GA to the G-League

In this year's NBA draft, controversial Duke superstar Grayson Allen was drafted No. 21 by the Utah Jazz in the first round. Allen came to his superstar status by not only being a hardcore baller, but with his aggressive play and often times dirty antics. In a recent move by the Utah Jazz, Grayson Allen was placed in the G-League. Now I have seen Grayson Allen haters salivating over this, saying "it's a demotion" and other kinds of hoopla, but if you know anything about the NBA, this move by the Jazz is anything but a demotion.

The Utah Jazz currently have Donovan Mitchell, Ricky Rubio, Jae Crowder, Dante Exum, Kyle Korver, Joe Ingles and Raul Neto in the backcourt and wing rotation. This rotation is packed, at the moment, with studs. If I were the Jazz, I would have

moved the young and promising shooting guard to the G-League as well. He was only averaging about 10 minutes a game anyway, so instead of letting him ride the bench and get rusty, send him to the G-League and get minutes in. He can develop his craft and be ready when a more serious role comes along.

If you don't believe in what I'm saying about the talent this man possesses, then here is a stat for you: Allen scored 26 points in his G-League debut in a Salt Lake City Stars win. This man doesn't belong in the G-League, he belongs on the Jazz roster; but, for the time being while the rotation is packed, have him destroy teams for the sole purpose of development. If you are a person who even thinks the G-League is a demotion now a days in the NBA (especially for rookie talent), I question your credibility as an analyst and fan. The G-League is actually packed with talent and has pretty competitive teams. This isn't the D-League of old anymore; it's the G-League of now and the differences are vast.

So, if you are a Grayson Allen hater and are thinking that this is some kind of demotion, don't. The Utah Jazz are simply doing what a professional team that has a development team is supposed to do with young talent not getting enough time on the court: they are giving him minutes and opportunities to grow as a player. When Grayson Allen does go back the the Utah Jazz roster, you can guarantee he will be giving them hell, which is pretty fitting for a former Blue Devil.