Michael Malone, Head Coach of the Nuggets, Talks About The G League
The NBA Champion urged young players to see the G League as a chance to grow, saying that “some young players frown on the G League.”
In the current landscape of the NBA, the G-League is a crucial stepping stone for young talents who still need to develop their game. NBA Champion and Nuggets coach Michael Malone recently spoke on the importance of the development league, emphasizing on its value and the way it prepares players for the demands of an NBA schedule.
Malone noted that certain players might perceive the G League negatively, viewing it as a step backwards. However, he believes that this mentality is wrong and players should utilize their time in the G League as an opportunity for securing real game minutes and understanding team systems.
Malone gave the example of Peyton Watson. Both at the University of California, Los Angeles, and during his rookie season with the Nuggets, Watson was not a regular player. He moved down to Grand Rapids Gold, the team’s affiliate, to hone his skills and eventually became a player who scored 20 points a night on average. Even though he is only 21 years old, he is already an important member of Denver’s rotation.
‘Some young players frown on the G League,” Malone said. ”They think about it as ‘Oh, I’m being sent to the G League’, when they should be looking at it as an opportunity.
Peyton Watson didn’t play much last year. He needed to go play basketball. He needed real game minutes that you can’t replicate in practice. I think the G League is a great teaching tool for every young player. Let them go play and show them what pro basketball is like and fully understand the system that they’ve been drafted into.”
Watson seized the opportunity to keep getting better during his time in the G-League and he’s proved to be able to contribute to a team with championship aspirations. His growth has been nothing but remarkable, transforming from a player struggling for playing time to a key member of Denver’s rotation.
Fifteen first-round picks from the 2023 NBA Draft, including Amen Thompson, the fourth overall pick, Gradey Dick, Jarace Walker, and Cam Whitmore, the MVP of the Summer League, have been sent down to the G League this year. This demonstrates the level of faith NBA teams have in their feeder teams.
Peyton Watson’s success story serves as evidence that taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the G League can lead to an incredible NBA career.
