Here is a look at the top ten players from the 2011 NBA D-League Showcase who may be coming to an NBA roster near you in the next few weeks.
Jeff Adrien, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Just a few weeks removed from being on an NBA roster in Golden State, Adrien was the most dominating inside presence at the Showcase. He may be limited by his lack of height for a power forward, but his incredible strength and good touch around the basket make him an ideal bench player to provide rebounding and hustle. Adrien shot 20-27 from the field and averaged 25.0 points and 14.0 rebounds in South Padre Island. Watch a postgame interview with Adrien.
Othyus Jeffers, Iowa Energy
There may be questions as to what Jeffers’ true position is, but there is no mistaking his impact on the floor. Jeffers is strong and athletic and has great instincts both for scoring and grabbing rebounds despite standing only 6-5. His physicality and quickness also makes him a very tough defender. The one knock is his lack of shooting range, which would limit him offensively as an NBA shooting guard.
Joe Alexander, Texas Legends
The former NBA draft pick showcased his rare physical gifts in South Padre Island with two double-doubles. Alexander’s 6-9 frame and great athletic ability make him and elite rebounder, shot-blocker, and finisher on the NBA D-League level. He also displayed some good offensive instincts with eight assists in Thursday’s win over Iowa.
Marcus Landry, Reno Bighorns
Landry has tended to fly under the radar for a guy who spent all of last season in the NBA, but he raised his stock in South Padre Island an excellent shooting performance. Landry showed a great touch from long-range at the Showcase with 8-17 shooting on three-pointers.
Justin Dentmon, Texas Legends
Dentmon closed out the Showcase on Thursday with what was probably the best individual performance of the week, scoring 38 points with 13 rebounds and seven assists in the win over Iowa. The 5-11 guard was known as more of a shooter when he joined Texas, but with Antonio Daniels out he has proven that he can man the point guard spot effectively as well. Cutting down on turnovers and being a more consistent shooter will make him one of the top point guard options for NBA teams.
Mustafa Shakur, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Shakur was very efficient offensively at the Showcase and continued his steady ascent in production as the season progresses. Like last season, he will definitely be on team’s radars as a point-guard call-up candidate.
Trey Johnson, Bakersfield Jam
Johnson came into South Padre Island as the NBA D-League’s best offensive guard, and he did little to dispel that notion at the Showcase . He scored a quiet 15 points in the opener against Fort Wayne, but returned to put 31 against Austin on Thursday. He won’t dominate the highlight reel with jaw-dropping plays, but Johnson’s consistency and efficient scoring makes him a candidate to return to the NBA. Watch a postgame interview with Johnson.
Ronald Dupree, Utah Flash
The veteran has just returned to the NBA D-League after being on an NBA roster in Toronto, and don’t be surprised if he makes a quick return. He averaged close to a double-double in South Padre Island and displayed the ability to get points or get to the line on a consistent basis.
Orien Greene, Utah Flash
Another NBA veteran on Utah’s roster, Greene looks the part of an NBA guard and uses his athleticism and good size to score, rebound, and distribute all in equal fashion. He came up one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double in Utah’s narrow loss to Iowa. A lack of a consistent outside shot and a tendency to play out of control and rack up a lot of turnovers are hurting him from making a return to an NBA roster.
Cedric Jackson, Idaho Stampede
Jackson got off to a dreadful start to 2010-11 in Erie, but the move to Idaho has seen him return to the form that made him a three-time GATORADE Call-Up last season. Jackson isn’t a great outside shooter, but he is one of the quickest players in the NBA D-League and is able to find open teammates or finish when he gets into the lane.
