Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons in the NBA
3/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 17, 2014
By Jenn Leser, WakeForestSports.com
Al-Farouq Aminu
In his third season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Aminu has been very productive at small forward, averaging 7.2 and 6.2 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. The fourth-year forward has played in 64 games for the Pelicans, starting 57, and has recorded four double-doubles this season. New Orleans currently sits in last place in the Southwest Division and 12th in the Western Conference, going 27-39 on the season. The Pelicans are 11.5 games out of the last playoff spot.
Dime Magazine - A Day in the Life of Aminu: His Game Day Routine
Tim Duncan
Despite being one of the oldest active players in the NBA, Duncan is showing few signs of aging as he has helped keep the San Antonio Spurs solidly among the top teams in the rugged Western Conference. The 17-year veteran has kept up his consistently strong numbers, averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and three assists through 61 games this season. Widely considered the best two-way big in the league, Duncan's stats indicate little drop-off in his performance as he looks to win his fifth NBA championship. Duncan and the Spurs have won 10 straight games and are 50-16 on the year. San Antonio has a two-game lead over Oklahoma City for the top spot in the West.
Pounding the Rock - Tim Duncan: Still Elite and Underappreciated
Josh Howard
Howard played in 24 games for the Austin Toros in the NBA D-League this season before being placed on the season-ending injured reserve list. Howard averaged nearly 15 points and six rebounds for the Toros in his attempt to return to the NBA after suffering a knee injury early in the 2012-13 season.
James Johnson
After signing with the Memphis Grizzlies in December on a rest-of-season contract, Johnson has been an efficient player, averaging 8.0 and 3.5 rebounds per game. The fourth-year forward has played in 40 games (two starts) for the eighth-place Grizzlies, who are 39-27 and holding a one-game lead over Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Chris Paul
The 2013 NBA All-Star Game MVP was selected to the 2014 game despite missing a large part of the season due to a shoulder injury. Paul returned to play on Feb. 9 and has been averaging 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 11.0 assists in 49 games this season. The ninth-year guard has led the Clippers on an 11-game winning streak, as L.A. in is third place in the Western Conference, just three games back of the Spurs for the top spot.
Ishmael Smith
In his first season with the Phoenix Suns, Smith has become a key role player, averaging 4.1 points and 2.6 assists in 54 games this season. The fourth-year guard has seen a surge in court time with injuries to Eric Bledsoe, who has not played since December. Smith and the Suns are 38-28 on the year and are one game back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Jeff Teague
The lone Demon Deacon in the Eastern Conference, Teague has helped Atlanta battle for a playoff spot. The fifth-year point guard, who has never missed the playoffs in his NBA career, is averaging 16 points and seven assists in 61 games this season. Atlanta is 29-35 and currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with a 3.5-game lead over the New York Knicks.
Ty Walker
Walker is averaging 5.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in his first season in the NBA D-League. Walker has split time between the Maine Red Claws and the Erie Bayhawks this season, playing 25 games for Maine and 11 for Erie in his second year as a pro.
