[ad_1]
While the Warriors have already played 25 games in this bizarre NBA season, the G League opened its Orlando bubble on Wednesday with a bang.
The Santa Cruz Warriors’ attempt to return to the G League Ignite, a team with a handful of the 2021 NBA Draft’s top prospects, failed in a 109-104 loss. All eyes were on prospects Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Green and Daishen Nix, as well as recent Warriors picks Nico Mannion and Jordan Poole, and former NBA stars like Jeremy Lin and Jarrett Jack.
Here’s how the notable names fared to kick off the G League season this year.
Santa Cruz Warriors
Has it really been nine years since “Linsanity” took over the basketball world? It still feels like yesterday, but Lin is now 32 and is fighting for a chance to return to the NBA.
Lin was good, not great against the Ignite. He finished with 18 points and five assists, 4 for 9 on the field in 30 minutes. There was no question he looked like he could provide solid minutes for an NBA team right now. At the same time, it may need to be turned off to get a real photo.
While Lin is in the limelight for his past success in the NBA, the Warriors need Nico Mannion and Jordan Poole to play well for Santa Cruz to show they have a bright future as the pros. Poole led Santa Cruz with 22 points while playing a high of 33 minutes. He only went 7 for 22 from the field and 2 for 9 to deep, but finished with a higher play plus 22 plus-minus.
Mannion played 32 minutes, scored 17 points and provided six assists. The second-round pick also struggled on the field (6 for 18, 3 for 9 of 3) and finished with a lousy minus-17 plus-minus.
It has been a day of ups and downs for the two young guards, and the Warriors will continue to watch them closely.
G League Ignite
Kuminga continues to get into the conversation for this year’s first draft pick. Kuminga is a 6ft 6in, 210lb wing that can do a little bit of everything. He led the Ignite with 19 points while finishing with four assists, two rebounds and two blocked shots. Although he only went 1 for 7 deep, it is clear that his potential is extremely high.
He also sealed the Ignite’s victory with a devastating blockade on Poole.
Green is the other prospect of this team that will generate the most noise when it comes to the draft. He is an elite athlete who knows how to accumulate points. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard had 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. His shooting needs some fine-tuning, but his athleticism already makes him a top choice.
Keep in mind that the Warriors have the Minnesota Timberwolves’ top three protected picks and either of those players could be linked to Golden State if they aren’t in the top three picks.
RELATED: How Steph Taught Green Valuable Lessons
Nix is not considered as much of a prospect as Green and Kuminga, but could be a steal in the second half of the first round. The 6-foot-5 point guard is already playing like a vet, tallied 12 points, three assists and three rebounds, and had his only attempt beyond the arc.
Yes, the spotlight was on young people. However, the Ignite also features seasoned veterans, including a former Warriors fan favorite.
Jarrett Jack, now 37 (!), Stole the show in Orlando. The 13-year-old NBA vet led all scorers with 23 points in 19 minutes. He was a perfect long-distance 3-for-3 and went 9-for-10 on the court.
He last played in the NBA on April 11, 2018.
The G League bubble will be huge for draft evaluators who find out what players like Kuminga, Green, and Nix can be to the next level after they skip college. It’s also a great opportunity for Lin and Jack as they look to continue their basketball lives.
For the first game, the G League bubble brought all the fireworks to Walt Disney World.
Download and subscribe to the Dubs Talk podcast
[ad_2]
Source link