D-league use for the 3 rookies and Young

[krumeto]

We have 3 rookies and Young on the roster. Terry and RJ might see some minutes, but Mickey and Young are way back in the depth chart. At least for some time it might be a good idea to (occasionally) send all 4 together to Maine.

I first read the notion under one of the main blog's articles and it seemed a topic-worthy thing in August. To me, it makes a lot of sense. Terry needs to learn to run an offense. RJ needs to get stronger. Mickey too. Young needs to get more on-court experience.

In Maine they can do it together. It relieves the psychological issue of being sent away from the main roster - they'll be together in it. All 4 play different positions, so nobody will block or compete with the other. They can learn the system together.

Of course, not all the time, and, of course, not throughout the whole year. It is just a reasonable option. We get player development, some bonding experience and rotation solution at the same time.

[clover]

We have 3 rookies and Young on the roster. Terry and RJ might see some minutes, but Mickey and Young are way back in the depth chart. At least for some time it might be a good idea to (occasionally) send all 4 together to Maine.

I first read the notion under one of the main blog's articles and it seemed a topic-worthy thing in August. To me, it makes a lot of sense. Terry needs to learn to run an offense. RJ needs to get stronger. Mickey too. Young needs to get more on-court experience.

In Maine they can do it together. It relieves the psychological issue of being sent away from the main roster - they'll be together in it. All 4 play different positions, so nobody will block or compete with the other. They can learn the system together.

Of course, not all the time, and, of course, not throughout the whole year. It is just a reasonable option. We get player development, some bonding experience and rotation solution at the same time.

Even if all other players are healthy, I see no reason for the C's to make only 11 players available for any of their games.

[krumeto]

We have 3 rookies and Young on the roster. Terry and RJ might see some minutes, but Mickey and Young are way back in the depth chart. At least for some time it might be a good idea to (occasionally) send all 4 together to Maine.

I first read the notion under one of the main blog's articles and it seemed a topic-worthy thing in August. To me, it makes a lot of sense. Terry needs to learn to run an offense. RJ needs to get stronger. Mickey too. Young needs to get more on-court experience.

In Maine they can do it together. It relieves the psychological issue of being sent away from the main roster - they'll be together in it. All 4 play different positions, so nobody will block or compete with the other. They can learn the system together.

Of course, not all the time, and, of course, not throughout the whole year. It is just a reasonable option. We get player development, some bonding experience and rotation solution at the same time.

Even if all other players are healthy, I see no reason for the C's to make only 11 players available for any of their games.

If all other players are healthy, are we really going to use 11-players rotation?

How many minutes will Terry get behind Smart and IT? Or behind AB, Smart and Turner (played  24% of all SG minutes last year as per 82games)? Same for Mickey and Young.

I am not saying they should spend all the year in Maine or the staff should not be flexible deciding when or why to assign them. It is just a very good option to have when we have 4 rookies playing 4 different positions on a 15-deep roster.

[BitterJim]

We have 3 rookies and Young on the roster. Terry and RJ might see some minutes, but Mickey and Young are way back in the depth chart. At least for some time it might be a good idea to (occasionally) send all 4 together to Maine.

I first read the notion under one of the main blog's articles and it seemed a topic-worthy thing in August. To me, it makes a lot of sense. Terry needs to learn to run an offense. RJ needs to get stronger. Mickey too. Young needs to get more on-court experience.

In Maine they can do it together. It relieves the psychological issue of being sent away from the main roster - they'll be together in it. All 4 play different positions, so nobody will block or compete with the other. They can learn the system together.

Of course, not all the time, and, of course, not throughout the whole year. It is just a reasonable option. We get player development, some bonding experience and rotation solution at the same time.

Even if all other players are healthy, I see no reason for the C's to make only 11 players available for any of their games.

If all other players are healthy, are we really going to use 11-players rotation?

How many minutes will Terry get behind Smart and IT? Or behind AB, Smart and Turner (played  24% of all SG minutes last year as per 82games)? Same for Mickey and Young.

I am not saying they should spend all the year in Maine or the staff should not be flexible deciding when or why to assign them. It is just a very good option to have when we have 4 rookies playing 4 different positions on a 15-deep roster.

It's not about whether they'll play in most games, it's about having a safety net in case of injury

It also gives the possibility of the rookies getting some NBA minutes (even if it's only in garbage time)

[Moranis]

We have 3 rookies and Young on the roster. Terry and RJ might see some minutes, but Mickey and Young are way back in the depth chart. At least for some time it might be a good idea to (occasionally) send all 4 together to Maine.

I first read the notion under one of the main blog's articles and it seemed a topic-worthy thing in August. To me, it makes a lot of sense. Terry needs to learn to run an offense. RJ needs to get stronger. Mickey too. Young needs to get more on-court experience.

In Maine they can do it together. It relieves the psychological issue of being sent away from the main roster - they'll be together in it. All 4 play different positions, so nobody will block or compete with the other. They can learn the system together.

Of course, not all the time, and, of course, not throughout the whole year. It is just a reasonable option. We get player development, some bonding experience and rotation solution at the same time.

Even if all other players are healthy, I see no reason for the C's to make only 11 players available for any of their games.

If all other players are healthy, are we really going to use 11-players rotation?

How many minutes will Terry get behind Smart and IT? Or behind AB, Smart and Turner (played  24% of all SG minutes last year as per 82games)? Same for Mickey and Young.

I am not saying they should spend all the year in Maine or the staff should not be flexible deciding when or why to assign them. It is just a very good option to have when we have 4 rookies playing 4 different positions on a 15-deep roster.

It's not about whether they'll play in most games, it's about having a safety net in case of injury

It also gives the possibility of the rookies getting some NBA minutes (even if it's only in garbage time)

exactly you don't dress less than 12 unless you have injuries that force you to.  You just never know.  Maybe we need 3 point shooters, maybe we need guys to come in and intentionally foul, maybe we are up or down by 20, maybe some guys get banged up or are in foul trouble, etc.  If you have 12 healthy players, you dress 12 players.  Period.

[krumeto]

We have 3 rookies and Young on the roster. Terry and RJ might see some minutes, but Mickey and Young are way back in the depth chart. At least for some time it might be a good idea to (occasionally) send all 4 together to Maine.

I first read the notion under one of the main blog's articles and it seemed a topic-worthy thing in August. To me, it makes a lot of sense. Terry needs to learn to run an offense. RJ needs to get stronger. Mickey too. Young needs to get more on-court experience.

In Maine they can do it together. It relieves the psychological issue of being sent away from the main roster - they'll be together in it. All 4 play different positions, so nobody will block or compete with the other. They can learn the system together.

Of course, not all the time, and, of course, not throughout the whole year. It is just a reasonable option. We get player development, some bonding experience and rotation solution at the same time.

Even if all other players are healthy, I see no reason for the C's to make only 11 players available for any of their games.

If all other players are healthy, are we really going to use 11-players rotation?

How many minutes will Terry get behind Smart and IT? Or behind AB, Smart and Turner (played  24% of all SG minutes last year as per 82games)? Same for Mickey and Young.

I am not saying they should spend all the year in Maine or the staff should not be flexible deciding when or why to assign them. It is just a very good option to have when we have 4 rookies playing 4 different positions on a 15-deep roster.

It's not about whether they'll play in most games, it's about having a safety net in case of injury

It also gives the possibility of the rookies getting some NBA minutes (even if it's only in garbage time)

exactly you don't dress less than 12 unless you have injuries that force you to.  You just never know.  Maybe we need 3 point shooters, maybe we need guys to come in and intentionally foul, maybe we are up or down by 20, maybe some guys get banged up or are in foul trouble, etc.  If you have 12 healthy players, you dress 12 players.  Period.

What do you do with the other 3? Should they stay with the team in street-clothes? Wave towels? Period.

[Who]

I think the D-League could be useful for Rozier because he can play the point guard position and further develop his PG skills. His future depends on how well he can play that position. How well he can run a team and develop as a playmaker.

I think the D-League is good for that. For helping to learn / gain experience at a new position.

Or for guys who are so raw they have no hope in the NBA. Other than that though, I think players learn more bad habits than good habits in the D-League because the quality of the competition is so low. Especially for the big men.

I'd be particularly worried about Mickey down there. His footwork and positioning is already quite bad. Big men with those flaws tend to stagnate in the D-League. They learn enough to get by playing against sub-par athletes / talent but not enough to play against NBA caliber athletes / talents. Mickey needs to be playing against NBA caliber athletes / talent -- not those PFs you see so often in the D-League who are either stringbean PFs (who cannot matchup physically), or slow podders who cannot move or jump (who cannot matchup athletically), or, guys who are so raw they have low-to-no skill level (who cannot matchup skill-wise). I'd rather keep Mickey here as a 3rd string PF who gets spot minutes now and then than send him to the D-League.

No interest in seeing RJ Hunter down there either. Another guy who needs to get used to playing against NBA caliber athletes. He has a lot of college experience against sub-par athletes / talents. More than enough. He is very smart and highly skilled. Knows how to play within a team. This is a guy that needs NBA practices & minutes. Not the D-League. That will just slow down his developmental path.

I also think James Young has gotten all he is going to get out of the D-League. He was so dominant as a scorer in the D-League that there wasn't enough pressure for him to develop the rest of his game (defense, passing, ball-handling, rebounding). Personally, I think he has plateaued against that low level of competition and needs to be playing NBA minutes now to push him through to the next stage in his development.

[D.o.s.]

thought: If the NBA is serious about turning the D-League into a, well, developmental league, then teams have to start taking use of it to rehab stars and the like.

The problem, like we heard rumblings with Rondo last year, is that no 'star' player wants to be the first guy who has to head to the D-League, since most players look at is as a demotion.

[slamtheking]

I think the D-League could be useful for Rozier because he can play the point guard position and further develop his PG skills. His future depends on how well he can play that position. How well he can run a team and develop as a playmaker.

I think the D-League is good for that. For helping to learn / gain experience at a new position.

Or for guys who are so raw they have no hope in the NBA. Other than that though, I think players learn more bad habits than good habits in the D-League because the quality of the competition is so low. Especially for the big men.

I'd be particularly worried about Mickey down there. His footwork and positioning is already quite bad. Big men with those flaws tend to stagnate in the D-League. They learn enough to get by playing against sub-par athletes / talent but not enough to play against NBA caliber athletes / talents. Mickey needs to be playing against NBA caliber athletes / talent -- not those PFs you see so often in the D-League who are either stringbean PFs (who cannot matchup physically), or slow podders who cannot move or jump (who cannot matchup athletically), or, guys who are so raw they have low-to-no skill level (who cannot matchup skill-wise). I'd rather keep Mickey here as a 3rd string PF who gets spot minutes now and then than send him to the D-League.

No interest in seeing RJ Hunter down there either. Another guy who needs to get used to playing against NBA caliber athletes. He has a lot of college experience against sub-par athletes / talents. More than enough. He is very smart and highly skilled. Knows how to play within a team. This is a guy that needs NBA practices & minutes. Not the D-League. That will just slow down his developmental path.

I also think James Young has gotten all he is going to get out of the D-League. He was so dominant as a scorer in the D-League that there wasn't enough pressure for him to develop the rest of his game (defense, passing, ball-handling, rebounding). Personally, I think he has plateaued against that low level of competition and needs to be playing NBA minutes now to push him through to the next stage in his development.

have to agree.  of the 4 players that aren't likely to get minutes with the team, Young is the one that seems to have maxed out his learning ability in Maine and probably be the 12th guy suited up.  that is unless Hunter blows by him on the depth chart in training camp

[BitterJim]

I think the D-League could be useful for Rozier because he can play the point guard position and further develop his PG skills. His future depends on how well he can play that position. How well he can run a team and develop as a playmaker.

I think the D-League is good for that. For helping to learn / gain experience at a new position.

Or for guys who are so raw they have no hope in the NBA. Other than that though, I think players learn more bad habits than good habits in the D-League because the quality of the competition is so low. Especially for the big men.

I'd be particularly worried about Mickey down there. His footwork and positioning is already quite bad. Big men with those flaws tend to stagnate in the D-League. They learn enough to get by playing against sub-par athletes / talent but not enough to play against NBA caliber athletes / talents. Mickey needs to be playing against NBA caliber athletes / talent -- not those PFs you see so often in the D-League who are either stringbean PFs (who cannot matchup physically), or slow podders who cannot move or jump (who cannot matchup athletically), or, guys who are so raw they have low-to-no skill level (who cannot matchup skill-wise). I'd rather keep Mickey here as a 3rd string PF who gets spot minutes now and then than send him to the D-League.

No interest in seeing RJ Hunter down there either. Another guy who needs to get used to playing against NBA caliber athletes. He has a lot of college experience against sub-par athletes / talents. More than enough. He is very smart and highly skilled. Knows how to play within a team. This is a guy that needs NBA practices & minutes. Not the D-League. That will just slow down his developmental path.

I also think James Young has gotten all he is going to get out of the D-League. He was so dominant as a scorer in the D-League that there wasn't enough pressure for him to develop the rest of his game (defense, passing, ball-handling, rebounding). Personally, I think he has plateaued against that low level of competition and needs to be playing NBA minutes now to push him through to the next stage in his development.

have to agree.  of the 4 players that aren't likely to get minutes with the team, Young is the one that seems to have maxed out his learning ability in Maine and probably be the 12th guy suited up.  that is unless Hunter blows by him on the depth chart in training camp

I really hope the team takes advantage of having unlimited callus and has the rookies come to every practice in Waltham.  It'll give them some good experience

[rollie mass]

to think young maxed out his d league ,maybe shooting three's but not on d or creating and getting to hoop-
if he plays d league take away his three ,and have him concentrate on d and right hand and getting to hoop and time at small forward-

[Moranis]

We have 3 rookies and Young on the roster. Terry and RJ might see some minutes, but Mickey and Young are way back in the depth chart. At least for some time it might be a good idea to (occasionally) send all 4 together to Maine.

I first read the notion under one of the main blog's articles and it seemed a topic-worthy thing in August. To me, it makes a lot of sense. Terry needs to learn to run an offense. RJ needs to get stronger. Mickey too. Young needs to get more on-court experience.

In Maine they can do it together. It relieves the psychological issue of being sent away from the main roster - they'll be together in it. All 4 play different positions, so nobody will block or compete with the other. They can learn the system together.

Of course, not all the time, and, of course, not throughout the whole year. It is just a reasonable option. We get player development, some bonding experience and rotation solution at the same time.

Even if all other players are healthy, I see no reason for the C's to make only 11 players available for any of their games.

If all other players are healthy, are we really going to use 11-players rotation?

How many minutes will Terry get behind Smart and IT? Or behind AB, Smart and Turner (played  24% of all SG minutes last year as per 82games)? Same for Mickey and Young.

I am not saying they should spend all the year in Maine or the staff should not be flexible deciding when or why to assign them. It is just a very good option to have when we have 4 rookies playing 4 different positions on a 15-deep roster.

It's not about whether they'll play in most games, it's about having a safety net in case of injury

It also gives the possibility of the rookies getting some NBA minutes (even if it's only in garbage time)

exactly you don't dress less than 12 unless you have injuries that force you to.  You just never know.  Maybe we need 3 point shooters, maybe we need guys to come in and intentionally foul, maybe we are up or down by 20, maybe some guys get banged up or are in foul trouble, etc.  If you have 12 healthy players, you dress 12 players.  Period.

What do you do with the other 3? Should they stay with the team in street-clothes? Wave towels? Period.

The other 3 can go to DLeague (though I'm not saying they should), but your premise in this thread was to send all 4 to DLeague, which is just silly.

[Moranis]

thought: If the NBA is serious about turning the D-League into a, well, developmental league, then teams have to start taking use of it to rehab stars and the like.

The problem, like we heard rumblings with Rondo last year, is that no 'star' player wants to be the first guy who has to head to the D-League, since most players look at is as a demotion.

It would help a great deal if each team had its own dedicated DLeague team and the NBA roster was expanded to say 20 where 8 guys could be "yours" on your DLeague team (and only counted against the cap for signing bonuses and actual time spent with the big club) and the other 4 (or whatever) could be signed by anyone (similar to the NFL practice squad).  That would allow a lot more of an actual minor league type system where sending young guys and/or veterans down wouldn't be a waste of time most of the time.

[D.o.s.]

Agreed. I would also think that bumping the pay of the D-League might make it a more viable alternative to international play -- at least for the sorts of players that would really elevate the league's quality.

[slamtheking]

Agreed. I would also think that bumping the pay of the D-League might make it a more viable alternative to international play -- at least for the sorts of players that would really elevate the league's quality.

excellent point - TP.  the question is - - is there a market for that league? 

minor league baseball is a draw because it's a much cheaper version of the pros so still affordable as a family outing.  the D-League would probably have to do something similar in terms of ticket and merchandise costs