Jeremy Lin (And Others) Living Up To The Hype
Jeremy Lin and Jalen Green headline some of the "early" season standouts in the NBA G League.
Heading into Friday’s competition, the compact NBA G League season is about a third of the way through with each team playing 5 or 6 games so far.
With the blink of an eye, the action is more under way than most realize. There’s a minor league dose of Linsanity going on. A couple of future NBA lottery draft picks are proving their worth rather quickly. As always, there are a number of players showing signs that they could provide value at the next level if given a chance.
Here’s a look at some “early” season standouts.
Jeremy Lin, Santa Cruz Warriors
Lin has absolutely lived up to the hype thus far. Though he had success in the CBA last season, playing overseas often results in someone being out of sight and out of mind as far as overall relevance is concerned. He only appeared in a total of 111 games over the four seasons prior in the NBA, so it’s safe to say there were concerns about his health and questions surrounding his ability. But alas, the G League is where everything started for Lin, so there’s a certain level of excitement around the idea that history could repeat itself.
He hasn’t disappointed. Lin is averaging 19.6 points on a 48/48/88 clip to go with 7.2 assists and 1.6 steals. That includes two 27+ point outbursts, and his assists mark is third best in the league. There’s no doubt he can score in bunches and get creative with the ball — that should intrigue NBA teams. Moreover, the 32 year old has been serving as a consummate teammate and someone who is willing to be unselfish on the court regardless of his status. There are a number of young guards benefitting from Lin’s presence, and his teammate Jordan Poole (a Golden State assignee) is currently leading the league in scoring with 25.3 points per contest.
Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Green, NBA G League Ignite
One could argue that Green came into this season with more fanfare. He was the first prospect to make waves by committing to the Ignite squad and Kuminga was a later arrival after reclassifying for the 2021 NBA Draft. Green’s athleticism has met expectations. As the season progresses, it’ll be interesting to see if he can channel that same explosiveness toward being an even more aggressive offensive player. He’s looked a bit tentative at times, surprisingly enough. Normally, minor league players thrive by finding their off-the-ball niche, but given Green’s unique situation and suspected career trajectory, perhaps the rest of this season will be about growing his confidence. That said, sometimes it goes beyond the stats — Green is averaging 17 points and 3 assists. Some of his assists this season have been absolutely unreal. The special vision he possesses is pure evidence that he could develop into a star one day.
Kuminga’s role in the NBA is probably a bit more clear at this point. He’s an athletic freak who uses his physical frame to benefit him on both ends of the floor. Kuminga’s averages of 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1 block per contest are proof that he’s been ready to make an impact since day one. He has elite defender potential, and he’s using his time in the minor league to identify the best ways to succeed on offense. This opportunity is going to pay dividends for him (and the team that drafts him for next season) in a major way.
Paul Reed (Two-Way Player), Delaware Blue Coats
As the NBA G League’s first Player of the Week, Reed is off to a hot start. His 24 points and 13 rebounds per game are both second-best marks in the league, and his 2.4 steals per contest are third-best. Most impressive about Reed is the high level of finesse he plays with around the rim. One might assume that a player that grabs as many rebounds as he does would be a more physical force, but Reed actually has a soft touch and that seems to catch defenders off guard. He and the Blue Coats take a perfect 5-0 record into Friday’s matchup and there’s something to say about players who find success while contributing to winning environments. His stock is rising and when the G League campaign is over, perhaps he’ll find some playing time in Philadelphia.
Tre Jones (NBA Assignee), Austin Spurs
Jones’ pro career is off to a favorable start. On January 30, he appeared in a game against his brother Tyus when the Spurs took on the Grizzlies. Surely that was a dream come true, and he’s since gone on to dominate in the G League bubble. The 21 year old is averaging 17.8 points and 1.6 steals, to go with a league-leading 9.8 assists. Jones has been absolutely terrific, exhibiting especially sophisticated skills in running Austin’s offense. He’s so poised for a young gun, and is someone who really puts the pressure on opposing defenses with the way he controls the tempo.
Jones’ play has given way to a nice 5-1 start for Austin and he’s boasted strong chemistry with fellow assignee Luka Samanic. Spurs’ brass has reasons to be very pleased. If he keeps this up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jones earn his own Player of the Week award real soon.
Tahjere McCall, Lakeland Magic
McCall simply brings a lot of good things to the table. Now in his fourth G League season, the 26 year old is averaging career-highs of 14.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He’s logged two double-doubles and has tallied at least 6 rebounds and 4 assists in each of his five games. He’s obviously not a rookie, but there’s so much positivity around seeing a player grow and make strides. He’s developed and that’s what the G League is all about.
Best of all, McCall’s skill set seems to favor the NBA game. He’s quick, has a high basketball IQ, and isn’t afraid of making the right plays in order to help his team, even if it means sacrificing some of the spotlight himself. For NBA teams looking for a guy who can fit in well and thrive by doing all of the little things, he’s someone who likely wouldn’t require much of a learning curve. He plays with high energy.
Moses Brown (Two-Way Player), Oklahoma City Blue
At 7’2” and 245 pounds, Brown stands tall as an imposing force. But at 21 years old, he’s still coming into his physical frame and understanding how to use it to his advantage. That’s at least how it looked last season, in G League reps with the Texas Legends. He didn’t look ready, but perhaps the extended time to prepare for this season has been to his benefit. Brown is averaging 20 points and leading the league with 15 rebounds and 3 blocks per game (heading into Friday’s contest), so maybe he’ll maintain that same dominance in the coming weeks.