Knicks F Carmelo Anthony said the NBA should "rebrand" the D-League and invest more in "developing our own players" as part of the next CBA. Anthony said, "I'd rebrand the whole D-League. I'd rebrand it so it's not seen as a punishment." As VP of the NBPA, Anthony said that he has been "pushing for a major investment in and overhaul of the D-League to create more jobs for young players and strengthen the NBA's player development system" (ESPN.com, 10/18).
JEREMY'S SPOKEN: In Boston, Fluto Shinzawa noted Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs is "lukewarm on NHL participation" in the '18 PyeongChang Games, "especially framed against the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto." Jacobs: "I'm not that thrilled about going to Korea or anyplace like that. I don't think it does anything for our game. I think what we saw in Toronto was really effective. What we see in the future, maybe China might be a possibility." Jacobs is "not the only owner who is hesitant" about the '18 Games. Jacobs said of the recent World Cup, "We were all very excited to see what it did for the game. I think we can do more if we continue this process. I think the World Cup was a step in the right direction. I really do" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/16).
STACK THE DECK: SI.com's Mike Dyce noted the World Series of Fighting confirmed it was canceling scheduled events in Denver and Seattle in the coming weeks in an "effort to build a super-card for its New Year's Eve event" at MSG. The canceled events "were numbered 34 and 35," while the N.Y. card is "labeled WSOF 36." The MSG card will be "rebranded WSOF: NYC." WSOF is "planning to try to return" to Seattle and Denver in the near future (SI.com, 10/17).
