Grand Rapids Drive
| Grand Rapids Drive | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| League | NBA Development League |
| Founded | 2006 |
| History |
Anaheim Arsenal 2006–2009 Springfield Armor 2009–2014 Grand Rapids Drive 2014–present |
| Arena | DeltaPlex Arena |
| Location | Walker, Michigan |
| Team colors | Red, blue, white |
| Head coach | Rex Walters |
| Ownership | SSJ Group |
| Affiliation(s) | Detroit Pistons |
| Website | grandrapids |
The Grand Rapids Drive is an NBA Development League team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the minor league affiliate of the Detroit Pistons. The franchise began as the Anaheim Arsenal in 2006, before relocating to Springfield, Massachusetts in 2009 and becoming the Springfield Armor. After five seasons in Springfield, the franchise was moved to Grand Rapids in 2014 and subsequently renamed the Grand Rapids Drive. They play their home games at the DeltaPlex Arena in nearby Walker.
The franchise began life in 2006 as the Anaheim Arsenal. Based in Anaheim, California, and playing at the Anaheim Convention Center, the Arsenal was the first professional basketball team to call the city home since the Los Angeles Clippers played occasional games there in the 1990s. However, the Arsenal era was mainly marked by futility, never having accomplished a winning season or a playoff berth. On March 31, 2009, the Arsenal announced that they would relocate to Springfield.
On July 29, 2009, it was announced that Dee Brown would become the head coach. On September 2, the Armor picked first in the 2009 NBA Development League Expansion Draft, selecting center Marcus Campbell. The team ended their inaugural 2009–2010 season with a record of 7–43, the worst record in NBADL history.
During the 2010–11 season, the Armor started by picking 5th in the D-League Draft, and selected La Salle's Vernon Goodridge. The Armor would end up finishing with a record of 13–37, sixth in the seven-team Eastern Conference. After the season, head coach Dee Brown opted to leave the team to join the Detroit Pistons. Brown was replaced soon after by Bob MacKinnon, Jr.
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