10 Most Bizarre D-League Team Names
In baseball, we have the various levels of the minor leagues. In football, there's the practice squad.
And, in professional basketball, we have the NBA Development League, or the D-League, as most people call it.
The D-League currently serves as the minors of basketball, as 16 teams in two conferences make up the organization that serves as an eventual stepping stone for some players looking to get to the NBA level.
Not many people realize this, but Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin spent some time in the D-League this year and Detroit Pistons guard Will Bynum spent some time here as well.
Another thing that this fine organization is known for is teams with some absolutely radical names.
Seeing as how I've already tackled this topic with minor league baseball, I've decided I'm going to do my best David Letterman impression and give you my top 10 list of bizarre D-League team names, past and present.
No. 10: Maine Red Claws
1 of 10The origin of the name of this Portland, Maine-based team is obvious. Maine is known for lobsters, lobsters are red once they're cooked, and that includes their claws.
Yet, why not just call them the "Maine Lobsters"? Sure, it doesn't sound fancy. Yet it's still a lot less awkward than Red Claws.
Either way, it's a bizarre name and it makes me laugh.
Most Notable Alum: Bill Walker
No. 9: Charleston Lowgators
2 of 10The Lowgators originated in 2001 and became the Florida Flame in 2004, but there was just something awesome about the team when they played in the jazzy South Carolina city.
As I said in my minor league baseball piece, I'm a huge fan of a team naming itself after some aspect of the local culture and with a lowcountry beast rocking this particular logo, I don't care if the team is defunct. It's still friggin' awesome.
Most Notable Alum: Dorell Wright
No. 8: Roanoke Dazzle
3 of 10The Roanoke Dazzle existed from 2001-2006, marking the first time that Roanoke, Virginia had basketball since the days of the ABA's Virginia Squires. I don't know about you, but I don't really remember there being anything "dazzling" about Roanoke, even at nighttime!
It's a shame that the team folded, as the locals loved them. Still, they'll always have memories of seeing some awesome basketball played for a short period of time.
Most Notable Alum: Andray Blatche
No. 7: Colorado 14ers
4 of 10Before the Texas Legends were known as such, they played in Broomfield, Colorado, just outside of Denver. Their team name? The ultra-creative Colorado 14ers.
The origin of said name? Colorado's 14,000-foot mountain peaks, of course. Well, creativity for the win!
Most Notable Alum: Louis Amundson
No. 6: Tulsa 66ers
5 of 10In keeping with the numbers theme, we now move onto the Tulsa 66ers.
Formally the Asheville Altitude, this team gets its name from the legendary road, Route 66. It passes right through Tulsa and most of that region of the country, and it even has a song that honors it.
It's got history and a shout-out to the local culture, so it's OK in my book.
Most Notable Alum: None
No. 5: Rio Grande Valley Vipers
6 of 10I really hope that Indiana Jones doesn't spend a lot of time in the Rio Grande Valley because as this team's name indicates, the region is full of snakes. I've gotta say, while I love the shout-out to the area, the name is also kind of intimidating.
Vipers are sneaky animals, ready to strike when their prey least expects it. Such must be the case for this squad, who won the D-League Finals in 2010.
Most Notable Alum: Aaron Brooks
No. 4: Sioux Falls Skyforce
7 of 10The Sioux Falls Skyforce have had a long and interesting history. For nearly two decades, they were part of the Continental Basketball Associations. In 2006, they joined the D-League.
To be honest, I don't know what to think of the team's name. On one hand, you could say that it was a rejected corporation name that James Cameron thought of while writing The Terminator. On the other hand, maybe it's an homage to the great amounts of sky one can see in the plains state of South Dakota.
Either way, it's coolly bizarre.
Most Notable Alum: Bobby Phills
No. 3: Arkansas RimRockers
8 of 10I love me some electrifying dunks, and the Arkansas RimRockers sure got the name right in honoring such actions.
They only lasted two seasons in the D-League, but their name was very fitting. I mean, come on. Their most notable alum is a veteran of the Slam Dunk Contest!
Most Notable Alum: Jamario Moon
No. 2: Fort Wayne Mad Ants
9 of 10I don't know what disgruntled ants have to do with the city of Fort Wayne, but I'll say this much. That ant in the logo is going to give me nightmares for a long time!
Most Notable Alum: None
No. 1: Los Angeles D-Fenders
10 of 10Well, after looking at the logo, colors and team name, I can only say one thing about the Los Angeles D-Fenders: Creativity for the win!
Most Notable Alum: Jordan Farmar
