Due to Covid-19, the last few weeks have been difficult in the NBA, but this gave several role players the opportunity to show that they belong in this league.
Here we will not see lists of players averaging more than 20 points or 30 minutes per game and it must be made clear that they are not superstars (although perhaps some could have been).
It is also good to clarify that the 10-day ‘hardship’ contracts (motivated by casualties due to the coronavirus) are different from the regular ones, where the player who had more than two 10-day contracts had to be signed for the rest of the season. days.
The reality is that many of these players would not be in the NBA if it were not for the number of Covid-19 cases in the league and the adjustments the league made to the rules on 10-day contracts.
As well explained by Bobby Marks of ESPN, the changes in the regulation also have implications in the salary aspect of the teams.
That said, several players have made good impressions in the (sometimes limited) time they’ve been on the court, including some old acquaintances and others taking their first steps in the world’s best basketball.
5. Greg Monroe (Wizards, Timberwolves)
It was the immediate man-in-the-paint solution that the Minnesota Timberwolves had at hand with Karl-Anthony Towns’ problems precisely with Covid-19.
fresh off a flight.
first game back in the league since 2019.11/9/6 in 25 minutes for Greg Monroe. pic.twitter.com/uxmVN93S4P
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 28, 2021
The action of the veteran of 10 seasons in the league has been limited but he had a good presentation on December 27 when in 25 minutes of the game he scored 11 points and was one rebound away from a double double, adding 6 assists.
That was followed by a 22-minute game with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, and although he only played one more game, what he showed earned him another chance with the Washington Wizards.
4. Hassani Gravett (Magic)
With the misfortune of also having to spend time in the Covid-19 protocol, Gravett has only played 8 games of the season but the Magic point guard has made many good plays and has made good impressions with his ball handling.
The current situation allowed him to make his debut in the NBA, and at 25 years old, being part of the associated team of the G-League and having participated in the Summer League, it is not unreasonable to think that we will see more than one player who has hit 42.3% of his long-distance shots.
3. Stanley Johnson (Lakers)
Pick No. 8 pick of the Detroit Pistons’ 2015 Draft is getting his third (or fourth?) chance in the league.
After having gone through the Michigan team, he has also been with the Pelicans and the Raptors, he has been able to live up to expectations in Los Angeles.
???? Stanley Johnson puts the Lakers in the game ????#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/h4oRUS6j0A
— NBA Latam (@NBALatam) January 18, 2022
The Lakers recently re-signed him to another 10-day deal as in his 13 games (including 5 starts) he has averaged 20 minutes per game shooting 53% from the field on nearly 4.5 attempts.
2. Davon Reed (Nuggets)
The New Jersey native was one of the first players to take advantage of the 10-day contract situation and was the first to get his third contract of this nature, in the Covid-19 era.
At 16 minutes per game, shooting 44% from long range, Reed has been a useful weapon for the Denver Nuggets who remain in the middle of the Western Conference table.
1. Lance Stephenson (Pacers)
At 31 years old, Stephenson has proven that he can be a useful asset to any NBA team.
Lance Stephenson back in Indiana.????
???? @Pacers pic.twitter.com/DpUtfTiUEN
– NBA MEXICO (@NBAMEX) January 2, 2022
However, playing at home for the Pacers, the veteran transforms himself averaging 10 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists, unlike on the road (5.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.8 apg).
His debut at El Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Nets on January 5, where Stephenson scored 30 points, will go down as one of the great moments of the Pacers’ season.
Other names to consider: Joe Johnson, Malcolm Hill, Isaiah Thomas, Alfonzo McKinnie.
