Other than recklessly charging at the basket Goodwin has yet to display an NBA level skill and he is absolutely not better than the guys in front of him.
All of the whining about Hornacek refusing to play young players requires completely ignoring Alex Len, who, once healthy, got playing time last season, despite being horrible at the time, and this season was handed a huge role right off the bat, a role that would have expanded sooner if not for his foul problems.
I would play Goodwin ahead of Green but that's just me - young and reckless - I'm like Archie so I identify with him. But I'm only whining about Hornacek not sending me ... I mean Archie, down to the development league for a long stint.
The main reason I'd play Archie here is that going up against the best of the league might teach him some humility, which he probably wouldn't get with the Jam - and badly needs. I think I have seen some defensive skills peeking out and here I'd be sure they'd be encouraged or even demanded, if necessary. Also, as I've mentioned before, he looks like he feels isolated and a well defined role - not large but clearly defined - might help with that. Heck, that's what I wanted for him last year - I would have paired with Ish in practice and games to foster that.
I'm sure you know that at the top level of all sports its the mental component that determines the level of success. Almost everyone that makes it near that level has enough talent but only a few reach the right mental state to get the max out of their particular set of abilities. Its a coaches most important job, IMO, to put their young guys in position to learn about themselves - telling them helps but, as we all know, experience is the better teacher. Just imagine how good Green would be if he just had a solid grasp of what he could and couldn't do. He'd need more than that to reach his full potential - like committing himself to defense as much as offense - but that probably requires a miraculous psychic transformation.
Len, yes I remember him from last year... I whined about Horny not playing him enough and you kept pointing out he not demonstrated any NBA skill so why should Horny play him at all. No skill, slow and bewildered - and I don't think I'm putting words in your mouth. (You were right about bewildered, of course. An almost invariable problem with youngsters that is usually cured by playing.)
