5 questions with Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ Timmy Bond Jr.

This week, I had the opportunity to talk to Rio Grand Valley Vipers guard Timmy Bond Jr. and ask him a few questions.

Bond grew up in Baltimore and attended Baltimore City College High School. He was just a 2-star prospect out of high school with his only offers coming from mid-major programs. Bond committed to Eastern Michigan in 2014 after also receiving offers from Richmond, Drexel, UMBC, and Jacksonville, among others.

5 questions with Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ Timmy Bond Jr.

The guard put up consistent numbers on the offensive end throughout his collegiate career. He averaged nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in his four years at Eastern Michigan. But Bond really shined on the defensive end. Bond led the MAC in steals his sophomore and senior season. He finished his collegiate career averaging 1.9 steals per game and 0.9 blocks per game.

Bond went undrafted and has played all over in his quest to reach the NBA. He has played for four G League teams – the Westchester Knicks, the Windy City Bulls, the Lakeland Magic, and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (the G League affiliate to the Houston Rockets). He even had a brief international stint with the Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexico.

This year with the Vipers, Bond has proven to be a solid addition off the bench. On Thursday night, Bond helped the Vipers win the G League championship against the Deleware Blue Coats.

Here’s the interview with Timmy Bond Jr. (which was conducted before the Vipers began their playoff run):

Q: What is the struggle of trying to be picked up by a G League team and then trying to be recognized by an NBA team for a chance to earn a 10-day contract? What has this process looked like for you over the course of your career? What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?

A: Earning a 10-day is tough. You have to really dedicate yourself to maximizing your full potential. I’ve yet to get a chance at a 10-day, but I know the opportunity will come one day. For me, I know the things I excel in on the court so I try to go out and prove that every chance I get. My biggest challenge is getting a consistent opportunity to show what I can do on the floor. I’m a mid-major guy in the G, so I often can get overlooked, but I control the things I control and when my opportunity presents itself, I take care of what needs to be done.

Q: The Rio Grande Valley Vipers have locked up the top spot in the Western Conference. How important is it for players to gain playoff experience or further playoff experience? Additionally, is there added pressure because you guys are the favorites?

A: The playoffs are very important. Having a number one spot definitely gives us a longer rest than others, but other teams have chances to get their kinks out and get prepared for us in the playoffs. Having playoff experience in the G League, I know how teams lock themselves in on everything you do. So things you got in the regular season might not be as easy in the playoffs. Us being the favorites of the playoffs, we know we have a target on our backs. Whenever teams come to play against us they come and play their best.

Q: This year, there have been a number of G League players who have had the opportunity to play in the NBA primarily due to COVID protocols. As a result, it seems like the G League is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. Are fans sleeping on the G League and the level of talent it produces?

A:  I don’t think fans are completely sleeping on the G League. But I do think we need recognition for sure. There are a lot of good players in this league and there are even guys in the NBA who have come through the G and are making statements on their teams.

Q: The NBA often tries out new rules on the G League. Most notably, the free-throw line rule. Outside of the final two minutes of regulation (including overtime), when a foul occurs that results in a player shooting free throws, that player will attempt one free throw for all of the possible points one could earn. The goal of this rule is to speed up the game. Are you a fan of this rule?

A: Honestly, I hate that rule, and that’s all I can say on that lol.

Q: Lastly, I want to talk about your game. You pride yourself on being an elite defensive player. But we have also seen you run the offense and be a great facilitator, such as when you were with the Westchester Knicks. What is the strongest part of your game? Additionally, the NBA G League is a place for development. What part of your game do you want to improve the most while you’re in the G League and how would this skill help you at the NBA level?

A: I’ll leave it up to others to tell me if I am a good defender. But that is something I definitely take pride in. When someone is dribbling a ball in front of me it’s like this little voice in my head saying “he ain’t scoring on me”. Offensively, I feel as though I am a good facilitator. My numbers in Westchester definitely proved that. In games I got to start in and play a lot of minutes usually everyone on the team would score double digits and I’ll eat off the assists I give out. I always feel as though I can improve my shooting. That’s something I do every day. I don’t go to the gym by myself and slide my feet for hours I go to the gym and make shots for hours.