Players To Watch In The NBA G League
Who are the best NBA G League players in the bubble? Experts from past and present weigh in with their thoughts.
With the NBA G League season set to get underway on Wednesday, February 10, this is the perfect time to check in with some G League writers of past and present — those who have followed the league most intently and for the longest time — to see which players are most worth keeping an eye on in the bubble.
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Simply put, who is the best player in Orlando? Read on to see who comes to mind for myself, Dakota Schmidt of RidiculousUpside.com, Scott Rafferty of NBA Canada, and Chris Priczak of SB Nation.
Keith Schlosser (@KeithBSchlosser): I think as with most cases of NBA teams looking for talented players or potential call-up candidates, identifying the “best” player may come down to fit. It’s hard to debate or deny that Antonio Blakeney is the best bonafide scorer. After averaging nearly 32 points for the Windy City Bulls in 2017-18, and 34.8 points in the CBA last season, it’s clear the 2018 NBA G League Rookie of the Year is a crafty player who can beat the defense in a number of ways. Blakeney suffered a tough injury last season, but at 24 years old, the best should still be yet to come. He’s going to be the player with the ball in his hands as the Canton Charge close out games. If he can get that long range shooting percentage up over 40% this season, it probably won’t be much longer until we see him in the NBA again.
Jemerrio Jones is another player to watch. Another guy with NBA experience, Jones was second in the league in rebounding last season with 12 per contest, and is just the kind of talent whose overall game is propelled by the hustle plays he makes. The 26 year old is athletic, physical, feisty, and isn’t afraid to risk his body when pestering a defender or diving for loose balls. He’s the ultimate team player.
Dakota Schmidt (@Dakota_Schmidt): It's been a bit since we've last seen him play in the NBA, but it would be hard to overlook Jeremy Lin for what he did during his nine years in the NBA. He started 221 games, and has the ability and experience to make noise during the next few weeks of the G League season. The 32-year-old's skill set is that of a scoring threat, one that can cut into the teeth of the defense to score around the rim, pull-up from mid-range or beyond the arc, and move the ball around to his teammates. These skills allowed him to score 5,567 points in the NBA and should allow him to be a dangerous threat with the Santa Cruz Warriors. That should especially be the case as the always dangerous Dusty Hannahs will be working on his side in Santa Cruz's backcourt.
Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles): My gut says Jeremy Lin, but I’m excited to see what Allonzo Trier has up his sleeve. As I'm sure many others were, I was surprised when the Knicks parted ways with Trier last season, because he showed some real promise in his rookie season as a bucket-getter off the bench. He has a great opportunity to prove himself with the Iowa Wolves, and it wouldn't shock me in the slightest if we see him on an NBA roster again sometime soon.
Chris Priczak (@ChrisPriczak): There are tons of talented players in the NBA G League this season and many players who could earn a call-up to the NBA at some point. I think one of the best players in the G League bubble is Justin Patton. He has shown the ability to rebound, have an inside presence, and is a good passer for a big man. Patton was the only player to average at least 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2.5 assists per game last season. Injuries have affected his career so far, but if he can stay healthy, Patton should be in the discussion for an NBA promotion.