2 Blazers sent to the NBDL.
Martell Webster and Sergei Monia have been sent down to the NBDL (National Basketball Developmental League) so they can play rather than sit. I think there are valid arguments on both sides as to whether this is a good thing or not. On one hand, the guys have been nudged out of playing time and this is an opportunity for them to play in games, not just practice. On the other hand, it takes them away from their team, it removes them from the very thing they are supposed to be a part of.
I think the success or failure of this "experiment" will depend heavily on attitude. The hitch, in my opinion, is whether they will ever be called back. If lack of PT was the factor that sent them there, it means that space would need to be created in order to bring them back. We still have one more player waiting in the wings to come back. Darius Miles will absolutely take more PT away from the bank when he returns. So, who's coming back in that case? Will there be a switch where someone who is here now will be sent down and either Martell or Sergei will be brought back? Who can say.
This is the first year that the NBA has been able to use the NBDL in this way. It is similar to the farm system used by Major League Baseball. In the NBA, a team can send any rookie or 2nd year player "down" up to 3 times a season. The player can be called "up" at any time as well. I guess that means if you get sent down a 4th time, you are out. The player will receive the same pay they get while in the NBA. I do not know the particulars there. From what I can tell, the NBDL is competetive enough that even here, there is a battle for PT. In other words, it isn't a vacation for those who really want to play and get back to the NBA. Minutes go to those who earn them, just like the NBA. Of course, it's hard to earn minutes when there are 15 guys on a roster, with 3 or 4 at any one position, and most of them are deserving to play. Since the guys continue receiving their NBA pay, it will be interesting to see who is motivated to fight their way back and who is not. I suspect the dream of the "big time" should be enough. If it isn't, then it may be an opportunity for some teams to do some "weeding". (Don't even go there and you know who you are!)
It used to be that players that find themselves without room to play end up sitting on the bench until garbage time, where they are lucky to eek out 2 minutes every 10 games. Most players don't even break a sweat in that time. This is where having the chance to play is a good thing. How can a guy work on his game if he isn't playing? However, how can a guy work on his NBA game if he isn't in the NBA?
I don't think this system has been in place long enough to answer the question. I'm open to it but I have my reservations. So far this year, 16 players have been sent to the NBDL, including Monia and Webster. So far, only 2 have found their way back to the NBA.
There are 8 D-League teams. The team that the Blazers are associated with is the Fort Worth Flyers. We share this team with Dallas, Golden State, and the Lakers. We share the team, not the players, so don't worry about Martell or Sergei being stolen by the Lakers just yet!
You can learn more about the Fort Worth Flyers here.
I think the success or failure of this "experiment" will depend heavily on attitude. The hitch, in my opinion, is whether they will ever be called back. If lack of PT was the factor that sent them there, it means that space would need to be created in order to bring them back. We still have one more player waiting in the wings to come back. Darius Miles will absolutely take more PT away from the bank when he returns. So, who's coming back in that case? Will there be a switch where someone who is here now will be sent down and either Martell or Sergei will be brought back? Who can say.
This is the first year that the NBA has been able to use the NBDL in this way. It is similar to the farm system used by Major League Baseball. In the NBA, a team can send any rookie or 2nd year player "down" up to 3 times a season. The player can be called "up" at any time as well. I guess that means if you get sent down a 4th time, you are out. The player will receive the same pay they get while in the NBA. I do not know the particulars there. From what I can tell, the NBDL is competetive enough that even here, there is a battle for PT. In other words, it isn't a vacation for those who really want to play and get back to the NBA. Minutes go to those who earn them, just like the NBA. Of course, it's hard to earn minutes when there are 15 guys on a roster, with 3 or 4 at any one position, and most of them are deserving to play. Since the guys continue receiving their NBA pay, it will be interesting to see who is motivated to fight their way back and who is not. I suspect the dream of the "big time" should be enough. If it isn't, then it may be an opportunity for some teams to do some "weeding". (Don't even go there and you know who you are!)
It used to be that players that find themselves without room to play end up sitting on the bench until garbage time, where they are lucky to eek out 2 minutes every 10 games. Most players don't even break a sweat in that time. This is where having the chance to play is a good thing. How can a guy work on his game if he isn't playing? However, how can a guy work on his NBA game if he isn't in the NBA?
I don't think this system has been in place long enough to answer the question. I'm open to it but I have my reservations. So far this year, 16 players have been sent to the NBDL, including Monia and Webster. So far, only 2 have found their way back to the NBA.
There are 8 D-League teams. The team that the Blazers are associated with is the Fort Worth Flyers. We share this team with Dallas, Golden State, and the Lakers. We share the team, not the players, so don't worry about Martell or Sergei being stolen by the Lakers just yet!
You can learn more about the Fort Worth Flyers here.
posted by KJM at 11:34 AM
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