Players To Watch In 2021 NBA G League Winter Showcase
Players To Watch In 2021 NBA G League Winter Showcase
Lance Stephenson, Mac McClung, and Terry Taylor headline some players to keep an eye on during this year's NBA G League Winter Showcase.
Cue the bright lights. Get ready for top performers to rise up in big moments. In what’s becoming a marquee annual event, the NBA G League Winter Showcase once again takes its seemingly proper and increasingly familiar place in Las Vegas this coming Sunday, December 19.
It’s a pre-holiday treat, for players hungry to take a bite out of ample opportunity and prove they have what it takes to compete in the NBA. There’s much on the line: roster spots, increased minutes, and/or merely extra attention.
Perhaps this season more than ever due to injuries, illnesses, and necessary COVID-19 health and safety protocols, NBA teams are on the prowl for talent to fill the gaps and the Winter Showcase has proven again and again to feature athletes who are up to the task.
Here’s a look at some players to keep an eye on during the event, though admittedly, there’s truly talent everywhere you look.
Mac McClung, South Bay Lakers
The Sin City lights are perfect for McClung, because this guy is a straight out showman. After leading Texas Tech to upset after upset last season, the young gun has only picked up where he left off, thriving under pressure for South Bay in his first year as a pro. He’s ridiculously crafty, athletic, and his offensive game boasts guts from behind the arc and a killer instinct around the rim. Appearing in all 12 games thus far, McClung has led the Lakers to a division-leading 9-3 record while averaging 20 points on a 50/43/83 clip to go with 6 assists and 1.3 steals. With the NBA affiliate rolling the dice on veteran Isaiah Thomas, McClung’s time will have to wait. But make no mistake: he oozes out with passion each and every night, and fans will love him when he’s finally let loose.
Gabe York, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Minor league athletes are often encouraged to master one’s niche in hopes of appealing to NBA teams. York has followed this blueprint to a tee throughout his career, boasting efficiency and stellar sharpshooting that is often unmatched, even up at the next level. The 2018-19 NBA G League Sportsmanship Award winner has returned from a two-year trek playing overseas, now suiting up for the Mad Ants. At 28 years old, York’s is still primed and ready to shoot the lights out on a nightly basis, converting on a 49/50/100 clip thus far this season, good for 16.1 points per contest. His long range percentage is tied for second best in the league, and he also ranks among the top ten with 2.1 per game. This marksman is the epitome of a pure 3 and D threat, and comes with the experience to stay poised under pressure.
Davon Reed, Grand Rapids Gold
Already a recipient of an NBA Call-Up earlier this season with the Nuggets, Reed is just as deserving of another look as he prepares to strut his stuff at the Showcase. He did good things in Indiana, shooting 38% from deep and averaging 1.5 steals through six appearances. On the minor league stage, he’s someone who plays with an unselfish nature, keeping an eye for teammates and sacrificing his body — doing what it takes to spark positive things on the court even if it means he’s not necessarily the one that shines. At 26 years old, Reed plays with a level of poise and maturity that not all minor league athletes have. He’s averaged 15.1 points, 8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2 steals — a true stat-sheet stuffer if there ever was one.
Freddie Gillespie, Memphis Hustle
Speaking of stat-sheet stuffers, Gillespie absolutely thrives on getting it done on the defensive end. As the league’s leader in blocks with 2.8 per contest, the 24 year old is just one of two NBA G League players (the other being reigning MVP Paul Reed) to be averaging at least 2 blocks and 1.2 steals on the campaign. His 12.2 boards are also a third best mark in the league. Gillespie was a prime candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award during last season’s shortened campaign, and is undoubtedly proving that such a stint was no fluke by performing with such intensity and grit yet again. After appearing in 20 games for the Raptors last season, it looked as though Gillespie may have found his landing spot, but he’s just as ripe for another promotion by an NBA club looking for someone to check in and keep the energy up while the starters catch a breather.
Lance Stephenson, Grand Rapids Gold
Earlier this week, rumors swirled that Stephenson’s minor league teammate and fellow NBA veteran Isaiah Thomas would receive an NBA Call-Up to the Lakers after an awing 42-point Gold debut. It goes without saying that Thomas would have been on this list without such a call, but Stephenson is just as intriguing of a player to keep an eye on. It goes beyond stats for the 31 year old — he’s still athletic and his resume speaks for itself as to how he can help NBA teams. Sure, he’s a bit of a wild card due to his notorious mannerisms, but there weren’t many who could shake their opponent defensively like Stephenson when he was in the zone. As increased eyes follow the minor league in Las Vegas, it’s easy to gravitate toward a well-known commodity like him. It’s worth noting that Stephenson has been pining for a chance in the NBA G League for multiple seasons now and finally has gotten his opportunity for the intimate audition. That’s humility. He’s averaged 19.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists for Grands Rapids thus far and the Las Vegas stage would appear built for his shot at redemption.
Theo Pinson, Maine Celtics
During last season’s memorable run as a fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, Pinson was favorably recognized as a cheerleading extraordinaire for the New York Knicks. People like to joke around, but Pinson’s positivity — his support of his teammates and constant ability to put a smile on their faces — absolutely made a huge impact. Those are endearing qualities, but he didn’t see the court much. Safe to say he’s using this other go in the NBA G League as his chance to prove more game-action prowess and he hasn’t disappointed. The guard has averaged 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, most importantly doing so while Maine has amassed a 9-2 record thus far. Pinson’s a winner — from his run to the G League Finals with the Long Island Nets in 2019-20, to his NBA playoff exposure and now — he’s creating a very positive identity for himself. Ironically enough, the Knicks are struggling and have more of a point guard problem now than they ever did last season. Pinson could be among those that could provide an injection of life.
Terry Taylor (Two-Way Player), Fort Wayne Mad Ants / Pacers
Taylor should be atop of every scouting list in The Association, because he’s splashed onto the pro scene with such astonishing skill, impact, and likely future fit in the NBA. It’s hard to deny his candidacy for the G League’s MVP award. Let’s take a brief look at the stats. He’s averaging 18.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks. His rebounding average leads the league, and his 68% from the field is also a top-five mark. At 6’5” and 230 pounds, Taylor’s physicality is one that defies all kinds of laws: physics, gravity, you name it. The fact that he’s able to crash the boards and play above the rim in such a ferocious way is one that likely endears him to NBA teams everywhere — he has unique gifts. He would have had eyes popping and mouths watering this coming week in Las Vegas (perhaps he still might), which is why the Pacers made the smart choice to sign him to a Two-Way pact most recently. For them, the proof has been in the budding: Fort Wayne is 8-4 with the 22 year old leading the charge.
Davontae Cacok (Two-Way Player), Austin Spurs / San Antonio
The champ is here and he’s looking for more. Cacok won an NBA title with the Lakers in the bubble back in 2020, and adding that victorious feather in his cap gives him the kind of winning pedigree the Spurs desire. As a Two-Way Player, Cacok continues to shed light on the kind of player he has the potential to be at the next level. In addition to his 21.1 points on 62% from the field, his 12.3 rebounds per contest are tied with Taylor for the league’s best. He’s an exciting player to watch — a freakish athlete if you will — who will undoubtedly put on a show in Las Vegas.
Special Shouts-Outs: Saben Lee (NBA assignee), Motor City Cruise via the Pistons and Paul Reed (NBA assignee), Delaware Blue Coats via the 76ers
It’s often a mad dash to see which assignees and/or Two-Way Players will suit up during the Showcase. Thanks to an already special campaign with the Cruise, basketball fans are unlikely to see Lee suit up next week. He’s already back in Detroit tallying double-digit scoring efforts, which is no surprise following a stint for Motor City during which he became the minor league’s leading scorer with 30.6 points, fourth-best in assists with 7.4 assists, and his 2.1 steals also rank in the top 10. Add three 40+ scoring outings and it’s no surprise he’s already making an impact in The Association.
Assuming Reed remains, it’ll be nice to see the reigning MVP demonstrate how he’s continued to fight his way out of the mud. Reed’s averaged 20.3 points, 12 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.8 steals, and though he’s only appeared in six games, he’s played a steady role in Delaware’s league-leading 10-1 start.