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It seems like in recent years we've had scattered posts regarding some of our alumni, but this year I thought it would be a good idea to compile the stats in a more concerted fashion so we can monitor the progress our guys are making throughout the season. I've been in heaven tonight switching back and fourth between J-Lamb, Drummond, Kemba, and Ray thanks to the one week free trial NBA League Pass is offering. Here are some of my observations from toggling between games:
Kemba - He was the story of the night as far as UConn basketball is concerned. He went head to head with one of the best PG's in the NBA in Kyrie Irving and got the better of him, posting a line of 23 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He also shot 8 of 14 from the field, 3 of 6 from three, and limited Irving to 16 points on 7 of 17 from the field. He's one of the most exciting players in the league to watch and one of the hardest to guard. If he can become a better three point shooter he's going to be a 20+ ppg scorer in the league for a long time.
BG - Second straight DNP. There was speculation of a knee injury in a separate thread, but unfortunately I think this is due to a coaches decision, or at least that's the way it was listed in the box score.
Jeff - I've been saying for a while now that Jeff has the ability to carve out a niche in the NBA. In 5-10 minute pinches, the energy and toughness he provides - often against second stringers - is usually enough to overcome his height dis-advantage.
Rudy - It was another ghastly shooting night for Rudy. He shot just 6 of 23 from the field. I really hope the negative momentum he generated last season doesn't continue to carry into this season. He's way too talented to not produce more than he has been.
Caron - 2 of 8 from the field for 8 points and 6 rebounds in a winning effort versus Boston. He hit a clutch three down the stretch and knocked down a couple fourth quarter free throws. The guy is what he is at this point - I don't think he'll be the upper-echelon NBA player he was before the ACL tear, but as a role player who can defend, space the floor, and provide veteran leadership, there aren't many better options. Hopefully Milwaukee deals him - he'd be a great fit in a place like OKC.
J-Lamb - Jeremy poured in 16 tonight on 7 of 15 from the field to go along with 4 rebounds. Granted, over half of those points came in garbage time against Minnesota's bench, but it still has to be considered a step in the right direction for somebody with very limited reps at the NBA level. He really impressed me tonight with his ability to read defenses in pick and roll situations. On multiple occasions, he hit an OKC big man in a scoring position after receiving a screen. I just hope he continues to get minutes because the potential is hard to miss.
AD - Andre was a mixed bag tonight. One thing I found interesting was that he led the Pistons in minutes with 47 (game went into OT). Detroit's management of Andre's minutes was one of the biggest story lines from Pistons camp heading into the season - last season his per minute numbers were off the charts, but he only played about 21 minutes a night. It seems like through two games, with Andre averaging nearly 40 minutes a night, those questions have been answered. He obviously won't sustain his pace from a year ago with such a drastic uptick in playing time, but if he's playing 32-36 minutes a night, he will be a double/double candidate. As for his performance tonight, he grabbed 16 rebounds, scored 12 points, and also recorded 3 steals and 2 blocks. Those numbers are impressive on the surface, but he was also a -16, air balled a free throw, and seemed to be the source of some major log jams offensively down the stretch. On the bright side, the fact that the kid can grab a double double at only 20-years-old just by walking out of bed is a testament to just how immensely gifted he is. At the very least, I expect he'll be one of the best defensive players in the game and a Tyson Chandler prodigy, and at best...who knows.
Ray - 12 points on 4 of 6 from the field. He's become exceptionally efficient in his old age and I see no reason he can't play into his 40's with his remarkable conditioning and work ethic.
Charlie and Hash - DNP. Looks like they're in the "just trying to cling onto a roster spot" phase of their careers. Charlie, especially, resembles somebody on his way out of the league. I hope I'm wrong.
Feel free to add any comments here - I'll be posting periodic updates on the status of our alums for people who may not follow the NBA. I still feel connected to these guys years after they played their final game in a Husky uniform, and that's really the best compliment you can pay them. Even in just one Friday night following the NBA, it's impossible not to notice the impact Jim Calhoun has made on the league. You look at a guy like Josh Smith - somebody who took 10 3's today, despite registering as a 29% three point shooter for his career - and wonder what JC could have done with him.
Kemba - He was the story of the night as far as UConn basketball is concerned. He went head to head with one of the best PG's in the NBA in Kyrie Irving and got the better of him, posting a line of 23 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He also shot 8 of 14 from the field, 3 of 6 from three, and limited Irving to 16 points on 7 of 17 from the field. He's one of the most exciting players in the league to watch and one of the hardest to guard. If he can become a better three point shooter he's going to be a 20+ ppg scorer in the league for a long time.
BG - Second straight DNP. There was speculation of a knee injury in a separate thread, but unfortunately I think this is due to a coaches decision, or at least that's the way it was listed in the box score.
Jeff - I've been saying for a while now that Jeff has the ability to carve out a niche in the NBA. In 5-10 minute pinches, the energy and toughness he provides - often against second stringers - is usually enough to overcome his height dis-advantage.
Rudy - It was another ghastly shooting night for Rudy. He shot just 6 of 23 from the field. I really hope the negative momentum he generated last season doesn't continue to carry into this season. He's way too talented to not produce more than he has been.
Caron - 2 of 8 from the field for 8 points and 6 rebounds in a winning effort versus Boston. He hit a clutch three down the stretch and knocked down a couple fourth quarter free throws. The guy is what he is at this point - I don't think he'll be the upper-echelon NBA player he was before the ACL tear, but as a role player who can defend, space the floor, and provide veteran leadership, there aren't many better options. Hopefully Milwaukee deals him - he'd be a great fit in a place like OKC.
J-Lamb - Jeremy poured in 16 tonight on 7 of 15 from the field to go along with 4 rebounds. Granted, over half of those points came in garbage time against Minnesota's bench, but it still has to be considered a step in the right direction for somebody with very limited reps at the NBA level. He really impressed me tonight with his ability to read defenses in pick and roll situations. On multiple occasions, he hit an OKC big man in a scoring position after receiving a screen. I just hope he continues to get minutes because the potential is hard to miss.
AD - Andre was a mixed bag tonight. One thing I found interesting was that he led the Pistons in minutes with 47 (game went into OT). Detroit's management of Andre's minutes was one of the biggest story lines from Pistons camp heading into the season - last season his per minute numbers were off the charts, but he only played about 21 minutes a night. It seems like through two games, with Andre averaging nearly 40 minutes a night, those questions have been answered. He obviously won't sustain his pace from a year ago with such a drastic uptick in playing time, but if he's playing 32-36 minutes a night, he will be a double/double candidate. As for his performance tonight, he grabbed 16 rebounds, scored 12 points, and also recorded 3 steals and 2 blocks. Those numbers are impressive on the surface, but he was also a -16, air balled a free throw, and seemed to be the source of some major log jams offensively down the stretch. On the bright side, the fact that the kid can grab a double double at only 20-years-old just by walking out of bed is a testament to just how immensely gifted he is. At the very least, I expect he'll be one of the best defensive players in the game and a Tyson Chandler prodigy, and at best...who knows.
Ray - 12 points on 4 of 6 from the field. He's become exceptionally efficient in his old age and I see no reason he can't play into his 40's with his remarkable conditioning and work ethic.
Charlie and Hash - DNP. Looks like they're in the "just trying to cling onto a roster spot" phase of their careers. Charlie, especially, resembles somebody on his way out of the league. I hope I'm wrong.
Feel free to add any comments here - I'll be posting periodic updates on the status of our alums for people who may not follow the NBA. I still feel connected to these guys years after they played their final game in a Husky uniform, and that's really the best compliment you can pay them. Even in just one Friday night following the NBA, it's impossible not to notice the impact Jim Calhoun has made on the league. You look at a guy like Josh Smith - somebody who took 10 3's today, despite registering as a 29% three point shooter for his career - and wonder what JC could have done with him.
