2013-14 TEXAS LEGENDS MEDIA GUIDE Official NBA Development
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2013-14 TEXAS LEGENDS MEDIA GUIDE Official NBA Development League Affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks TABLE OF CONTENTS SCHEDULE COMMUNITY RELATIONS FULL SEASON SCHEDULE 3 TEXAS LEGENDS CARE 47 JERSEY NIGHTS 4 LEGENDS DANCE TEAM 48 DUNKER 49 FRONT OFFICE GENEROUS GEORGE 49 DIRECTORY 7 OWNERSHIP 8 GENERAL INFORMATION COACHING STAFF 11 DR PEPPER ARENA 51 SEATING CHART 52 PLAYERS ROSTER 15 MEDIA INFORMATION JEREMY ATKINSON 16 GENERAL MEDIA INFORMATION 54 CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS 17 RAMON DYER 18 FOUNDING PARTNERS 55 DEVIN EBANKS 19 MELVIN ELY 20 OPPONENTS MICHEAL ERIC 21 WEST DIVISION 57 TERREL HARRIS 22 CENTRAL DIVISION 58 MICKEY MCCONNELL 23 EAST DIVISION 59 SEAN SINGLETARY 24 PAUL STURGESS 25 BOOKER WOODFOX 26 SAMMY YEAGER 27 2012-13 SEASON REVIEW HISTORIC VERACRUZ 29 SEASON RECAP 30 LEAGUE STANDINGS 32 LEAGUE STATISTICS 33 LEAGUE ATTENDANCE 34 LEAGUE LEADERS 35 LEGENDS STATISTICS 36 HIGHS/LOWS 37 TOP SINGLE GAMES 40 TRANSACTIONS 42 FRANCHISE HISTORY GENERAL HISTORY 43 PAST COACHES 44 DRAFT HISTORY 45 2013-14 TEXAS LEGENDS MEDIA GUIDE 2 2013-14 SCHEDULE 2013-14 TEXAS LEGENDS MEDIA GUIDE 3 2013-14 CHARITABLE PARTNERS THE TEXAS LEGENDS ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE 24 CHARITABLE PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE 2013-14 SEASON. THE LEGENDS WILL BE THE FIRST TEAM IN NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE HISTORY TO HOST 24 SPECIALTY JERSEY NIGHTS, ALL OF WHICH ARE CHARITABLY THEMED. EACH HOME GAME, THE TEAM WILL WEAR A DIFFERENT JERSEY REPRESENTING A LOCAL, REGIONAL OR NATIONAL CHARITY—PROVIDING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE AND AWARENESS TO THE CHARITY. THE GROWTH TO 24 NIGHTS HAS COME A LONG WAY IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THE TEAM’S INAUGURAL SEASON (2010-11) SAW THE TEAM HOST TWO SPECIALTY JERSEY NIGHTS, WHILE 2011-12 SAW SIX. LAST SEASON, THE TEAM HOSTED 13 CHARITABLE NIGHTS AND SAW SUCH A SUCCESS IN THE OUTREACH AND AWARENESS FOR THE CHARITY THAT TEAM MANAGEMENT CHOSE TO DEDICATE ALL 24 HOME GAMES THIS YEAR TO CHARITABLE CAUSES. PREVIOUS NIGHTS HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS (INCLUDING A DONATION OF $20,000 FROM ZTE TO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF COLLIN COUNTY), AN INCREASE IN VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS, MORE THAN 1,000 MEDIA OUTLETS COVERING THE EVENT, AND MORE THAN 150,000 IMPRESSIONS ACROSS THE WORLD. 2013-14 TEXAS LEGENDS MEDIA GUIDE 4 2013-14 CHARITABLE PARTNERS THE FULL SCHEDULE OF SPECIALTY JERSEY NIGHTS INCLUDING SPONSORS FOLLOWS. · FRIDAY, NOV. 22 VS FORT WAYNE—PCS NIGHT PRESENTED BY HCFS · SATURDAY, NOV. 23 VS FORT WAYNE—FCA NIGHT · SATURDAY, NOV. 30 VS TULSA—CITYHOUSE NIGHT PRESENTED BY THE JAN RICHEY TEAM · SATURDAY, DEC. 7 VS AUSTIN—FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT PRESENTED BY THRIVENT FINANCIAL · FRIDAY, DEC. 13 VS RIO GRANDE VALLEY—GUNS & HOSES NIGHT PRESENTED BY SUNAMERICA MUTUAL FUNDS · SATURDAY, DEC. 14 VS AUSTIN—CITY SQUARE NIGHT · WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18 VS SPRINGFIELD—AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NIGHT PRESENTED BY RYAN, LLC · SATURDAY, JAN. 11 VS RIO GRANDE VALLEY—HISPANIC HERITAGE NIGHT PRESENTED BY TCRHCC · SATURDAY, JAN. 18 VS AUSTIN—MILITARY NIGHT PRESENTED BY SWYPIT.COM BENEFITING AMERICAN FALLEN SOLDIERS PROJECT · FRIDAY, JAN. 24 VS RIO GRANDE VALLEY—FRISCO EDUCATION FOUNDATION NIGHT PRESENTED BY POSTEL & COLLINS · SATURDAY, JAN. 25 VS SANTA CRUZ—THE SALVATION ARMY NIGHT PRESENTED BY SMITH THOMPSON HOME SECURITY · FRIDAY, JAN. 31 VS RIO GRANDE VALLEY—RELAY 4 LIFE NIGHT PRESENTED BY CREDIT UNION OF TEXAS · SATURDAY, FEB. 1 VS RIO GRANDE VALLEY—BLACK HISTORY NIGHT PRESENTED BY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF TEXAS · TUESDAY, FEB. 11 VS AUSTIN—FRIENDS OF WEDNESDAY’S CHILD NIGHT PRESENTED BY RYAN, LLC · WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12 VS AUSTIN—ART OF ELYSIUM NIGHT PRESENTED BY YOHAWK ENERGY · WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 VS TULSA—LIVING 4 ZACHARY NIGHT PRESENTED BY THE HEART HOSPITAL BAYLOR PLANO · THURSDAY, FEB. 27 VS LOS ANGELES—TEAM RUBICON NIGHT PRESENTED BY THE HOME DEPOT · SATURDAY, MAR. 1 VS LOS ANGELES—WIPE OUT KIDS’ CANCER NIGHT PRESENTED BY JCPENNEY · WEDNESDAY, MAR. 5 VS BAKERSFIELD—PHILANTHROPY NIGHT PRESENTED BY TOUR DE PROFIT · THURSDAY, MAR. 6 VS IOWA—AUSTIN STREET NIGHT PRESENTED BY CENTRAL KIA · FRIDAY, MAR. 14 VS MAINE—VOGEL ALCOVE NIGHT · SATURDAY, MAR. 15 VS TULSA—PANCREATIC CANCER NIGHT PRESENTED BY PARROT ICCE · WEDNESDAY, MAR. 19 VS BAKERSFIELD—BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF COLLIN COUNTY NIGHT · SATURDAY, APR. 5 VS IDAHO—GREEN NIGHT PRESENTED BY QUEST RECYCLING 2013-14 TEXAS LEGENDS MEDIA GUIDE 5 FRONT OFFICE DIRECTORY TEXAS LEGENDS OWNERSHIP OWNER DONNIE NELSON OWNER EVAN WYLY OWNER EDUARDO NAJERA OWNER SONNY XIAO BASKETBALL OPERATIONS STAFF PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS: SPUD WEBB VICE PRESIDENT: DEL HARRIS SR. VP/DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS: MALCOLM FARMER HEAD COACH/GENERAL MANAGER: EDUARDO NAJERA ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER: NANCY LIEBERMAN ASSISTANT COACH: BRANDON ESPINOSA ASSISTANT COACH: HOLLIS PRICE ASSISTANT COACH: DEAN MURRAY ASSISTANT COACH: CHARLIE PARKER ASSISTANT COACH: TYLER GATLIN DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: TRAVIS BLAKELEY EXECUTIVE ADVISOR: MARQUES HAYNES SCOUT: MATT MORALES SCOUT: BYRON BOGAR SCOUT: RAFAEL BARLOWE FRONT OFFICE STAFF PRESIDENT: BILL BOYCE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: MALCOLM FARMER VICE PRESIDENT CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS: DREW MITCHELL DIRECTOR, CORP SPONSORSHIPS & GROUP SALES: ANDREA WRIGHT DIRECTOR OF GROUP SALES: JUSTIN COOPER DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: RACHAEL BILNEY DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: DEINA MCNABB DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: ALEX MOHLE DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEV. & MEDIA RELATIONS: BRITNEY WYNN DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING: KYLE JUDKINS BUSINESS OPERATIONS: BRITTANY PAYNE PROJECT MANAGER: BYRON BOGAR 2013-14 TEXAS LEGENDS MEDIA GUIDE 7 TEXAS LEGENDS OWNERSHIP DONNIE NELSON One of the most respected minds in the NBA, Donnie Nelson is involved in every aspect of the Mavericks basketball operations. Nelson, who owns 22 years of NBA experience, came to Dallas on Jan. 2, 1998 after three seasons as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns. Nelson was instrumental in rebuilding a team that suffered a decade-long playoff draught into a perennial playoff team and championship contender. Under Nelson the Mavericks have won 66.0% of their games with three 60+ win seasons, including a franchise-record 67-win season in 2007 which tied for the sixth best record in NBA history. The Mavericks are also one of just six NBA franchises to win 60 games or more three times in a five year span. During his tenure, the Mavericks have made the playoffs seven consecutive seasons, been to the Western Conference Finals twice, reached a franchise milestone in 2006 when they advanced to the NBA Finals, and won their first Division Title in 20 years in 2007. Nelson successfully coached the Mavericks while his father and former head coach Don Nelson was recovering from cancer surgery in 2000-01. Donnie led the team to a 15-8 record while serving as head coach. He was the top assistant to his father at Golden State, where he served the organization a total of eight seasons (1986-94). Nelson was also a regional scout for the Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons (1984-86). Since 1990, Nelson has served as an assistant coach for the Lithuanian National Team. In that span, he has helped them win three bronze medals in four Olympiads, a silver medal in the 1995 European Championships and a gold medal in the 2003 European Championships. In appreciation of his contributions, Nelson was awarded the Grand Cross of the Commander by the President of Lithuania in 2004. He also serves as Honorary Ambassador for the League of Industries. In 1994, Nelson proudly served as a scout for USA Basketball at the World Championships in Toronto. Dream Team II went undefeated on their way to capturing a gold medal that year. Nelson's tireless efforts helped crack two walls that once seemed unbreakable. He was responsible for signing the first player from both the Soviet Union (Sarunas Marciulionis) and China (Wang Zhizhi) to NBA contracts. In addition, Nelson holds the honor of being the only American coach to participate in a Soviet National training camp. On June 24, 1998, Nelson engineered a deal that brought a relatively unknown German and an unheralded Canadian to Dallas. Both Dirk Nowitzki (2007) and Steve Nash (2005, 2006) would go on to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, giving the Mavericks the distinction of being the only team in history to acquire two future MVPs in the same transaction. "Donnie has been my biggest supporter from day one," said seven-time NBA All-Star and 2007 MVP Dirk Nowitzki. "He works harder than any coach or president in the NBA. He thinks about basketball 24 hours a day." Nelson also serves as the Chief Advisor for the Chinese National Basketball Team. During his three years of service, they equaled their all-time best Olympic finish (8th) in Athens and won the Gold Medal at the 2005 and 2007 Asian Championships. He is currently working with the Chinese Basketball Association in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nelson's first exposure to the continent of Africa took place in 1992. He has conducted clinics in North Africa, Senegal, Nigeria and South Africa. Nelson is especially proud to be associated with the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program in Africa. This outreach program provides educational opportunities to challenged African athletes. The Mavericks roster currently boasts two African-born players.Nelson founded the "Global Games" in Dallas, which gives area high school kids a chance to test themselves against the top Junior National Teams in the world. The games completed their eighth season this past summer. In Dec., 2002, Nelson's heart for disadvantaged youth led to the creation of the Assist Youth Foundation which has since combined with the charity organization known as Heroes. The foundation's goal is to advance opportunities for underprivileged kids in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and across the globe. A 1986 graduate of Wheaton College (Ill.) , Nelson was inducted into the school's Hall of Honor on Oct.