Because from what I've read and been told its almost like you either pump primaries ans try to get them on the U21 team or you make a more rounded player and go for the NT. It honestly looks from the outside like its 2 different things and I think we need to have the coach get out there and bridge that gap so we don't lose prospects as soon as they are done with the U21 team and lose that merchandise.
I'm going to jump in here. First off, I'm really glad you're running. While you may not be the favorite to win, the people we need to be more involved are intelligent people who have a slightly different vision about what it will take to win gold. It's easy to talk about training specialized players, but when you train an 18 year old PF in secondaries for two seasons, before hitting the inside skills (to make him useful to your club team, at least as a SF), that shows something. I consider this just as important as buying 300k bigs if you're in the NBBA to help the NT. I sincerely hope you do well.
You've said a little about a "disconnect" between the NT and the U21 team, and it seems like you are implying there are 2 distinct training paths for U21 players and NT players. I'd like to clarify a few things, and try to share a different point of view. I don't believe the training plans for U21 and the NT are mutually exclusive, for most players.
Unless you make Bill Weeks, 7-8pot (~70% of U21 prospects) won't be enough for the NT. I also can't envision a training plan for NT guards that isn't useful for U21. U21 guards (especially combo guards) have a salary under 40k, which is completely reasonable for D4 and up. The salary is usually affordable, and people are able to train secondaries at age 22-23.
The only real difference between what's essential for U21, and what might help a NT player development is a 10pot big (~5% of our prospects, only 1 last season). I assure you that this is not missed by me or our great scouting staff. You, for example, have an exciting player in Cottrell. As you know, I have not once suggested you train primaries to make him useful for U21. The way he is being trained keeps his salary down, and gives him a chance to be a stud for the NT in 5-6 seasons. I have very different conversations with managers of 10pot bigs than 8pot bigs.
While training may be two different things (for a very very select few prospects), I always have the NT interests first. I promise I am not solely concerned with U21 for potential NT players. I think we have a few things we need to improve before we win worlds gold, but I don't think the training of 10pot U21 players is a major issue.
Good luck in the election.