Naji Marshall is in the NBA and playing

[whopper]

It is so confusing these days but I was surprised to see him playing as boredom gave me desire to look at rosters. I notice Trent forrest from our FSU loss is on roster along with Mann and Kalenbege on Clippers so sad to say the FSU talent was better than was presented in 2018. Naj was highly skilled all around player and I wish him well (although I know about all the intrigue of the last 2 years with the
"core four"

[XU 87]

Naji played three minutes on Friday and had an assist and a rebound. No points as of yet. But hey, he's on an NBA roster making an NBA salary.

[xukeith]

Naji played three minutes on Friday and had an assist and a rebound. No points as of yet. But hey, he's on an NBA roster making an NBA salary.

I think of all the X talent over the past 8-10 years, Naji had the best athletic long frame to smother others on defense and clearly shoot over defensive guards. Not as good a threat than most players but had a Kevin Durant-ish frame.

[Xavier]

I was shocked at how poorly he could dribble. I could see him sticking in the NBA. Better coaching and more time to dedicate to improving. He certainly has the athleticism and length.

[Xville]

Agreed with a lot on here. He has the body, measurables, and the athleticism to stick, especially if he commits on the defensive side every time he gets run. Two things he should be working on 24/7 (which I am sure he is) are shooting and ballhandling. Even if he can become average in both of those from an NBA standpoint, he will stick.

[Mrs. Garrett]

I think he's on a 2 way deal, which limits the number of NBA games he can play this year. I know some G League teams aren't playing this year, which means the 2 way players can be with the NBA club all year and at least practice with the team when they aren't active.

[GIMMFD]

Slightly off topic, but with the Pacers decimated by a lot of injuries and what not Edmond Sumner had been starting/playing good minutes for them recently, his stats obviously aren't eye-popping but nice to see some X guys getting a good shake in the NBA.

[Xville]

Slightly off topic, but with the Pacers decimated by a lot of injuries and what not Edmond Sumner had been starting/playing good minutes for them recently, his stats obviously aren't eye-popping but nice to see some X guys getting a good shake in the NBA.

Good call..for some reason, I forget about him quite a bit. Pacers are just never on tv so I guess that’s partly why

[Lloyd Braun]

Watched Ed last night against the clippers. Partially to see Ed play and partially to see the Clippers cover the spread. I almost posted in the degenerate gambler thread, but the browns.

[XU 87]

I was shocked at how poorly he could dribble. I could see him sticking in the NBA. Better coaching and more time to dedicate to improving. He certainly has the athleticism and length.

He certainly has the athleticism and length. He just lacks a bit in some overall basketball skills- shooting and dribbling (which are kinda important).

[Masterofreality]

Naji Marshall saved this program from having a total disaster of a record last year with his heroics.

[Xavier]

Weren’t you mad at Steele for not benching him? (and Godwin?) because he wouldn’t run the plays and offense coach wanted?

[Masterofreality]

Weren’t you mad at Steele for not benching him? (and Godwin?) because he wouldn’t run the plays and offense coach wanted?

Nope. Find where I ever said that.
I was always on Steele’s ass for misusing and underutilizing the talent he had- which he plenty of.

[XUOWNSUC]

Naji played 3 minutes again last night. He was 0-1 (missed a 3-pointer). He had no other stats.

[Muskie]

Glad it is working out for Naji. I thought he was seriously overhyped but still a good basketball player. If he can make money playing the game he loves, good on him. I wish him nothing but the best.

[Xavier]

Nope. Find where I ever said that.
I was always on Steele’s ass for misusing and underutilizing the talent he had- which he plenty of.

Fair enough- I thought you were mad at Steele because he let players take over and do what they wanted without disciplining (benching) them. Must have been someone else, there were plenty of haters the last few years (myself included).

[XUOWNSUC]

Naji played 2 minutes and scored 1 point last night (his first in the NBA).

[XMuskieFTW]

Generally two way players salary is based on time with the G league team and time with the NBA team. For 2020-2021, these players can spend a max of 50 of the 72 games with the NBA team before their contract is converted to an NBA deal. The nice thing for these guys is instead of having a variable two way contract that can range from $77k to $385k a year, these deals are a fixed salary of $449k for just this year. Excellent gig for two-way players this year.

[Masterofreality]

I actually think Naji has the game and the tools to develop into a really good NBA player.
Maybe not as a starter, but definitely a rotation guy. He's got the size, athleticism and tough mindset. So tough he probably clashed with Steele over the last two years. NBA coaches don't put up with that iish though. (See Kevin Porter, Cavs trade)

[MHettel]

Did I read somewhere that NBA rosters were set at 15 this year, up from 13. Obviously a short term change to address Covid roster issues.

I imagine Naji is a beneficiary of that. SOMETHING good, finally.

[Masterofreality]

Did I read somewhere that NBA rosters were set at 15 this year, up from 13. Obviously a short term change to address Covid roster issues.

I imagine Naji is a beneficiary of that. SOMETHING good, finally.
The full roster has always been 15, but it has included 2 players with 2 way contracts.
Naji is on a two way contract.

[Lloyd Braun]

The active roster sizes have increased this year to 15 from 13, which does not include the 2 way contracts. This is mostly due to making sure there are enough players in case of multiple covid cases, but also because there are supposedly less G league teams playing.

I also think comparing Naji’s attitude to Kevin Porter Jr’s is a ridiculous insult to Naji. KPJ has had a slew of attitude and legal issues everywhere he goes.

[Masterofreality]

The active roster sizes have increased this year to 15 from 13, which does not include the 2 way contracts. This is mostly due to making sure there are enough players in case of multiple covid cases, but also because there are supposedly less G league teams playing.

I also think comparing Naji’s attitude to Kevin Porter Jr’s is a ridiculous insult to Naji. KPJ has had a slew of attitude and legal issues everywhere he goes.

I didn’t “compare” anything. Just used Porter as an example that NBA coaches don’t put up with any locker room trash. You either gone or traded but nice attempted subtweet Lloyd. How’s all of your Covid pontificating going?

By the way:
Beginning in the 2017 offseason, NBA total rosters expanded from 15 to 17 players with the addition of two spots for players under “Two-Way Contracts.” For the 2020-21 season, NBA teams may now have up to 15 active players for a game. The number used to be 13. The only change is adding two more active guys on the bench from 13.

[Lloyd Braun]

I didn’t “compare” anything. Just used Porter as an example that NBA coaches don’t put up with any locker room trash. You either gone or traded but nice attempted subtweet Lloyd. How’s all of your Covid pontificating going?

By the way:
Beginning in the 2017 offseason, NBA total rosters expanded from 15 to 17 players with the addition of two spots for players under “Two-Way Contracts.” For the 2020-21 season, NBA teams may now have up to 15 active players for a game. The number used to be 13. The only change is adding two more active guys on the bench from 13.

Easy there cranky pants... you used the KPJ situation immediately after referencing Naji’s toughness and clashing with Steele. That indirectly links Naji’s attitude to KPJ’s, as if Steele would not have dismissed KPJ because he didn’t dismiss Naji. If you didn’t intend that, then it was poorly worded.

[paulxu]

Since he and Sumner appear to be the only 2 X men in the NBA, thought about bringing one of his threads back.

Nice showing last night: 35 minutes, 21 Points. +2 when he was in.
They lost, and his sub was -17.
Pelicans could use Zion back, but he sure seems injury prone.

[xu82]

Those Spartanburg kids are so delicate! :-)

[paulxu]

Guy could stand to shed a few pounds.

[xu82]

He went to my BIL’s for a pool party on prom night. His parents came by to be sure it was a “safe place” after he bailed on the first party he went to. Smart enough to know he needed to avoid trouble. Now, get in shape!

[JEHARDI]

Guy could stand to shed a few pounds.

He is in phenomenal shape this year.

[XUBison]

He is in phenomenal shape this year.

And he’s hurt and not playing, again. Hope he finds a way to stay on the floor. Such a shame otherwise.

[xukeith]

Encore for Marshall today. 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3-5 from 3 in a Pelicans win over Clippers. He also led the team in minutes played.

Let's give Naji a nice raise.

[Xville]

Awesome. Pelicans have a good young core plus McCollum that can make some noise this year if Zion can ever stay healthy. As in shape he may be, he still needs to lose weight. His upper body is putting way too much strain on his lower body.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Good to see Naji doing well in NBA.

[smileyy]

Looks like Naji has been getting starts for the surprisingly good Pels these days.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah they have a lot of injuries and he has been taking full advantage of his opportunity.

[Xville]

Naji against sumner and the nets tonight. Naji with 15 at half…. Pelicans are without Zion and Ingram and up 11 at half