Calling attention to the call-ups

There have been 13 Gatorade Call-Ups from the NBA Development League to the NBA so far this season. Twelve players (Anthony Tolliver has been called up twice) have received the call that every D-League player dreams about. It’s a great moment whenever a D-League player earns himself an opportunity to play at the next level. But for whatever level of fanfare there is surrounding the actual call-up announcement (typically little, except in D-League press/blog circles), there is even less made of what the call-ups actually do once they’re in the NBA.

The Golden State Warriors have been the most active team in the call-up business, having tabbed four different D-League players this season. Warriors players rank first, second, and third in minutes per game among call-ups this season. The Warriors are followed closely by Houston. The Rockets’ hybrid-ownership model with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers has led to them calling up three players this season. Chicago, Utah, Atlanta, Cleveland, and the L.A. Clippers round out the group of teams that have called up a player this season.

Ideally, D-League call-ups get a chance to prove themselves against NBA competition, but reasons for call-ups differ from team to team. Some teams are simply filling a roster spot whereas others are looking for a contributing role player. Similarly, some teams are open to signing the called-up player for the rest of the season (or at least to a second 10-day contract) while other organizations use the call-up as a stopgap measure until an injured player returns to their roster.

With mixed expectations come mixed results. Five players have appeared in more than 10 games since earning their call-up. Six of the call-ups have averaged at least 10 minutes per game. Four different players have even started an NBA game since earning their call-up this season. On the flipside, there are experiences like Cedric Jackson’s (10 minutes in 5 game appearances over the course of two 10-day contracts) and JamesOn Curry’s (who was with the Clippers for less than a week before being released).

No matter what happens, each call-up brings with it promise, hope, and possibility. What the NBA team and the called-up player do with the opportunity is tough to predict, but the results should not go unreported. D-League call-ups have made positive impacts in the league this season, and more are likely to follow suit in the coming weeks and months. Without further introduction, I now present the top-5 call-up success stories of the 2009-10 season (so far!) in reverse order for dramatic effect.

5. Garrett Temple – Houston Rockets (via Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
OK, so this selection is as much about the Rockets-Vipers partnership as it is about Temple specifically. He happens to be the most recent call-up to Houston. He’s played two games so far, and the numbers aren’t going to blow anyone away (15 mpg, 3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg), but while it’s two early to say if Temple will be a personal success story, I think it’s safe to say that the Rockets’ Daryl Morey, an astute basketball mind, has as good a handle on the D-League and how it can benefit his organization as any current NBA general manager.

4. Chris Hunter – Golden State Warriors (via Fort Wayne Mad Ants)
Before he was even able to put on a D-League uniform this season, Hunter became the first D-League player to earn a call-up when the Warriors claimed him in November. Obviously they liked what they saw because Hunter has remained with Golden State all season, playing in 30 games. His best performance came Dec. 22 against Memphis when he scored 14 points on 6-9 shooting, grabbed 6 rebounds, blocked 3 shots, and had 3 steals in 31 minutes. But it’s the fact that he’s stayed with the team all year after being called up at the onset of the D-League season that earns him a spot on this list.

3. Cartier Martin – Golden State Warriors (via Iowa Energy)
With 15 guaranteed contracts on the books already, Golden State surprised no one when they released Martin following his second 10-day contract earlier this month. Nonetheless, Martin made an impact over the course of his 10-game NBA stint that should earn him another shot in the league whether it’s with Golden State or elsewhere. Martin played well enough to earn two starts for the Warriors. His best performances came during a three-game stretch in January when he averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds.

2. Sundiata Gaines – Utah Jazz (via Idaho Stampede)
By hitting a game-winning, buzzer-beating 3 against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in just his fifth NBA game (Jan. 14, the league-best Cavs haven’t lost a game since), Gaines became the feel-good story of the D-League this season. He had 9 points on 3-3 shooting that game, and that performance helped him earn a contract for the rest of the season with the Jazz. His minutes have remained fairly low, but his SportsCenter moment was the ultimate example of making the most of the opportunity after earning a call-up.

1. Anthony Tolliver – Golden State Warriors (via Idaho Stampede)
Tolliver takes the top spot in this countdown in a landslide, even over Gaines and his unforgettable moment. After a very brief stint in Portland early in the season, Tolliver has become a regular contributor for the Warriors. In 14 games with Golden State (including 7 starts), Tolliver has averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game. On Feb. 10, Tolliver set career highs in points (29) and minutes (46) in helping the Warriors to a 132-102 thumping of the Clippers. Tolliver’s success is proof positive that stick-to-itiveness can pay off if-and-when quality D-League players are given the opportunity to showcase their skills at the NBA level.

For a look into the future as to who the next call-ups will be, check out the Randy Livingston Memorial “On the Edge” Call-Up Rankings at Ridiculous Upside as compiled by RU’s Scott Schroeder and Jon L, Hardwood Paroxysm‘s Matt Moore, and D-League Digest’s own Steve Weinman.

Or, if you prefer history, check out the complete list of call-ups in NBA Development League history.