Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons in the NBA
1/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2011
By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com
Here is a player-by-player look at how the former Demon Deacons have performed in the NBA during the month of January.
SF Al-Farouq Aminu, Los Angeles Clippers
The rookie forward has enjoyed solid outings in every game this month, having played at least 10 minutes in all 12 of the Clippers' January games. Although he has scored more than 10 points just once (12 in a 105-91 victory over Golden State on Jan. 9), he has also been held scoreless in just a single game. Aminu has continued to become more physical on the court as well, picking up at least five rebounds in five different games this month. His 3-point percentage has dipped this month, yet he still stands third among league rookies by hitting 38.3 percent (36-of-94) of his long-range shots. Just past the halfway point of the season, Los Angeles holds a 17-28 record and is sitting in fourth place in the Pacific Division.
PF/C Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
The 13-year veteran has continued to pace the Spurs as they fight to hold onto the NBA's best record. In 14 January games, he has been held to less than 10 points just three times and has four double-doubles which all came in victories. Duncan fell just shy of his second triple-double of the season in a 101-92 victory over the Knicks on Jan. 21, when he recorded 21 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. All of San Antonio's losses this season have been against teams that appear well on their way toward earning playoff bids. The Spurs still hold the best record in basketball at 39-7 and remain on pace for 70 wins on the season.
SF/SG Josh Howard, Washington Wizards
Howard looked great after making his return to the court in mid-December but lingering issues with his knee have limited him to just one game in January, a 109-97 loss at Philadelphia in which he was held scoreless in just 12 minutes of action. Howard showed his potential by scoring 10 or more points in four of his first five games back, and he should certainly return to that level when his knee is full healthy. The Wizards (13-31) are in fifth place in the Southeast Division.
F James Johnson, Chicago Bulls
Behind former Duke forward Carlos Boozer, Johnson has seen action in just one game during the month of January. He played three minutes in a 111-91 win over Toronto on Jan. 4 but did not record any points or rebounds. His lack of playing time has nothing to do with his own talent; Chicago simply views Boozer as a more established force at the position after giving him a maximum deal in last offseason's free agency period. Johnson has been reliable this season when called upon by the Bulls, who are 4-2 in games when he has played more than 10 minutes. Despite this, he was assigned to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League on Jan. 27. Chicago (31-14) holds the largest division lead in the NBA, 13 games over the Bucks, in the Central Division.
PG Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
As expected, Paul has forced his way into the MVP discussion thanks to his role in the Hornets' success over the past month. New Orleans is 12-2 in January and is currently riding a 10-game winning streak that includes a 96-72 blowout of the NBA-best Spurs. The sixth-year point guard has been phenomenal, posting six double-doubles and being held to fewer than 10 points just once. He had a month-high 17 assists in a 112-103 win over Golden State on Jan. 26 and has notched 24 points twice, on Jan. 5 and again on Jan. 24. For the month, Paul is averaging just under 16 points per game with 9.5 assists. He remains first in the NBA in both total steals (123) and assists (457) and is second in the league with 4.19 assists per turnover. New Orleans is 31-16 overall and is second in the Southwest Division behind the Spurs. The Hornet sit third overall in the Western Conference.
PG Ishmael Smith, Houston Rockets
The undrafted rookie was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League on Jan. 17. In four games with the team, Smith scored more than 10 points three times and enjoyed a double-double on Jan. 22 with 11 points and 10 assists. The Vipers were undefeated during his brief tenure, and Smith was called back up to the Rockets' roster on Jan. 24. He grabbed one rebound in a very brief appearance on Jan. 26, a 96-83 victory over the Clippers and former Deacon teammate Aminu.
PF/C Darius Songaila, Philadelphia 76ers
Songaila has not received any playing time since Dec. 21. He continues to provide depth for the 76ers at the forward position behind Elton Brand and would be an option at center if starter Spencer Hawes were to suffer an injury. Philadelphia has been a surprise to many this season with an overall record of 20-25. They are third in the Atlantic Division and would be the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs if the season ended today.
PG Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks
Teague's playing time has diminished a bit this month. as Mike Bibby remains the Hawks' preferred option at point guard. On Jan. 2 against the Clippers, the second-year guard was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor and had six points in nine minutes of action. He also had a month-high four assists in a 98-90 defeat in Milwaukee on Jan. 26. Atlanta remains well within the mix in the Southeast Division, trailing the Heat by just three games despite being in third place.
C Chas McFarland, Springfield Armor (NBDL)
McFarland has started every game for the Armor since Dec. 17 and has provided a great inside force for the team. He has had three double-doubles this month and his field goal percentage of 50.4 percent (67-of-133) is the second-best on the team. Springfield has won four of its last five games and is 9-16 overall.
G L.D. Williams, Springfield Armor (NBDL)
Williams has played consistently for Springfield all season, averaging 10.8 points per game while adding 3.7 rebounds. On Jan. 2, Williams had a season-high 21 points despite the 102-89 losing effort against the Erie BayHawks. He has put up double figures in five of his nine appearances this month. Williams also captured the NBDL Slam Dunk title on Jan. 12. For his signature dunk, he covered his eyes with his arm as he made his jump and slammed the ball, giving him the final round victory over the Dakota Wizards' Chris Johnson.
Deacons Playing in Other Professional Leagues
Randolph Childress - San Severo (Italy)
Taron Downey - Nantes (France)
Chris Ellis - Duesseldorf (Germany)
Justin Gray - PAOK (Greece)
Jamaal Levy - Lanus (Argentina)
Trent Strickland - Antwerp (Belgium)
Kyle Visser - NY Phantoms (Germany)
David Weaver - Ilysiakos Athens (Greece)
Eric Williams - Pepsi Caserta (Italy)
