Developing Len, Warren, Goodwin & Ennis

[Joe Mama]

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.)

I really hope Goodwin turns into something, but I'm totally against putting him in real games right now unless we are out of the playoff picture or 20 points up with a few minutes left. He is no better defensively than any of our other guards, and on offense he's a one trick pony. The second opposing teams scout him they will just sag into the middle of the court and make it even more difficult for everybody else to operate. This team needs to put more shooters on the floor not fewer.

I wanted to see Alex Len more last year not because I'm in favor of developing players at the expense of success, but because I thought he was much more effective defensively than Miles Plumlee even by just running around with his hands straight up in the air. I'd like to know if Alex Len had something going on with his hands last year because he had hands of stone. It's not like he's got great hands this year, but he is much, much better this year.

Joe

 

[Errntknght]

I really hope Goodwin turns into something, but I'm totally against putting him in real games right now unless we are out of the playoff picture or 20 points up with a few minutes left. He is no better defensively than any of our other guards, and on offense he's a one trick pony. The second opposing teams scout him they will just sag into the middle of the court and make it even more difficult for everybody else to operate. This team needs to put more shooters on the floor not fewer.

Joe

The real question is, would you keep him glued to the bench here or send him down to Bakersfield to play? I assume you were talking about playing him when the team is bending every effort to make the playoffs and in the current offense. I disagree with both the goal and the offense but if I bought into them, I'd have to agree he is most unlikely to help now. But for his sake getting him playing basketball on a team somewhere.