Asset management, my friends. Asset management. The team already had Mustafa Shakur and Antonio Anderson. So, using their leverage of having exclusive rights to Temple when he got waived by his NBA club, they brought him in and then converted him into a more useful asset. Jeff Adrien is pretty damn short for a big man, but he's a BEAST. Sort of reminds me of a more defensive-oriented Craig Smith.
I don't know much about Jeff Adrien, but I've always really liked Garrett Temple's game. I'm surprised he hasn't found a bench role in the league yet.
Thanks for sharing that! I was wondering what they were going to do with him after he didn't play much in the game at the showcase. Hopefully he can get some more exposure playing in the east
Have anyone voted for the D-League All-Stars? - My prediction of who's going in - Jeff Adrien = STAT like Mustafa Shakur = the stinger Richard Roby = this guy can ball When Vipers are hot; Vipers get the right plays and trade some plapyers
Just saw this: Ishmael Smith, Houston (Rio Grande Valley) - Aaron Brooks; return from injury made limited Smith's role in Houston, so the Rockets opted to assign him to get some playing time in Rio Grande Valley. The rookie from Wake Forest made his debut on Tuesday, scoring six points with six assists in a win over Maine. Smith will primarily come off the bench behind Mustafa Shakur in the NBA D-League, and will look to bounce back on Wednesday after shooting 2-9 in his debut. (latest)Assignment Report And RGV Vipers are coming 5th in the power rankings
This Jeff Adrien guy looks interesting. He's a 6'6" power forward, but he has freakishly long arms. He has a standing reach of 8'11.5", which 1/2 inch more than Patrick Patterson. This guy has been putting up some BIG numbers in the D-league for the Vipers.
#Vipers waive Mickell Gladness, reacquire Stanley Robinson and trade Robinson to Iowa #Energy for Texas-alum Connor Atchley.
I don't understand that move. Terrible trade, IMO. Atchley had a strong junior season at Texas playing along side DJ Augustin, but he was absolutely terrible the following year. He's 6'10'', but is too soft to bang in the paint, so he typically spots up free-throw line extended. Limited athletically, and became very timid offensively in his last season with the Horns. He had some issues between the ears/lack of self confidence, and he'll never play in the NBA, IMHO. Robinson, on the other hand, had all-world athleticism and a solid frame for a SF prospect, but only lacked offensive polish, something he could have worked on for 1-2 years with the Vipers. Plus, he was a teammate of Adrien at UConn, and the two could have worked together in RGV. I'm baffled by this move...
Guys, calm down about this! It's the freaking D-League! Obviously, the Rockets have little/no interest in Robinson as an NBA prospect. They already have Terrence Williams and Chase Budinger as athletic SF prospects for their NBA club. This trade was obviously about "system fit". Atchley must fit the Rockets'/Vipers' system better and would help players like Patrick Patterson and Ish Smith play their intended roles more effectively when they're playing with the Vipers. THIS is how good basketball organizations do things with their D-League affiliates. It's not about grabbing the most athletic group of players, most of whom will never sniff any hint of NBA success. It's about running a system--and inserting players who can run that system effectively--so as to best assist the "major league" ballclub.
I agree that on paper it looks like a pretty bad move, but I'm sure Gerson Rosas/Morey/the Vipers had their reason to do this trade. Wheter it's a favor for an agent or whatever, I'm sure this trade had very little to do with Connor Atchley. Maybe we'll get some details on why deal was made later on, we'll see.
[rquoter]Rockets G Ish Smith is RGV bound. I'm sure he's not coming down to visit.[/rquoter] http://twitter.com/davidh_rgvsport/status/32470787587837953
Vipers Waive Stanley Asumnu Link RGV just lost to AUS by 6 points snapping 4 game winning streak Next two games: vs. Austin(Wednesday, 02/16) and @Texas(Tuesday, 02/22)
Forward Thinking with 2011 NBA D-League All-Stars Just a heads up from the D-League Jeff Adrien, Center - Rio Grande Valley Vipers Credentials: 17.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg Player’s Take: “That would be fun. Anytime you make an All-Star team that’s fun. All-Star speaks for itself, the word. It would mean a lot.”
http://www.themonitor.com/sports/way-47185-hidalgo-lose.html The Vipers had 8 technicals called in the last 1:09 of the 4th quarter against the Austin Toros at home in the valley on Wednesday Feb 16! Yikes! Interesting read. I was at the last 2 Vipers games in Austin on Thursday and Saturday. All of the Vipers coaches came over and shook our hands on the Thursday game, and they even got us tickets for the Saturday game. Also looks like Jon Scheyer will be joining the Vipers.
