By Gregg Holtsclaw

Lets take a look at the five NBA players that need to do some time in the development league. Due to my lack of actually seeing any foreign games played this season, and my inability to do substantial research on many of the European clubs, I am sticking to the NBDL, keeping in mind that many a couple of the players played in the CBA and USBL. Frankly, the talent in the NBDL is much better than the CBA and USBL, which while still fun to watch, certainly isn't at the same caliber as the NBA.

Omar Cook - He's gotten close to sticking in the league with a few teams now, but he keeps slipping back down. Luckily he has only had to work on his game vision, jumper, and me first attitude. The game vision has gotten sharp, and he is second in the NBDL in assists. By all reports, his attitude is much improved as well. The jumper is still shaky, but at least he can piece together a complete game on his good days. Look for him to get a shot on a Summer League, and even stick with the team that gives him the chance.

Nate Johnson - Probably the most well rounded player in the NBDL. He had to due some time in the NBDL to get his ball handling cleaned up and fine-tune his court awareness. He's done the work as he currently leads the league in scoring and is in the top ten in both assists and steals. Look for him to catch on in Summer League as well.

Mikki Moore - Almost held on with Detroit and Boston. He is a good team player, plays decent defense. He has size and rebounds and blocks shots. He's holding on in the top ten in field goal percentage but still isn't impressive offensively. He's two to three injured big men from landing in the league.

Tang Hamilton - the knock was always that he just wasn't focused and didn't know the game well. The knock was pretty fair if you consider he played under Riley and still couldn't run plays. However, these days he's looking much more controlled, picks good shots, and is rebounding well. He probably won't develop into too much more than an 8th or 9th man in the NBA, but hey, that's still not too shabby.

Soumaila Samake - Repeat after me, you can't teach size. That is the theory, anyway. While not blowing anyone away with his raw talent, he has decent mechanics and can play. He's probably still your combo PF/C style back up, but he is good enough to stick on a roster. Somewhat surprising that the Lakers didn't jettison one of their weaker guards and keep around Samake considering that he played well, Shaq has been injured, Madsen isn't very good, and that Tracy Murray is simply keeping a roster spot warm for someone who can beat out his 6 mpg average.

As for the players who should be in the Developmental league:

Trenton Hassell - The developmental leagues were made for guys like this. He is an above average defender and hard worker with a great knowledge of the game. He also couldn't throw the ball in the ocean. Slap him in North Charleston or Fayetteville and watch him quickly learn to score the ball.

Dan Dickau - I know he was injured, which slowed his development, but Dickau looks lost. Occasionally, I am afraid he is going to start wandering the crowd seeing who needs another beer or order of nachos. You see flashes of his skills, but mostly he just seems out of sync. Playing in the NBDL would give him some time to solidify his game, and more importantly, his confidence.

Junior Harrington - Considering he is the starting PG for Denver, this seems almost self-explanatory. Here's the thing, he's shown flashes of promise. Give this guy a year in the lower league and let him catch up to the speed of the game, and you have a solid back-up PG for a play off caliber team.

Loren Woods - You've got to be worried when someone is playing behind Nestervovic and Marc Jackson that was supposed to be a steal of a pick in the second round. The knocks on Woods were always durability and strength, now they appear to be mental. Problems fitting in with Minnesota, and criticism have landed him in the doghouse. Nothing that playing for the Mobile Revelers couldn't fix. If he added a little weight and regained his confidence, he could still be a legit back up.

Keyon Dooling - Bottom line, he's not going to learn how to win or be a pro in Clipperland. His sophomore season in the NBA was lost to injuries, but a healthy Dooling has reminded people of his "upside." Seeing him dominate at a lower level as a starter and then getting back up to the NBA would be just what he needed to jump start his career. He still displays the raw talent to be a starter, with a little luck, or any other team in the Western Hemisphere, he might get there.


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