Here were the three best Santa Cruz Warriors players in their loss to the Iowa Wolves last Sunday.
The Santa Cruz Warriors, NBA G League affiliate of the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors, lost 97-105 to the Iowa Wolves last Sunday at Wells Fargo Arena. This marked the end of Santa Cruz’s win streak of four consecutive games, each of which came at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
The Sea Dubs stand as the second-best team in the G League’s Western Conference, holding a regular season record of 5-3. They’ll look to improve that record to 6-3 on Wednesday when they go to visit the Texas Legends at Dr. Pepper Arena.
This year’s Santa Cruz squad has exceeded all of my early expectations. With a trio of returning players leading the way alongside a handful of Warriors training camp invites, the Sea Dubs have unexpectedly been great right out of the gate, which has certainly taken almost everyone in the G League by surprise.
As of right now, the Sea Dubs rank fifth in points per game (117.0), eighth in rebounds per game (45.3), first in assists per game (27.9) and ninth in opponents’ points per game (103.5). New head coach Aaron Miles has picked up right where former head coach Casey Hill left off, getting the absolute most out of each of his players while utilizing the Warriors system.
Santa Cruz has already lost Antonius Cleveland to an early season call-up, and I wouldn’t be surprised if every other team continues to poach players from the minor league Dubs as the season progresses.
Other than the very last player on this list, the following is a group of players I believe have a very real chance of getting called up to the NBA.
Niang goes for 19
Since being drafted as the 20th pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft (50th overall), Georges Niang hasn’t been able to find a footing in the major league NBA. Watching him play this season, I think that could change.
The former 4-star recruit has played a huge part in Santa Cruz’s impressive start, averaging 18.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.4 minutes. He’s also been rather efficient with his scoring, shooting 64.2 percent from the field, 56.7 percent from behind the arc and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.
Against the Iowa Wolves, the 24-year-old forward posted 19 points, two rebounds and five assists on 8-of-15 shooting from the field. It was by no means his best game this season, but noteworthy, nonetheless.
My favorite part about Niang’s game is his court vision and willingness to help set his teammates up for scoring opportunities. That unselfishness from the forward spot has become more and more important in the NBA, and Niang certainly fits the bill when I think of unselfish big men.
3. Southerland drops 16 & 7
I was a bit surprised when James Southerland opted to return to the Santa Cruz Warriors this season, but the 27-year-old hasn’t skipped a beat since coming back, averaging 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in 30.3 minutes.
His shooting numbers could definitely use some improvement seeing as he’s currently at 40.6 percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent shoot from behind the arc, but I’m confident those numbers will go up as the season progresses.
Playing the Wolves on Sunday, Southerland finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks on 6-of-17 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 shooting from behind the arc.
The 6-foot-8 forward projects to be a stretch-four at the next level: he rebounds and defends well at both forward spots, and he’s able to take a step back and basically score from anywhere. I’ve also occasionally seen coaches use him as a small ball center.
If he can bring his scoring efficiency up a bit while maintaining his defensive numbers, there’s no doubt he’ll turn some heads this year.
2. Lee posts 18 off the bench
Damion Lee couldn’t have picked a better time to come back from injury. With guards like Quinn Cook, Alex Hamilton and Michael Gbinije banged up on the sidelines, Lee has really stepped up in the second unit backcourt following the departure of Antonius Cleveland.
Lee missed the first three games of the season, but he’s averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 19.4 minutes since being cleared to play. Those numbers are definitely expected to pick up as he begins to find his rhythm.
In Iowa, Lee tallied 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 25 minutes off the bench. He shot 4-of-10 from the field, 3-of-8 from behind the arc and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line.
The injuries in the backcourt have surely affected Santa Cruz, but Lee proved capable of picking up the scoring load in the absence of Cook, Hamilton and Gbinije. Lee has also averaged almost 10 more minutes since Cleveland went off to sign a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks, which in turn opened the door for Lee.
Lee has thus far taken advantage of his newfound opportunity, and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon.
1. Jones finishes with 29 & 8
Damian Jones currently averages 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 blocks in 26.7 minutes per game. He’s shooting a whopping 67.1 percent from the field and 75.0 percent shooting from the free throw line.
Other than his rebounding numbers, all of the statistics above mark G League career-high averages.
On Sunday against Iowa, Jones led all scorers with a G League career-high 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 shooting from the charity stripe. He also added eight rebounds and one block in 33 minutes.
With the introduction of the two-way contract and rise in overall basketball talent these past couple years, the G League has never been more competitive than it is now. While some casual fans might expect Jones to completely dominate the G League right off the bat, that doesn’t at all diminish his accomplishments with Santa Cruz.
Next: 3 Takeaways from 118-111 Win in Brooklyn
Jones is still working to find his niche in the basketball world. He was already renowned for his defensive ability and athleticism coming into the NBA, but he obviously still needs to improve his numbers on the glass to be taken seriously as a 7-foot center.
Nevertheless, Jones has shown a great deal of improvement since last season. I’d put my money on this year being his last year in the G League with the Warriors.