by Andrew Hardison
Rajon Rondo (Celtics)-13.2 PTS, 9.6 AST, 2.6 STL
Despite a recent hamstring injury that kept Rondo out of the Celtics last game, he’s been one of the best point guards in the NBA, leading one of the best teams in the NBA. December was quite a month for the Celtics mainly because of the winning and losing streaks that took place.
Boston started the month on a tear, winners of seven straight before losing Philadelphia a week before Christmas. The Celtics went on again to win another three straight with a brilliant performance from Rondo—a near triple double, 17 PTS, 13 REB, 8 AST—to cap off a victory over the Orlando Magic, leaders of the Southeast division and one of the NBA’s most potent teams.
There was a ‘holiday hangover’ however, as the Celtics hit the road losing three straight to the Clippers, Warriors, and Suns. The West Coast trip ended the month and year on a sour note, but the Celtics have been able to regain some of that composure after beating the Raptors Saturday night.
Rondo is one of the most important players to his team of any of the NBA teams out there right now. Sure there is Kobe and LeBron, but Rondo is counted on so much to make this Celtics offensive go, his absence becomes a tremendous loss. Out of the 32 Celtics games played this season, Rondo has led the team in assists 30 of those times. Of those thirty instances, Rondo had double-digit assist totals in 17 of 32 Celtics games this year. His season high assist total came against Chicago where he dished out 16 dimes in a 118-90 victory. Oh yea, he’s had 15 assists in a game twice this season as well.
When the ‘Who is the best NBA point guard’ discussions pop-up, don’t forget to include Rondo’s name.
Jodie Meeks (Bucks)-4.5 PTS, 0.7 AST, 30.5 3P%
Losers of 11 of their last 15 games, the Bucks are victims of a terrible month of December. The cold winter Milwaukee weather has not only frozen the city, but also the games of several of the Bucks players. Meeks is one of those guys.
Often frozen to the end of the bench, Meeks never found the court in 5 of the 15 December games the Bucks played. When he did find playing time—mainly in the last four games—Meeks didn’t produce enough to warrant meaningful minutes.
The month of December has been unkind to the rookie from Kentucky as he’s gone 15-41 from the field (36.6%), 5-20 from beyond the arc (25.0%) piling up a paltry 12 assists, not encouraging numbers from one of college basketball’s most deadly shooters from a season ago.
Meeks has to develop an on-the-ball offensive game. The ability to play one-on-one in the NBA is as great as ever going into the new decade and taking guys off the dribble is a must. Meeks is primarily a spot up shooter, using ball-screens and picks (off-the-ball) to help him get his shot off.
If he wants to continue getting playing time, Meeks will have to heat up from the field so he doesn’t get frozen to the bench for the month of January. Game of the Week: Despite going 1-7 from the field, Meeks was 4-4 from the charity strip, scoring 6 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 26 minutes of play. The Bucks lost however, (94-84) to the Bobcats).
Chuck Hayes (Rockets)-5 PTS, 6.3 REB, 0.4 BLK
If there is one think you know you’re going to get out of Hayes, it is consistency. Whether he’s consistently getting 17 minutes a night, or consistently getting you 6 rebounds a game, don’t expect Hayes’ game to fluctuate that drastically.
He’s been solid in asserting himself into the Rockets starting lineup since the injury to starter Yao Ming has kept him out for the season. Hayes has filled the void by playing hustle defense and dedicating his time to being efficient while on the floor.
Hayes’ rebound totals have been spot on the entire season, but his adjustment in the paint could allow for even more rebound opportunities. Despite being named the ‘shortest NBA center to have ever played the game,’ sitting at 6’6”—an accolade that has made its rounds already this season—Hayes fills it up each and every night he steps on the court.
The Rockets won 11 of their 16 December games, many due in large part to Hayes and his willingness to be the unheralded guy. The scoring will never be up to him, but when he does it’s a bonus.
We know what we’ll get out of him, but in this instance, that isn’t such a bad thing. Game of the Week: Hayes rounded in the New Year by getting 36 minutes of playing time. His stat line was quite impressive—9 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST—even though the Rockets lost 99-95 to the Hornets Saturday night.
Tayshaun Prince (Pistons)-9.8 PTS, 4.2 REB, 2.0 AST
The Pistons have been one of the worst NBA teams this season, much of that due to the absence of one of the team’s best players. Prince, who had missed 26 of the Pistons games this season due to a back injury, is counted on greatly to produce for a team who used to dominate the Eastern Conference.
However, with the losses of Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace, the Pistons are floundering owners of an 11-21 record losing their last five games. With such a high turnover, the loss of Prince didn’t help the situation. The Pistons coaching brass haven’t been shy about getting Prince back into the mix as soon as possible.
He’s played over 25 minutes in each of the Pistons last three games, but is still getting his feet wet. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff utilizes Prince after having been gone for such a long period of time. Other players have stepped up and into Prince’s position. He’ll have to work hard to regain and keep it for the rest of the season with guys like Charlie Villanueva pushing close behind. Game of the Week: 11 PTS, 2 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL in a 98-87 loss to Chicago in which he shot 5-16 from the field.
Keith Bogans (Spurs)-5.1 PTS, 1.3 AST, 40.6 3P%
Bogans continues to get solid minutes and production for the Spurs, something the team has relied upon heavily in recent games. The Spurs were winners in 10 of the teams 15 games played in December. Ironically, in those five losses Bogans was nowhere to been seen. In the other ten games, Bogans had solid production namely in the teams past five games.
The Spurs are 4-1 in their last five, averaging 5.6 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.6 AST. It may not scream All-Star or Superstar, but it’s helping the San Antonio be effective this season. Having played in the NBA for six years, Bogans knows his role isn’t going to chang
e that much. He’s gotten playing time as a starter, but he’s used to that idea from his days in Orlando. Bogans is effective off the bench as well, something he learned to do while with the Milwaukee Bucks. Whatever role you ask him to take on, Bogans will usually deliver.
This season is one of those instances, as Bogans has been able to step up in the light of team injuries as well as producing in a valuable way. Expect Bogans to continue his play for the 20-12 Spurs, well into the New Year and playoffs. Game of the Week: 8 PTS, 6 REB on 3-3 FG in 27 minutes during a 97-86 victory over Wizards Saturday night.
Nazr Mohammed (Bobcats)-7.5 PTS, 4 REB, 0.8 BLK
The Bobcats continue to be one of the surprise NBA teams this season with one of the surprise NBA players of the year on its roster. Mohammed has stepped in nicely for the Bobcats as they continue to make a run at their first playoff appearance in franchise history.
The collection of young and old have given the Bobcats a mentality that they can compete with the elite teams of the NBA. Their 14-18 record may not blow you away, but the Eastern Conference is a beast of its own where teams get to the playoffs with losing records. Mohammed is one of the older guys and brings a veteran leadership to the team that head coach Larry Brown likes to use.
Mohammed has gotten, 8-10-9 point totals in his last three games but has only grabbed one rebound in each of those as well. A more consistent game would benefit the Bobcats and keep him games a bit longer.
Jamaal Magloire (Heat)-2.8 PTS, 3.1 REB, 0.4 BLK
Magloire has had random spurts of playing time in the teams last four games, but hasn’t really done much other than one game. His 21 minute night against Atlanta recently saw him grab 10 rebounds and put up 5 points, his best outing this season.
The Canadian big man won’t get a whole lot of action in the year and shouldn’t be expected to contribute a whole lot. If he can show flashes of what former teammate Nazr Mohammed is doing, he may get more playing time for the Heat.
Randolph Morris (Hawks)-2.8 PTS, 1.5 REB, 0.2 BLK
The Hawks have lost four straight and Morris hasn’t played in any of those games. Not a good end to December or beginning of the New Year for the Hawks. If Atlanta is blowing teams out that is about the only chance Morris gets to see time. Don’t expect much to change.
Kelenna Azuibuike (Warriors)-injured
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