LOUISVILLE, KY – DECEMBER 12: Timmy Bond Jr. #1 of the Jap Michigan Eagles dribbles the ball up the courtroom towards the Louisville Cardinals in the course of the first half at KFC YUM! Heart on December 12, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky, 5 questions with Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ Timmy Bond Jr.. (Picture by Dylan Buell/Getty Photos)
This week, I had the chance to speak to Rio Grand Valley Vipers guard Timmy Bond Jr. and ask him a couple of questions.
Bond grew up in Baltimore and attended Baltimore Metropolis School Excessive Faculty. He was only a 2-star prospect out of highschool together with his solely presents coming from mid-major packages. Bond dedicated to Jap Michigan in 2014 after additionally receiving presents from Richmond, Drexel, UMBC, and Jacksonville, amongst others.
5 questions with Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ Timmy Bond Jr.
The guard put up constant numbers on the offensive finish all through his collegiate profession. He averaged 9 factors, 4 rebounds, and three assists in his 4 years at Jap Michigan. However Bond actually shined on the defensive finish. Bond led the MAC in steals his sophomore and senior season. He completed his collegiate profession averaging 1.9 steals per sport and 0.9 blocks per sport.
Bond went undrafted and has performed throughout in his quest to achieve the NBA. He has performed for 4 G League groups – the Westchester Knicks, the Windy Metropolis Bulls, the Lakeland Magic, and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (the G League affiliate to the Houston Rockets). He even had a quick worldwide stint with the Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexico.
This 12 months with the Vipers, Bond has proven to be a solid addition off the bench. On Thursday night time, Bond helped the Vipers win the G League championship towards the Deleware Blue Coats.
Right here’s the interview with Timmy Bond Jr. (which was carried out earlier than the Vipers started their playoff run):
Q: What’s the wrestle of making an attempt to be picked up by a G League staff after which making an attempt to be acknowledged by an NBA staff for an opportunity to earn a 10-day contract? What has this course of seemed like for you over the course of your profession? What’s the most important problem you may have needed to overcome?
A: Incomes a 10-day is hard. You need to actually dedicate your self to maximizing your full potential. I’ve but to get an opportunity at a 10-day, however I do know the chance will come at some point. For me, I do know the issues I excel in on the courtroom so I attempt to exit and show that each likelihood I get. My greatest problem is getting a constant alternative to indicate what I can do on the ground. I’m a mid-major man within the G, so I usually can get neglected, however I management the issues I management and when my alternative presents itself, I deal with what must be accomplished.
Q: The Rio Grande Valley Vipers have locked up the highest spot within the Western Convention. How necessary is it for gamers to achieve playoff expertise or additional playoff expertise? Moreover, is there added strain since you guys are the favorites?
A: The playoffs are crucial. Having a primary spot undoubtedly offers us an extended relaxation than others, however different groups have probabilities to get their kinks out and get ready for us within the playoffs. Having playoff expertise within the G League, I understand how groups lock themselves in on all the things you do. So stuff you acquired within the common season may not be as straightforward within the playoffs. Us being the favorites of the playoffs, we all know we’ve a goal on our backs. Each time groups come to play towards us they arrive and play their greatest.
Q: This 12 months, there have been quite a lot of G League gamers who’ve had the chance to play within the NBA primarily because of COVID protocols. Consequently, it looks as if the G League is lastly beginning to get the popularity it deserves. Are followers sleeping on the G League and the extent of expertise it produces?
A: I don’t suppose followers are fully sleeping on the G League. However I do suppose we’d like recognition for certain. There are a variety of good gamers on this league and there are even guys within the NBA who’ve come by way of the G and are making statements on their groups.
Q: The NBA usually tries out new guidelines on the G League. Most notably, the free-throw line rule. Exterior of the ultimate two minutes of regulation (together with additional time), when a foul happens that ends in a participant taking pictures free throws, that participant will try one free throw for the entire attainable factors one may earn. The purpose of this rule is to hurry up the sport. Are you a fan of this rule?
A: Actually, I hate that rule, and that’s all I can say on that lol.
Q: Lastly, I need to speak about your sport. You pleasure your self on being an elite defensive participant. However we’ve additionally seen you run the offense and be a terrific facilitator, comparable to once you have been with the Westchester Knicks. What’s the strongest a part of your sport? Moreover, the NBA G League is a spot for growth. What a part of your sport do you need to enhance probably the most whilst you’re within the G League and the way would this ability show you how to on the NBA stage?
A: I’ll go away it as much as others to inform me if I’m defender. However that’s one thing I undoubtedly take pleasure in. When somebody is dribbling a ball in entrance of me it’s like this little voice in my head saying “he ain’t scoring on me”. Offensively, I really feel as if I’m facilitator. My numbers in Westchester undoubtedly proved that. In video games I acquired to begin in and play a variety of minutes often everybody on the staff would rating double digits and I’ll eat off the assists I give out. I all the time really feel as if I can enhance my taking pictures. That’s one thing I do on daily basis. I don’t go to the health club on my own and slide my ft for hours I’m going to the health club and make pictures for hours.
