Sunday, July 09, 2006

Isleta Casino and Resort and the 2005-06 NBA Development League Champion
Albuquerque Thunderbirds invite you to attend the Grand Opening celebration
of Isleta's new Fun Connection. Grand Opening ceremonies will include a
celebrity challenge featuring local and national celebrities who will
compete in several events including fishing, bowling, golf, laser tag,
billiards, and a slot machine tournament on Saturday July 15, from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to stick around and sample everything the
Fun Connection has to offer. Celebrity competitors will include Danny
Granger (Indiana Pacers and UNM Lobos), Michael Cooper (Albuquerque
Thunderbirds, LA Lakers, and UNM Lobos), Dennis Johnson (Austin Toros and
Boston Celtics), Holly Holm (WBA Welterweight Champion), and many more.
After completing their celebrity challenge, these local heroes will sign
autographs and mingle with select fans. Thunderbirds 2006-07 season tickets
are already on sale and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com or at Thunderbirds
Front Office. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at
(505) 265-DUNK.

The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the
NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. This season, 19 NBA teams
assigned 29 players to D-League affiliates. There were also 18 GATORADE
Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA. Additionally, every referee hired by
the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic
trainers and front office executives are also being developed.

The NBA D-League is composed of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim
Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas),
Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards
(Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los
Angeles, Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and
internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at
affordable prices.