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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas -- Joe Alexander was the eighth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks just two seasons ago after having a standout year with the West Virginia Mountaineers as a junior.Two years later, though, and Alexander is having to show NBA scouts he's worth an NBA roster spot once again while playing for the Texas Legends at the D-League Showcase.
In two games at the Showcase, with scouts and executives from many NBA teams in attendance, Alexander was able to put together two solid performances. In his first game, against the New Mexico Thunderbirds, the 24-year-old scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked six shots while playing 45 minutes. In Thursday's contest against the Iowa Energy, Alexander scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished eight assists and added two blocks in a 119-114 victory.
Though those numbers aren't typically what one expects out of an uber-athletic small forward like he was projected to be by the Bucks, Alexander's been playing power forward on his trek back to the NBA for Nancy Lieberman's Legends. On the season, he's averaging 20.0 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists while playing over 43 minutes per game.
"I was playing power forward down in New Orleans with the Hornets (in training camp) so when I got here, I was ready to play the four," Alexander told FanHouse. "It's been a great year. The coaches have done a great job of putting me in positions where I can be successful.
"As a player, you can be working on your own game individually and then you just hope that the coaching staff puts you in position to utilize those skills."
The coaching staff has certainly put him in a good position as one NBA scout noted last week that the position change is exactly what he needed.
"He looks way more comfortable as a four, and should never again be tried as a three. It wasn't fair to him," the scout said. "Where he was under-skilled and looked lost as a three, he looks skilled and comfortable as a four that can make plays off the dribble and pick and pop. He is slightly undersized at 6-foot-8, but he is strong and very athletic. There's no question he is an NBA bench player."
While there were certainly many scouts in attendance that were intrigued by Alexander at the Showcase -- including Legends owner Donnie Nelson who had Alexander in for a workout with his Mavericks last week before signing Sasha Pavlovic -- Alexander says he isn't focused on earning a call-up.
"You know, I know there are specific things NBA teams want to see me do to get a call-up but really, I don't even think about it," Alexander said. "I've just been going out and keep trying to play my game while doing what I know how to do and help this team win.
"I think if the team wins, in the end, everybody wins."
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