NBA critics deride players for their low basketball IQs; poor shot selection, spotty decision-making, poor communication, lack of game awareness, low tactical skill aptitude. They blame lazy, selfish players and coaches. Few criticize the absence of an organized system to develop the country’s elite players. Instead, critics expect NBA coaches to un-do twelve years of poor teaching in one two-week training camp, an impossible task.

Throughout the world, national governing bodies organize long term athlete development to guide individual development through the important pre-puberty, puberty and post-puberty years, insuring athletes receive the best training and have the best opportunity to reach their peak potential. Spain uses Player Development Centers “ to help basketball players between 14 and 18 years of age train in the most efficient way so basketball is compatible with their studies and personal development," (Sergio, 19).

In the United States, the development program is fragmented by the interests of AAU and high school coaches. Whereas other countries unite under one development model and postpone serious formal competition until the late teens, American athletes progress with little thought to next season or the athlete's career.

Many criticize professional clubs in Europe and applaud the high school system and its virtues. However, in reality, our amateur system is more professional (that is, concentrated on winning) than is the professional model abroad. At the Spanish Performance Center’s, trainers focus on three aspects of development: "physical, psychological and technical-tactical," (Sergio, Carlos. "The Spanish Basketball Federation Youth Program." FIBA Assist Magazine. Winter, 2003). At the Centers, "players are taught simple movements and situations and then move up to situations that are more complex," (Sergio, 20). With no American development model, high school coaches over-coach, concentrating on set plays, multiple defenses and press breaks rather than teaching simple movements and progressing forward.

Americans speed the development process, ignoring important general, fundamental steps, rushing through the development period and jumping into the Train to Win stage, where the emphasis is results, not learning and developing. Consequently, elite players’ skill level suffers. ESPN's Jay Bilas wrote in 2004 that "No reasonable basketball person can refute the fact that the fundamental skills of American players are slipping, and so is the American game," (Bilas, America needs more coaching from its coaches).

While European players perfect their shooting strokes and master new moves, American players fight for scholarships and mythical club championships leading them to non-stop summer travel, games and tournaments. The high school season fails to challenge elite players, as they rarely match-up against or play with other elite players. Thus, the season is non-stop for the elite player, leaving little time for practice, individual training, free play and teaching.

College fails to solve the development quandary, as NCAA rules prohibit coaches from extensive off-season training, and few talented players stay long enough to learn important lessons. Therefore, the elite players playing professional basketball lack a strong basis in the game’s basics. Their talent is unquestioned and athletic ability phenomenal, yet players enter the NBA lacking rudimentary skills such as using a screen. These elite players progressed through a system almost unchallenged (by opponents or coaches) and always dominated the action and the ball. Entering the NBA is a revelation because 90% of the players on the floor play without the ball in their hands, and these players are unaccustomed to this part of the game. Rare is the young player drafted highly because of his shooting skill, rather than his athletic skill (Martell Webster) or his court savvy rather than his speed (Deron Williams) or his post footwork rather than his prodigious size (Michael Sweetney).

The NBA, in its infinite wisdom, finally decided enough was enough and used its monstrous influence and resources to address this problem. While the age limit will have limited effect, the re-engineered NBDL potentially could solve the development problem by teaching players skills and lessons un-learned in their first dozen years playing basketball.

Every D-League player illustrates some attributes an NBA team likes, though he is an incomplete package. The mission of the D-League is to complete the package and prepare players for the NBA. Nobody celebrates the Atlanta Braves’ farm system because they win AA and AAA championships; instead, the Braves are lauded for developing Major League players. Similarly, successful NBDL teams send players to the NBA; they do not necessarily win NBDL championships.

The NBDL is like the junior varsity; great high school programs have junior varsity teams that prepare players to win at the varsity level. Winning junior varsity championships is inconsequential. Unfortunately, junior varsity coaches are consumed by winning, not development; will NBDL coaches coach to win championships in order to prove their worth to NBA teams, or will they train players and prepare them for NBA play?

Denver’s Julius Hodge is a logical D-League candidate. In any given game, the best strategy to win might be to allow Hodge to dominate the ball as he did successfully at NC State. However, Denver has a dominant scorer (Carmelo Anthony) and three capable ball handlers (Earl Watson, Earl Boykins, Andre Miller). The Nuggets lack a shooter and a long wing defender, which Hodge can become if he improves his strength, his defensive footwork and his outside shooting. While playing Hodge as a point guard may help his D-League team win, it is not his NBA role, especially with his current team. He needs other skills; otherwise, he would be in the League utilizing the skills he possesses.

Playing in the D-League means playing time and game action, allowing players like Hodge to develop skills in a competitive environment and show a more diversified game. On an NBA roster, Hodge would see few meaningful minutes; one cannot develop without game experience. A player like Ndubi Edi or Darko Milicic may never reach his full potential because of the years spent languishing on the bench.

The D-League exists to bridge the development gap and should not be viewed as a demotion by players, fans or the media. Players currently jump to the league with incomplete games and the D-League offers remedial basketball education in order to elevate their game and prospects in the NBA. The D-League is where tweeners establish a position; where a 6’1 SG learns to run a team; a 6’7 power forward develops wing skills; and a big man learns post footwork to complement his size.

D-League coaches must embrace the opportunity to teach players and not sacrifice development for a result. Practices must be filled with instruction, not set plays. Players must learn to play without coaches dictating every move; they must raise their basketball IQs and learn to play in different positions on the floor. As an accepted transition period between college and the NBA-like AAA baseball-the D-League could have a dramatic impact on the overall quality of play. With improved play, more NBA coaches could confidently implement more dynamic, up tempo offenses, like those of the Suns, Kings and Wizards, and release the reigns on their talented, athletic players.

The youth system regresses annually and revolutionary change appears a distant prospect, as shoe companies have too much invested, and too much to lose if change occurs. To elevate the League’s play, the D-League stands as an essential middle step, transforming precocious ballers into professional players equipped with the basketball IQ and mindset to excel in a faster-paced, more player-friendly NBA.

McCormick trains basketball players (http://hi5hoopschool.tripod.com) and publishes a well-read blog on basketball player development: http://brianmccormick.blogspot.com.