Archie Goodwin: “I can grow with this team”

Boston Globe columnist Gary Washburn writes this week about players who came out of college early and did NOT have immediate success in the NBA, focusing on Archie Goodwin, who left Kentucky after his freshman year.

Things have yet to work out for Goodwin, who was cut by both the Suns and Pelicans earlier this season. But he has no regrets about his 2013 decision. One reason, he likes playing for the Nets.

“I can grow with this team, grow with the staff and organization,” Goodwin, still only 22, said of Brooklyn, adding of his season. “It’s not disheartening if you’re mentally tough. I can get through anything. I’ve been through it all. I know what it’s like to be in the D-League. It’s takes a different person to get out of it because you can get lost down there.”

Goodwin said as well that he watched a lot of Nets games while with the Greensboro Swarm where he played 34 games. He told NetsDaily in April he watched “90 percent” of Brooklyn’s games.

“I told Sean Marks that I want to play there because they play hard and they play together,” Goodwin said. “That’s something I want to be a part of.”

Goodwin also compared the Nets situation with the Suns, who have a cadre of young players led by Devin Booker.

“I guess certain organizations, they just don’t do things the right way. You can see differences in teams that are on the right track, and I’m just happy to be in a great situation that I’m in now [with the Nets],” he said. “They’re actually going to give me an opportunity and this summer is going to be a big, big summer for me. I’m going to take advantage of it.”

Goodwin, who doesn’t turn 23 until August, has a team option this off-season. His contract is non-guaranteed until Opening Night when he’ll receive $200,000. If he’s still on the roster on January 5, his $1.6 million deal becomes fully guaranteed.

• No Regrets - Gary Washburn - Boston Globe