Brian Cronin: It is hard to tell, since so few D-Leaguers ever even get a chance in the NBA. Lin was one of the best players in the D-League last year. Possibly the best was Ivan Johnson, who is playing solidly in limited minutes for the Hawks this year. Latavious Williams was another standout who likely would be in the NBA now if not for the lockout (he went to go play in Europe because of the lockout). I guess Marqus Blakely would be the next test. He was signed by the Rockets but cut before the season began. Reggie Williams played in the D-League for nearly a full season in 2009-10.

Jamarion Moon started in Albany before taking hold in the NBA.

Speaking of Albany, back when there was a CBA quite a few NBA players got noticed there. Seemingly more than once it became a designated “minor league” for the the NBA. On the patroons alone such players as Scott Brooks, Tony Campbell, Sidney Lowe, Mario Elie, and Vincent Askew went on to be contributors at the NBA level. (and of course the Patroon coaches went on to contribute even more: Bill Musselman, George Karl, and Phil Jackson all started there).

Perhaps one of the greatest stories of Jeremy Lin is his ability to handle being on this stage and playing this ball, while still (at least outwardly) talking about team and not about himself. Let’s hope it lasts.

I don’t know enough about D-league play. If someone can be a standout player there, doesn’t that mean they merit a look for the main Knicks roster? Or are there people who play standout ball at the D-league level who are still a surprise when they can do it on the big stage?

It is hard to tell, since so few D-Leaguers ever even get a chance in the NBA. Lin was one of the best players in the D-League last year. Possibly the best was Ivan Johnson, who is playing solidly in limited minutes for the Hawks this year. Latavious Williams was another standout who likely would be in the NBA now if not for the lockout (he went to go play in Europe because of the lockout). I guess Marqus Blakely would be the next test. He was signed by the Rockets but cut before the season began. Reggie Williams played in the D-League for nearly a full season in 2009-10.

Ben R: Combine that with his good play in d-league last year and his numbers this year are not completely out of nowhere.

I agree. I’m interested in his D-league play.

Everyone is talking about Lin as if he came out of nowhere, which I guess he did. But there was also the report that after being sent to the D-league, on January 20 (just a few weeks ago), Lin had a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.

I don’t know enough about D-league play. If someone can be a standout player there, doesn’t that mean they merit a look for the main Knicks roster? Or are there people who play standout ball at the D-league level who are still a surprise when they can do it on the big stage?

Here is a link to his draft preview of Lin:
http://hoopsanalyst.com/blog/?p=487

Combine that with his good play in d-league last year and his numbers this year are not completely out of nowhere.

The Honorable Cock Jowles: What do you mean? It had him as an “above average” prospect and he’s been good so far in his young career. How did it “whiff?”

Berri doesn’t claim that PAWS is exact. I can tell you that if there’s an undrafted rookie who is in the top 12, I’d want him on my team for the rookie minimum. You wouldn’t?

Don’t forget that PAWS40 is not voodoo magic. It’s just an aggregate of a player’s impact as measured by the box score, with emphasis on the stats (like rebounding) that “translate” well from college to the pros. (Scoring does not.)

my guess is that’s why the Rockets got him even though they already had 3 PGs… however, Lowry and Dragic are playing too well and they still have Flynn, they just couldn’t find minutes for him.

jon abbey: even a stopped clock is right twice a day. the 2010 draft looks pretty lousy by any measure right now, but I can’t help but note that your beloved PAWS40 whiffed badly on Greg Monroe.

What do you mean? It had him as an “above average” prospect and he’s been good so far in his young career. How did it “whiff?”

Berri doesn’t claim that PAWS is exact. I can tell you that if there’s an undrafted rookie who is in the top 12, I’d want him on my team for the rookie minimum. You wouldn’t?

Don’t forget that PAWS40 is not voodoo magic. It’s just an aggregate of a player’s impact as measured by the box score, with emphasis on the stats (like rebounding) that “translate” well from college to the pros. (Scoring does not.)