Vernon Macklin: Detroit Pistons Rookie Finding Success with D-League Opportunity

When the Detroit Pistons decided to send Vernon Macklin to their D-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (over two weeks ago), it was no surprise to anyone.  

Macklin had failed to make an impact with the team and had not really been given an opportunity to do so.

The Pistons viewed him as a work in progress or a not-ready-for-prime-time type player.

So sending him down seemed like a good plan. It would give the rookie consistent playing time and a chance to refine his skills.

It also allowed the Pistons to add the much maligned Charlie Villanueva to the roster as he was deemed fully recovered from an ankle injury. Most fans, myself included, assumed that this would finally be Villanueva's chance to redeem himself and prove his worth.

Fat chance. Since returning 10 games ago Villanueva has only seen game action twice. In those two games, he has played a combined nine minutes and averaged a mere 2.5 points. The stat lines for the remaining eight games read, "DNP: coach's decision."

Meanwhile, Macklin is lighting the D-League on fire with his inspired play.

As this article from MLive.com describes, he is playing 36 minutes a game and making the most of his opportunities. He has quickly become the Mad Ants best player averaging 16.6 points and 17.7 rebounds.

Pistons' coach Lawrence Frank likes what he sees:

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"We get an opportunity to watch his games online and he's playing with a lot of energy and effort. He's gotten better each and every game. It's great for him to get that experience. We see continued development and we see progress in Vernon."

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On Monday, the Pistons reported that Macklin will rejoin the team after two more weeks playing for the Mad Ants.

This means there will only be nine or ten games left on the regular season schedule when he returns.

Macklin's performance begs the question: Why isn't he on the roster and why isn't Villanueva playing in the D-League?

While Macklin might not be completely NBA-ready, his performance proves he certainly can be a worthy contributor right now. His numbers show that he is head and shoulders above his current competition. This should ease coach Frank's and Joe Dumars' minds about giving him more playing time. 

Why are they wasting a roster spot on an overpaid guy like Villanueva? Does he look any more NBA-ready than Macklin does?  

Now is the time Macklin should be given a chance to play against the highest competition. The Pistons are not contending and they are not in the playoff hunt. They are competing with Cleveland to get out of the Central Division cellar.

Besides, we already know what Villanueva can do. If Frank thought he could help he would be on the floor every night.

It is possible that the Pistons are trying to trade Villanueva and a demotion would kill any chances they have of unloading him. I can't see many teams jumping at the chance to pay someone, who is playing in the developmental league, $16 million over the next two years.

Then again, does Villanueva riding the pine look any better? I would say no.

The Pistons need to find out if Macklin is going to be a part of their rebuilding process. We know—or at least we hope—Villanueva is not. So why not pull the old switch-aroo. Bring Macklin up and send Villanueva down.

If the move scares teams away, at least the Pistons have a legitimate reason for doing it. They want to see Macklin play and determine if he fits into their future plans.

His success against minor league competition is encouraging, but I'd like to see how he stacks up against the best forwards in the league. After all, the Lions are not going to send their draft picks to the Arena Football League to "develop".

That's what college is for.

Macklin was good enough to be a second round draft pick, and for that he deserves more than 4.2 minutes a game to demonstrate his abilities.