According to Paul Coro....
http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...s-use-d-league-bakersfield-affiliate/8870125/
I think this is definitely a good move, especially with it seeming that Hornacek and McD are more than competent in their jobs and should be around a while. Given that the system most likely will stay close to the same for the next couple of years and having the ability to choose the coach, gm, and system used for the D-League affiliate should make it more likely the team uses the option to send players down for assignment to give them actual playing time, albeit at a less competitive and talent level. With the slew of draft picks the team has the next couple of years plus the likelihood of bringing in some quality free agents taking more playing time away from developing players while training to remain competitive for the postseason, it makes sense. Being able to get the younger players more court time will be something needed but harder to do while competing and being able to send them down to what should be a similar system should make the transition easier if/when they are called up.
We saw how little playing time Len & Goodwin got this year and 6 first round picks over the next 2 years, with 3 first rounders coming this year in a deep draft and 1 second round pick, we should be able to assign players more often and for longer while they get some seasoning. Goodwin was sent down twice for a total of 9 days this year and Len wasn't sent down at all, however with his injuries that made more sense to keep him with the team and trainers. Being able to have people put their more aware of the teams needs and players development should make it possible to send either one of them down next year for extended time if their isn't playing time.
I really liked the D-League idea when it was introduced a few years back and noticed even when the Suns didn't sell their picks and had rookies they didn't send players down often or for very long. They could and should have sent down players like Earl Clark, DJ Strawberry, Gani Lawal, Alando Tucker, Dionte Garrett, Kendall Marshall and Dijon Thompson who clearly weren't ready to be in the rotation but could have benefited from more court time in the D-League. Now that they have their own D-League team maybe they will use it more.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...s-use-d-league-bakersfield-affiliate/8870125/
I think this is definitely a good move, especially with it seeming that Hornacek and McD are more than competent in their jobs and should be around a while. Given that the system most likely will stay close to the same for the next couple of years and having the ability to choose the coach, gm, and system used for the D-League affiliate should make it more likely the team uses the option to send players down for assignment to give them actual playing time, albeit at a less competitive and talent level. With the slew of draft picks the team has the next couple of years plus the likelihood of bringing in some quality free agents taking more playing time away from developing players while training to remain competitive for the postseason, it makes sense. Being able to get the younger players more court time will be something needed but harder to do while competing and being able to send them down to what should be a similar system should make the transition easier if/when they are called up.
We saw how little playing time Len & Goodwin got this year and 6 first round picks over the next 2 years, with 3 first rounders coming this year in a deep draft and 1 second round pick, we should be able to assign players more often and for longer while they get some seasoning. Goodwin was sent down twice for a total of 9 days this year and Len wasn't sent down at all, however with his injuries that made more sense to keep him with the team and trainers. Being able to have people put their more aware of the teams needs and players development should make it possible to send either one of them down next year for extended time if their isn't playing time.
I really liked the D-League idea when it was introduced a few years back and noticed even when the Suns didn't sell their picks and had rookies they didn't send players down often or for very long. They could and should have sent down players like Earl Clark, DJ Strawberry, Gani Lawal, Alando Tucker, Dionte Garrett, Kendall Marshall and Dijon Thompson who clearly weren't ready to be in the rotation but could have benefited from more court time in the D-League. Now that they have their own D-League team maybe they will use it more.
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