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I've been to Iowa in the winter time. I wonder if the opportunity to play on the regular basis and become a better basketball player overrides spending the cold months in Phoenix? I am guessing so.
This is expected of course, and should be a good opportunity for Taylor. The Energy team he's going to is well coached and is 4-0 to start their season.
They have one of the better point guards in the D-league in Curtis Stinson and a promising young big in Earl Baron. Rumor is they might getting back Courtney Sims and Cartier Martin as well. Unless Martin comes back, there should be no reason that Taylor won't start for the Energy at the small forward spot.
Griffin's brand of athletic hustle will likely have an immediate impact in the D-league. The challenge will be for him to develop more refined basketball skills and specifically a consistent outside shot. He's trying to transition from PF to the SF spot in the NBA. He'll need to be careful not to get sucked in too close to the paint while playing for the Energy against smaller opponents than he hopes to face in the NBA.
We'll keep tabs on his progress.
Press release follows
Phoenix rookie to join Suns’ NBA Development League affiliate in Iowa
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have assigned rookie forward Taylor Griffin to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.
The 6-7, 238-pound Griffin was selected by the Suns with the 48th overall pick (second round) of the 2009 NBA Draft and has appeared in two games this season for Phoenix. The Oklahoma product is expected to appear in both of the Energy’s home games this Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12 against the Dakota Wizards.