(Rondo's averaging 8.9 AST this season/AP: K. Kmonicek)
Rajon Rondo (Celtics)-10.8 PTS, 8.9 AST, 2.6 STL
The Celtics aren’t playing tremendously well as of late; 2-3 in the last five games, but Rondo has kept up his All-Star playmaking abilities in Boston’s past three games. In a thrilling 107-105 victory over the Knicks, Rondo was one rebound shy of a triple-double. He had 14 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds on the night, a game in which fans saw Kevin Garnett drain a last second shot. Rondo’s assist totals are starting to creep back up to the 10+ range, accumulating 29 assists in the Celtic past three games. Compare that to only nine turnovers in those three games. That’s 3 assists per/turnover, one of the better assist-turnover ratios in the NBA. What’s important to note is that Rondo’s scoring outputs have been increasing as the season goes on. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers will likely have to ask Rondo to do that much more in games as the season rolls on because of his ability to get the basket. It should be easy points for Rondo in doing so, but his free throw percentage will never be that high to begin with, so a basket and free throws may not be too beneficial to the Celtics if Rondo’s the one taking the shots. Game of the week: 14 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB in thrilling last second win over the New York Knicks.
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Meeks (23) takes fall against Mavs/AP:Morry Gash)
Jodie Meeks (Bucks)-5.7 PTS, 0.3 AST, 29% 3P
Meeks is part of one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season, but hasn’t seen a ton of time as the Bucks have gone 3-1 in their last four games. He’s averaged 14.5 minutes in that span while getting a solid 23 minutes of play on Saturday in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Because of the inconsistent playing time he is getting, Meeks hasn’t really been able to find his rhythm in too many games. Meeks was trigger happy in a victory over the Bobcats, hoisting up 8 shots in just 14 minutes of play and making only two of those. At some points, he is a red-hot shooter from anywhere on the court. At other times, he’s a streaky as they come. More reps and looks during games should improve this feeling but with solid veterans playing in front of him, it may be difficult to find the consistency this season that may come later in his career. Game of the week: 8 PTS, 2 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL in a victory over Memphis.
Hayes (44) has done well in Yao's place/AP:P. Sullivan)
Chuck Hayes (Rockets)-6.4 PTS, 6.8 REB, 0.6 BLK
Hayes has been the beneficiary of tons of playing time due to the season-ending injury to starting center Yao Ming. Hayes has backed Yao up serviceably while teammates Carl Landry and Luis Scola carry more of the scoring load in Yao’s absence. Hayes’ role comes on the defensive side of the ball. He hustles, out-works opponents, and will never back down from one of the Western Conference’s best post players. The most interesting aspect of Hayes’ games is in the steals department. During a win at Minnesota, Hayes racked up four steals on the night in 33 minutes of action, the most he saw this week. He’s averaging 1.2 steals/game on the season, which is surprising for someone his size and position. Usually you find those kinds of numbers from smaller guards, but Hayes has utilized his size against opponents to make life difficult in any way he can. That comes via steals. Not much is going to change with Hayes’ role on the team with Yao being gone for the entire season. Expect steady production from Hayes at the center position for the Rockets. Game of the week: 11 PTS, 10 REB, 4 STL in victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Keith Bogans (Spurs)-4.5 PTS, 2.1 REB, 0.9 AST
Unlike Meeks, Bogans has been on one of the league’s biggest surprise teams this season in the NBA, not because the Spurs are winning but because they are losing. One of the decade’s most storied franchise, the Spurs have took a turn for the worst this season and their once, so called “dynasty” seems to be crumbling down in front of them. Tim Duncan is old, Manu Ginobili gets injured, and things aren’t rolling along as so many expected they’d be by this point in the season. Bogans still goes out and plays and has done well in replacement of veteran Bruce Bowen who was traded to the Bucks this off-season. He was outstanding in a reserve role during a loss to Utah this week when he grabbed 7 rebounds in 25 minutes of playing time. Those minutes are about as high as Bogans will see during the season. With players like Ginobili and Richard Jefferson playing a similar role, it’s tough to see Bogans garnering too many more minutes a game than 25. It that’s all he is to get, look for similar production throughout the season. Game of the week: 4 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST in loss to the Utah Jazz.
Nazr Mohammed (Bobcats)-6.2 PTS, 3.8 REB, 0.9 BLK
Mohammed has to be the most surprising former Wildcat to take the court this season. At what seemed to be the downturn of his career last season, Mohammed has stepped up nicely in his reserve role to starting center Tyson Chandler. The Bobcats stink, but Mohammed has made the best of his time in Charlotte this season by producing at levels unexpected by the 11th year veteran. Mohammed’s assets come at the defensive side, to go along with solid rebounding and shot-blocking. Another promising note for Mohammed is that he doesn’t try to do too much. As with many big-men in the NBA, turnovers can become a harsh reality on most nights. Mohammed, however, only has one in his last five games. He’ll tend to get around 12-15 minutes a night, so the chance at producing big numbers isn’t likely. However, his best game of the season came Sunday night when Mohammed stepped in nicely and racked up 18 points and 5 rebounds. He’ll continue to get minutes behind Chandler but don’t be surprised if Chandler hits the bench with the increased productivity of Mohammed. Game of the week: 18 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK in win over the Pacers.
Jamaal Magloire (Heat)-0.0 PTS, 1.0 REB
Magloire may be on the downturn of his career more so than Mohammed is. Since receiving his first minutes of the season last week, he got zero this week and didn’t accumulate any stats. So much for a veteran who had some solid seasons under his belt coming into this year because it doesn’t look like Magloire is, or will ever be in the Heat’s long-term plans. Expect much of the same throughout the season.
Randolph Morris (Hawks)-1.4 PTS, 0.8 REB, 0.2 BLK
Like many other former UK basketball players, some find themselves on the NBA’s most surprising teams this season. Morris, like Jodie Meeks, finds himself on one of the NBA’s most productive teams to this point. He doesn’t get a ton of time on the court with guys like Al Horford playing in front of him but still does what he can, when he can. Morris only got two minutes of playing time this week, so it would be hard for any player to find any consistency in their games with numbers like those. With the Hawks playing at an astronomical level, look for Morris to find the bench more the court this season. That’s the way it has been much of his career and to only think if he were to stay his senior season at UK to polish his game before entering the NBA draft.
Tayshaun Prince (Pistons)-injured
Kelenna Azubuike (Warriors)-injured
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