Last week, the Texas Legends continued to set the D-League ablaze as they added another key player to their formidable squad. All told, they split a two-game set at The Dr. Pepper Arena and prepared to hit the road once again.
W Texas Legends (14-9) Vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers (15-6)—146-121
For just the second time this season, the Texas Legends were able to defeat the D-League’s top-ranked team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. With both teams scoring a combined 267 points, it was a high-scoring affair to say the least.
The recently acquired P.J. Hairston led all scorers with 40 points, as he shot 40% from beyond the arc and was nearly perfect from the charity stripe (8/9). Mickey McConnell ran the point with the precision of an elite passer and the poise of a shooter. McConnell garnered a double-double with 17 assists and 16 points. Terrel Harris also recorded a deuce with 14 pts and 11 rebounds. Devin Ebanks , the D-League’s number two prospect, reached double-digits in multiple categories with 28 pts and 10 boards. Off the bench, Marcus Hubbard spelled the starters and knocked down 16 pts.
All told, this was a real statement game for the Texas Legends. It provides a glimpse into the future of a Legends squad with a dynamic scoring presence such as Hairston. If the Legends can match one of the league’s elite scoring teams point-for-point, then the sky is the limit in terms of wins, and bringing home a championship to Frisco is well within the realm of possibility.
L Texas Legends (14-10) Vs. Santa Cruz Warriors (15-9)—85-96
Just as the Legends were getting acclimated to P.J. Hairston’s recent acquisition, the team announced a trade that brought in former first-rounder Fab Melo to the roster.
Although his debut occurred in a losing effort, the addition of a true center will immediately improve the Legends’ paint presence as well as their rebound ability. In just over 16 minutes of court time, Melo picked up four rebounds.
Devin Ebanks led the Legends once again with 24 pts and nine rebounds. Booker Woodfox dropped in 12 pts from the bench. Melvin Ely—who Melo will spell occasionally—connected for nine pts and three rebounds.
Player Spotlight: C Fab Melo
Once again, the Texas Legends’ front office proved that they are willing to do what it takes to put a winning team on the court in Frisco. It took more than a little negotiating, but a four-team trade landed former 2012 NBA Draft pick (22nd overall) Fab Melo. The former Syracuse Orangemen is a true big, standing in at 7’ 0’ and 255 lbs. Melo played in six games this season with the Boston Celtics and 33 games with the Maine Red Claws.
Up until this point, the Legends had used Ely as their primary Center. This will give a chance for Ely to focus more on his shot rather than being an undersized big man. The only potential negative about the addition of Melo is that he may not be in the D-League for long, as he is eligible for a call-up to the Legends’ parent club, the Dallas Mavericks.
Upcoming Legends Games
The Texas Legends hit the road for a quick two-game series this week. Game one of their brief excursion will be Wednesday against the West Division’s second-place Los Angeles D-Fenders (13-10) at 9:30 PM (EST). After that, the Legends face the West Division’s third-place squad, the Reno Bighorns (14-11) the following night—with the tipoff at 10:00 PM (EST). Both games will be broadcast on the Legends’ official YouTube channel.
