Deserving NBA G League Award Winners
Paul Reed, Mamadi Diakite, and Nate Renfro are among those that should garner award consideration as the NBA G League season comes to a close.
As the NBA G League regular season comes to a close, it’s safe to say a number of youngsters made the most out of their (albeit it, brief) time in the bubble.
Here’s a look at some of the most deserving award winners.
Most Valuable Player: Paul Reed (Two-Way Player), Delaware Blue Coats
It’s worth pointing out that as a first year player, one that led his team to a 6-0 start on the year and continued to make an impressive impact throughout, Reed could be up for a number of awards in this campaign. He’s someone who could run away with the MVP, DPOY, and/or the ROY awards and there wouldn’t be much of a strong argument against it.
From the very moment he took the court, Reed asserted his dominance and never looked back. In addition to winning the league’s first Player of the Week award of the shortened fifteen game season, Reed went on to boast averages of 22.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.8 blocks, and converted on a 59/44/79 shooting clip. He was third in the league in points, rebounds, and steals per game. Also a top-ten finisher in blocks per game, Reed was one of just four players to average at least 1.3 in both blocks and steals per game on the year. At 21 years old, Reed had a Giannis Antetokounmpo-esque season thanks to his versatile contributions.
Perhaps most importantly, his team reaped the benefits. The Blue Coats had a strong start to the campaign and finished with prominent playoff placement. The team was fourth in points per game (113.1), sixth overall in both Offensive and Defensive Rating, first in steals (11.1), and second in fast-break points (19.5).
Runner-Up: Kevin Porter Jr. (NBA Assignee), RGV Vipers
The Vipers propelled themselves into the postseason riding a six-game winning streak to end the campaign and Porter Jr. was largely to thank. He made waves this season, leading the league in both points (24.1) and assists (7.2) per game. A constant triple-double threat, Porter tallied one such outing on the year but came within three rebounds and/or assists of such a feat on four other occasions.
Defensive Player of the Year: Nate Renfro, Austin Spurs
As mentioned, Paul Reed should truly be considered a perennial frontrunner for all major awards. But for sake of debate, Renfro is also deserving of consideration for the DPOY for some of the same very reasons.
Like Reed, Renfro is in special company as one of just four players to average at least 1.3 blocks and steals per game. His 1.9 blocks, however, were also ninth best in the league. Under normal circumstances, players are eligible to win an award after playing in 50% of their team’s games, but given the shortened campaign, participation should seemingly hold more water this time around. With some extra credit thrown his way for appearing in all fifteen games, Renfro’s 98.3 Defensive Rating ranks fifth best of all players who also appeared in as many games. He’s also the only player in the top 15 of such parameters whose team won at least 10 games. The Spurs boasted the ninth best Defensive Rating in the league.
At 6’8” and 205 pounds, Renfro is athletic, owns his physicality, and can defend multiple positions quite nicely. There’s something to be said about competing while not being a Two-Way Player or an NBA assignee. The 24 year old is fighting for recognition and certainly made his mark, doing so in just 24.8 minutes per game.
Runner-Up: Tahjere McCall, Lakeland Magic
The runner-up for this award in 2018-19, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McCall finish near the top yet again. Using the same parameters as discussed with Renfro, the 26 year old’s 97.4 Defensive Rating is third best among players who appeared in all fifteen games this year. Lakeland’s 101.0 Defensive Rating led the entire league. Consistently considered a lockdown defender, McCall averaged 1.1 steals this season and exuded plenty of hustle.
Rookie of the Year: Mamadi Diakite (Two-Way Player), Lakeland Magic
Once again: if not Reed, Diakite is a worthy choice here. He averaged a strong double-double with 18.5 points and 10.3 rebounds. His rebound mark was seventh best in the league and his 2.1 blocks were sixth best. As mentioned with McCall, Lakeland boasted the best Defensive Rating in the league and Diakite was a central part of that effort.
Also worth noting is the fact that the 24 year old spent the campaign with the Magic as a flex-assignee of sorta via the Milwaukee Bucks, since the latter did not field a team in the bubble. Entering an unfamiliar situation with unknown players and coaches and still managing to make a signifiant effort while playing in a different system is a special feat.
Runner-Up: Nico Mannion (Two-Way Player), Santa Cruz Warriors
Mannion made a strong first impression in the minor league while helping Santa Cruz to an 11-4 record, second best in the league. Averaging 19.3 points, 6.9 assists, and 1.8 steals, Mannion was a top-10 finisher in all three categories, with his assists ranking high in the top-3. Upon returning from the bubble, he proved he should be able to provide Golden State with a boost in the backcourt.
Most Improved Player: Oshae Brissett, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
The league typically grants this award to a player who has demonstrated improvement over the course of a season, as opposed to from one year to the next. Brissett is a deserving candidate either way you look at this award.
Building upon his rookie season with the Raptors 905, the 22 year old’s stats may not be so different but the way he plays the game is. A much more physical force, Brissett could be found fighting tooth and nail on the glass and staying aggressive around higher percentage looks. He was a more efficient player and averaged 18.6 points (top ten in the league) and 9.8 rebounds because of it.
The Mad Ants started the year 1-5, going 5-4 afterward, clearly making improvements. After amassing 20 points just once in his first five appearances, Brissett went on to score at least 20 points in six of his next seven outings, a streak of which also included four double-doubles.
Runner-Up: Moses Brown (Two-Way Player), OKC Blue
In the more traditional sense, Brown is especially deserving. He won a Player of the Week award and averaged 18.5 points, a league-leading 13.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. He looked confident throughout, with his numbers increasing across the board from last season. The most notable jump was his rebounding mark, following a modest 7.7 per game average with Texas in 2019-20.
Coach of the Year: Ryan Pannone, Erie BayHawks
Tied for the second best record in the NBA G League at 11-4, Erie was lucky to have Pannone steer the ship this season. While the team wasn’t as privy to Two-Way Players, NBA assignees, or even as many returning players as most teams, Pannone seemed to get the most out of his group. The BayHawks’ headlining attraction, NBA champion Jordan Bell, went down with an injury after just 7 games. Nevertheless, all ten other players who appeared in at least 10 games averaged at least 7.9 points. Jalen Adams led the way with 16.1 points per game and the wealth was spread nicely down the line.
Erie averaged the fifth-most points in the league with 112.7, dished out the second-most assists with 27.5 per game, and boasted the third best Offensive Rating and the seventh best Defensive Rating, resulting in a third best 5.7 Net Rating.
Runner-Up: Patrick Mutombo, Raptors 905
The first-time head coach led his team to a league-best 12-3 record, soaring on an eight-game winning streak to end the year. The Raptors 905 led the league in Offensive Rating, Points Per Game, Assists Per Game, Three-Pointers Made, and Three-Point Field Goal Percentage.