Editor’s Note: We like to hear from your readers, and if you got something you want to say, you should let us know either in the comments section, or sending us your thoughts via electronic mail. Here’s Josh Burton, talking why the D-League does matter.
By Josh Burton
Much like the NBA Nets this year, the team’s D-League affiliate, the Springfield Armor, wasn’t very good finishing with a 13-37 record. But before you say, “Hey, why does anyone care about the Armor? Who even cares about the D-League?” Here are some reasons why you should:
- The D-League has produced many productive current NBA players like Dorell Wright who was first in the league in three-point field goals made this year, our own Net Jordan Farmar, along with countless other players.
- The D-League is a treasure trove of cheap talent for NBA teams that need to beef up their roster before and even after the trade deadline. Avery Johnson and Jerry Sloan can attest to that as well with how well Sundiata Gaines played last year in Salt Lake City and then this season when he was brought to New Jersey before he injured his hip. With the Jazz, Sundiata hit a huge buzzer beater for them in the to beat the LeBron-led Cavs. With the Nets, he has filled up the stat sheet and helped (along with Deron Williams of course) to lead the Nets to some big wins against one of the best teams of the East in the Celtics.
- You can follow those great players from college who just weren’t good enough to make it to the NBA. On just the Armor alone, there are 2 guys that played their college careers in the Big East and 2 that played in the ACC. You college basketball fans probably remember Gavin Edwards from UCONN and Scottie Reynolds from Villanova. Lance Hurdle from Miami (FL) and Chas McFarland from Wake Forest are also on the Armor’s roster.
