Deacons in the NBA
12/31/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2010
By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com
Here is a player-by-player look at how the former Demon Deacons have performed in the last two weeks of the NBA season.
SF Al-Farouq Aminu, Los Angeles Clippers
Aminu has continued to flourish in his rookie season despite moving back into a reserve role in favor of Ryan Gomes this month. Aminu had played more than 20 minutes just once during December until a 22-minute showing on Dec. 26 in a 108-103 victory over Phoenix. His playing time increased even more over the Clippers' next two games, as he played 31 minutes in a thrilling, 100-99 win over Sacramento on Dec. 27 and 29 minutes in a 103-95 loss to the Jazz on Dec. 29. Aminu notched double figures in both of those games for the first time this month, scoring 11 and 13 points, respectively. While his 3-point shooting percentage has dipped slightly, he remains the leader among rookies and is sixth overall in the NBA with his 46.4 percent (32-of-69) mark. Los Angeles has won five of its last seven games and now stands at 10-23 on the year.
PF/C Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
The dominant center has continued chugging along through the last half of December. Overall, his minutes per game and numbers are down a bit from the start of the season, but Duncan has continued to deliver quality performances on the court. Including his double-double in San Antonio's 112-106 win over Memphis on Dec. 18, he has three in his last six games. His most important came in a critical 99-93 win over Dallas on Dec. 30 when he scored 17 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. The Spurs, in large part due to Duncan's superb play, went 13-2 in December with a perfect 11-0 record at home. The team still holds the NBA's best overall record with a 28-4 mark as the season nears its halfway point.
SF/SG Josh Howard, Washington Wizards
Howard made his long-awaited return from knee surgery on Dec. 18 against the Heat and made an immediate impact for Washington as he scored 13 points in the slim 95-94 defeat. In the six games that he has played since making his season debut, the eighth-year forward has scored in double figures four times and has played in over 20 minutes in every game. While he is not in the starting lineup, he has provided a spark for the Wizards' offense when coming off the bench, exactly the type of performance that the team expected to get when they traded for him in February. Even with Howard, though, the Wizards are just 8-22 on the season.
F James Johnson, Chicago Bulls
The second-year forward saw action in just his fourth game since the beginning of December in a 121-76 demolition of Philadelphia on Dec. 21. In 11 minutes on the court, Johnson racked up six points, two steals and two assists, a solid performance in his limited action. Dating back to Dec. 4, the Bulls have won 11 of their last 13 games, good for an overall record of 20-10. They currently hold first place by seven games over the Pacers in the Central Division.
PG Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
The dynamic point guard has been on a tremendous run throughout the second half of December. In his last seven games dating back to a 100-71 win over Utah on Dec. 17, Paul has had four double-doubles and has scored more than 20 points four times as well. His best game came in a 113-98 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 27 when he had 22 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and five steals in a terrific all-around performance. His 2.78 steals per game and 89 total steals remain atop their categories in the league, and he has also grabbed the lead in total assists with 313 so far this season. The ever-important assists per turnover stat continues to be a strong point for Paul as well, as he leads the league with a 4.01 ratio, down just slightly from two weeks ago. The Hornets are currently in third place in the powerful Southwest Division with a record of 18-14 despite losing four of their previous six games, including a heartbreaking 111-108 overtime loss to Detroit on Dec. 19.
PG Ishmael Smith, Houston Rockets
With Houston's top two point guards Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry back in action, Smith has moved back into a reserve role for the Rockets. Still one of the most surprising rookies this season, Ish has played in just one of the Rockets' last six games. In only four minutes of action against Memphis on Dec. 17, Smith had two points. Barring another injury to Brooks or Lowry, the undrafted Smith will probably remain a reserve option until further notice. The Rockets have been winners in five of their last six games to boost their overall record to 15-16.
PF/C Darius Songaila, Philadelphia 76ers
Songaila saw his first game action since mid-November in Philadelphia's 121-76 loss to Chicago on Dec. 21. His 10 minutes of playing time tied his season-high, and he contributed two points and a rebound in the losing effort. The 76ers are 13-19 this season, and surprisingly would be the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs if the season ended today.
PG Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks
While Teague has not yet cracked the starting lineup for Atlanta, he has continued turning in solid performances off the bench. He played 18 minutes in each game in back-to-back wins over Cleveland and Milwaukee on Dec. 22 and 27 and had seven points and four assists in both games. He also added five rebounds against the Cavaliers and two against the Bucks. The Hawks are just a half-game behind Orlando for second place in the Southeast Division with an overall record of 21-13.
C Chas McFarland, Springfield Armor (NBDL)
Since being elevated into the starting lineup on Dec. 17, McFarland has shined for the Armor, putting up double figures in all four games since then and adding a double-double in a 109-105 loss to Fort Wayne on Christmas Day. Through six games, the center is averaging 10 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
G L.D. Williams, Springfield Armor (NBDL)
Williams has been a mainstay in the Armor's starting lineup, getting the nod in 11 of their 13 games this season. He is averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and two assists per game. Williams came close to having a triple-double with eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a 117-112 loss to Maine on Dec. 17. Despite their wealth of talent, the Armor have a record of just 4-9 this season.
Deacons Playing in Other Professional Leagues
Randolph Childress - San Severo (Italy)
Taron Downey - Nantes (France)
Justin Gray - PAOK (Greece)
Jamaal Levy - Lanus (Argentina)
Tony Rutland - Morrow Disciples (UBA)
Cameron Stanley - Halifax Rainmen (Canada)
Trent Strickland - Antwerp (Belgium)
Kyle Visser - NY Phantoms (Germany)
David Weaver - Ilysiakos Athens (Greece)
Eric Williams - Pepsi Caserta (Italy)
