November has rolled around which means it's time for the NBA G League to start picking up! The first preseason game between the Texas Legends and the Austin Spurs set the stage for what promises to be an exciting season filled with potential growth, and new chemistry. The game was held at the historic Paul Quinn College, where the Texas Legends was able to explore their new team dynamic. Unbound Voices was on hand to cover this exciting chapter in the Legends' journey, highlighting the advantages of having a young roster supported by a few veterans, let’s take a look inside the action.

Setting the Tone for Development

This season, the Texas Legends are built on a blend of raw, emerging talent and seasoned experience. At the core of this development is the leadership of veterans like Brandon Williams, whose two years of NBA experience have positioned him as a key mentor for the team’s younger players.

As the first quarter picked up, the team started to take advantage of the offensive plays. To assist the orchestration, Brandon consistently communicated with his teammates to ensure proper formation on the court. Such as, signaling Jamarion Sharp to set the pick for him to fight off the defense to throw up his shot. Or waving Emanuel Miller to set the defense, giving Brandon enough time beeline the assist to Jamarion for a slam dunk attempt. This is why we see the benefit of leader like Brandon, who keeps the constant communication flowing on the court. It's evident he doesn't solely create opportunities for himself but sets scoring chances for everyone to succeed. Sometimes, we forget to acknowledge the mental fortitude and brilliance it takes for all players to consistently maneuver situations in order to create a successful shot. It was exciting to witness the rhythm of street style ball from plays such as this throughout the duration of the game. Something we are looking forward to continuously seeing from the Legends this year.

Defensive Strategy and Offensive Flow

There are many leaders on the team, one noteworthy to highlight is three year G Leauge veteran, Phillip Wheeler. As soon as Phillip entered the game, he didn’t budge from being the defensive anchor the Legends brought him on to be. His ability to read opposing offenses, communicate effectively on the floor, and create a solid defensive structure helped the Legends contain the Spurs' offensive schemes.

In the second quarter, he meticulously timed the positioning of each guard to ensure they were properly defended. On defense, he cleared the paint by blocking shots and staying tight on the guards, which forced the Spurs to waste valuable time on the shot clock. He consistently guarded Spurs guard David Duke, preventing both passes and shot attempts. Throughout the game, he leveraged his defensive positioning by backing Duke into the paint and then pivoting for a smooth, two-point shot. This tactic was mirrored by Jamarion Sharp, a rookie center quickly adapting to the qualities required in his position. Known for his height and reach, Sharp used his physical presence to set strong screens and create openings for others. His tenacity in securing the ball and swiftly transitioning to offense demonstrated his understanding of a center's role in anchoring both ends of the court. Throughout the game, he took advantage of hook shots and layups, often finishing strong after multiple assists to him. Both Wheeler and Sharp are instrumental in their defensive coordination and offensive momentum which are both vital for this season at the Legends.

Playmaking and Off-Ball Movement

Now, if you’re reading this, you probably know that the league is a high paced industry. Naturally, fresh players need some time to get adjusted to the new environment. But by the looks of it, Legends rookies Jazian Gortman and Emanuel Miller seem to be doing just fine! Both of these guys show signs of maturity and adaptability in their transition by inhibiting skills to read the court and re-direct to fill the gaps. As the third quarter unfolded, Gortman emerged as a standout with his endurance and court awareness. His comfort with ball-handling allowed him to control the tempo of the game, drawing defenders to him and creating opportunities for his teammates. In one standout moment, Gortman dribbled down the floor, executed a nifty move to shake off his defender, and dished the ball to Emanuel Miller, who was wide open on the wing for a clean shot. Gortman’s playmaking was not just about making the right pass but knowing when to attract defenders and create space for others.

This understanding of when to attack and when to distribute the ball will be a key asset for Gortman as he continues to evolve from a ball-handler into a primary facilitator. The Legends have only had one game so far, and Gortman is already adapting very well to maintaining the pace of the game while carrying through with precision. 

Throughout the four quarters, Emanuel Miller, has also wonderfully positioned himself to steadily stay open, giving the Legends more leeway to accumulate points. Miller's consistent off-ball movement kept the offense fluid and helped him capitalize on Gortman’s assist for a well-timed three-pointer. This kind of court awareness is a sign of his growing basketball IQ and maturity. It also builds the thrill for fans, seeing the ball passed to an open shooter and the crowd erupt when the shot hits the mark. That's the energy we can all anticipate and appreciate from the Legends this season!

Strong Foresight

It would be remiss to not spotlight the Legends skillful forward, Kessler Edwards. Bringing some serious NBA experience to the Legends which was apparent during the preseason game. Time and time again on shot attempts, he posted up in the paint to secure crucial rebounds and denying any opponents second chance opportunities. It was intriguing to watch his quickness in readjusting his positioning during ball movement. Predominantly in the third quarter, Edwards was preserving the paint against the Spurs guards to keep pressure on their offense and disrupt any transitions in their ball movement. While watching the game, you notice Kessler’s well-trained foresight in preventing field goal attempts. His constant safeguarding of the opposing forward creates a ripple effect of perplexity, resulting in the Spurs not finding the proper alignment to shoot.

Veteran guards like Edwards, along with newly added players such as Babatunde Akingbola, Jordan Henderson, Teafale Lenard, and Warith Alatishe, to name just a few, can create synergy amongst eachother by adapting to the patterns of their opponents and quickly pivoting cohesively.

A Fresh Start

As the Texas Legends wrapped up their first preseason game, it was compelling to see a set of fresh faces and to see their charisma on the court. The way the veterans embrace their roles as mentors, while balancing the high energy and potential of the rookies, is a recipe for greatness. At Unbound Voices, we’re eager to continue following this team’s journey, documenting how they evolve and how the chemistry between rookies and veterans develop. It's clear that this season will be one of growth, learning, and ultimately, success and we can’t wait to watch it unfold. See you at the next game!