There is a very interesting situation brewing in Toronto, this time involving the guards instead of the big men. Kyle Lowry is still coming off the bench, last night playing 22 minutes, taking 2 shots (missing both from downtown), and throwing in 2 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals. Believe it or not (but believe it you shall), Jose Calderon had a similar line (0 points, 1 rebound, 13 assists) while getting the start. You like to see your point guards take some shots, but the fact that both combined had 21 assists shows that the Raptors are more than content to let the PG lead the offense through direction over action. I’ve been on the Calderon rooters club for a while now, and even with Lowry back, I think both retain their individual values. Buy both, sell neither, live free, die hard. Here’s what else made me hard in last night’s games:
J.J. Hickson – With 28 minutes of court time, he only managed to take 4 shots, and missed 3 of them. He still had 7 rebounds and a steal to go with those 2 points.
Ed Davis – As expected, both he and Amir Johnson saw 30+ minutes of playing time, with Davis tallying 19 pts, 7 rebs, 1 assist, and 1 steal while Johnson produced 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block.
Kirk Hinrich – He put together a quiet little compendum of stats: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Arron Affalo – In excess play of 40 minutes, he tallied 19 points but only 1 rebound and 3 assists.
Gustavo Ayon – With a smattering of minutes, he put up 4 points and goose eggs for everything else.
DeMarcus Cousins – Following up on the last big performance, Cousins gifted 19 points, 7 offensive rebounds, 9 defensive boards, 6 assists, 2 steals, and a 1 block. It’s nice to have this reunion with my Cousins.
Isaiah Thomas – With the smell of renewed hype in the air, Thomas dumped 8 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and a steal on the stat sheet.
Alonzo Gee – Janis Joplin never sang about Alonzo, but he still had a hit with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Emeka Okafor – With his ownership numbers climbing, he reminded us why they were low to begin with, earning 4 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal. How badly do you want those rebounds, friends?
Bradley Beal – With word that John Wall may return to play off the bench for a while, Beal still has some longer term value. He produced 14 points, 2 threes, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block last night. The Wizards are toast, so I do not see the team stressing Wall in any way, shape or form.
Kevin Seraphin – With nearly 31 minutes, he accumulated 16 points, 9 rebounds, and a block.
Roy Hibbert – Dr. Hibbert worked on his offensive over the weekend, and so far it paid off, with 13 points, 4 boards, 4 assists, and 1 block. Now he needs to work on his rebounding.
David West – He shot poorly, like Michael J. Fox at a shooting range, hitting only 3-13 for 8 points, 6 rebounds, a takeaway and a block.
Jrue Holiday – If you thought the holiday season was over, think again: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and (unfortunately) 6 turnovers. A triple double in Philadelphia? that’s the jruth.
Luis Scola – Well, look who had 21 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and a block. I SAID LOOK.
Alexy Shved – Missed 2 of 7 from downtown, but still managed 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 block
Gordon Hayward – He had 17 points, thanks in part to 3-4 from beyond the perimeter, to go with 3 boards.
Joe Johnson – Now this is the Sockless Joe I love: 5-10 deep, 33 points, 5 reb, 3 assists, and a lil’ ol’ steal.
Kris Humphries – Now that everyone is fed up with him, he went out for 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block.
Kendrick Perkins – Does anyone still eat at Perkin’s? Is that chain still around? Kendrick wants to know, which distracted him on shooting. He finished with 3 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block.
Serge Ibaka – 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 I-block-as.
Ryan Anderson – Bricked 2 of 8 from behind the arc, finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 each of an assist, steal, and block, or as no one calls it, an assteak.
Patrick Patterson – Pat Pat tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 dimes.
Tony Parker – He is still not slowing down, going for 23 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals. There comes a time when you stop expecting the other shoe to drop and start sucking on toes embracing the season.
Larry Sanders – Another defensive explosion with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 blocks. A defensive explosion is not when you fart at an attacker.
John Henson – Hit 10 of 11 shots for 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block. I hope a Muppet Babies revival is next. Wait, that was Jim?
Vince Carter – 15 points (although he missed 7 of 8 three pointers), 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and a block.
O.J. Mayo – 30 points (4-10 from downtown), 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 6 turnovers. Is he back? Did he ever leave? The Magic 8 Ball says, “Try Again.” What kind of answer is that? Why would the Magic 8 Ball people even include that? That’s some bullshit magic right there.
LeBron James – Almost had a triple double with 32 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and a block. This guy can go places. Mostly south beach.
Mike Conley – 23 points (3 deep), 3 rebounds, 9 assists, a steal and two hard “K” sounds.
Jeff Green – Despite only 14+ minutes, he still produced 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and a block. He’s averaging 10/4/1.5 over the past week.
Paul Pierce – Hit 4 of 8 from downtown to earn 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Jamal Crawford – This guy had a nice shot, going for 24 points (4-10), 1 board, 5 assists, and 2 steals…
Klay Thompson – …but nothing likethis guy’s 19 points (5-9 from downtown), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.
