I think that is a fair concern, and it is at least worth a couple of paragraphs. First, there has been quite an exodus overseas for some of top D-League talent from the previous season. Guys like Looby, Malik Hairston, Desmon Farmer, Antoine Aguido, and Mo Almond have left (or taken their talents to -- I'm sure that joke never gets old!) overseas for greener (yes, I mean cash) pastures. Just look at the hit our team has taken -- Rob Kurz, Sean Sonderleiter, Ron Howard, Jared Reiner, Ryan Ayers, Skip Mills, and Jamelle Cornley have all gone overseas. That is obviously a big hit for us, as they could all have really helped us this year. Moreover, I have had conversations with players like Coleman Collins and Earl Calloway who considered coming back, but instead took the money overseas.
With that in mind, you can understand Scott's concern of what we will have left in the D-League. Yet, I think the league will have a very good talent pool and will always have a good talent pool for the following reasons. First, while the names will change, I think we will see a case of the next man up. In other words, while we may lose a great scorer like Farmer to Europe, maybe we will see another player who had decent year last year step up to the next level this year. On our team a good example of that could be Rod Wilmont. We have depended on Ron Howard the past couple of years to be a top notch scorer and defender for us. At the end of last year, Rod looked like he was capable of taking that duty upon himself, and nothing I have seen this summer has disabused me of that notion. Carlos English has gone from a defender who got spot minutes with Dakota, to a bench spark plug for us last season who showed that he could also run a team and contribute on offense (reflected by our 8-1 record with him in the lineup), and I am hoping he is working on his game so he can continue his upward trend on the basketball court. So, while we lose one guy overseas, I think we will always see other players in the league fill that vacuum and thrive once the opportunity is provided that may not have otherwise been there if the Desmon Farmers of the world had returned.
Second, I think you will see new players come in and shoot right to the top of the ladder and become great players in our league. Two examples come to mind -- Othyus Jeffers and Reggie Williams. Othyus came from a small school in Chicago and became one of the best (and toughest) players in our league. Reggie Williams had a great career at a smaller school, but I think few knew he would become a superstar in our league and develop into a legit rotation player/spot starter on a NBA club in such a short time. It will be fun to watch who steps up this year and fills that role in the league.
Third, I think that our signing period coincides well with when the Euro teams are making their first round of cuts of players. Once the season starts overseas, some teams do poorly, and they react quickly in making changes to players. The D-League is always a good option for someone once they get cut overseas because, while there is less money, there is better stability and better exposure for the player. Curtis Stinson is a great example. Last year, he was an early cut in Greece, and he comes back and is the best point guard in our league. Moreover, if they can have a good year here, it will go a long way to rehabbing their resume, because a cut overseas can be tough on a player and their future ability to get other jobs overseas.
Finally, don't forget all the guys who are going to be cut this year from NBA camps. Guys like Cartier Martin, Othyus Jeffers, Oliver Lafayette, Chris Hunter, and a host of other talented players from the D-League are headed to NBA camps and they won't all make it. Rather than run overseas, I suspect (and hope!) that some of them realize that they are NBA players and, even if it means coming back to the D-League, they stay in the States and wait for the team that will be the right fit (a la Anthony Tolliver). Once players like those find the right spot, they will be in the league for the better part of their careers.
In the end, I suppose the message intended in this rambling jumble of words is don't despair about the talent in the league. It will always at a high level, and it will be fun to watch who steps out of the shadows to become the next D-League darling.
i think one of the biggest problems is the nba itself. they set up the d league but misuse it or in truthfullness dont use it at all. why would anyone want to come back to the d league when they see teams just kinda ignore the league? sure there are a few pluses when they call up somebody at the end of the season for protection, but how many players are actually sent down to work into shape or get some needed experience? the bucks have sent us one injured guy, the pistons maybe three guys over the years with only samb being a true example of what the league should be all about. and as for the pacers, they cant even send guys who sit in the stands for them, a measly hundred miles to get some game time in. they will all raid us at the end of the season to cover their injuries but they sure dont help us out during the season. every nba team should be required to send one player each to their affilliate. this would give them experience and the pro scouts a better chance to evaluate them other than seeing them in practice. sorry for venting but i guess there must be a full moon!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, Chuck. I think you are right -- the league does not use it as it should. The reason I think that is is because coaches think it is more important to be around the team and practice with the head coach. That is valuable, but I can tell you from first hand experience that it does not compare to the value of getting on the court and gaining game experience. The young players need to get on the court to get used to the speed of the game, to learn how to adjust to refs/opponents/crowds, and to learn how to carry a team on their back. I just do not believe that a player gets better sitting on an end of an NBA bench and doing workouts before the game.
ReplyDeleteAs for who has used us, you are right -- the only one who was sent down with the intent of getting better was Samb. Sending guys like Sharpe and Acker down for a few games do little to really help the player of the D-League team. As for the D-League team, it really only messes up chemistry and sets the team back. In fact, I would much rather not have an NBA player sent down if it is going to be for the few games we have had with players like Alexander, Acker, and Sharpe. I think our record is 2-10 in that situation -- not good.
Let's hope we get some guys that the NBA team will send down for the long haul. Here are a couple options: Darrington Hobson and Magnum Rolle. Two young guys who will not see time on their team and would be well served by playing their season in the D-League.
maybe the nba should have one more round of draft picks and those players must be slotted in the dleague and must stay there until january or feb!
ReplyDelete