Netlinked returns after having much of the summer off. In this latest edition, we look at a local tryout for the Nets’ (and a bunch of other NBA teams) D-League affiliate and evaluate Mason Plumlee’s chances to make the Team USA roster and whether Mason himself thinks he’ll make the team or not.
After their agreement with the Springfield Armor ended this past season–and the Armor were sold to a group from Michigan–the Nets were left without an affiliate for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Springfield was left without a D-League team as well, as the Armor were relocated to Grand Rapids, MI to become the Grand Rapids Drive and enter a partnership with the Detroit Pistons.
A bunch of other NBA teams–besides the Nets–were stuck in the same situation, which is why 13 teams are expected to share the Fort Wayne Mad Ants this season, which won the D-League championship last year while being shared by the Pistons, Pacers, Bucks, Grizzlies, Bobcats (now Hornets), and Magic.
The Mad Ants, in the hopes of filling its roster, are having open tryouts at the Nets’ practice facility–the PNY Center, in East Rutherford–on September 20th. The tryouts are open to anyone, and only cost $150 if you sign up before September 18th, and $200 after that. Not really the steepest price to pay for the chance to play a tier under the NBA.
Now for our second and final item of the day. Mason Plumlee, Nets’ 2013 1st-round pick and 2013 All-Rookie 1st Team member, has had a pretty interesting summer after a great rookie campaign. Surprising many, he’s a strong candidate to make the United States’ national team for the upcoming basketball World Cup.
Plumlee may not be as explosive as the other frontcourt possibilities for the squad–such as DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Drummond–but he did play at Duke under Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski, and knows how to do the dirty work down low.
Final cuts for the team aren’t expected to occur in the next few days–as the US plays Puerto Rico tonight at MSG tonight–but are relatively soon, so Mason’s judgement day is on the horizon. If he makes the team–and he thinks he will–then great, he’ll get invaluable confidence and experience from being on the team with so many stars. If not, then no harm and no loss. He still got a lot of good practice, scrimmage, and game time through it all.
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