NBA recap Week 7: Rondo & Celtics winners of last 8, Bucks, Meeks in a jam

by Andrew Hardison

The NBA season is well under way and many of UK’s former players have made impacts in the NBA thus far. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo is the clear front-runner for most successful former player in the NBA right now, but the season has also produce some surprises. Let’s take a look:

Rajon Rondo (Celtics)-11 PTS, 9.2 AST, 2.7 STL
Rondo was one rebound shy of a triple-double last night against the Bucks. While dishing out 13 dimes, Rondo also chipped in with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals. He’s currently averaging a 4.6/1 assist/turnover ratio, one of the best in the NBA. The points are typical but the rebounds and steal are something to talk about. He is clearly going to make it on the 1st All-Defensive team and although not the biggest point guard in the NBA, Rondo is one of the better rebounders. Let’s just say he’s the Dennis Rodman of NBA point guards and has a knack for getting to every loose ball imaginable. The Celtics are currently on an 8-game winning streak and are clearly one of the East’s best contenders to get to the NBA. ESPN.com’s John Hollinger has the Celtics (17-4) as his #1 team in this week’s power rankings and also has the Celtics at 100% odds for getting to the playoffs. Not even the Lakers can say that, but they do play in a harder conference. Game of the Week: 11 PTS, 9 REB, 13 AST in win over the Bucks.

Chuck Hayes (Rockets)-5.4 PTS, 6.7 REB, 0.6 BLK
If you want consistent, you want Chuck Hayes. The fourth year Houston Rocket has been playing consistently for his team ever since the team’s starter, Yao Ming, went down to a season ending injury. Hayes isn’t much of an offensive threat, but when you have guys like Luis Scola and Carl Landry picking up the slack, Hayes isn’t expected to produce that much. Many of the potential available minutes have been going to teammates Carl Landry and Luis Scola who are more proficient in the offensive game than Hayes. He’s getting around 20 minutes a game, still enough to make an impact on the defensive side. Hayes has it tough going up against some of the best power forwards and centers in the Western Conference night-in and night-out. His ability to play solid defense is key to the Rockets playoff hopes. Game of the Week: 7 PTS, 8 REB in win over the Thunder.

Jodie Meeks (Bucks)-4.9 PTS, 0.4 AST
Meeks and the Bucks are losers of four straight, with Jodie seeing very little action in the last week. Boston took care of business last night and defeated the Bucks 98-89, where Meeks got zero minutes of playing time. The trouble for Meeks is that he’s not doing anything productive with the minutes he does get. In 17 minutes of play against the Wizards, Meeks was only able to put up two points on 1-3 shooting. His best statistic may have been the three fouls he racked up in that time, but needless to say, it’s been a battle for Meeks as a rookie. He hasn’t played twice this week with head coach Scott Skiles leaving it up to his veterans to get the job done. It’s a continual up and down journey this season for Meeks, but his desire to get better will keep him in the NBA for a while.

Keith Bogans (Spurs)-3.9 PTS, 0.8 AST
Bogans and the Spurs have had to deal with the unfortunate circumstance of old age, one that has hit the Spurs harder than any other team in the NBA. Bogans hasn’t seen a whole lot of time this past week but all of that could change with the ankle injury to veteran teammate Michael Finley. Bogans only saw nine minutes of play in their last game against the Jazz, which saw them suffer a loss 104-101. What’s a bit surprising is that Bogans’ scoring outputs have been down in the past couple of weeks. If the Spurs are looking to surprise some people, maybe they can do it with a guy like Bogans.

The losing has been a trend this season as the Spurs are (9-9), teetering on the outside edge of the playoffs. The Western Conference is stacked with young, athletic teams that will outplay the Spurs due to pure athleticism. San Antonio may have experience, but it looks as if their decade long dominance of the NBA is coming to a close at the turning point of new decade.

Tayshaun Prince (Pistons)-injured/Kelenna Azubuike (Warriors)-injured

Jamaal Magloire (Heat)-3.7 PTS, 3 REB, 0.3 BLK
A surprise for Magloire was that he actually played and produced while doing so, something he hasn’t had the opportunity to do thus far on the season. In nine minutes against the Nuggets, he was able to put up 4 points and 3 rebounds, definitely the best game of the season for the veteran from Canada. What was ever more surprising was the next night when the Heat took on the Lakers. In what turned out to be a good game, Magloire played a solid 16 minutes, scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. A pretty solid showing from the big fella, right?

So much so that Miami’s head coach didn’t even play Magloire the next night game in a 115-102 victory over the Kings. Interesting decision, but hey, I’m not an NBA head coach. It looks as if Magloires minutes will continue to be sporadic throughout the rest of the season barring any unforeseen circumstances that may plague the Heat. Game of the Week: 7 PTS, 5 REB in loss to the Lakers.

Randolph Morris (Hawks)-2.2 PTS, 1.5 REB, 0.3 BLK
Morris has played sparingly throughout the season and the only time he got this week was in a blowout win over the Raptors. Morris got seven minutes of playing time and put up 6 points and 5 rebounds. When he’s in it looks as if he can produce. The problem with the Hawks is their inconsistent play recently which doesn’t bode well for Morris. He hasn’t played in any of the Hawks other games, giving insight into how Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson will use Morris.

Game of the Week: 7 MIN, 6 PTS, 5 REB in a win over Toronto.

Nazr Mohammed (Bobcats)-7.8 PTS, 4.5 REB, 0.9 BLK
Mohammed clearly wins the Most Surprising Player of the Year award from our former Wildcats. Mohammed has benefitted from getting 15 minutes a game in the past week and has delivered for head coach Larry Brown. In the past five Bobcats games, Mohammed is averaging 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds. He’s been one of Charlotte’s more consistent players this season and continues to help solidify the Bobcats bench as they look to go to the playoffs for the first time in team history. He also is putting up better numbers than starter Tyson Chandler, all while doing it by coming off the bench. Mohammed is a smart veteran who would know what to do when they got there, having been on several playoff teams in his career. If he continues to get time, continue to look for solid production from the 11th year pro. Game of the Week: 15 PTS, 5 REB, 1 BLK in win over the Nuggets.

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