As we have 3 former Stags in the G League, I thought it'd be nice to have a space for those of us that like to follow their progress and any other miscellaneous stories.
Rakim Sanders - Erie Bayhawks Tyler Nelson - Greensboro Swarm Jonathan Kasibabu - Long Island Nets
Sanders has looked a little rusty in his first 2 games. I think he's coming back from some time off. Nelson had a decent start (10 pts) - looks like he has moved up in the rotation. Kasibabu probably had the most impressive debut with 12 pts. (6-7 shooting) 6 rbs 1 blk and a team-high +11 +/- in 20 minutes.... 5 fouls... but hey
Post by nashvillestag on Nov 23, 2019 13:44:49 GMT -5
Tyler had an excellent game last night (which is convenient for leading into an update on our three former Stags playing professionally in the US). Seventeen points, primarily based on his 4-5 from the arc helped him become the second leading scorer for the Greensboro Swarm in the win. Video highlights BTW are available at the team's website. For the season he is averaging very similar to last year in his basic numbers (although only based on 6 games). Almost 20 minutes a game, about 9 points, but at least right now unbelievably efficient from 3 with a percentage of around 54.
Jonathan has currently participated in 3 games, getting 19 minutes a game with a scoring average of 6PPG. More importantly he is averaging 6RPG, certainly an impressive number relating to what he does well.
Rakim, 27 minutes a game average in the 5 he has played. Just over 5 PPG with (to be honest) bad shooting numbers. But still, small sample for him means hopefully he will improve in future contests, something I'm sure will happen if he continually gets the time on the court that he has had so far.
Last Edit: Nov 23, 2019 14:07:01 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
As Tyler gets bigger and stronger, he is getting to be more of a well-rounded player that the NBA is looking for. Some players get bigger as a senior in HS, others in college and others from the ages of 23 thru 28. I am starting to think that Tyler has a realistic chance of p-laying in the NBA. The 76ers could surely use his shooting.
Don't sleep on JK - either. His strength definitely plays in the G-League. I've scrolled through some of his games and guys just bounce off him. Also, being a "short" 5 isn't the curse it might've once been. He has NBA-level quickness/energy (though he still overplays guys when he guards on the perimeter) and can run up and down the court all day. Give him a couple of years to work on the finer points and I wouldn't discount his chances. Not as refined skill-wise - but a comp might be someone like Grant Williams (who gets minutes for the Celtics).
Last Edit: Nov 26, 2019 10:39:47 GMT -5 by typhaon
Caught some of his games. In a league characterized by (what I'd call) playground ball (guys just running up and down the floor chucking shots) - he didn't seem very active. I think he is returning from a layoff (injury?) - so maybe he couldn't shake off the rust.
Not sure why Rakim returned to the US to play in the G league? I had heard he had signed very significant ($$$) contracts to play in Europe previously. However I understand that it is hard to give up the NBA dream. Ditto for Tyler who is at best a long shot to catch on with an NBA team. Good luck to both of them as they pursue their dreams!
Kasibabu with his first G League start. 6 points 9 rebounds and 4 blocks in 25 minutes. 0-6 from the field is the only blemish. Congrats!
9 rebounds and especially 4 blocks is super for Jonathan. Interesting regarding the 6 points he scored, since none were from the field, obviously they came from the free throw line. But rather than making 6, he actually only made 3 (3/3). It looks like he took advantage of the new G League experimental rule that allows for more than 1 point on an attempt in certain circumstances. So Jon was CLUTCH considering a miss would be leaving 2 points off the table rather than just 1.
Last Edit: Dec 11, 2019 15:27:35 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
Kasibabu with his first G League start. 6 points 9 rebounds and 4 blocks in 25 minutes. 0-6 from the field is the only blemish. Congrats!
9 rebounds and especially 4 blocks is super for Jonathan. Interesting regarding the 6 points he scored, since none were from the field, obviously they came from the free throw line. But rather than making 6, he actually only made 3 (3/3). It looks like he took advantage of the new G League experimental rule that allows for more than 1 point on an attempt in certain circumstances. So Jon was CLUTCH considering a miss would be leaving 2 points off the table rather than just 1.
Its an interesting rule but curious as to the reasoning behind it. Trying to speed up the game or make games closer?
9 rebounds and especially 4 blocks is super for Jonathan. Interesting regarding the 6 points he scored, since none were from the field, obviously they came from the free throw line. But rather than making 6, he actually only made 3 (3/3). It looks like he took advantage of the new G League experimental rule that allows for more than 1 point on an attempt in certain circumstances. So Jon was CLUTCH considering a miss would be leaving 2 points off the table rather than just 1.
Its an interesting rule but curious as to the reasoning behind it. Trying to speed up the game or make games closer?
I believe I read a couple of months ago that speeding up the game was behind this experimental rule.
That's great for Jonathan! Looks like he has found the right team with the right situation for him to get a reasonable chance to show what he can do, something that is quite often hard to find for an under-the-radar type of player in the G-League. Anyone who wants to see him play can watch him when they are home at the Nassau Coliseum, the (sometime) home of the Islanders and also where the Stags played a couple of years ago in that MAAC triple-header. BTW, Tyler's team (Greensboro) will be there in late February and also a couple of weeks later in March.
