How they do it?

[LGC88]

I was wondering, how other teams managed to get contribution from D-league players. I thought Frazier and Seth Curry were exceptions, but I start to see a pattern. Just look at the replacement players in Memphis. They are not starter caliber, but I find they were solid contributor.

We had superstar D-leaguer every year and they are far for contributing.
Are the Celtics doing something wrong, or is it just that D-leaguer just can't play Brad's defense?

[apc]

The Celtics are 1. a deep team 2. a playoff team. It is hard for our d-league guys to get minutes, not to mention becoming a regular rotation minutes.

[celticsclay]

Curry is a back up on one of the worst teams in the league
Frazier is a backup on a lottery team with one of the worst records in the league
Is the player you are referencing on Memphis Jamychael green?

[LGC88]

Curry is a back up on one of the worst teams in the league
Frazier is a backup on a lottery team with one of the worst records in the league
Is the player you are referencing on Memphis Jamychael green?

I haven't check who exactly play in D-league or was undrafted or anything similar. I just heard Mike Gorman said he was impressed how Memphis play so well with D-leaguer replacements.

[Moranis]

Curry is a back up on one of the worst teams in the league
Frazier is a backup on a lottery team with one of the worst records in the league
Is the player you are referencing on Memphis Jamychael green?

I haven't check who exactly play in D-league or was undrafted or anything similar. I just heard Mike Gorman said he was impressed how Memphis play so well with D-leaguer replacements.

Green and Williams have both started at least 13 games for the Grizzlies this year, neither was drafted and Williams is a rookie.  Troy Daniels is also in the rotation and was undrafted. Ennis, Harrison, Gasol, Parsons, and Davis were all 2nd round picks.  The only lottery picks on their team are Conley and and 100 year old Carter. 

[celticsclay]

Curry is a back up on one of the worst teams in the league
Frazier is a backup on a lottery team with one of the worst records in the league
Is the player you are referencing on Memphis Jamychael green?

I haven't check who exactly play in D-league or was undrafted or anything similar. I just heard Mike Gorman said he was impressed how Memphis play so well with D-leaguer replacements.

Green and Williams have both started at least 13 games for the Grizzlies this year, neither was drafted and Williams is a rookie.  Troy Daniels is also in the rotation and was undrafted. Ennis, Harrison, Gasol, Parsons, and Davis were all 2nd round picks.  The only lottery picks on their team are Conley and and 100 year old Carter.

I don't really think whether Gasol was a second round pick by the Lakers 10 years ago or Chandler Parson was a second round pick 2 teams and 3 years ago is really relevant (or what Heinson was referencing). I think Green is a really nice find but is probably a bench player on a better team. I don't think Harrison, Ennis or Daniels would hardly see any minutes on the celtics and probably will see a lot less if the Grizziles are ever fully healthy.

[CelticGuardian]

I think a team like the Spurs wait until guys they liked at the draft are in their basketball prime at 26-28 years old. At that point they should have matured at least into the role player GM's envisioned they would be. 

A case I follow closely is Sean Kilpatrick with the Nets as it's relevant to Nets picks. Guy came out of college at 23-24 years old. He went undrafted due limited athleticism and age even though he was an elite scorer for Cincinnati.

Had small stints where he clearly was overwhelmed by the NBA, he later proceeded to have a stellar D-Leagu career until the Nets signing. He's now one of their few reliable scorers.

So I think it goes --> Scout players in second round and likely undrafted tier players. Identify a skill that can become reliable in the NBA. Then wait until said player is in prime basketball age and they are either standouts or key contributors to their D-League team.

[Boris Badenov]

I think a team like the Spurs wait until guys they liked at the draft are in their basketball prime at 26-28 years old. At that point they should have matured at least into the role player GM's envisioned they would be.

The Spurs really are amazing, because every year there are 2-3 new guys they just plug in for regular minutes who play well.

Jonathon Simmons
Davis Bertans
Boban Marjanovic
Aron Baynes
Nando de Colo
Gary Neal
Etc.

Looks like a bunch of nobodies but those guys played useful minutes at replacement level or better.

[BitterJim]

It's not like we haven't gotten players like that before - just off the top of my head, Greg Stiemsma fits the bill

[celticsclay]

I think a team like the Spurs wait until guys they liked at the draft are in their basketball prime at 26-28 years old. At that point they should have matured at least into the role player GM's envisioned they would be.

The Spurs really are amazing, because every year there are 2-3 new guys they just plug in for regular minutes who play well.

Jonathon Simmons
Davis Bertans
Boban Marjanovic
Aron Baynes
Nando de Colo
Gary Neal
Etc.

Looks like a bunch of nobodies but those guys played useful minutes at replacement level or better.

Will Boban ever play meaningful moments? Can't believe he makes 7 mil a year.

[hpantazo]

I think a team like the Spurs wait until guys they liked at the draft are in their basketball prime at 26-28 years old. At that point they should have matured at least into the role player GM's envisioned they would be.

The Spurs really are amazing, because every year there are 2-3 new guys they just plug in for regular minutes who play well.

Jonathon Simmons
Davis Bertans
Boban Marjanovic
Aron Baynes
Nando de Colo
Gary Neal
Etc.

Looks like a bunch of nobodies but those guys played useful minutes at replacement level or better.

Will Boban ever play meaningful moments? Can't believe he makes 7 mil a year.

He will next year when Baynes is gone.

[celticsclay]

I think a team like the Spurs wait until guys they liked at the draft are in their basketball prime at 26-28 years old. At that point they should have matured at least into the role player GM's envisioned they would be.

The Spurs really are amazing, because every year there are 2-3 new guys they just plug in for regular minutes who play well.

Jonathon Simmons
Davis Bertans
Boban Marjanovic
Aron Baynes
Nando de Colo
Gary Neal
Etc.

Looks like a bunch of nobodies but those guys played useful minutes at replacement level or better.

Will Boban ever play meaningful moments? Can't believe he makes 7 mil a year.

He will next year when Baynes is gone.

That is what they say. I will believe it when I see it. He looks comically slow for an NBA player. Tough to imagine that he can be a rotation player at this speed.