by Andrew Hardison
Rajon Rondo (Celtics)-14.3 PTS, 4.4 REB, 9.8 AST
Could there be unrest in the Celtics locker room?
Apparently Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo believes something needs to be done saying,
“Not a trade or anything, but just making some changes in the locker room, amongst ourselves. Every guy has to look in the mirror and hold themselves accountable.”
Boston is 3-3 in the team’s last six games, further losing grasp of the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland and Orlando now stand ahead of the Celtics, with the Hawks right on their heels. Last night’s game was indicative of the way Boston needs to play going into the All-Star.
Rondo did everything he could against the Heat Wednesday night by finishing off Miami with 22 points in 44 minutes of action, as the Celtics went on to win 107-102. He also solidified his stat line with 14 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Rondo is one of the best ‘all-around’ players because he gets it done on so many levels.
Rondo will make his first NBA All-Star game appearance—much deserved to say the least—and will continue to do everything he can to get things going again in Boston.
Chuck Hayes (Rockets)-4.7 PTS, 6.1 REB, 0.5 BLK
The news has been the same for Hayes the entire year.
He starts at center and does the dirty work for the Rockets, while replacing starter Yao Ming who is out due to injury. Hayes was battling some of his own ailments that limited his playing time just a week ago. He’s gotten back into it and showed his prowess once again on Tuesday against the Warriors.
Hayes was efficient in 27 minutes of action with 7 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists. That is nice production for Hayes, especially because he doesn’t always combine both points and rebounds in a game. If the Rockets continue to get this kind of play from Hayes, it will begin to challenge the West again after the All-Star break.
Jodie Meeks (Bucks)-4.4 PTS, 0.6 AST, 29% 3P
Meeks has been through it all in his rookie season.
From playing 20+ minutes a game to playing just 5 minutes a game, scoring 20 points in a game to scoring zero. Whatever it is, it hasn’t been easy for the rookie from Kentucky and it certainly won’t change.
Meeks has only gotten 4 minutes a game in the Bucks last five games. He did play 10 minutes Tuesday night scoring 2 points and grabbing 3 rebounds. The injury to Michael Redd was supposed to give Meeks a larger role in the Bucks offense.
Or that’s what everyone else though.
Head coach Scott Skiles felt otherwise and has gone with veterans Carlos Delfino and Charlie Bell, who are getting the brunt of the minutes left by Redd’s absence. Look for Meeks to continue to ride the bench well into the end of the season.
Keith Bogans (Spurs)-5 PTS, 1.3 AST, 38.7% 3P
Bogans playing time has been kind of sporadic in the Spurs last five games but definitely helped out during San Antonio’s 115-113 victory over the Kings on Wednesday night. In 31 minutes of play, Bogans scored 12 points, dished out 3 assists, and had 1 rebound. Any production from the sixth year pro is great, but night’s like these are going to be needed for the Spurs in the coming future.
The team was 8-8 in the month of January, a far cry from years past when the Spurs were winning championships and leading the Western Conference. San Antonio is only two games behind the Mavericks in the Midwest Division, but their 4-6 record in their past 10 games isn’t anything to write home about.
Will Bogans be used as a trade bargaining chip?
It is up in the air at this time, seeing that the Spurs could be involved at the trade deadline looking for a spark to ignite the team once again.
Tayshaun Prince (Pistons)-9.5 PTS, 4.5 REB, 2.0 AST
Before winning Tuesday night, Prince and the Pistons were on a five game losing streak.
It’s been a tough stretch for the Pistons, but Prince has done everything he can to come back from an early season back injury to give Detroit any help he can.
He’s starting to get his regular starting playing time once more and hasn’t disappointed in his return. During a 97-93 victory over the Nets on Tuesday, Prince had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists in a much needed win for the Pistons.
The team is headed to the lottery this year, as they sit 21 ½ games behind the Central leading Cleveland Cavaliers. Look for Prince to play a bigger role in the Pistons lineup from here on out.
Nazr Mohammed (Bobcats)-8.2 PTS, 5.0 REB, 0.8 BLK
Mohammed has been one of the NBA’s biggest surprises this season.
His stat line alone is impressive, simply because he doesn’t start usually coming off the bench for starter Tyson Chandler. Wednesday’s game against the Lakers was played to a different tune however.
Mohammed saw 40 minutes of action, playing one of the best games of his career. His 23 points and 17 rebounds wrecked havoc for the Lakers, who couldn’t keep Mohammed off the offensive glass. The former Kentucky big man had 9 offensive rebounds while shooting 9-15 from the floor and 5-7 at the charity strip. The Lakers wound up winning 97-95, but Mohammed’s numbers were extremely encouraging.
That makes two double-doubles for Mohammed in the Bobcats last five games and his third double-digit rebounding total in that same span. Look for the 11th year vet to get more time on the court after Wednesday’s results.
Jamaal Magloire (Heat)-2.5 PTS, 4.1 REB, 0.4 BLK
Magloire has been seeing more time and while sporadic at best, it gives Magloire the chance to play once more.
He didn’t see any action in Miami’s 107-102 loss Wednesday night to the Celtics, but did get 22 minutes last Friday. Magloire is more of a rebounder at this point in his career, with the points trailing off as the Canadian big man and former Wildcat goes into his 11th year in the NBA.
Don’t expect too much to change unless of course an injury occurs and Magloire is counted on more to produce and play quality minutes.
Randolph Morris (Hawks)-2.4 PTS, 1.4 REB, 0.1 BLK
There isn’t much coming his way, but that’s usually been the case for Morris during his NBA career.
He’s gotten barely two minutes of action in the Hawks last five games, mainly because Atlanta is fighting for playoff positioning. Players like Al Horford and Za
za Pachulia get more minutes at the post-positions, but the Hawks do play smaller lineups more so than other teams.
Don’t expect too much to change for Morris.
Kelenna Azuibuike (Warriors)-injured
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