on the side

[DPG21920]

Originally Posted by sexinthatsx

wow... that's not a lot of money but I guess if you love playing basketball, you're willing to take a mediocre paycheck to do it, unless these d-leaguers have other jobs on the side

Just depends. Many just live modestly. Share an apartment, split bills...That is the main reason why people play overseas instead of the D-League. They get more money. But the D-League is working towards paying more, it is just tough right now with the economy.

Many of these D-League players eat so poorly, it is kind of sad, lol!

[sexinthatsx]

Originally Posted by DPG21920

Just depends. Many just live modestly. Share an apartment, split bills...That is the main reason why people play overseas instead of the D-League. They get more money. But the D-League is working towards paying more, it is just tough right now with the economy.

Many of these D-League players eat so poorly, it is kind of sad, lol!

With 30 dollars a day on road trips, alongside the fact that their metabolisms require them to eat 5-6 times a day, I don't see how 5 dollars a meal will suffice for any healthier alternatives other than fast food

[ducks]

30k is alot of money for the hours
$20 an hour 40 hours a week is 30k a year

[DPG21920]

Originally Posted by sexinthatsx

With 30 dollars a day on road trips, alongside the fact that their metabolisms require them to eat 5-6 times a day, I don't see how 5 dollars a meal will suffice for any healthier alternatives other than fast food

That is one of the things that has been brought to light. They are athletes required to perform yet they have to eat like crap. I am sure once the league starts making money (if ever) that it will change.

It is just in infancy stage right now and that is how it is.