Albuquerque Thunderbirds 2009-10 NBA Affiliate teams announced

July 2, 11:50 AMNew Mexico Sports ExaminerHeather Shore

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Just the other day, the NBA announced which NBA teams would be affiliated with which NBA Development League (D-League) teams.  For the 2008-2009 Season the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (Tbirds), were affiliated with the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks.  Although during the entire season, no one from the Heat or Mavs was sent down to play for the Tbirds and no one from the Tbirds was called up to play for either of these NBA team.  The only person during the entire 2008-2009 season that was called up to play for any NBA team, was Mouhamed Sene, who was called up to the NY Knicks at the end of the Tbirds season. 

For the 2009-2010 season the Tbirds have been paired with the Dallas Mavericks once again and have a new affiliate relationship with the New Orleans Hornets. The affiliate assignments aren't up to the Tbirds, it's up to the NBA teams to choose, according to Tbirds Head Coach John Coffino.  The Tbirds did ask to be affiliated with the Hornets and they got their wish. 

"New Orleans has a great front office with (GM) Jeff Bower and (Asst GM) Brian Hagen.  It didn't come down to Miami or New Orleans, just that we know the Hornets people and felt good about establishing a relationship with them," Coach Coffino told Examiner.com.

Coach Coffino will be traveling to Las Vegas, NV for theNBA Summer League later this month.  All NBA teams send teams to the summer league and some former Tbirds will be playing.  Of the Summer league rosters that have been posted to NBA.com, Keith McLeod will play for the Oklahoma City Thunder and David Monds will play for the LA Lakers. 

So this season, expect the Tbirds to play at least one game in Mavs jerseys and one game in Hornets jerseys. 

Season tickets are on sale now for the 2009-2010 season.  Call (505) 265-DUNK (3865) for more information.