Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Albuquerque Thunderbirds entered the 2006-07 season as the defending NBA D-League champions, but repeating proved far more difficult in an expanded league that had grown from eight teams to twelve. Albuquerque finished 24-26 and claimed a playoff berth despite the losing record, with the versatile Demetris Thompson emerging as one of the league’s most productive players while veterans such as Tony Bland helped steady a roster that saw frequent movement. The Thunderbirds remained a respectable defensive group and were more competitive than their record suggested, posting a positive point differential over the course of the season. Their title defense ended in the opening round of the playoffs with a loss to the Colorado 14ers, bringing a swift close to a season that never quite matched the heights of the championship campaign that preceded it.
Roster
| NO. | PLAYER NAME | POS | HT | WT | DATE OF BIRTH | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Tony Bland | G | 6’5″ | 201 lbs | January 27, 1980 | San Diego State |
| 4 | Joe Shipp | G/F | 6’5″ | 220 lbs | February 25, 1981 | California |
| 5 | Troy Bell | G | 6’1″ | 181 lbs | November 10, 1980 | Boston College |
| 5 | Duane Erwin | F | 6’9″ | 245 lbs | August 1, 1982 | Memphis |
| 6 | Cedric Bozeman | G | 6’6″ | 207 lbs | March 7, 1983 | UCLA |
| 6 | Shannon Brown | G | 6’4″ | 205 lbs | November 29, 1985 | Michigan State |
| 7 | T.J. Cummings | F | 6’9″ | 215 lbs | August 31, 1981 | UCLA |
| 7 | Chris Rodgers | G | 6’4″ | 205 lbs | January 10, 1984 | Arizona |
| 9 | John Edwards | C | 7’0″ | 275 lbs | July 31, 1981 | Kent State |
| 11 | Andreas Glyniadakis | C | 7’1″ | 280 lbs | August 21, 1981 | None |
| 12 | Dijon Thompson | G/F | 6’7″ | 195 lbs | March 23, 1983 | UCLA |
| 13 | Brandon Robinson | F | 6’8″ | 215 lbs | April 15, 1981 | Auburn |
| 15 | Jamaal Thomas | G/F | 6’8″ | 220 lbs | June 17, 1980 | Angelo State |
| 21 | Marcus Douthit | F/C | 6’11” | 233 lbs | April 15, 1980 | Providence |
| 22 | Mo Charlo | F | 6’7″ | 210 lbs | July 22, 1983 | Nevada |
| 24 | Julius Hodge | G | 6’7″ | 210 lbs | November 18, 1983 | North Carolina State |
| 27 | Dwayne Jones | F/C | 6’11” | 251 lbs | June 9, 1983 | Saint Joseph’s |
| 32 | Chris Shumate | G | 6’6″ | 220 lbs | June 9, 1981 | Murray State |
| 33 | Eddy Fobbs | F/C | 6’11” | 239 lbs | September 17, 1980 | Sam Houston State |
| 42 | Greg Clausen | C | 6’10” | 255 lbs | March 12, 1979 | Marquette |
| 45 | Steven Barber | G | 5’10” | 160 lbs | January 14, 1980 | Texas-Arlington |
| 50 | Manual Narvaez | C | 6’10” | 235 lbs | May 12, 1981 | Southern Nazarene |
| 50 | Wesley Wilson | F/C | 6’11” | 250 lbs | January 25, 1980 | Georgetown |
Regular Season Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Shipp | G/F | 26 | 43 | 30 | 30.7 | 16.2 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 13.6 | 5.9 | .437 | 3.6 | 1.0 | .292 | 4.3 | 3.3 | .772 |
| Dijon Thompson | G/F | 24 | 32 | 31 | 40.1 | 20.8 | 8.9 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 15.2 | 7.8 | .518 | 3.1 | 1.3 | .400 | 5.1 | 3.9 | .756 |
| Tony Bland | G | 27 | 42 | 40 | 36.3 | 13.6 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 11.0 | 5.0 | .451 | 1.6 | 0.6 | .358 | 3.7 | 3.1 | .839 |
| Brandon Robinson | F | 26 | 50 | 25 | 27.4 | 11.0 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 8.4 | 4.7 | .556 | 0.3 | 0.0 | .118 | 2.5 | 1.7 | .672 |
| Duane Erwin | F | 24 | 37 | 30 | 29.7 | 9.9 | 7.6 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 8.4 | 4.2 | .506 | 0.4 | 0.1 | .188 | 1.6 | 1.3 | .828 |
| Andreas Glyniadakis | C | 25 | 24 | 21 | 29.3 | 14.6 | 6.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 10.4 | 5.4 | .520 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 3.8 | .765 | |
| Chris Rodgers | G | 23 | 27 | 1 | 19.4 | 8.6 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 2.3 | .383 | 0.7 | 0.1 | .211 | 4.7 | 3.8 | .817 |
| Cedric Bozeman | G | 24 | 14 | 13 | 40.7 | 15.3 | 6.8 | 10.1 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 3.9 | 12.7 | 5.3 | .416 | 3.3 | 1.1 | .348 | 4.4 | 3.6 | .820 |
| Julius Hodge | G | 23 | 11 | 10 | 38.3 | 19.0 | 8.3 | 9.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 5.0 | 13.6 | 6.7 | .493 | 0.3 | 0.1 | .333 | 7.3 | 5.5 | .750 |
| Jamaal Thomas | G/F | 26 | 20 | 4 | 25.0 | 10.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 8.5 | 3.9 | .453 | 2.7 | 0.9 | .321 | 2.1 | 1.7 | .786 |
| Marcus Douthit | F/C | 27 | 11 | 11 | 37.5 | 16.5 | 8.5 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 13.4 | 6.4 | .476 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.5 | 3.7 | .672 | |
| Steven Barber | G | 27 | 28 | 0 | 11.8 | 5.6 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 4.9 | 1.9 | .390 | 1.4 | 0.5 | .368 | 1.5 | 1.3 | .878 |
| John Edwards | C | 25 | 15 | 7 | 17.4 | 8.9 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 6.9 | 3.4 | .490 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.9 | 2.1 | .705 |
| Troy Bell | G | 26 | 11 | 1 | 18.9 | 10.7 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 7.7 | 3.3 | .424 | 1.3 | 0.4 | .286 | 4.1 | 3.8 | .933 |
| T.J. Cummings | F | 25 | 7 | 5 | 22.9 | 13.9 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.9 | 10.6 | 5.6 | .527 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.3 | 2.7 | .826 | |
| Greg Clausen | C | 28 | 29 | 4 | 14.2 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 1.2 | .340 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.8 | 0.6 | .708 |
| Chris Shumate | G | 25 | 20 | 0 | 11.5 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 4.5 | 1.6 | .356 | 1.8 | 0.7 | .361 | 0.4 | 0.4 | .875 |
| Eddy Fobbs | F/C | 26 | 20 | 7 | 16.0 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 1.5 | .604 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 1.0 | .588 | |
| Manual Narvaez | C | 25 | 13 | 7 | 20.1 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 1.9 | .532 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.6 | 1.3 | .810 |
| Mo Charlo | F | 23 | 6 | 1 | 18.5 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 5.7 | 3.0 | .529 | 1.5 | 0.7 | .444 | 1.0 | 0.8 | .833 |
| Wesley Wilson | F/C | 27 | 5 | 0 | 19.8 | 6.8 | 5.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 6.6 | 3.0 | .455 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.8 | .400 | |
| Dwayne Jones | F/C | 23 | 2 | 1 | 40.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 2.5 | .417 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11.5 | 6.5 | .565 | |
| Shannon Brown | G | 21 | 1 | 1 | 27.0 | 14.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 15.0 | 6.0 | .400 | 6.0 | 2.0 | .333 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Playoff Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dijon Thompson | G/F | 24 | 1 | 1 | 41.0 | 24.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 19.0 | 9.0 | .474 | 6.0 | 2.0 | .333 | 8.0 | 4.0 | .500 |
| Joe Shipp | G/F | 26 | 1 | 1 | 34.0 | 17.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 13.0 | 6.0 | .462 | 3.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 7.0 | 5.0 | .714 |
| Duane Erwin | F | 24 | 1 | 0 | 29.0 | 16.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 6.0 | .500 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.000 | |
| Andreas Glyniadakis | C | 25 | 1 | 1 | 37.0 | 14.0 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | .625 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | .800 | |
| Tony Bland | G | 27 | 1 | 1 | 44.0 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 12.0 | 5.0 | .417 | 2.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.0 | 2.0 | .500 |
| Julius Hodge | G | 23 | 1 | 1 | 31.0 | 11.0 | 7.0 | 12.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 13.0 | 4.0 | .308 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | .500 | |
| Chris Rodgers | G | 23 | 1 | 0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.0 | 3.0 | .750 |
| Steven Barber | G | 27 | 1 | 0 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .333 | 2.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Greg Clausen | C | 28 | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .500 |
Regular Season Totals
| PLAYER | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Shipp | — | — | 43 | 30 | 1321 | 697 | 171 | 96 | 30 | 13 | 75 | 584 | 255 | .437 | 154 | 45 | .292 | 184 | 142 | .772 |
| Dijon Thompson | — | — | 32 | 31 | 1284 | 666 | 286 | 137 | 56 | 33 | 124 | 485 | 251 | .518 | 100 | 40 | .400 | 164 | 124 | .756 |
| Tony Bland | — | — | 42 | 40 | 1524 | 570 | 159 | 222 | 28 | 9 | 83 | 461 | 208 | .451 | 67 | 24 | .358 | 155 | 130 | .839 |
| Brandon Robinson | — | — | 50 | 25 | 1368 | 552 | 310 | 69 | 70 | 43 | 59 | 419 | 233 | .556 | 17 | 2 | .118 | 125 | 84 | .672 |
| Duane Erwin | — | — | 37 | 30 | 1099 | 365 | 282 | 56 | 32 | 48 | 75 | 310 | 157 | .506 | 16 | 3 | .188 | 58 | 48 | .828 |
| Andreas Glyniadakis | — | — | 24 | 21 | 703 | 351 | 143 | 20 | 9 | 33 | 66 | 250 | 130 | .520 | 0 | 0 | — | 119 | 91 | .765 |
| Chris Rodgers | — | — | 27 | 1 | 525 | 231 | 54 | 59 | 22 | 1 | 55 | 162 | 62 | .383 | 19 | 4 | .211 | 126 | 103 | .817 |
| Cedric Bozeman | — | — | 14 | 13 | 570 | 214 | 95 | 141 | 36 | 1 | 54 | 178 | 74 | .416 | 46 | 16 | .348 | 61 | 50 | .820 |
| Julius Hodge | — | — | 11 | 10 | 421 | 209 | 91 | 99 | 8 | 7 | 55 | 150 | 74 | .493 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 80 | 60 | .750 |
| Jamaal Thomas | — | — | 20 | 4 | 499 | 204 | 45 | 36 | 10 | 20 | 23 | 170 | 77 | .453 | 53 | 17 | .321 | 42 | 33 | .786 |
| Marcus Douthit | — | — | 11 | 11 | 413 | 181 | 93 | 26 | 15 | 17 | 44 | 147 | 70 | .476 | 0 | 0 | — | 61 | 41 | .672 |
| Steven Barber | — | — | 28 | 0 | 331 | 156 | 25 | 30 | 8 | 0 | 28 | 136 | 53 | .390 | 38 | 14 | .368 | 41 | 36 | .878 |
| John Edwards | — | — | 15 | 7 | 261 | 133 | 66 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 30 | 104 | 51 | .490 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 44 | 31 | .705 |
| Troy Bell | — | — | 11 | 1 | 208 | 118 | 41 | 27 | 4 | 6 | 26 | 85 | 36 | .424 | 14 | 4 | .286 | 45 | 42 | .933 |
| T.J. Cummings | — | — | 7 | 5 | 160 | 97 | 25 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 74 | 39 | .527 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 | 19 | .826 |
| Greg Clausen | — | — | 29 | 4 | 411 | 85 | 85 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 100 | 34 | .340 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 24 | 17 | .708 |
| Chris Shumate | — | — | 20 | 0 | 229 | 84 | 38 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 90 | 32 | .356 | 36 | 13 | .361 | 8 | 7 | .875 |
| Eddy Fobbs | — | — | 20 | 7 | 319 | 78 | 73 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 17 | 48 | 29 | .604 | 0 | 0 | — | 34 | 20 | .588 |
| Manual Narvaez | — | — | 13 | 7 | 261 | 67 | 83 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 47 | 25 | .532 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 21 | 17 | .810 |
| Mo Charlo | — | — | 6 | 1 | 111 | 45 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 34 | 18 | .529 | 9 | 4 | .444 | 6 | 5 | .833 |
| Wesley Wilson | — | — | 5 | 0 | 99 | 34 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 33 | 15 | .455 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 4 | .400 |
| Dwayne Jones | — | — | 2 | 1 | 81 | 23 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 5 | .417 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 | 13 | .565 |
| Shannon Brown | — | — | 1 | 1 | 27 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 6 | .400 | 6 | 2 | .333 | 0 | 0 | — |
Playoff Totals
| PLAYER | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dijon Thompson | — | — | 1 | 1 | 41 | 24 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 9 | .474 | 6 | 2 | .333 | 8 | 4 | .500 |
| Joe Shipp | — | — | 1 | 1 | 34 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 6 | .462 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 7 | 5 | .714 |
| Duane Erwin | — | — | 1 | 0 | 29 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 6 | .500 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 4 | 1.000 |
| Andreas Glyniadakis | — | — | 1 | 1 | 37 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | .625 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 4 | .800 |
| Tony Bland | — | — | 1 | 1 | 44 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 5 | .417 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 4 | 2 | .500 |
| Julius Hodge | — | — | 1 | 1 | 31 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 4 | .308 | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 3 | .500 |
| Chris Rodgers | — | — | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 4 | 3 | .750 |
| Steven Barber | — | — | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Greg Clausen | — | — | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | .500 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE TIER | MPG | USAGE TIER | PPG | RPG | APG | STK | IMPACT INDEX | NOTES | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Hodge | Franchise Floor General (1.1) | 38.3 | High | 19.0 | 8.3 | 9.0 | 1.3 | 99.26 | Hodge functioned as Albuquerque’s oversized lead creator, combining downhill scoring with point-forward responsibilities. His late-season playmaking ceiling was evident when he posted 32 points and 14 assists against Los Angeles, while contemporaneous reporting also described him as one of Albuquerque’s primary leaders during its playoff push. D-Fenders drop two at home | — |
| Dijon Thompson | Primary Wing Creator (1.1) | 40.1 | High | 20.8 | 8.9 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 97.15 | Thompson was the Thunderbirds’ versatile scoring wing and transition threat, capable of attacking as a forward while also stretching defenses outside. His return to Albuquerque quickly restored a major offensive focal point, and his two-way workload led to a 2007 All-Star selection and All-NBDL Honorable Mention recognition. Dijon Thompson named to All-Star roster | NBA D-League All-Star (2007); All-NBDL Honorable Mention (2007) |
| Cedric Bozeman | Lead Passing Guard (1.1) | 40.7 | High | 15.3 | 6.8 | 10.1 | 2.7 | 92.14 | Bozeman immediately operated as a table-setting point guard after joining Albuquerque, using his size to organize the offense and pressure the ball. In his first prominent outing, he recorded seven assists in 37 minutes, reinforcing the impression that his value came from controlling possessions as much as scoring. Thunderbirds Defeat D-Fenders in First Ever Meeting | — |
| Dwayne Jones | Rim-Protecting Centerpiece (1.05) | 40.5 | Medium | 11.5 | 11.5 | 0.5 | 8.0 | 72.77 | Jones brought an immediate interior defensive identity after Cleveland assigned him to Albuquerque, functioning as a shot blocker and rebounder rather than a perimeter-oriented scorer. His first Thunderbirds appearance produced 10 rebounds and eight blocks, illustrating the rim-protection role he was expected to fill. Flash will be affiliated with Jazz | — |
| Marcus Douthit | Defensive Anchor (1.05) | 37.5 | Medium | 16.5 | 8.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 69.99 | Douthit was built around interior defense and physical post coverage, carrying the same defensive instincts that had defined his Providence career. Earlier scouting and reporting emphasized his shot-blocking background, while his Albuquerque role allowed that defensive presence to coexist with a much larger offensive workload. CCRI’s Harris will not return; Douthit named Interim Head Coach | — |
| Tony Bland | Primary Pick-and-Roll Guard (1.1) | 36.3 | High | 13.6 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 62.30 | Bland served as a veteran ball-handler who could initiate offense, create advantages and still shoulder heavy minutes. His leadership responsibilities were especially clear when he returned to the roster after a personal absence and had already started 38 games while averaging 4.9 assists. Bland Returns to the Thunderbirds | — |
| Shannon Brown | Explosive Slashing Wing (1.05) | 27.0 | High | 14.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 60.48 | Brown’s Albuquerque stint was essentially an NBA development assignment built around athleticism, perimeter pressure and transition play. Cleveland sent the first-round pick to the Thunderbirds in March, making his brief appearance part of a broader effort to accelerate his professional adjustment. Cavaliers Assign Shannon Brown to Albuquerque | — |
| Joe Shipp | Instant-Offense Wing (1.05) | 30.7 | High | 16.2 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 58.97 | Shipp provided scoring punch from the wing and could change the rhythm of a game without needing to dominate every possession. His 26-point performance during Albuquerque’s seven-game winning streak, including five assists, showed how his shot-making could become a major secondary offensive weapon. Thunderbirds Make It Seven Straight With A Victory Over L.A. | — |
| Andreas Glyniadakis | Interior Scoring Center (1.05) | 29.3 | Medium | 14.6 | 6.0 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 53.59 | Glyniadakis supplied size and efficient interior scoring while also providing legitimate rim protection. Contemporary international coverage portrayed him as a physically solid, ambitious big man pursuing another NBA opportunity, and his Albuquerque return placed that interior skill set back into a developmental setting. Glyniadakis, l’ultimo centro Virtus | — |
| Brandon Robinson | Transition Finishing Forward (1.05) | 27.4 | Medium | 11.0 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 48.28 | Robinson’s game was heavily tied to athletic finishing and attacking space rather than perimeter creation. His explosive transition value was visible during Albuquerque’s late-season win over Idaho, when an emphatic dunk helped swing the game and energized the comeback. Thunderbirds Win Nail-Biter Against Stampede | — |
| Duane Erwin | Rebounding Forward (1.05) | 29.7 | Medium | 9.9 | 7.6 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 46.75 | Erwin operated as a physical frontcourt presence who could clean the glass, defend inside and finish around the rim. His 12-rebound, three-block performance against Los Angeles illustrated how his value could extend well beyond his scoring role. Thunderbirds Defeat D-Fenders in First Ever Meeting | — |
| T.J. Cummings | Low-Post Scoring Big (1.05) | 22.9 | Medium | 13.9 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 44.35 | Cummings was primarily a half-court scoring big, using his size and interior touch rather than functioning as a high-volume perimeter creator. He was also among the forwards included in Albuquerque’s original 2006-07 training-camp group, giving the roster a reliable interior scoring option from the outset. Thunderbirds Begin Training Camp | — |
| Troy Bell | Scoring Point Guard (1.0) | 18.9 | Medium | 10.7 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 35.60 | Bell was a compact scoring guard whose offensive value came from attacking opportunities and creating his own shot rather than controlling every possession. His Albuquerque role was more limited than his later Austin workload, reflecting a roster with several established perimeter creators. Troy Bell Player Profile | — |
| Jamaal Thomas | Reserve Wing Shooter (1.0) | 25.0 | Medium | 10.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 31.60 | Thomas provided wing depth with enough scoring versatility to contribute alongside higher-usage creators. His season context was unusual because he was moved from Albuquerque to Anaheim during the campaign, limiting the continuity of his role with the Thunderbirds. Jamaal Thomas Player Profile | — |
| John Edwards | Backup Rim Protector (1.0) | 17.4 | Low | 8.9 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 28.60 | Edwards was a traditional seven-footer whose usefulness centered on interior size, rebounding and defensive positioning. His Albuquerque stay was brief, with the Thunderbirds acquiring him in December before moving him to Tulsa in January, so his role never fully stabilized. John Edwards Player Profile | — |
| Wesley Wilson | Veteran Frontcourt Reserve (1.0) | 19.8 | Low | 6.8 | 5.4 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 28.40 | Wilson arrived as an experienced international big man rather than a developmental rookie, giving Albuquerque a physical reserve capable of defending and rebounding. His previous Georgetown and overseas experience made him a useful depth piece during a season of frequent roster movement. Four D-League Teams Make Player Moves | — |
| Chris Rodgers | Bench Shot Creator (1.0) | 19.4 | Low | 8.6 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 27.20 | Rodgers functioned as a change-of-pace perimeter scorer who could inject offense without starting. He was particularly effective in that role during Albuquerque’s January win over Los Angeles, sharing team scoring leadership while also supplying four assists. Thunderbirds Defeat D-Fenders in First Ever Meeting | — |
| Manual Narvaez | Physical Center Reserve (1.0) | 20.1 | Low | 5.2 | 6.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 25.40 | Narvaez’s role was centered on size, screening and interior rebounding rather than offensive creation. Contemporary roster coverage identified him as one of Albuquerque’s available centers, reflecting a frontcourt built around multiple large-bodied rotation options. 2007 NBA Development League All-Star balloting underway | — |
| Mo Charlo | Energy Forward (1.0) | 18.5 | Low | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 23.80 | Charlo was a developmental energy forward whose value came from athleticism and defensive activity rather than a featured offensive role. His Albuquerque stint lasted only six games before he was waived, underscoring how limited and transitional his role was that season. Mo Charlo Player Profile | — |
| Eddy Fobbs | Interior Hustle Reserve (1.0) | 16.0 | Low | 3.9 | 3.7 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 17.60 | Fobbs operated as a physical reserve center, competing for minutes through interior defense, rebounding and finishing opportunities. His place among the centers listed for the 2007 All-Star balloting reflected his status as part of Albuquerque’s crowded big-man rotation rather than a featured offensive role. 2007 NBA Development League All-Star balloting underway | — |
| Steven Barber | Perimeter Reserve (1.0) | 11.8 | Low | 5.6 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 15.80 | Barber was a low-minute perimeter reserve who could provide spot scoring and ball movement when the backcourt needed relief. His long D-League tenure with Albuquerque began in November 2006 and continued through the season, suggesting a depth role built around roster stability rather than featured usage. Steven Barber Player Profile | — |
| Chris Shumate | Spot-Up Wing Reserve (1.0) | 11.5 | Low | 4.2 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 14.40 | Shumate’s season was defined by limited rotation minutes, but he could still provide quick perimeter offense when called upon. In one March win, he went 5-for-5 from the field and hit three three-pointers, a useful example of his ability to supply instant shooting in short stretches. Thunderbirds Make It Seven Straight With A Victory Over L.A. | — |
| Greg Clausen | Deep Rotation Center (1.0) | 14.2 | Low | 2.9 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 13.40 | Clausen was a deep frontcourt option whose primary value came from providing size and preserving the rotation rather than generating offense. He was one of the newcomers specifically praised by coach Michael Cooper after joining Albuquerque during the season. Thunderbirds Defeat D-Fenders in First Ever Meeting | — |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE TIER | MPG | USAGE TIER | PPG | RPG | APG | STK | IMPACT INDEX | NOTES | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dijon Thompson | Two-Way Wing Focal Point (1.1) | 41.0 | High | 24.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 113.52 | Thompson played the playoff game as Albuquerque’s main two-way wing, attacking from the perimeter while creating defensive havoc. His regular-season workload was already unusually heavy, and contemporary coverage highlighted his ability to carry scoring, rebounding and playmaking responsibility before his NBA call-up. NBA Call-Up Coverage | NBA D-League All-Star (2007); All-NBDL Honorable Mention (2007) |
| Julius Hodge | Point-Forward Playmaker (1.1) | 31.0 | High | 11.0 | 7.0 | 12.0 | 8.0 | 100.32 | Hodge’s defining playoff function was as a point-forward rather than a pure scorer, repeatedly initiating offense and finding cutters and shooters. His season context supports that reading: he had already been producing high-assist performances, and late-season reporting described a 32-point, 14-assist performance as the centerpiece of an Albuquerque win. D-Fenders Drop Two at Home | — |
| Duane Erwin | Defensive Rebounding Forward (1.05) | 29.0 | Medium | 16.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 9.0 | 71.61 | Erwin’s playoff role was a physical interior matchup piece, with his defensive activity translating into six steals and three blocks in a single game. Earlier season reporting also repeatedly highlighted his rebounding and rim protection, including a 12-rebound, three-block performance against Los Angeles. D-League Expansion Draft Coverage | — |
| Joe Shipp | Bench Scoring Catalyst (1.05) | 34.0 | Medium | 17.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 62.37 | Shipp entered the postseason as a scoring catalyst who could swing a game with shot-making rather than needing a high-volume starting role. During the regular season he had already demonstrated that instant-offense value, erupting for 26 points and five assists in a seven-game Albuquerque winning streak. Thunderbirds Seven-Game Winning Streak | — |
| Andreas Glyniadakis | Starting Interior Scorer (1.05) | 37.0 | Medium | 14.0 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 62.37 | Glyniadakis gave Albuquerque a genuine interior anchor, combining size with efficient post scoring and rim protection. Independent European reporting described him as a solid, ambitious center who had taken the unusual route from Europe through the D-League in pursuit of an NBA career, which helps explain his physical, development-oriented role. La Repubblica profile of Glyniadakis | — |
| Tony Bland | Lead Ball-Handling Guard (1.05) | 44.0 | High | 12.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 52.92 | Bland was Albuquerque’s high-minute organizer, trusted to stay on the floor for virtually the entire game and handle difficult perimeter assignments. His regular-season role was similarly heavy: contemporary reporting had him starting 38 games while averaging 36.2 minutes and 4.9 assists before the playoff push. Bland Returns to the Thunderbirds | — |
| Chris Rodgers | Change-of-Pace Guard (1.0) | 9.0 | Low | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 16.00 | Rodgers was used as a short-burst perimeter reserve, with his value coming from defensive pressure and quick offensive energy rather than sustained creation. Earlier coverage showed that he could provide a scoring jolt when given more responsibility, including a 17-point performance off the bench against Idaho. Thunderbirds Win Nail-Biter Against Stampede | — |
| Steven Barber | Spot-Up Guard Reserve (1.0) | 9.0 | Low | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 12.00 | Barber’s playoff assignment was a compact reserve role, with limited minutes but an opportunity to space the floor and pressure opposing guards. His broader 2006-07 profile shows he remained with Albuquerque throughout the season after being selected in the D-League draft, giving the club experienced backcourt depth. Steven Barber Player Profile | — |
| Greg Clausen | Deep Frontcourt Reserve (1.0) | 6.0 | Low | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.00 | Clausen was essentially a situational frontcourt reserve in the playoff rotation, used briefly to provide size and preserve the main big-man group. Earlier Albuquerque coverage specifically noted that coach Michael Cooper liked the impact of his arrival, suggesting his value was tied more to roster functionality than offensive volume. Thunderbirds Defeat D-Fenders | — |