Two NBA D-League games, four teams and five prospects

December 8, 3:58 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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I didn’t watch the Warriors-Spurs game on Saturday (did I miss anything?) and instead caught a couple of D-League games over the weekend.

Drove down to Bakersfield on Saturday for the Bakersfield Jam-Utah Flash game, then headed to Staples Center for a Sunday matinee between the L.A. Defenders and Tulsa 66ers.

Here are five players from those games to keep an eye on. Call them the most likely to be called up. 

Joe Crawford: A scoring, undersized two 

Joe Crawford, L.A. Defenders: The Lakers selected Crawford with the No. 58 pick, and he is leading the D-League in scoring.

His numbers are exactly what you’re looking for from a two guard: 50 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the line.

He was clearly the best player on the court in Sunday's game, which also included a couple players from Tulsa who played in the NBA: Derrick Dial and Ron DuPree.

If there’s an issue with Crawford it would seem to be his size.

He’s listed at 6-foot-5, which is questionable, considering he’s thought of as an undersized two.

He's not 6-foot-5. Trust me ... when you're at a D-League game you can go stand right next to them.

Bill Walker: A big-time talent

Bill Walker, Utah Flash: Walker was drafted by the Wizards with the No. 47 pick, then traded to the Celtics.

The guy's a beast in this league, a real load in the low post, as they say.

He is a big-time talent, and was a level above almost everyone _ if not everyone _ on the court.

He’s only 6-foot-6, but he’s got a lot of bulk and natural skill. At times, Walker has had too much bulk, apparently, sometimes battling weight issues.

I'm not sure he's in tremendous shape right now.

He’s also a wildcard in terms of his demeanor and attitude. In his short stay with the Celtics earlier this season, he got into a an altercation with Kevin Garnett at practice and Tracy McGrady in a game against Houston.

Celtics broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn referred to Walker as the “most combative of the Celtics.”

Without trying to read too much into body language, etc., Walker didn't appear to be pumped about being in Bakersfield and doesn't appear to be thrilled about playing in the D-League.

It's that attitude, apparently, that is keeping him from the NBA.

DeMarcus Nelson: Still defending 

DeMarcus Nelson, Bakersfield Jam: Nelson was undrafted out of Duke, then made the Warriors and was their opening-night starter at point guard.

He was all-positive in the game I saw him, going 10-for-12 from the floor and knocking down a bunch of jumpers.

That's what he's working on in Bakersfield: His jump shot.

And there is no doubt he’s already shown improvement in that area. He'll probably never become a good shooter, but adequate would suffice.

There are always going to be questions about whether Nelson is a point guard or two guard.

But he can defend, sometimes either position, and if his shot continues to improve, there shouldn’t be any reason he isn’t on an NBA roster in the future.

Richard Hendrix 

Richard Hendrix, Bakersfield Jam: Hendrix’s scoring numbers have fallen since his 31-point game in the opener.

He’s down to averaging just 14 points per game, which is an indication that he’ll never be a scorer at the NBA level.

But Hendrix already possesses a pro body and maturity beyond his years. There’s no reason Hendrix won’t spend the bulk of his career as some team’s dirty work guy.

He didn't do much Saturday against Utah but much of that was circumstance. Hendrix picked up two fouls in the first quarter, then the Jam's second unit was sensational (Derrick Byars No. 6 on this list, by the way)

J.R. Giddens, Utah Flash: The Celtics selected Giddens out of New Mexico with the No. 30 pick.

Giddens isn’t much of a 3-point shooter, and he doesn’t do anything that overwhelms you but at game’s end, when you assess his play he’s usually left a positive imprint.

Giddens is averaging 20 points and seven assists per game, and shooting an impressive .566 from the field.

Apparently, Giddens has some Bill Walker in him also. While at the University of Kansas, Giddens was involved in a bar fight, was stabbed and received 30 stitches.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to take anger management classes. He was also suspended at New Mexico for his attitude.

I mention the attitude stuff with Walker and Giddens because during the fourth quarter of the game I saw, their coach, Brad Jones, became so incensed during a timeout, that he actually slammed his clipboard to the floor, where it proceeded to shatter into approximately a half-dozen pieces.

Jones also got a technical foul for a separate tirade, this one directed toward officials.