Anonymous
Years ago

Is the NBA 2nd round picks experiment over?

A few years ago, the Wildcats stunned the NBL by bringing in Miami Heat 2nd round pick James Ennis to their team after being drafted. It had been common for second round picks to ply their trade and develop their game overseas if they were unable to crack an NBA roster immediately, but this was the first time it had been done with an Australian team.

The rest is history, Ennis played a crucial role in the Wildcats claiming another championship, but perhaps he will be better remembered for his extensive highlight reel, as he wowed audiences with his supreme athleticism. He remains part of the Wildcats "family", still being involved with marketing and also sometimes tweeting messages of support for his old team and teammates.

Perhaps topping it off, Ennis got an NBA roster spot the following season - a good signal for future "overseas stash" 2nd round picks, who wanted to know that this was a viable path towards an NBA career.

Fast forward another year and the Wildcats tried it again, with Toronto 2nd rounder DeAndre Daniels. Daniels was a solid player, but didn't take the league by storm, and there was also question marks about team fit and chemistry as they tried to "develop" him into a small forward (his position if he was to make the NBA), whilst we was more of a natural four man.

The Sydney Kings also made the plunge by recruiting Boston Celtics 2nd rounder Marcus Thornton, but his play was erratic - although the Kings franchise at the time were an absolute basket case - probably not a great environment for a young player to develop.

Since then, the Wildcats and the league seem to have gone away from the 2nd rounders. I know at one stage there was excitement about the NBL being some sort of an overseas feeder league for the NBA.

Are 2nd rounders too expensive relative to D-league guys?

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Zodiac  
Years ago

MU did it too with Jordan McRae who was loned to them by Philly.

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Zodiac  
Years ago

loaned

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BOL  
Years ago

Its a good point you bring up because the ennis experiment was a success for all parties involved.

Its surprising we havent seen more second rounders. The NBL is a far better option than the D League for developing in a pro league and then of course there is the financial incentive.

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BOL  
Years ago

How many second rounders are on loan to a euro team for a year before cracking the NBA?

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Hendo8888  
Years ago

Well, we've got Ferguson, who came over before he was drafted. So he kind of counts?
For the most part, second round picks from the recent draft have either stayed with their drafted team (or their D-League affiliate), or were already international stashed players.
Too early to say whether it's over or not yet. I'd be surprised if it is.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Yeah that's true, Ferguson should definitely be included in the list of 2nd Rounders.

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Dazz  
Years ago

Good Question.

At the time, there was a lot of talk about this heralding a new era of NBA teams using the NBL as a development nursery.
However, whilst many herald the success of Ennis and McRae, its worth noting that they both struggled on their return to the US. Ennis was traded then cut (or waived?) and McRae was in the D-League picking up 10-day contracts. It was only after a year back in the USA that both landed more stable NBA contracts.
Just speculating, but that may have conveyed the reverse message, that guys were better off in the D-League???

It should also be remembered that Ennis chose to go OS because he was trying to support his family and needed the cash which was substantially better than D-League. Guys without that pressure, intent on pursuing their NBA dream, might be better off staying within easy reach.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

"However, whilst many herald the success of Ennis and McRae, its worth noting that they both struggled on their return to the US. Ennis was traded then cut (or waived?) and McRae was in the D-League picking up 10-day contracts. It was only after a year back in the USA that both landed more stable NBA contracts.
Just speculating, but that may have conveyed the reverse message, that guys were better off in the D-League???"

Good point, I had never really thought of it like that

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BOL  
Years ago

So Dazz you're saying that being within 'easy reach' of the NBA by playing in the D League is better because they are being noticed by more clubs scouts. As opposed to better experience in the NBL but perhaps only being watched by the club that drafted them.

That seems to be the perception but i'd be disappointed if that were the case.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

"As opposed to better experience in the NBL but perhaps only being watched by the club that drafted them. "

Is the NBL definitely a better experience? As far as I can gather, the only thing you could definitively say is that the wages, on average, are better.

Don't also rule out homesickness for what are usually guys in their early 20s.

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Dazz  
Years ago

I am certainly no expert on the NBA or the way it works.
It could be the stereotypical "American Attitude" that anything they don't run is incompetent and inferior? So somebody stars in the NBL, they go "ho, hum," but somebody stars in the D-League and they take notice?
It could just be a matter of opportunity. IIRC, Ennis's big break came when he got picked up at the end of season and made some big scores in "dead rubbers." McCrae also impressed in a couple of 10-day contracts, before being signed. If you're not in the D-League, you just don't get those opportunities.

It could also just be that both guys needed another year's experience and development under their belt, and would have done equally well with another super-star year in the NBL??? Unfortunately we'll never know, and prima facie it doesn't look good for the NBL.

One that will be interesting to watch is Casey Prather. I don't know if he is big enough for the NBA, but there was talk of him getting a gig after last season, and he seems to have improved since then.
IF he finishes out the season strongly,
AND gets an NBA gig,
AND does ok,
that could again improve the reputation of the NBL.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Good point Dazz, I recall McRae scoring some massive amounts in D-League (I think he broke the D-League record for pts in one game) leading to a call-up.

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Dazz  
Years ago

I don't know about simple homesickness. Most of these guys have already left home for college, sometimes travelling to a completely different part of America, and similarly thier D-League contract could take then anywhere.
But yes, even Ennis had never heard of Perth, and was pleasantly surprised. Unless they know somebody who has been here, and can explain just how similar Australia is, the idea of travelling to a City they've never heard of, to play in a League the know nothing about, could be a big turn-off.

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koberulz  
Years ago

The other side of America isn't anywhere near the same as the other side of the world, in terms of being homesick.

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SteveK2  
Years ago

With regards to being better off in the D-league, you'd need to take into account that NBA coaches and player recruitment will put more weight on the opinions of their primary talent scouts who are usually based and operate in the 'motherland' over the opinions of their secondary travelling/affiliated international scouts.

They will also have closer communication with D-league coaching teams as opposed to foreign leagues with regards to a potential call-up's performance evaluation, particularly if its calling up a player from their respective affiliated teams. Brett Brown maybe one of the few NBL-related exceptions in terms of his opinions being held in high regards, particulary by the Spurs.

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Wilson Sting  
Years ago

You're unlikely to get a direct callup from the NBL to the NBA, that will happen during the off-season. The D-league players can get called up with a few hours notice if needs be, hence the benefit of staying over there.

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