Hawks/Pistons

[Jamaaliver]

I DON'T understand how that same analogy doesn't apply to Mack. He wasn't great his first year with us and has proven to be a good basketball player since. But for some reason you seem to overlook that...constantly might I add, because ANOTHER young player MIGHT be good one day because he can throw some flashy passes sometimes.

In three years of NBA Ball, I've never seen anything to make me believe he'll be anything more than solid backup caliber PG. In a league overflowing with backup caliber PGs.

I believe Teague and Dennis both have much higher ceilings than Shelvin.

I think, if we have a third PG, he should be a combo guard or a veteran to mentor both the other young guys.

Remember, we're developing a lot of players, not just Dennis.

Fair point. I, however, think that only two players currently on our roster have a future with this team: Dennis and Mike Scott.

It's not a waste to have 3 young players at a single position if they're going to profit us down the road.

Agree to disagree. I grew up an only child. I have one kid (a young bball player herself). But when you have three kids, all young. Clearly you can't focus on them individually as much if there are other young players around.

I've mentioned a few times that I coach as well. I help coach my daughter's team in fact. The amount of attention she gets from me in the off-season pales in comparison to the amount of attention she gets when I have to work with multiple young people.

I suspect this is an issue in pro and college ball as well. Having a ton of youth all play the same position means that coaches/trainers have to now split development time among the inexperienced players. Again, Dennis is far and away the most in need of mentoring/development/coaching. It's easy to forget all the adjustments he's had to make just living in a new country. Let alone adjusting to a new league. And, also, learning a new offensive system. Because he has such a leap to make, and is considered to have the highest ceiling of any guard on our team...I'd prefer that we sink the most development time, focus on him.

And I believe that having other kids around stunts his growth. Can't see any justification for holding back the next Rondo in favor of the next Anthony Johnson.

[parson]

It's not a waste to have 3 young players at a single position if they're going to profit us down the road.

Agree to disagree. I grew up an only child. I have one kid (a young bball player herself). But when you have three kids, all young. Clearly you can't focus on them individually as much if there are other young players around.

Agree to disagree, indeed. I have 3 children - you make time for each kid. But, more important, it's a TEAM GAME. This is not track and field. Here, you have to learn to work with other players. In addition, you have to learn things which are mostly repetitive, ie, multiple players not only can but are helped by practicing together.

And then there's the competition between players that makes each more than he could be alone. If Dennis cannot beat out Teague and Mack, then he's not who we need.

Another argument: do you really want to GIVE a position to a youngster who got mad and nutted an opposing player? Don't you want to make him grow up first?

[Jamaaliver]

Another argument: do you really want to GIVE a position to a youngster who got mad and nutted an opposing player? Don't you want to make him grow up first?

If this type of behavior was a constant issue, that would be one thing. I'd even consider moving him immediately.

Not so much give him a position, but having him sit for weeks at a time without meaningful playing time can't be to his benefit....or ours. (Especially since we're losing anyway.)

Here's the thing, what if it's clear he's just not the guy. I'd rather know now, than three years from now. If we're up in the draft and the best player on the board is yet another PG, I want to know if Dennis really is worth building around/developing or if we need to cut our losses.

During the season, practice time is very limited due to the grinding NBA schedule. Which means Dennis isn't getting time on-court with our first teamers then either.

10 Minutes a game, every game won't kill us or derail our season. If the alternative is him not playing at all....seems like an obvious choice.

[parson]

Don't you want to make him grow up first?

If this type of behavior was a constant issue, that would be one thing. I'd even consider moving him immediately.

Imagine the kid without mistakes, making smart choices (and maybe with a better jumper) - he's better than Tony Parker, isn't he?

You work with kids like that ... and you wait a little longer, too.

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