We knew something like this would happen eventually. Jim Harrick, coach of the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, has a player who is making $2.06 million per season. Two mil, in the D League. Where the previous top salary was $24,000. Leave it to freakin' Harrick.
Rookie Patrick O'Bryant, to our knowledge the only NBA lottery pick to ever play against the Arkansas Rimrockers, was sent to the Jam from the Warriors after Harrick convinced Golden State coach Don Nelson that it would be good for his, well, development. It's all chronicled in a well-written piece by the San Francisco's Chronicle Scott Ostler, who, if he went out to dinner with Harrick and O'Bryant, could probably pool the cash in their wallets and buy Bakersfield.
How long will O'Bryant's minor-league experience be? That hasn't been discussed. "As short as I can possibly make it," he says, matter-of-factly. Eight hours later, he is introduced as the Jam's starting center for the game against the visiting Austin Toros. O'Bryant is about to play a first half that will have some spectators wondering if the NBA has an F-League
We hope that O'Bryant makes it big in the NBA some day. When you're a top NBA draft pick and find yourself riding on the team bus with this, that's a reality check right there.
Small Towns And Big Dreams Make Up NBA's D-League [SFGate]
NBA Development League