Jam Spreads It Around at 2011 NBA D-League Showcase
Published on January 12, 2011 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS, Jan. 12, 2011 - If jam could jiggle, the late Chick Hearn would have had a field day.
After stretching its lead to 15 points at the start of the fourth quarter, Bakersfield (12-8) pushed it to as many as 23, before settling for a 105-93 victory over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the opening game of Day 3 action at the 2011 NBA D-League Showcase.
It was a balanced diet for the Jam, with six players scoring at least 13 points, led by 18 from Derrick Byars. Trey Johnson, the NBA D-League's leading scorer at 25.1 ppg, finished with 15 points and six rebounds for Bakersfield, while Jeremy Wise added 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
"They seemed pretty focused on trying to limit my offense, but I'm not just a scorer, I'm a basketball player, and I'll look to get my teammates involved," said Johnson, who had a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2008-09 season. "I think for me to get back to the NBA, I just have to continue to do what I'm doing, which is taking the scoring when it's there but also helping get others involved."
Johnson's mid-range game is extremely advanced, and he's worked to become a more complete player since going undrafted in 2007 out of Jackson State. He's a little undersized to play the two full-time in the NBA, but his ability to put the ball in the basket can't be ignored.
Walker Russell paced Fort Wayne (12-9) with a game-high 25 points, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. The Mad Ants were aggressive throughout, as evidenced by 37 free throw attempts and forcing 24 turnovers, but ultimately done in by 38 percent shooting from the field.
Fort Wayne played its second and final game of the 2011 NBA D-League Showcase. Bakersfield returns to action tomorrow against Austin.
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