Can Josh Selby Regain His NBA Summer League Magic In His Upcoming D-League Stint?

Josh Selby has returned to the Reno Bighorns this week and will hope to draw from the well in which he sourced from during NBA Summer League this past offseason. Selby is no stranger to the D-League as he spent time with the Bighorns during his rookie year last season, Selby averaged 25.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 34.3 minutes. Over time Selby has proven that he can be a difference maker out on the court, but can he do it once again as the Grizzlies are clearly trying to see exactly what it is that Selby can provide them with?

I watched Selby in a game last season in which he finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 turnovers against the Idaho Stampede, it was Selby's third career game in the D-League. At the tail end of the game I leaned over and asked a scout sitting next to me at the media table what he thought about Selby? He rattled off a few areas that he thought Selby did particularly well in, but emphasized his lack of leadership and tendency to turnover the ball were his main detractors, and a bit worrisome.

I left the game actually impressed with what I saw, Selby changed pace quickly and seemed to have a knack for finding the open man in transition, all while being able to create his own shot when desired. I continued to follow his progress in the D-League after seeing him in Boise last year, which peaked when he notched a triple-double against the Stampede in Reno, just three games later. Selby went for 32 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals and just 2 turnovers. It would tie for his lowest turnover total during his 8-game stint last season.

As the 35th NBA player assigned to the NBA D-League this year, Selby will be looking to show that he is indeed an NBA caliber guard. His stats as a Bighorn last season reveal that Selby is capable of putting up impressive numbers in the D-League, and his play in which granted him co-MVP honors in Vegas added to the potential that perhaps the Grizzlies are anxiously awaiting to pounce on.

This time around for Selby, it will be crucial for him to show the Grizzlies front office what exactly he can provide them with in terms of his game. In Reno, Selby will surely be given the opportunity to do so, and his performance over the next couple of weeks will likely be an indicator on what Selby's future in Memphis will be.