NBA D-League Preview: Texas Legends are going to score a lot
Over the next couple of weeks, The Step Back will examine each of the 22 NBA D-League teams and bring bringing you an in-depth look at their roster as well as any potential storylines to watch for. Teams can retain up to 12 players, while only 10 will be active for games. This is your first look at the prospects to watch out for all season.
Roster Breakdown
Draft Rights: Satnam Singh
Affiliates: Jameel Warney, Jaleel Cousins, Kyle Collinsworth and C.J. Williams
Returners: Manny Harris, Patrick Miller, Andre Dawkins and Deng Deng
Draftees: Bryson Fonville and Keith Hornsby
Tryouts: Courtney Fells
Potential NBA Assignees: A.J. Hammons, Dorian Finney-Smith and Nicolas Brussino
Wing scorers aplenty
The Texas Legends were coached by Nick Van Exel last season, but after he earned an assistant coaching position with the Memphis Grizzlies the team turned to a familiar face in Bob MacKinnon. Coach MacKinnon has enjoyed success with multiple teams previously in the D-League and the consistent theme with his clubs — run, run, run and get his players as much exposure as possible.
Right out of the gate MacKinnon will have one of the best wing scorers this league has ever seen in Manny Harris. The Michigan Mamba just turned 27-years-old this offseason, but he’s back to try and earn an NBA deal yet again. After lighting up the scoreboards for the University of Michigan, many envisioned Harris being Jamal Crawford 2.0; a wing with size who can put up buckets whenever you need them to. It hasn’t worked out that way for Harris yet, but he’s still climbing to that mountaintop and maybe this is season he hits the apex.
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The Legends will also feature C.J. Williams (26), Duke alum Andre Dawkins (25), Patrick Miller (24) and another big-time scoring option in Courtney Fells (30). Outside of Miller — who is 6-foot-1 — these guys all have size and extreme versatility when it comes to ball handling, shooting, playing out of the pick-and-roll and guarding positions 1-3 at the D-League level. Coach MacKinnon has a plethora of options, now it’s about finding the right combination of minutes for each.
Versatility of Collinsworth will be key cog
The year is 2024 and a group of NCAA fans are chillin’ at a bar when they hear a bit of trivia that peaks their interest — “Who is all the NCAA all-time leader for triple doubles”? They go back and forth for 10-15 minutes arguing fervently for their pick, when the name is announced, they collectively yell “Who the hell is Kyle Collinsworth”?! Yeah, that’s right Collinsworth holds that prestigious NCAA record with 12 triple doubles while playing for BYU. The previous record was six by Shaquille O’Neal and perhaps even more impressive is that Collinsworth got all of his in his final two seasons!
He stands 6-foot-6, can handle the ball well, has great court vision, can be a pest on defense and rebounds very well for his position; so why isn’t this guy on an NBA roster? Well, he does not possess NBA athleticism and he struggles shooting the ball. He shot just 27 percent (only 107 attempts) from 3-point range in college and his sub-par free throw percentage (64.2 percent) points to a mechanical issue. If the Legends can help Collinsworth repair his shooting, then he could be a solid role player at the next level.
Warney looks to keep hot streak going
Jameel Warney already knows the misconceptions about him and his game. He’s an undersized power forward at 6-foot-8, he cannot shoot the 3-pointer (0 attempts in college) and there just isn’t a position for him in today’s NBA. He just doesn’t care at this point.
Warney was a stellar collegiate player at Stony Brook leading the school to their first ever NCAA Tournament his senior season while posting averages of 19.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game! Undersized, yes. Has no position, false. Warney is the epitome of a hard-working, do-whatever-it-takes player.
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Coach Mac likes scoring, but Warney will help anchor the Legends’ defensive front, gather up a ton of rebounds and kick off their vaunted fast break this season. His name isn’t super familiar for the time being and he isn’t going to be a superstar (at least not yet), but he’s definitely a name to watch this season.