The Armor have used 22 different starting lineups.
The Springfield Armor have had had 22 different starting lineups, including this one that saw Kenny Adeleke jump center vs. Maine's Fab Melo.
SPRINGFIELD – It has been a whole different ballgame for the Springfield Armor this season compared to last year.
As the Armor head off on a five-game, 10-day road trip to end the season following Wednesday's home finale against the Canton Charge at the MassMutual Center, comparisons to last year's playoff run are inevitable.
Inevitable, but unfair.
In the D-League, the name of the game is player development for the NBA. Wins and losses are nice, but secondary. Armor coach Bob MacKinnon and every other coach in the league will own up to that.
Still, the Armor managed to put together a great season last year, the best record in franchise history a result of its best single-season turnaround.
They did it with minimal roster moves as just 18 players suited up – despite Dennis Horner getting called up twice and Jerry Smith and Jeff Foote once apiece. Springfield also had one player, Jordan Williams, assigned by the Nets.
The average number of players per team was nearly 26 in 2011-12.
Continuity and familiarity were big reasons the Armor were comfortably in the playoff picture the entire season.
This playoffs-free edition of the Armor had neither, despite no players earning call-ups (another reason the season has been a disappointment).
Yet, it's safe to say this year's Armor were vastly more talented, at least in terms of NBA experience. At one point this month, the Armor had seven players in uniform with "NBA" on their résumés.
What Springfield has not had is a consistent roster to work with. The Armor have dressed more players this year than last, with 22 putting on the black and gray.
They also saw the Nets assign Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor here a total of nine times, with Shengelia making five trips.
Springfield has used 22 different starting lineups, the most by any group being eight games. Only Carleton Scott, Willie Reed and Ben Uzoh have been on the roster from the start.
But the Armor are making no excuses. There were games out there that could have been won.
With five games remaining, Springfield will have to settle for playing the role of spoiler.
"We're trying to get a win on everyone and try to burst everyone's bubble," Scott said.