D.J. Augustin – G – Bobcats
Augustin had a great rookie year when he averaged 11.8 points, 3.5 assists, and shot 89.3% and 43.9% on free throws and three-pointers, respectively, in 26.3 minutes per game. This year he has fell out of favor with coach Larry Brown and has played less than 20 minutes per game, with a couple DNP’s under his belt as well. Brown’s reasons?
“He hasn’t defended like he needs to defend, he hasn’t made shots, he hasn’t distributed the ball. And I have a pretty good alternative in Flip.”
I think he left out one key point; he hasn’t played. Newsflash, Larry. Flip Murray is shooting 34.5% on field goals, 23.8% on three-pointers, and 55.6% on free throws. Send the 30-year-old back to the bench where he has been his entire career, and let your 9th overall pick from last year build upon his stellar rookie season.
DeAndre Jordan – C – Clippers
Some of you may not be familiar with Jordan, the Clippers’ 2nd round pick in 2008. Some of you may be wondering why I think the Clippers should add one more big man to their already crowded frontcourt (Camby, Kaman, and now Blake Griffin). However, at 6′-11 265 pounds, Jordan is a freak. The guy averaged four points, four boards and block last year… in only 14 minutes. In the three career games he played 40 minutes, he averaged 15.3 points and 14.6 rebounds. Send the aging and oft-injured Camby and Kaman packing and let Jordan and Griffin form a duo for the next ten years.
Anthony Randolph – PF – Warriors
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have been saying this about Randolph for a while. Following his play this season has been like following the stock market, though. He’ll score 17 points, grab 13 boards, with 3 steals and 2 blocks, and then play only six minutes in his next game. Apparently the Warriors think they have better options, i.e. Mikki Moore and Vladimir Ramanovic, who average 47 combined minutes a game. Moore didn’t grab a single rebound in the 21 minutes he played last game, and Radmanovic is just the type of defender the team needs seeing that they give up 113 points a game, good for worst in the the NBA.
Randolph not playing, espeically with the guys in front of him (Moore and Radioman) is a real head scratcher. I can see Brown’s reluctance to play Augustin at times, he tends to get too selfish (for a point guard) and that can hurt the team. Really liked the post anyhow.
J.J Reddick?!?!?! Let that man shoot the J……J =) haha
Filling in for the injured Chris Kaman, Jordan scored 23 points, grabbed 7 boards and blocked 3 shots. Also went 9 of 11 from the field!