Springfield Armor
Encyclopedia
The Springfield Armor is a basketball
team located in Springfield, Massachusetts
, which plays in the NBA Development League
. The Armor plays its home games at the MassMutual Center
in Springfield's Metro Center
neighborhood. The team is owned by HWS Basketball, LLC which is principally owned by Michael Savit, previously the Senior Vice President of International Management Group
. (His HWS Baseball group owns and operates four minor-league baseball teams; the Southern League
's Mobile BayBears
, the California League
's Modesto Nuts
, the New York-Penn League's Mahoning Valley Scrappers
, and the Coastal Plain League
's Columbia Blowfish
.)
As of the 2011-2012 season, the Springfield Armor will become the official and exclusive affiliate of the NBA's New Jersey Nets
, making them the second team to opt for the D-League's "hybrid affiliation." Local ownership will maintain control over business, marketing, and day-to-day operations in Springfield. (Currently, the only other D-League "hybrid affiliation" is between the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers
and the NBA's Houston Rockets
.) According to America Online, "The hybrid model has been very well received by GMs and owners, and considering the massive success the Rockets have had with the model, both in winning D-League games and developing NBA-caliber talent (many of whom received the call from the Rockets for stints last season), it's no surprise that the Nets elected for this version of ownership."
teacher James Naismith
invented the game to fill-in the gap between the fall's football season and the summer's baseball season. Basketball became popular quickly and became an Olympic sport in 1936. Springfield is also home to basketball's most prestigious site, the Basketball Hall of Fame
, which honors the game's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Each year hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world visit the Basketball Hall of Fame.
, which was founded by George Washington
in 1777 as the Continental Army
's arsenal, and went on to become a very important and innovative institution during American history. The Pentagon
controversially closed the Springfield Armory during the Vietnam War, outraging and confusing many people. Today, the Springfield Armory is a National Park
, featuring a museum with the largest collection of guns in the entire world. Springfield Armory innovations include the development of interchangeable parts
, the Springfield rifle
, America's first musket, and the first fluorescent light.
.
The team ended their inaugural 2009-2010 season with a record of 7-43, the worst record in NBADL history. They finished in 7th place in the Eastern Division. Their leading scorer was Morris Almond
, who averaged 26.8 points per game in 22 games with the team.
In 2010-11, the Armor started by picking 5th in the D-League Draft
, and selected La Salle's Vernon Goodridge
. Goodridge went on to play in 33 games, averaging 9.0 points per game, and led the team with 1.6 blocks per game, before being traded to the Maine Red Claws. JamesOn Curry
led the team overall with 684 points scored, a 15.5 ppg average. The Armor would end up finishing with a record of 13-37, sixth in the seven-team Eastern Conference. After the season, head coach Dee Brown opted to leave the team to join the Detroit Pistons
. Brown was replaced soon after by by Bob MacKinnon, Jr.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team located in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, which plays in the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
. The Armor plays its home games at the MassMutual Center
MassMutual Center
The MassMutual Center is a multi-purpose arena and convention center, in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Built in the city's Metro Center across from Court Square, the facility opened in 1972 as the Springfield Civic Center and was at that time considered to be the largest arena in the...
in Springfield's Metro Center
Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Metro Center is the original colonial settlement of Springfield, Massachusetts, located beside a bend in the Connecticut River. As of 2011, Metro Center features a majority of Western Massachusetts' most important cultural, business, and civic venues...
neighborhood. The team is owned by HWS Basketball, LLC which is principally owned by Michael Savit, previously the Senior Vice President of International Management Group
IMG (business)
IMG, originally known as the International Management Group is a global sports and media business headquartered in New York City.-History:...
. (His HWS Baseball group owns and operates four minor-league baseball teams; the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
's Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are a minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league club. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home...
, the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
's Modesto Nuts
Modesto Nuts
The Modesto Nuts are a minor league baseball team in Modesto, California, USA. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Colorado Rockies. The Modesto Nuts play home games at John Thurman Field. Opened in 1955 and renovated in 1997, the park seats 4,000 fans...
, the New York-Penn League's Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are a minor league baseball club based in Niles, Ohio, a city in the valley of the Mahoning River. The Scrappers play in the Pinckney Division of the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League and are affiliated with the Cleveland Indians Major League...
, and the Coastal Plain League
Coastal Plain League
The Coastal Plain League is a wood-bat collegiate summer league, featuring college players from throughout the nation. The league takes its name from a Class D minor league baseball league which operated in the same area from 1937 to 1952. The modern league was formed with six teams in 1997...
's Columbia Blowfish
Columbia Blowfish
The Columbia Blowfish are an amateur baseball team in the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The team plays its home games at the Capital City Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina...
.)
As of the 2011-2012 season, the Springfield Armor will become the official and exclusive affiliate of the NBA's New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, making them the second team to opt for the D-League's "hybrid affiliation." Local ownership will maintain control over business, marketing, and day-to-day operations in Springfield. (Currently, the only other D-League "hybrid affiliation" is between the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Rio Grande Valley Vipers
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are a 2007-08 expansion team in the NBA Development League. They play their home games at the State Farm Arena, in Hidalgo, Texas....
and the NBA's Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
.) According to America Online, "The hybrid model has been very well received by GMs and owners, and considering the massive success the Rockets have had with the model, both in winning D-League games and developing NBA-caliber talent (many of whom received the call from the Rockets for stints last season), it's no surprise that the Nets elected for this version of ownership."
Springfield - The Birthplace of Basketball
The City of Springfield is nicknamed The Birthplace of Basketball because the sport was invented there in 1891. Springfield CollegeSpringfield College
Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
teacher James Naismith
James Naismith
The first game of "Basket Ball" was played in December 1891. In a handwritten report, Naismith described the circumstances of the inaugural match; in contrast to modern basketball, the players played nine versus nine, handled a soccer ball, not a basketball, and instead of shooting at two hoops,...
invented the game to fill-in the gap between the fall's football season and the summer's baseball season. Basketball became popular quickly and became an Olympic sport in 1936. Springfield is also home to basketball's most prestigious site, the Basketball Hall of Fame
Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
, which honors the game's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Each year hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world visit the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Team name
The Springfield Armor's team name comes from the famous Springfield ArmorySpringfield Armory
The Springfield Armory, located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts - from 1777 until its closing in 1968 - was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms. After its controversial closing during the Vietnam War, the Springfield Armory was declared Western Massachusetts'...
, which was founded by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
in 1777 as the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
's arsenal, and went on to become a very important and innovative institution during American history. The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
controversially closed the Springfield Armory during the Vietnam War, outraging and confusing many people. Today, the Springfield Armory is a National Park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
, featuring a museum with the largest collection of guns in the entire world. Springfield Armory innovations include the development of interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts are parts that are, for practical purposes, identical. They are made to specifications that ensure that they are so nearly identical that they will fit into any device of the same type. One such part can freely replace another, without any custom fitting...
, the Springfield rifle
Springfield Rifle
The term Springfield Rifle may refer to any one of several types of small arms produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the United States armed forces....
, America's first musket, and the first fluorescent light.
Armor history
In franchise events in 2009: the team held a name the team contest until May 1. On June 30, the Armor unveiled its name, logo, and colors. On July 29, it was announced that Dee Brown will be the head coach. On September 2, the Armor picked first in the D-League Expansion Draft, which they used on center Marcus CampbellMarcus Campbell (basketball)
Marcus Campbell is an American professional basketball player currently with the Iran Superleague team Shiraz a.s Pipe. Campbell is 2.14m tall, and played college basketball at Mississippi State University....
.
The team ended their inaugural 2009-2010 season with a record of 7-43, the worst record in NBADL history. They finished in 7th place in the Eastern Division. Their leading scorer was Morris Almond
Morris Almond
Morris Almond is an American professional basketball player.-High school:Almond attended McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, and was a teammate of current Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith....
, who averaged 26.8 points per game in 22 games with the team.
In 2010-11, the Armor started by picking 5th in the D-League Draft
2010 NBA Development League Draft
The 2010 NBA D-League Draft occurred on November 1, 2010. The first pick was Nick Fazekas by the Reno Bighorns.-Round 1:The 2010 NBA D-League Draft occurred on November 1, 2010. The first pick was Nick Fazekas by the Reno Bighorns.-Round 1:...
, and selected La Salle's Vernon Goodridge
Vernon Goodridge
Vernon Goodridge is an American professional basketball player. Goodridge was the 5th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Development League Draft by the Armor. He attended Mississippi State University and La Salle University. He is from Brooklyn, New York...
. Goodridge went on to play in 33 games, averaging 9.0 points per game, and led the team with 1.6 blocks per game, before being traded to the Maine Red Claws. JamesOn Curry
JamesOn Curry
JamesOn Curry is an American professional basketball player. He played for Oklahoma State University from 2004–2007, and after forgoing his senior season, left for the NBA Draft. He was selected in the 2nd round, and 51st overall by the Chicago Bulls...
led the team overall with 684 points scored, a 15.5 ppg average. The Armor would end up finishing with a record of 13-37, sixth in the seven-team Eastern Conference. After the season, head coach Dee Brown opted to leave the team to join the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
. Brown was replaced soon after by by Bob MacKinnon, Jr.
Season By Season
| Season | Division | Regular Season | Postseason Results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | ||||||
| Springfield Armor | |||||||||
| 2009–10 | Eastern | 7th | 7 | 43 | .140 | ||||
| 2010-11 | Eastern | 6th | 13 | 37 | .260 | ||||
| Regular Season Record | 20 | 80 | .200 | 2009–2011 | |||||
| Playoff Record | 0 | 0 | .000 | 2009–2011 | |||||
Current roster
Affiliates
- New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(2009–present) - New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(2009–2011) - Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
(2009–2011)