Knicks · Nets take over d-league team Springfield (page 1)

They’re going to improve through the draft, through trades, through free agency – the three usual ways. But the Nets also will put some of their attention into building a minor league system that helps develop players and coaches and prepare them for the NBA. It will make it easier when the Nets call them up to the pros.

“It gives you a chance to work with the players, so the system they’re running and practices are the same ones Avery is running,” King said.

That way, when someone gets called up, when Johnson calls a play, that guy will know exactly what the play is. The Nets don’t have to limit their play calls or just use the player in case of an emergency.

They also can move the Springfield head coach and put him on Johnson’s staff if one of his assistants gets another job. Then the Armor assistant can move up to head coach of the team.

It’s a total minor league system with players, coaches and trainers all picked by the Nets. King is putting together a list of candidates for the head coaching position.

“Guys will want to come and play for our team because we’re up and coming,” King said. “Coaches will want to come. I think it will be a great opportunity.”

This move also is significant because most NBA teams don’t own or run their own Development League squad. The several that do are among the best run organizations.

The Houston Rockets are the only other team with a “hybrid” affiliation (Rio Grande Valley Vipers). The Spurs (Austin Toros), Thunder (Tulsa 66ers) and Mavericks (Texas Legends) fully own and operate their D-League teams.

For the Nets, this is another step in their organizational transformation. And who knows - it could become a league-wide trend.

“I’d rather have a chance to develop a team and a roster and maybe find a young guy or find a young coach and have control over them because at some point it will become like Major League Baseball where you have an affiliate,” King said. “If it does I want to be in the front of the order and not be in the middle and try and learn it on the fly.”

http://www.myyesnetwork.com/13157/blog/2...

On paper seems like a great idea. With all the money we have one would thinks we be haves it too.

MSG can replay games late at nite.

Right Nalod. If the knicks get their own team and the games are aired on MSG I am sure it will be a success.

The so called mecca of basketball needs this!

i don't understand why the knicks DO NOT do this? how much can it cost to run a team?

this would allow the knicks to really leverage their financial muscle in the draft by buying draft picks, and then ensuring that we can slot guys in the D League for a couple of years. how much more beneficial would it have been for rautins last yr or even jerome jordan to play on a team with knicks coaches and be seeing regular game action (in jordan's case, that is more similar to NBA action than whatever european country he's playing in).

this is a must-do in my opinion.

I think i read somewhere that the Knicks just disengaged themselves from a shared team, maybe that's the first step.

Now that the Nets have done it, you can bet Dolan will push hard for his franchise to have a team cuz he can't stand to be outdone by the Nets.

nixluva wrote:Now that the Nets have done it, you can bet Dolan will push hard for his franchise to have a team cuz he can't stand to be outdone by the Nets.

That would be great. The Knicks do not use the d-league to develop their players and they haven't brought guys up. I did read somewhere that there is a fee involved for teams when they signed a d-league guy.

Team in westchester could use the knicks facility? Is it allowed?

Might draw better in Long Island?

i like the minor league system in the nba,but it has one MAJOR drawback... Why cant the team send down a player even though he is in his 3rd year??? like for example of we want bill walker to get playing time, we make go to the d-league but now he cant because he's been a pro for 3 years. So he will end up rotting in the bench... It will be nice to own a d-league team. Make Herb Williams the coach, so you know they have the same system as d'antoni also it will improve him as a coach PLUS can sign a Defensive coach to take over Herb's spot.

thoughts?

unstopaball12 wrote:i like the minor league system in the nba,but it has one MAJOR drawback... Why cant the team send down a player even though he is in his 3rd year??? like for example of we want bill walker to get playing time, we make go to the d-league but now he cant because he's been a pro for 3 years. So he will end up rotting in the bench... It will be nice to own a d-league team. Make Herb Williams the coach, so you know they have the same system as d'antoni also it will improve him as a coach PLUS can sign a Defensive coach to take over Herb's spot.

thoughts?

Lets keep Herb, send instead!

Nalod wrote:
Team in westchester could use the knicks facility? Is it allowed?

Might draw better in Long Island?

Not sure what size arena they need - but could help get the Nassau Mausoleum refurbed.

franco12 wrote:

Nalod wrote:
Team in westchester could use the knicks facility? Is it allowed?

Might draw better in Long Island?

Not sure what size arena they need - but could help get the Nassau Mausoleum refurbed.

Hofstra? Big private HS gym?

Do they black out upper deck seats in the Nassau Coliseum?

Would not not think you need more than 5000 capacity.

BigSm00th wrote:i don't understand why the knicks DO NOT do this? how much can it cost to run a team?

this would allow the knicks to really leverage their financial muscle in the draft by buying draft picks, and then ensuring that we can slot guys in the D League for a couple of years. how much more beneficial would it have been for rautins last yr or even jerome jordan to play on a team with knicks coaches and be seeing regular game action (in jordan's case, that is more similar to NBA action than whatever european country he's playing in).

this is a must-do in my opinion.

Under the current rules this is not practical (bolded part). Since D leaguers under nba contract take up a roster space, the most player you would be able to stash would be 3.

Not having Jerome Jordan in the D league and instead having him overseas actually probably enabled the Knicks to keep Rautins around since JJ doesn't count against the roster limit and the Knicks still have his rights.

For what the Nets are doing to really work, the D league roster limitation needs to change.