Whicker: Ryan Gomes realistic on life in the D-League

He feels like a fifth-year senior, sometimes. And several times removed.

The Los Angeles D-Fenders take the bus to play Bakersfield. Otherwise they cram themselves into a commercial 737, next to the babies and the laptops and the people who stare and wonder how the weather is up there.

For Ryan Gomes, it’s fair and warm. He’s playing basketball, professionally, at age 33.

“We travel together, ride the bus together, and on the road I think of it as college,” Gomes said the other day at Toyota Sports Center, where the D-Fenders play their games on the same court where they practice. It’s also the Lakers’ practice court, so on game-day shootarounds the D-Fenders are walking through their plays at 8 a.m., the opponent at 9.

That changes next year when the Lakers and D-Fenders move into their own building, a couple of blocks away. Most of the D-Fenders hope they’re somewhere else by then, but don’t get them wrong. It’s been real.

“The NBA is great, don’t get me wrong,” Gomes said. “But sometimes it’s spread out. You have your own situations. With us, there’s only 10 of us. We’re usually doing things together. We’re talking about the game a lot.”

You’ve heard of Ryan Gomes. Clippers fans saw him for two years. In 17 games with the D-Fenders, Gomes is averaging 32 minutes, 16.6 points and 5.9 rebounds. He is 33, young enough to hope, old enough to understand. Wise in the ways of the NBA, he will be pleasantly surprised if he gets a callup.

“I might get a 10-day (contract), who knows? I don’t look that far ahead,” he said. “I’m 33 and I haven’t really played in three years. Guys are taller than me in small positions. The game is evolving. You try to be realistic with yourself. But if it doesn’t happen it won’t be a waste of time.

“Every year you get better. I’m growing as a player and a teammate. I’m mentoring these guys some, but 80 percent of it is playing. We’ve got good players and they know a lot more about this league than I do. But the big thing for me is just playing.”

The D-Fenders had already practiced, but it wasn’t time to go home. As Gomes talked, Justin Harper was getting up some shots. So was Andre Ingram, a physics major from American University who won the D-League 3-point contest, held in Toronto, where the NBA All-Stars were.

Undeeath one basket, Bill Bertka had assumed control of Michael Holyfield’s early afteoon. Holyfield is 6-foot-11, from Sam Houston State. Bertka is the former superscout, NBA general manager and Laker assistant coach in the Showtime days.

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Bertka is also 88 years old. “You ready to work, Michael?” Bertka asked. Holyfield said he was.

So the D-League is not just a young man’s game. It also is a wonderful idea whose time should have come decades ago. Eventually, every NBA team will have its own minor-league affiliate. Far more first-round picks should be in the D-League. For one thing, many of them never got to be sophomores and juniors.

Gomes played four years at Providence and was second-team All-Rookie for the Celtics. “I was a power forward who could shoot,” Gomes said, knowing such players are now called “stretch fours.”

“I didn’t revolutionize the position but I was part of it.”

After the 2007 season, the Celtics used Gomes as part of the package to get Kevin Gaett from Miesota. Gomes says it’s an honor to be traded for a future Hall of Famer. He also notes Boston won the 2008 title. Whenever he sees Celtics general manager Day Ainge, he says, “OK, where’s my ring?”

Gomes was a productive starter in Miesota for three years. Then he was traded to Portland, which didn’t pick up his option.

That led to his time with the Clippers, when he joined Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan on the ground floor of something they’re still building. Jordan is the godfather to Gomes’ daughter.

“He’s my protege,” Gomes said. The two had dier Saturday night, after the Clippers lost to the Warriors.

But the Clippers used amnesty to get out of Gomes’ contract, and Gomes became a pinball, playing briefly in Germany and Spain, sitting on Oklahoma City’s bench.

“The NBA is bright lights and HD,” he said, but not when you’re a nightly DNP. And not when you get dealt as an “expiring contract,” not a player.

“If your contract doesn’t fit their plans, you’re just another moveable piece,” Gomes said. “I can see things before they happen. At the trade deadline you see the moves. Right now I’m just focusing on this. Maybe it will open a door, to wind up on somebody’s staff. Until then I’m just enjoying playing.”

One day later, the Detroit Pistons signed Justin Harper to a 10-day contract. The D-League might not be HD, but Ryan Gomes and all the rest are being watched.

THE GOMES FILE

Bo: Sept. 1, 1982

Height: 6-foot-7

College: Providence

Playing career:

Boston Celtics (2005-08)

Miesota Timberwolves (2007-10)

Portland Trail Blazers (2010)

Los Angeles Clippers (2010-12)

Artland Dragons/Germany (2012-13)

Oklahoma City Thunder (2013-14)

Laboral Kutxa/ACB League (2014)

Los Angeles D-Fenders/D-League (2016)

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