Shabazz Napier D League: 26 points

[Kitaman]

I needed a Bazz fix and found this gem from Saturday's game. Bazz seems too good for D-League and for some reason, not yet the NBA.

With more games like this, getting valuable court time and experience, by next season he should be never see the D League again. Plus the Heat have invested in him. But still it does seem like he doesn't belong there.

 

[Stainmaster]

He is not in the D-League because of skill. It's simply playing time. Whether or not Spoelstra is giving him the shaft is a different question (and one I'm not sure I want the answer to due to the number of conspiracy kitties that would pop out of the woodworks).

Also, not to knock a great performance, but D-League stats aren't to be taken too seriously. Look who he went up against: http://www.nba.com/dleague/grandrapids/roster/

 

[Kitaman]

He is not in the D-League because of skill. It's simply playing time. Whether or not Spoelstra is giving him the shaft is a different question (and one I'm not sure I want the answer to due to the number of conspiracy kitties that would pop out of the woodworks).

Also, not to knock a great performance, but D-League stats aren't to be taken too seriously. Look who he went up against: http://www.nba.com/dleague/grandrapids/roster/

Wow, Thabeet sighting on that roster. How the mighty have fallen.

 

[Stainmaster]

Wow, Thabeet sighting on that roster. How the mighty have fallen.

Hoping he can get those numbers up. I'd really like to see him get called up at some point.

 

[sammydabiz]

He is not in the D-League because of skill. It's simply playing time. Whether or not Spoelstra is giving him the shaft is a different question (and one I'm not sure I want the answer to due to the number of conspiracy kitties that would pop out of the woodworks).

Also, not to knock a great performance, but D-League stats aren't to be taken too seriously. Look who he went up against: http://www.nba.com/dleague/grandrapids/roster/

So if he's not there (D-league) due to skill, but playing time, are you saying the Miami Heat believe Norris Cole has more skill than Bazz, and therefore his only chance at PT is outside of Miami?

 

[Stainmaster]

So if he's not there (D-league) due to skill, but playing time, are you saying the Miami Heat believe Norris Cole has more skill than Bazz, and therefore his only chance at PT is outside of Miami?

Way to put words in my mouth bud. I said nothing about leaving Miami. Things are fluid in the league - Cole or Chalmers could be traded, injuries could force Bazz into a more prominent role. I've seen people here mention that Cole could be showcased for potential trade partners and that does make sense to me.

Also, Spoelstra isn't used to handling rookies. Since 2008, he's had 3 on roster: Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, and Dexter Pittman, none of whom were world-beaters. There are probably trust issues there because of that.

 

[Kitaman]

Local press write-up here: linky

 

[Kitaman]

Hoping he can get those numbers up. I'd really like to see him get called up at some point.

With his height he will get called up I'm sure at some point. Primarily for his height though.

Back in the day on the playground when we would pick teams it was always the tallest dudes getting picked first (to my chagrin) regardless of skills. Height ruled. I 'still' don't think the NBA is much different from playground selections.

 

[Danpisco12]

Rumored attitude problems? That seems odd. I mean, unless that just means he's not happy about playing time, which would seem to be pretty normal considering what the Heat are trotting out at PG.

 

[pnow15]

Bazz needs to work on his defense. He has to do better at keeping opposing point guards in front of him. Remember that is was Boat's job to harass the opposing point guard last year.

 

[BearJWS]

You have to take D-League stats with a grain of salt. I honestly don't think they play defense there. If you look at the guys racking up points, you would be very surprised. Most are averaging 10+ ppg than they did in college, not because they are better either.... and those who had brief stints in the NBA look like All Stars...

Roscoe Smith averages 21 ppg, 12 rpg
Brady Heslip leads the league at scoring at 28 ppg (yes, that Brady)
Seth Curry averages 26 ppg
Quincy Miller 25 ppg
JaMychal Green 22 ppg
Damien Wilken 22 ppg
Elliot Williams 21 ppg
Me 15.7 ppg (I've got a dynamic hook shot & set shot)

http://stats.nbadleague.com/leadersGrid.html?StatCategory=PTS&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25

 

[CallMeBruce]

Whoops, accidentally read the comments.

 

[Stainmaster]

Brady Heslip leads the league at scoring at 28 ppg (yes, that Brady)

There's a story behind that. His coach in Reno is the son of the architect of Grinnell College's batsh1t-insane offense (the one that helped that kid set the NCAA scoring record). The Kings hired him to experiment with the same system in the D-League.

 

[BearJWS]

There's a story behind that. His coach in Reno is the son of the architect of Grinnell College's batsh1t-insane offense (the one that helped that kid set the NCAA scoring record). The Kings hired him to experiment with the same system in the D-League.

Then the Kings should have held onto Jimmer... imagine what he would average by jacking up 63 shots a game!

 

[sammydabiz]

Way to put words in my mouth bud. I said nothing about leaving Miami. Things are fluid in the league - Cole or Chalmers could be traded, injuries could force Bazz into a more prominent role. I've seen people here mention that Cole could be showcased for potential trade partners and that does make sense to me.

Also, Spoelstra isn't used to handling rookies. Since 2008, he's had 3 on roster: Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, and Dexter Pittman, none of whom were world-beaters. There are probably trust issues there because of that.

Thanks Bud!