NBA G League Vets Providing Stability Amid Uncertain Times
Lance Stephenson, Scotty Hopson, and Keifer Sykes are among those minor league vets who have recently provided NBA teams with stability and familiarity amid times of uncertainty.
During a New Year’s Eve matchup between the Knicks and Thunder last week, play-by-play commentator Mike Breen profiled Scotty Hopson, a 32 year old playing out a 10-day contract with OKC.
Just days earlier, Hopson appeared in his fourth career NBA game. Though to some, this was merely a simplistic 4-point bench effort, to Breen, it was the pure definition of perseverance and chasing one’s dreams. Hopson’s been on the pro grind for a decade now — ten seasons highlighted by eight countries (boasting multiple stints in some) and more recently, a lot of NBA G League action.
Prior to signing with OKC, Hopson was in the midst of his fourth minor league season. It’s worth noting that it were his third with the Thunder organization. Hopson’s served as the consummate veteran and faithful teammate as the organization has developed many of its young studs up and through the ranks. Hopson’s been by the side of Lu Dort and many others through the years. All the while, he himself has been a key contributor. During the 2019-20 campaign, the vet averaged 18.5 points and 16.3 the season prior.
While he only averaged 6.4 points through 11 games this year, perhaps his value goes well beyond his most recent production. Hopson’s put in the time, remained loyal and helpful to the Thunder organization over the course of three seasons. He deserved his chance to shine…or at least occupy a front row seat from an NBA bench.
Hopson’s not alone in his pursuit and he’s not only the deserving one either. 28 year old Keifer Sykes is another vet — he made his mark in the NBA G League as a rookie in 2015-16 with the Austin Spurs and has since soared overseas and thrived in TBT action — who returned to suit up for the Mad Ants this season. He parlayed a 16.5 point, 7.5 assist campaign into a deal with the affiliated Pacers and recently scored 10 points in his first NBA start. The pandemic has presented many with unfortunate hurdles, but for these determined minor league hoopers, it has also sparked opportunity.
Lance Stephenson has found his way back to Indiana via the G; Mario Chalmers returned to Miami and Damyean Dotson has been given another chance in New York. Through tough times, familiarity serves as a benefit and it’s a nice way to put a smile on fans’ faces as teams welcome home past favorites. In the case of Hopson, the need to fill roster spots, add practice bodies, or even distribute necessary playing time, is a nice way to reward someone who has continued to chip away at the ultimate dream. In return, he can provide stability for the club and motivation to prospects for however long he’s around.
It’s a win-win.
It’s exciting for NBA teams to roll the dice, taking chances on diamond in the rough prospects. The minor league talent pool is littered with players who are flying under the radar and could very well help a club at the next level if given the chance. Exploration is a healthy practice.
But given all the uncertainty around the league, teams need more answers than questions (even if uncovered potential is sometimes fun to scratch the surface of). The veterans of the minor league have proven to be patient, mature, and are likely more primed to jump right in and handle substantial playing time. After all, as Hopson and Sykes have proven, they’ve been doing so at a high level on various stages for quite a while now and appear prepared to be thrown into the fire.
Who else is ready for a call with similar responsibility? 28 year old Norvel Pelle boasts worthwhile credentials. He averaged 8.9 points and 8.3 rebounds through nine games for the Charge earlier this season, and owns a 4.6 blocks per 36 minutes average in 37 NBA games. Sometimes a stat like that can/should be taken with a grain of salt, but Pelle’s physicality remains a top asset. 30 year old David Stockton is averaging 18.3 points on a 48/44/81 clip and former Suns Two-Way Player George King (27) is converting on 47% of his shots from deep for the Agua Caliente Clippers this season.
Experience pays, and now it’s time for such players to cash in. It would appear as though many of them are needed more than ever.