OT- CJ Fair jumped center

[Conrad13]

Was listening to the radio driving home from work. Britton Johnson, former Ute player and guy that was on the end of a couple of NBA benches for a few years said that this is one of the reasons why minor league hoops is so difficult (he has a lot of experience with that). He compared it to baseball, which has an individual game within the team game, where a guy can work on improving himself as a player and that helps the team. Basketball though often requires individual sacrifice in order to bring about team success, so he said it takes really special coaches at the minor league hoops level to help guys get better, and if you're a really special coach, chances are you can end up somewhere better than minor league hoops. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting take, and also showcased how unique the college system is as a de facto minor league, because the competition and teams actually do matter and that is a great type of player development that minor league hoops leagues struggle to match.

This is a great point. As a college basketball fan, I'd still like to get rid of any time requirement before players can enter a professional league because the I'm not that interested in the players that aren't interested in being in college. However, the sub NBA American leagues are only about showcasing individual talents. I wonder if there were a large cash incentive for all of the players on the winning D-league team, the quality of team play would improve. It seems like a million dollar investment into championship winnings could pay dividends on the level of play for the whole league.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Something to point out to the "everyone with professional aspirations should leave college as soon as possible" crowd.

Well... I'm still pretty staunchly in that crowd.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

This is a great point. As a college basketball fan, I'd still like to get rid of any time requirement before players can enter a professional league because the I'm not that interested in the players that aren't interested in being in college. However, the sub NBA American leagues are only about showcasing individual talents. I wonder if there were a large cash incentive for all of the players on the winning D-league team, the quality of team play would improve. It seems like a million dollar investment into championship winnings could pay dividends on the level of play for the whole league.

It would seem like a way could be developed that winning D-league team players make more money than losing D-league team players.:noidea:

 

[Full_Rebar]

The above posts are also why more NBA teams are taking over D League teams and hiring the coaches, implementing a system. The Rockets were first to do this and as they continue to find success, the copycats will continue to follow. Of course, the Kings owner is a nut job, so he took it a couple of steps further and went all-in by hiring the Grinell coach and trying to play the game at a ridiculous pace- http://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2015/01/09/like-offense-reno-bighorns-team/21519553/

The D League is evolving to become a combination minor-league/mad scientist lab, so expect more NBA teams to take control over the basketball aspects of franchises.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The above posts are also why more NBA teams are taking over D League teams and hiring the coaches, implementing a system. The Rockets were first to do this and as they continue to find success, the copycats will continue to follow. Of course, the Kings owner is a nut job, so he took it a couple of steps further and went all-in by hiring the Grinell coach and trying to play the game at a ridiculous pace- http://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2015/01/09/like-offense-reno-bighorns-team/21519553/

The D League is evolving to become a combination minor-league/mad scientist lab, so expect more NBA teams to take control over the basketball aspects of franchises.

I think it could be great.

 

[jordoo]

I think it could be great.

Agreed and from a fan perspective I would love to be able to see better bball and follow the SU guys D-league on TV at some point.

 

[shandeezy7]

Was listening to the radio driving home from work. Britton Johnson, former Ute player and guy that was on the end of a couple of NBA benches for a few years said that this is one of the reasons why minor league hoops is so difficult (he has a lot of experience with that). He compared it to baseball, which has an individual game within the team game, where a guy can work on improving himself as a player and that helps the team. Basketball though often requires individual sacrifice in order to bring about team success, so he said it takes really special coaches at the minor league hoops level to help guys get better, and if you're a really special coach, chances are you can end up somewhere better than minor league hoops. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting take, and also showcased how unique the college system is as a de facto minor league, because the competition and teams actually do matter and that is a great type of player development that minor league hoops leagues struggle to match.

That's not the entire story though. I think it would be a lot different (for the better) if each NBA team had their own D-League affiliate. Then you would have D-League teams full of guys who are all playing for the same organization. Are you still going to see individualism and selfishness? Of course. That still happens on the collegiate level, especially with guys who play for teams that have no shot at a title. But I think it would make it more likely that you would see team systems put in place and guys playing as more cohesive units.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

That's not the entire story though. I think it would be a lot different (for the better) if each NBA team had their own D-League affiliate. Then you would have D-League teams full of guys who are all playing for the same organization. Are you still going to see individualism and selfishness? Of course. That still happens on the collegiate level, especially with guys who play for teams that have no shot at a title. But I think it would make it more likely that you would see team systems put in place and guys playing as more cohesive units.

Agreed.

 

[moqui]

Was listening to the radio driving home from work. Britton Johnson, former Ute player and guy that was on the end of a couple of NBA benches for a few years said that this is one of the reasons why minor league hoops is so difficult (he has a lot of experience with that). He compared it to baseball, which has an individual game within the team game, where a guy can work on improving himself as a player and that helps the team. Basketball though often requires individual sacrifice in order to bring about team success, so he said it takes really special coaches at the minor league hoops level to help guys get better, and if you're a really special coach, chances are you can end up somewhere better than minor league hoops. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting take, and also showcased how unique the college system is as a de facto minor league, because the competition and teams actually do matter and that is a great type of player development that minor league hoops leagues struggle to match.

in the two years that Eric Musselman coached in the D League (one in Bakersfield and one in Los Angeles), he pointed out to all of his players that they were not in the position to be stars at the next level; that if they wanted to get called up and to stick then they had to be team players who could contribute to a winning environment off the bench in niche areas. Not only did Musselman's teams win at a high rate (I think his LA team still holds the D League record for most wins), but he also set the record for most NBA call ups.

So, yes, it is all about coaching. The problem is, when you get a great teaching coach like Musselman, it's hard to keep him on a D League salary. He gets paid much more as a college assistant. And, now, he has just been named head coach at Nevada-Reno.

 

[pfister1]

in the two years that Eric Musselman coached in the D League (one in Bakersfield and one in Los Angeles), he pointed out to all of his players that they were not in the position to be stars at the next level; that if they wanted to get called up and to stick then they had to be team players who could contribute to a winning environment off the bench in niche areas. Not only did Musselman's teams win at a high rate (I think his LA team still holds the D League record for most wins), but he also set the record for most NBA call ups.

So, yes, it is all about coaching. The problem is, when you get a great teaching coach like Musselman, it's hard to keep him on a D League salary. He gets paid much more as a college assistant. And, now, he has just been named head coach at Nevada-Reno.

The NBA has never had to throw money at a minor league system to develop players because the NCAA has been more than happy up to this point to allow itself to be prostituted for this purpose. There are a number of things that the NCAA could do that would make it less player development friendly and push the NBA to sink more money into a developmental league including paying for coaches. Some examples would be allow a player to declare, get drafted, but retain any remaining eligibility by not signing with the the team that drafted him; not accept athletes that have no interest in getting a degree. Right now the NCAA isn't really interested in drawing a line in the sand with the NBA because it might negatively impact the NCAA's bottom line and the NCAA is really all about maximizing revenue... at least that is my view.

 

[rstone7727]

This is a great point. As a college basketball fan, I'd still like to get rid of any time requirement before players can enter a professional league because the I'm not that interested in the players that aren't interested in being in college. However, the sub NBA American leagues are only about showcasing individual talents. I wonder if there were a large cash incentive for all of the players on the winning D-league team, the quality of team play would improve. It seems like a million dollar investment into championship winnings could pay dividends on the level of play for the whole league.

This is a great idea, incentive to win games. Even $100 per player for each win would bring out the best in the players while enabling the NBA teams to better evaluate team players. That might end "stat padding" for good..

 

[Dave85]

I LOVE cats. LOVE them. If those guys have any fleas I bet they're paying rent.

Man, what coats on those two...

The tabby sits on my chest every night and stares at me in my eye until I put out cat food. It's really weird. I never had a cat that ever did this! No flees, they are only indoor cats. In NJ, they would be run over by car in no time.

 

[Dave85]

Second best post ever

I just got it.

 

[Dave85]

Thanks for posting the photo. What a great night for CJ. I really hope we get to see him on play in the big show!