Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Grand Rapids Drive’s 2017–18 season was powered by one of the most dynamic offenses in the NBA G League and a roster that featured several players on the verge of NBA opportunities. Guard Dwight Buycks enjoyed a standout campaign, earning All-NBA G League recognition while serving as the team’s primary offensive catalyst. The Drive also received significant production from Luis Montero and Landry Nnoko, while Detroit Pistons assignments and affiliate players regularly altered the rotation. Grand Rapids remained firmly in the playoff race throughout the season and advanced to the postseason behind its ability to score in bunches and generate offense from multiple sources. Although the Drive fell short of a championship, the season continued the franchise’s run as one of the Eastern Conference’s most competitive teams and further strengthened its reputation for helping players earn opportunities at higher levels.

Roster

NO. PLAYER NAME POS HT WT DATE OF BIRTH COLLEGE
0 Zeke Upshaw GF 6-6 215 lb May 27, 1991 Hofstra
2 Kay Felder PG 5-9 176 lb March 29, 1995 Oakland
3 Bronson Koenig G 6-3 194 lb November 13, 1994 Wisconsin
4 Kenneth Smith G 6-3 180 lb January 28, 1993 Louisiana Tech
6 Chris Anderson F 6-6 220 lb August 16, 1992 Louisiana Tech
6 Marcus Simmons G 6-6 220 lb January 28, 1988 USC
7 Reggie Hearn G 6-5 210 lb August 14, 1991 Northwestern
8 Henry Ellenson PF 6-10 240 lb January 13, 1997 Marquette
11 Malcolm Bernard GF 6-5 205 lb January 31, 1994 Xavier
11 KJ McDaniels GF 6-6 205 lb February 9, 1993 Clemson
13 Marcus Thornton SG 6-4 205 lb June 5, 1987 LSU
20 Dwight Buycks G 6-3 190 lb March 6, 1989 Marquette
22 Jon Horford PF 6-10 245 lb October 16, 1991 Florida
25 Zeke Marshall C 7-0 235 lb December 13, 1990 Akron
30 Jamel Morris G 6-4 200 lb November 14, 1992 Fairmont State
33 Derek Willis PF 6-9 230 lb June 21, 1995 Kentucky
35 Landry Nnoko FC 6-10 250 lb April 9, 1994 Clemson
44 Luis Montero SF 6-7 185 lb April 6, 1993 Westchester Community College
— Luke Kennard SG 6-5 206 lb June 24, 1996 Duke
— Brice Johnson PF 6-10 230 lb June 27, 1994 North Carolina
— Nnanna Egwu C 6-11 250 lb October 22, 1992 Illinois
— Wesley Da Silva F 6-6 195 lb May 2, 1996 Mogi Guaçu
— Bruce Massey G 6-3 195 lb September 2, 1990 Middle Tennessee State

Regular Season Per Game

PLAYER POS AGE GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Landry Nnoko C 23 49 49 32.5 14.7 11.5 2.1 0.7 2.0 2.6 9.7 5.6 .579 0.0 0.0 .000 4.8 3.6 .744
Jamel Morris G 25 50 39 24.9 12.7 2.8 1.9 0.8 0.1 1.8 11.4 4.7 .411 4.6 1.8 .394 1.9 1.6 .813
Derek Willis F 22 43 38 28.1 11.8 6.8 0.8 1.1 0.7 1.2 9.7 4.6 .469 4.7 1.8 .376 1.1 0.9 .816
KJ McDaniels GF 24 31 0 27.4 16.2 7.0 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.6 12.6 6.2 .487 4.0 1.2 .309 3.5 2.7 .761
Bronson Koenig G 22 47 14 21.2 9.8 1.9 1.3 0.6 0.1 1.3 8.5 3.6 .421 5.3 2.1 .403 0.6 0.5 .800
Kenneth Smith G 25 49 24 28.4 8.0 4.1 7.7 1.5 0.1 2.7 6.8 2.7 .402 2.6 0.7 .271 2.4 1.8 .759
Zeke Upshaw GF 26 41 5 19.8 8.5 2.3 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.8 6.9 2.9 .417 5.4 2.2 .412 0.6 0.5 .880
Marcus Thornton G 30 15 2 24.6 18.9 2.9 1.3 1.5 0.0 1.8 14.5 7.3 .500 6.8 2.7 .392 2.0 1.7 .833
Kay Felder PG 22 17 16 29.5 16.6 3.8 5.9 1.8 0.5 3.6 15.0 6.1 .404 4.1 1.2 .300 3.5 3.3 .949
Dwight Buycks G 28 10 10 35.6 22.1 4.3 3.8 0.9 0.1 3.0 19.1 8.3 .435 5.6 2.0 .357 4.4 3.5 .795
Luis Montero GF 24 14 14 34.7 14.2 7.0 3.3 1.6 0.8 2.5 12.0 4.5 .375 4.4 1.4 .323 4.9 3.8 .779
Reggie Hearn GF 26 12 11 34.7 14.8 5.2 1.7 0.8 0.2 1.3 13.0 5.4 .417 6.2 2.2 .351 2.0 1.8 .917
Jon Horford PF 25 34 6 18.0 4.4 6.7 1.2 0.4 0.5 1.1 3.4 1.8 .521 0.5 0.1 .167 1.0 0.7 .706
Marcus Simmons G 29 25 16 19.1 4.8 2.2 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.6 3.8 1.6 .417 1.1 0.5 .444 1.4 1.1 .750
Zeke Marshall C 26 15 0 10.2 4.9 2.1 0.1 0.3 0.7 1.1 2.7 1.7 .610 0.0 0.0 1.9 1.5 .793
Henry Ellenson PF 20 2 2 41.5 29.5 9.5 1.0 0.5 0.5 4.0 19.0 8.0 .421 9.0 3.5 .389 12.5 10.0 .800
Malcolm Bernard GF 24 17 2 15.8 3.0 3.2 0.6 0.9 0.1 1.2 4.2 1.2 .278 1.4 0.3 .217 0.5 0.4 .667
Luke Kennard SG 21 1 1 40.0 26.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 0.0 2.0 13.0 7.0 .538 4.0 2.0 .500 11.0 10.0 .909
Chris Anderson F 25 11 0 10.2 2.0 2.2 0.5 0.4 0.7 0.8 2.2 1.0 .458 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 .000
Brice Johnson PF 23 1 1 32.0 16.0 16.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 12.0 6.0 .500 3.0 0.0 .000 7.0 4.0 .571
Wesley Da Silva F 22 3 0 9.7 1.7 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 1.0 2.3 0.7 .286 1.3 0.3 .250 0.0 0.0
Nnanna Egwu C 25 1 0 4.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.0 .500 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Bruce Massey G 27 1 0 7.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Playoff Per Game

PLAYER POS AGE GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Kay Felder PG 22 1 1 33.0 24.0 8.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 17.0 9.0 .529 4.0 1.0 .250 5.0 5.0 1.000
Landry Nnoko C 23 1 1 36.0 18.0 9.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 11.0 7.0 .636 0.0 0.0 6.0 4.0 .667
Bronson Koenig G 22 1 0 22.0 11.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 11.0 5.0 .455 5.0 1.0 .200 0.0 0.0
Jamel Morris G 25 1 1 23.0 8.0 0.0 5.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 8.0 3.0 .375 4.0 2.0 .500 0.0 0.0
Derek Willis F 22 1 1 27.0 8.0 7.0 3.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 8.0 3.0 .375 5.0 2.0 .400 0.0 0.0
Reggie Hearn GF 26 1 1 36.0 7.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 7.0 2.0 .286 5.0 2.0 .400 1.0 1.0 1.000
KJ McDaniels GF 24 1 0 25.0 7.0 6.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 3.0 15.0 3.0 .200 6.0 1.0 .167 0.0 0.0
Kenneth Smith G 25 1 0 15.0 3.0 1.0 4.0 3.0 0.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 .500 1.0 0.0 .000 2.0 1.0 .500
Jon Horford PF 25 1 0 12.0 2.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.0 .500 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Marcus Simmons G 29 1 0 11.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Regular Season Totals

PLAYER POS AGE GP GS MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Landry Nnoko — — 49 49 1594 722 565 101 33 100 127 473 274 .579 2 0 .000 234 174 .744
Jamel Morris — — 50 39 1245 637 138 96 40 3 88 569 234 .411 231 91 .394 96 78 .813
Derek Willis — — 43 38 1207 508 293 35 46 30 50 418 196 .469 202 76 .376 49 40 .816
KJ McDaniels — — 31 0 850 503 218 32 37 41 50 392 191 .487 123 38 .309 109 83 .761
Bronson Koenig — — 47 14 995 460 90 60 26 3 61 399 168 .421 248 100 .403 30 24 .800
Kenneth Smith — — 49 24 1391 391 199 378 75 4 132 333 134 .402 129 35 .271 116 88 .759
Zeke Upshaw — — 41 5 812 349 96 29 24 0 31 283 118 .417 221 91 .412 25 22 .880
Kay Felder — — 17 16 501 283 65 101 30 8 61 255 103 .404 70 21 .300 59 56 .949
Marcus Thornton — — 15 2 369 283 44 19 23 0 27 218 109 .500 102 40 .392 30 25 .833
Dwight Buycks — — 10 10 356 221 43 38 9 1 30 191 83 .435 56 20 .357 44 35 .795
Luis Montero — — 14 14 486 199 98 46 23 11 35 168 63 .375 62 20 .323 68 53 .779
Reggie Hearn — — 12 11 416 178 62 20 9 2 15 156 65 .417 74 26 .351 24 22 .917
Jon Horford — — 34 6 611 149 228 42 15 18 36 117 61 .521 18 3 .167 34 24 .706
Marcus Simmons — — 25 16 478 119 55 13 17 4 16 96 40 .417 27 12 .444 36 27 .750
Zeke Marshall — — 15 0 153 73 32 2 5 10 17 41 25 .610 0 0 29 23 .793
Henry Ellenson — — 2 2 83 59 19 2 1 1 8 38 16 .421 18 7 .389 25 20 .800
Malcolm Bernard — — 17 2 268 51 54 10 16 2 20 72 20 .278 23 5 .217 9 6 .667
Luke Kennard — — 1 1 40 26 4 3 4 0 2 13 7 .538 4 2 .500 11 10 .909
Chris Anderson — — 11 0 112 22 24 5 4 8 9 24 11 .458 0 0 1 0 .000
Brice Johnson — — 1 1 32 16 16 1 0 0 3 12 6 .500 3 0 .000 7 4 .571
Wesley Da Silva — — 3 0 29 5 3 1 1 0 3 7 2 .286 4 1 .250 0 0
Nnanna Egwu — — 1 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 .500 0 0 0 0
Bruce Massey — — 1 0 7 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 0 0

Playoff Totals

PLAYER POS AGE GP GS MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Kay Felder — — 1 1 33 24 8 4 0 0 3 17 9 .529 4 1 .250 5 5 1.000
Landry Nnoko — — 1 1 36 18 9 1 1 1 2 11 7 .636 0 0 6 4 .667
Bronson Koenig — — 1 0 22 11 2 1 0 0 0 11 5 .455 5 1 .200 0 0
Jamel Morris — — 1 1 23 8 0 5 1 0 1 8 3 .375 4 2 .500 0 0
Derek Willis — — 1 1 27 8 7 3 1 2 2 8 3 .375 5 2 .400 0 0
Reggie Hearn — — 1 1 36 7 1 1 0 0 4 7 2 .286 5 2 .400 1 1 1.000
KJ McDaniels — — 1 0 25 7 6 0 1 0 3 15 3 .200 6 1 .167 0 0
Kenneth Smith — — 1 0 15 3 1 4 3 0 2 2 1 .500 1 0 .000 2 1 .500
Jon Horford — — 1 0 12 2 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .500 0 0 0 0
Marcus Simmons — — 1 0 11 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 0 0

Regular Season

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Henry Ellenson Primary Stretch Big (1.1) 41.5 High 29.5 9.5 1.0 1.0 103.32 As a young stretch big, Ellenson was given a huge developmental runway with Grand Rapids, operating as a pick-and-pop threat while also attacking seams and occasionally working from the post. His two-game sample was explosive, but it was still a short assignment; his G League opportunity was specifically intended to get him meaningful reps after limited NBA minutes. Detroit Bad Boys
Luke Kennard Lead Shot Creator (1.1) 40.0 High 26.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 93.24 Kennard’s brief Grand Rapids appearance showcased a crafty handle and scoring instincts rather than a pure catch-and-shoot role. He repeatedly punished aggressive closeouts by driving into the lane and getting to his mid-range game, while his defensive questions remained part of his developmental profile. Detroit Bad Boys
Brice Johnson Interior Scoring Focal Point (1.05) 32.0 High 16.0 16.0 1.0 0.0 83.16 With only one documented appearance in this dataset, Johnson’s role should be read as a small-sample interior assignment: heavy frontcourt responsibility, offensive work around the paint and a strong rebounding presence. The limited sample makes broader conclusions inappropriate. The G League
Dwight Buycks Veteran Pick-and-Roll Engine (1.1) 35.6 High 22.1 4.3 3.8 1.0 82.37 Buycks functioned as an experienced lead guard rather than a developmental reserve, carrying substantial creation responsibility for the Drive before moving into Detroit’s NBA rotation. His two-way deal was viewed as point-guard insurance, reflecting the value placed on his ability to organize an offense and generate his own scoring. Detroit Bad Boys
Landry Nnoko Rim-Protecting Centerpiece (1.1) 32.5 High 14.7 11.5 2.1 2.7 75.02 Nnoko supplied the defensive backbone: a physical interior presence who controlled the glass, erased shots and allowed Grand Rapids to build its defense around the paint. His season ultimately earned G League Defensive Player of the Year recognition, fitting the way he anchored the Drive’s playoff-caliber defense. NBA Communications NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year (2018)
Kay Felder Franchise Floor General (1.05) 29.5 High 16.6 3.8 5.9 2.3 72.07 Felder operated as a compact, attack-minded point guard whose value came from putting pressure on the ball and creating opportunities for teammates. His importance grew during the Drive’s postseason appearance, where his playmaking and scoring helped keep Grand Rapids competitive in its one-game playoff exit. Detroit Bad Boys
KJ McDaniels Two-Way Slashing Wing (1.05) 27.4 High 16.2 7.0 1.0 2.5 67.28 McDaniels brought a recognizable two-way wing profile to Grand Rapids after joining the roster in December: athletic finishing, rebounding from the perimeter and disruptive defensive activity. His later invitation to Detroit’s G League Elite Mini-Camp reflected how his defensive reputation remained a significant part of his value. Detroit Bad Boys
Luis Montero Transition Wing Creator (1.05) 34.7 Medium 14.2 7.0 3.3 2.4 62.14 Montero was used as a rangy, do-it-all wing whose size allowed him to handle secondary creation duties while defending in space. His early Grand Rapids play stood out for perimeter defense and transition disruption, giving him the profile of a useful 3-and-D developmental piece rather than a one-dimensional scorer. Detroit Bad Boys
Marcus Thornton Veteran Shot-Making Guard (1.05) 24.6 High 18.9 2.9 1.3 1.5 61.99 Thornton provided veteran scoring punch, functioning primarily as a perimeter shot-maker who could shoulder offensive possessions without needing a large playmaking burden. His return to the G League environment gave Grand Rapids an experienced scorer capable of changing the pace of a second unit. The G League
Reggie Hearn Movement Shooter Wing (1.05) 34.7 Medium 14.8 5.2 1.7 1.0 52.44 Hearn’s role centered on spacing and quick-trigger perimeter shooting, with enough movement shooting to punish defensive help. His shooting was also his clearest NBA calling card, although the limited secondary creation made him more dependent on playing within the offense than the Drive’s primary creators. Detroit Bad Boys USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2018)
Kenneth Smith Franchise Floor General (1.05) 28.4 Medium 8.0 4.1 7.7 1.6 49.43 Smith was the classic table-setter, organizing the offense and prioritizing ball movement over scoring volume. His 2017-18 role with Grand Rapids was built around directing possessions and getting teammates into position, making him a stabilizing presence even when his own shooting was modest.
Derek Willis Stretch-Four Connector (1.05) 28.1 Medium 11.8 6.8 0.8 1.8 48.97 Willis combined frontcourt size with perimeter range and enough mobility to function as a modern stretch-four. He also delivered an immediate signature moment by winning Grand Rapids’ season opener with a game-winning tip-in, then settled into a substantial starting role as a first-year professional. Holland Sentinel USA World Cup Qualifying Team (2018)
Jamel Morris Secondary Offensive Creator (1.05) 24.9 High 12.7 2.8 1.9 0.9 46.12 Morris supplied left-handed perimeter scoring and secondary creation, with his outside shooting making him especially useful when defenses collapsed toward the Drive’s bigger offensive threats. His 39% three-point shooting helped earn him a Detroit Summer League opportunity despite coming from Division II. Sportando
Bronson Koenig Spot-Up Shooting Specialist (1.0) 21.2 Low 9.8 1.9 1.3 0.7 27.40 Koenig’s Grand Rapids role was built around perimeter spacing, particularly as a three-point specialist capable of stretching defenses without dominating the ball. His 40%-plus three-point accuracy made that shooting threat his clearest avenue to staying useful within the rotation. ABA League
Jon Horford Backup Interior Stabilizer (1.0) 18.0 Low 4.4 6.7 1.2 0.9 26.40 Horford provided veteran-size depth around the basket, giving Grand Rapids rebounding, physical interior defense and some passing from the frontcourt. His role was more about stabilizing second-unit lineups than generating offense, which suited a reserve big with limited perimeter shooting. Michigan Wolverines
Zeke Upshaw Defensive Utility Wing (1.05) 19.8 Low 8.5 2.3 0.7 0.6 25.41 Upshaw worked as a rangy swingman who could provide defensive energy and perimeter scoring without being the central offensive initiator. His final regular-season appearance was especially meaningful for the Drive, as his scoring helped secure the franchise’s first playoff berth before his season ended tragically. NBC Sports
Marcus Simmons Defensive Specialist Wing (1.0) 19.1 Low 4.8 2.2 0.5 0.9 16.80 Simmons’ value was rooted more in perimeter defense and positional discipline than offensive creation. He moved in and out of the rotation during the season, fitting the profile of a veteran defensive option used when Grand Rapids needed another capable wing stopper. RealGM
Zeke Marshall Rim-Rolling Reserve Center (1.0) 10.2 Low 4.9 2.1 0.1 1.0 16.20 Marshall’s limited minutes were centered on interior size, finishing around the rim and protecting the basket rather than spacing the floor. His December departure from the roster underscores how narrowly defined his reserve role was during the season. RealGM
Malcolm Bernard Defensive Development Wing (1.0) 15.8 Low 3.0 3.2 0.6 1.0 15.60 Bernard entered the season as a young draft pick valued for his physical wing frame and defensive versatility. Grand Rapids had selected him 13th overall in the G League draft, but his eventual role remained developmental rather than central to the offense. In Play! magazine
Chris Anderson Energy Frontcourt Reserve (1.0) 10.2 Low 2.0 2.2 0.5 1.1 11.60 Anderson was a low-minute energy big whose contribution came primarily through physical play, rebounding and activity around the basket. He was a returning Grand Rapids player entering the season, but his role narrowed before his contract was waived in December. RealGM
Wesley Da Silva Developmental Forward (1.0) 9.7 Low 1.7 1.0 0.3 0.3 6.60 Da Silva was a developmental frontcourt piece rather than a regular offensive option. He entered the organization through Grand Rapids’ 2017 G League draft and saw only a small role, making this more an evaluation sample than a sustained rotation assignment. OurSports Central
Nnanna Egwu Emergency Interior Reserve (1.0) 4.0 Low 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.00 Egwu’s one-game appearance represents an emergency interior rotation role rather than enough evidence for a broader evaluation. With only four minutes documented, the clearest conclusion is that he provided depth at the five in a tiny sample. The G League
Bruce Massey Deep-Rotation Ballhandler (1.0) 7.0 Low 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 2.00 Massey’s season was essentially a cameo, with his lone appearance limited to seven minutes. His one assist points to a connective ballhandling role, but the sample is far too small to support a stronger characterization. RealGM

Playoff

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Kay Felder Lead Shot-Creating Point Guard (1.1) 33.0 High (1.2) 24.0 8.0 4.0 0.0 90.72 Felder was the Drive’s primary downhill creator in the single-elimination opener, repeatedly putting pressure on the defense and carrying the late-game scoring load. His 33-minute stint made him the clear offensive focal point, though Toronto’s defense ultimately forced enough difficult possessions to erase Grand Rapids’ lead. Detroit Bad Boys
Landry Nnoko Defensive Anchor and Interior Finisher (1.1) 36.0 High (1.2) 18.0 9.0 1.0 2.0 79.20 Nnoko’s playoff role was built around controlling the paint at both ends. He paired efficient interior finishing with rim protection and rebounding, giving Grand Rapids a physical counter to Toronto’s frontcourt; his season-long defensive impact had already earned him G League Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defensive Team honors. Pianeta Basket NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year (2018); All-NBA G League Third Team (2018); NBA G League All-Defensive Team (2018)
Derek Willis Stretch-Four Rim Connector (1.05) 27.0 Medium (1.1) 8.0 7.0 3.0 3.0 48.51 Willis gave the frontcourt unusual versatility for a playoff game, spacing the floor while also contributing on the glass and protecting the rim. His two blocks and three assists fit a broader connector role rather than a pure scoring assignment, and his emergence as a first-year starter had been one of Grand Rapids’ useful developmental stories. Holland Sentinel
Jamel Morris Secondary Pick-and-Roll Creator (1.05) 23.0 Medium (1.1) 8.0 0.0 5.0 1.0 32.34 Morris operated as a secondary ballhandler rather than simply spotting up, using the playoff rotation to create chances for teammates when Felder was pressured. His five assists were the clearest sign of that responsibility, while his two made threes supplied needed perimeter balance. Sportando
KJ McDaniels Athletic Two-Way Wing Reserve (1.05) 25.0 Medium (1.1) 7.0 6.0 0.0 1.0 29.40 McDaniels brought the athletic defensive element off the bench, attacking the glass and creating pressure with his length and activity. The shot selection was aggressive in this elimination game, but the larger value of his role came from giving Grand Rapids another physical wing capable of defending multiple positions. Detroit Bad Boys
Bronson Koenig Perimeter Spacing Specialist (1.0) 22.0 Low (1.0) 11.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 28.00 Koenig’s playoff job was straightforward: provide perimeter gravity without monopolizing possessions. He came off the bench, knocked down a three and attacked selectively, fitting the shooting-oriented role that had defined his first professional season after Wisconsin. NDNSports
Kenneth Smith Defensive-Minded Backup Floor General (1.0) 15.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 1.0 4.0 3.0 22.00 Smith’s playoff minutes were geared toward settling possessions and supplying defensive activity behind Felder. The four assists and three steals show the intended balance: keep the offense organized, pressure the ball and avoid forcing a scoring role that belonged primarily to the starters.
Reggie Hearn Movement-Shooting Wing Starter (1.05) 36.0 Medium (1.1) 7.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 18.90 Hearn spent a team-high workload on the wing, functioning mainly as a floor-spacing outlet and off-ball scorer. His two made threes were valuable for maintaining spacing, but Toronto’s physical defense limited his offensive influence as Grand Rapids struggled to sustain its early advantage. USA Basketball USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2018)
Jon Horford Interior Screening and Rebounding Reserve (1.0) 12.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 10.00 Horford’s short playoff stint was centered on interior work: screens, physical rebounding and occupying space around the basket. He was not asked to create offense, instead providing a veteran frontcourt presence while Nnoko handled the bulk of the center workload. Michigan Wolverines
Marcus Simmons Perimeter Defensive Specialist (1.0) 11.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 4.00 Simmons was used strictly as a defensive wing in the brief playoff appearance, with his value coming from positional defense and physicality rather than shot creation. The small offensive workload reflects a specialist role in a game where Grand Rapids leaned heavily on its main creators.