Each week, ESPNDallas.com will take a look at the Texas Legends, the D-League affiliate for the Dallas Mavericks, in order to see how the two are working hand in hand to improve one another.
Ricky Ledo is now a man without a home. He was released by the Dallas Mavericks this week to make room on the roster for Amar'e Stoudemire. The Mavs recalled Ledo from the Legends on Feb. 2 but was unable to log consistent minutes upon his return.
The way it works out now is that Texas retains Ledo's rights due to the fact he played more than 10 games with them while he was on assignment. If Ledo isn't claimed off waivers by an NBA team and plays in the D-League, the Legends would have the first spot in line to sign him for the remainder of the season.
The Mavs were intrigued by Ledo’s potential, acquiring him via trade as he was the 43rd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. When he wasn’t shuttling back and forth between Dallas and Frisco, he struggled to find a groove with his shooting touch. During his rookie season in Frisco, he ended up shooting 42.0 percent from the field and 32.8 percent from 3-point range on 12.0 field goal attempts in 39 games.
For the Legends this season, Ledo was shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 30.4 percent from 3-point range while taking 13.3 field goal attempts. On the surface, that doesn’t really jump off the page. It does when you consider two things: what he ended up shooting last season and what he was doing to start this season in Frisco.
While having to prove himself as a player, Ledo was perhaps pressing too much as he was shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from 3-point range in the first nine games of his season, taking place in the months of November and December.
A switch was flipped as January presented a steady dose of games and, in turn, an improved shooting touch. In 10 games before being called back up to rejoin the Mavs, Ledo shot 47.9 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from 3-point range.
Now without a team, it's certainly getting close to now or never time for the young scorer if he wants to earn some consistent playing time in the NBA. Luckily enough for him, his numbers show that he’s trending in the right direction.
Mark your calendars
Like the NBA, the D-League incorporated an All-Star break. After suffering a home loss at the hands of the Santa Cruz Warriors on Wednesday, Texas will host the Oklahoma City Blue on Friday, February 20th at Dr. Pepper Arena at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Fans will be able to watch the D-League live on the NBA D-League YouTube Channel (YouTube.com/nbadleague), the Legends’ website, as well as via the NBA D-League Center Court mobile app -- the league’s free mobile application providing fans with access to NBA D-League content.
But not least …
Speaking of All-Star breaks, Legends forward Eric Griffin participated in the 2015 NBA Development League All-Star Game. The athletic swingman struggled to find any traction in the game as he scored only four points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field. He bounced back in his first game after the break as he led the Legends with 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in the loss to the Warriors.
Griffin also pulled double duty as he participated in the D-League Slam Dunk Contest. The Slam Dunk Contest took place during halftime of the D-League All-Star Game. The Rio Grand Valley's Jarvis Threatt won the event.
