Isleta Casino Opens Fun Connection

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 f

2006-07-07