D-Leaguers or Journeymen?

[blkout]

Simple question, do you guys value D-Leaguers or journeymen more on the roster? Specifically the Bucks. I'm currently looking at the Bucks roster, and I see the names Michael Ruffin, Awvee Storey and Jake Voshkul... now as much as I like these three superstars (Voshkul gets a pass because he has been decent enough) I can't help but wonder what is the value of leaving Ruffin and Storey on the roster when you have a guy like Sessions playing his ass off in the D-League and not getting a shot, let alone the 10-15 other guys who could more than likely contribute more than these guys instantly.

Some might view the D-League as a joke league, but really, you have Awvee Storey on the roster and getting minutes (occassionally)... he put up 11/4 in the d-league AND nearly freaking killed someone. Yet for some reason Carlos Powell, averaging 23/6/4 and a steal, shooting 48% from the field and 38% from 3 can't get a contract at 24 years of age.

I don't understand why the Bucks would waste their time with guys like Storey and to a lesser extent Ruffin (Voshkul excepted) when there is so much (young) talent who can obviously play just waiting for a call-up. A young team losing games and pitching their hopes on the future... I really don't see the logic. Am I alone in thinking the Bucks should be utilising the D-League more or are guys like Storey and Ruffin the way to go?

[Bucks_Revenge]

Ramon Sessions does not play the same positions as Storey and Ruffin don't worry Sessions will get his shot.

[75totheMACCfund]

well for this year, for instance, ruffin and storey have guaranteed contracts so the senator isn't going to cut them, have to pay them, and get nothing for his dollar.

[75totheMACCfund]

i do appreciate the d league, though. Sessions is getting some great burn down there where in the NBA he'd probably be on the inactive list at the end of our bench. I think it's great he's getting in games, adjusting to the traveling and lifestyle of the NBA and will hopefully be able to contribute to the team next year.

[blkout]

Ramon Sessions does not play the same positions as Storey and Ruffin don't worry Sessions will get his shot.

I wasn't saying he plays the same positions, I'm saying he'd have to be worth his roster slot more than they are. Seems like a waste, he has clearly proven that he can play, the Bucks play-off hopes are slim at best.. these are usually the perfect opportunity to develop younger talent.

well for this year, for instance, ruffin and storey have guaranteed contracts so the senator isn't going to cut them, have to pay them, and get nothing for his dollar.

Yeah I realize that, that's sort of what the thread is about, why throw money at guys who are going to give you very little when you could invest it in someone who might actually contribute in the longer term. Look at what the Warriors have done for instance.

[fam3381]

Well, we've currently got the max number of people on the roster (15) and in the D-League (2), so I'm glad we're not cutting corners in that sense. I like that Sessions and Noel can get some consistent burn down there.

Storey getting a two year deal with some guarantees never made any sense...he hadn't shown anything to suggest that was necessary, nor has he done anything to justify it since then. But I'm happy to keep a guy like Ruffin on the roster...he's been a solid value considering he's getting the minimum.

Besides, Ruffin isn't really keeping Sessions off the roster. Ivey's the one effectively keeping Sessions in Tulsa, which is fine since Ivey's been decent, though I also understand if people want to see Sessions with the Bucks at some point this year. Still, there's no real point in carrying four PGs when you can instead let Sessions work on his game in Tulsa. He's got a ways to go but it certainly looks like the Bucks could pencil him in as the third PG next year.

[TheGhostDog]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet but grats to Sessions as the first two-time winner this season of D-League Player of the Week.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/performer_080128.html

[75totheMACCfund]

wait wait wait...storee has a two year deal? I thought it was another one of those one year deals...Is he guaranteed money next year?

[dunhill]

depends for a Veteran team in need of athletes I'd say d league. I don't see a lot of d-league but from my most guys have fairly obvious flaws to their game that can be masked by a good vet team allowing to develop those skills/hide physical flaws eg size issues. (see Kelenna Aizbke of the Warriors). good for the infusion of youth as well and a chance to get talent outside of the draft, where these teams don't really have a lot of options.

For a young team like the bucks, I'd like to see savvy vets, guys who are good for spot starts, and while maybe never started in the league were 1st option off the bench at their position for most of the teams they've played and are quality teachers. (Mutumbo for the Rockets, I liked Brian Skinner as well last year)

[blkout]

depends for a Veteran team in need of athletes I'd say d league. I don't see a lot of d-league but from my most guys have fairly obvious flaws to their game that can be masked by a good vet team allowing to develop those skills/hide physical flaws eg size issues. (see Kelenna Aizbke of the Warriors). good for the infusion of youth as well and a chance to get talent outside of the draft, where these teams don't really have a lot of options.

For a young team like the bucks, I'd like to see savvy vets, guys who are good for spot starts, and while maybe never started in the league were 1st option off the bench at their position for most of the teams they've played and are quality teachers. (Mutumbo for the Rockets, I liked Brian Skinner as well last year)

thank you for fully understanding the original purpose of the thread lol... I really shouldn't make them at 6am with no sleep, but still. Getting a bit sick of Mo/Redd related threads.

[dunhill]

Also I think yo stand a better chance of getting a really good player at the guard/sf positions. I think most guys in D leaue t these positions are more issues of size. It's easier to be sccessful as a smaller guard in the NBA historically than being an undersized big man (heaps of 6ft and under gys have had good NBA careers, the smallest PF or bigman I can think in recent history is BArkley and I can't think of anyone else in history that was 6'5 if that as a big man)

[Ayt]

With our horrendous situation at SF, we are in a perfect situation to be taking looks at guys using 10 day contracts. Instead we a have a 30 years old in Storee on the roster (I honestly thought he was around 25 for some reason). I appreciate his hustle, but he's a waste of a roster spot on a team like the Bucks.

From what I see, he's on a two veterans minimum salary, but next year is a team option.

[Chuck Diesel]

Interesting topic. Here's my take-

When you fill out a bench, you want to have nice blend of players with potential to develop and guys who bring a specific skill to the table.

In the past the Bucks have never been afraid to have 'potential' guys (who need a lot of time and effort spent on their development) taking up a roster spot. Just in the last two years we've had Ilyasova, Markota, Noel, Sessions It doesn't really matter if these guys are second round pickers or young D-league players if they aren

[midranger]

I thought that the Bucks were actually looking at Moon a while back.

[midranger]

Moon Shakes Up the Minors

While Moon dreamed of playing in the NBA he continued to ply his trade and earn accolades in the less notable leagues. While with the Gary Steelheads he averaged 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The season before, while playing for the Albany Patroons, he won the CBA's Defensive Player of the Year award and first-team All-CBA honors. And before that, Moon led the WBA's Rome Gladiators to the league championship. Moon was gaining a positive reputation as a solid basketball player as his scouting report can attest to. One word that was consistently used to describe him was "athletic." The problem was that Moon wasn't showcasing this athleticism on a large enough stage and he needed another platform to play on. He had been given chances before to impress the brass of such NBA teams as the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, all to no avail. Then he was given what could have been the last chance for a 27-year-old basketball journeyman.

http://basketball-players.suite101.com/ ... _emergence

I remember that the Bucks had some interest in him coming out of juco as well. He was one of the guys whose stats I've followed through the years because of that, and I actually had brought up the idea of going after him this summer in some regard. Kind of pathetic really, but now he's breaking out into a decent player.

[Chuck Diesel]

Yeah he's the type of player you take a gamble on during the summer and offer a guaranteed minimum contract to. I'd have done the same with a guy like Pops Bonsu. Most Americans will take a partially guaranteed minimum NBA contract in a heartbeat, even if teams in Europe are calling with bigger offers. It's usually when guys can

[Chuck Diesel]

Also as the end of the season draws near some teams will sign a "potential" D-league guy for the last couple weeks of the season and slap a team option on his contract for the following year. That way the team can keep him around all summer and through training camp and if they like what they see they bring the guy back at a low price the following year. I believe that's what the Warriors and Nuggets did with Azubuike and Von Wafer respectively.