22.1 PPG | 3.6 RPG | 3.8 APG | 1.9 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 2.0 TOPG | .399 FG% | .250 3P% | .655 FT%
McCants numbers have dropped slightly of late but that is mostly due to the emergence of Mickael Gelabale as a legitimate offensive weapon at the power forward position. I think McCants showed he has superstar potential after his 36 point outburst against the Indiana Pacers, he also added 5 assists there and shot over 50% from the field. He has mixed his game up more in the last month in other statistical categories; 8 rebounds against Memphis, 6 against Atlanta, 5 assists against Indiana and 6 against Cleveland.
Grade: A
8.8 PPG | 4.1 RPG | 1.9 APG | 1.1 SPG | 1.3 BPG | 1.4 TOPG | .455 FG% | .153 3P% | .416 FT%
Miles is largely inconsistant, evident by the fact that in December he had only two of five games in which he figured in double digits in scoring. He does a good job defensively though and made life especially difficult for LeBron James in the loss to Cleveland. His defensive output makes him valuable but with James White being so impressive off the bench his days in the starting line-up may be limited.
Grade: C+
7.1 PPG | 1.7 RPG | 5.3 APG | 1.3 SPG | 0.6 BPG | 2.4 TOPG | .400 FG% | .200 3P% | .454 FT%
Has been somewhat stable compared to last month, is beginning to look for his shot more and as a result has raised his scoring average. His assists have been steady of late too, finishing with 5 or better in every game in December, including 8 against Atlanta and 7 against Cleveland. Has solidified his starting spot by virtue of no one else on the team stepping up at point guard and staking a claim.
Grade: C
4.4 PPG | 10.6 RPG | 1.3 APG | 0.4 SPG | 3.8 BPG | 1.7 TOPG | .395 FG% | .000 3P% | 100 FT%
Despite his rebounding numbers dropping, Jones has had his most dominating performance in December, pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking 7 shots against Cleveland. He has blocked 3 or more shots in every game, and is averaging 4 blocks per game overall for the month. Having Gelabale next to him has taken off a lot of pressure offensively but he is still not a factor there as of yet.
Grade: B+
6.6 PPG | 4.5 RPG | 1.4 APG | 0.6 SPG | 1.4 BPG | 0.9 TOPG | .510 FG% | .000 3P% | .625 FT%
Since returning to the team and having to play off the bench, Swift has improved his shotblocking by a surprising degree. Whether it's because he isn't having to force his offensive game so much or he's just trying to get back into the starting line-up I don't know but he is averaging 2 blocks per game in December.
Grade: B-
4.6 PPG | 1.9 RPG | 1.5 APG | 0.5 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 0.8 TOPG | .586 FG% | .000 3P% | 100 FT%
Continues to be the most efficient scorer on the Baltimore team, Fazekas has had an ok month, and topped it off by leading the teams fight-back against Memphis with 10 points and 2 blocks in just 7 minutes,which ultimately won them the game. Aside from that performance though he has been relatively invisible, scoring only 4 points in the other 4 games.
Grade: C-
10.6 PPG | 3.9 RPG | 1.6 APG | 1.1 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 1.9 TOPG | .435 FG% | 100% 3P% | .625 FT%
Averaging 14ppg as a starter, Gelabale has taken a massive amount of weight off the shoulders of Rashad McCants. Using his quickness he can take most power forwards off the dribble and has improved his shooting touch somewhat as well. His rebounding is fairly weak, but Dwayne Jones is one of the best in the NBA in that department so it is not affecting the team a great deal. Needs to improve defensively but has had an impressive season thus far.
Grade: B
4.8 PPG | 0.4 RPG | 1.0 APG | 0.5 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 1.0 TOPG | .480 FG% | .000 3P% | .000 FT%
With the emergence of Maurice Ager and James White, Dupree has struggled for any sort of court time lately. Whether this will change is hard to say but as long as those two are playing so well he will continue to be chained to the bench.
Grade: Incomplete
6.8 PPG | 1.6 RPG | 1.3 APG | 0.5 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.1 TOPG | .407 FG% | .375 3P% | 100 FT%
Really came flying out of the blocks this month, has looked inconsistant and streaky in the past but really showed his worth against Memphis and New York, scoring 14 and 18 respectively in very very little minutes. Can get to the hoop better than almost anyone else on the team and draws fouls with ease. Looks like a lite version of Rashad McCants with a better outside shot.
Grade: B-
2.8 PPG | 2.3 RPG | 0.3 APG | 1.5 SPG | 0.8 BPG | 1.3 TOPG | .444 FG% | .000 3P% | .750 FT%
Lost his roster spot to Fazekas after his return and with Stromile Swift returning to the line-up really has no place on the team anymore.
Grade: F
1.6 PPG | 0.2 RPG | 1.2 APG | 0.4 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 1.0 TOPG | .176 FG% | .000 3P% | 100 FT%
Continues to struggle offensively, makes it really difficult to give him any court time when he can't hit a shot.
Grade: F
2.1 PPG | 1.2 RPG | 2.9 APG | 0.1 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 1.4 TOPG | .350 FG% | .200 3P% | 100 FT%
Has really stepped up his game this month, while not scoring particularly well aside from a 7 point performance against Indiana, his assist numbers have been extremely impressive off the bench. Against Indiana he finished with 4, 3 against New York, 4 against Atlanta and topped it off with 7 against Memphis in 13 minutes.
Grade: C-
7.5 PPG | 1.3 RPG | 1.7 APG | 0.8 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 0.7 TOPG | .525 FG% | .000 3P% | .600 FT%
Coming off the bench White is averaging 7.5 points per game in just 11.7 minutes. He has turned into a quick and efficient weapon at small forward and despite lacking an outside jump shot, his penetration is as good as anybodys. Could only be a matter of time before he is starting, defensively needs some work but offensively is leaps and bounds ahead of Darius Miles.
Grade: B+
4.0 PPG | 1.3 RPG | 0.5 APG | 0.0 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 0.5 TOPG | .500 FG% | .666 FG% | .000 FT%
Has lost his spot on the bench to Rich Payton but is still a good back-up to have around. Had a couple of good games in New York and Atlanta, scoring 4 points in each while playing less than 10 minutes in both.
Grade: D+
0.0 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 1.0 APG | 0.0 SPG | 1.0 BPG | 1.0 TOPG | .000 FG% | .000 3P% | .000 FT%
Signed from the Los Angeles D-League team, Payton has only played in one game and finished with 3 rebounds, an assist and a block in 6 minutes which surpasses anything Ha-Seung Jin has ever done. Looks a good prospect.
Grade: Incomplete
TRANSACTIONS FROM DECEMBER
ORLANDO MAGIC trade
Matt Barnes to the
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES for
Jason Hart INDIANA PACERS trade
TJ Ford to the
DALLAS MAVERICKS for
Jason Terry SACRAMENTO KINGS trade
Andres Nocioni to the
NEW YORK KNICKS for
Darko Milicic TORONTO RAPTORS trade
Marco Belinelli to the
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES for
Jamaal Tinsley CLEVELAND CAVALIERS trade
Delonte West to the
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS for
Jerryd Bayless MIAMI HEAT trade
Dorell Wright to the
WASHINGTON WIZARDS for
Andray Blatche PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS trade
Andre Miller to the
LA CLIPPERS for
Marcus Camby UTAH JAZZ trade
Kyle Korver to the
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES for
Marcus Williams TORONTO RAPTORS trade
Jose Calderon to the
MIAMI HEAT for
Quentin Richardson
. Maybe next season.
... next update will be tomorrow or the day after.
Want to ask, is Rod Benson in the game as a D-leaguer?
)
. But I think you gave yourself too much rules
