Sophomore Report V1.06: Second Year Contributors on the Contenders
By Brendan McKay
The playoffs are around the corner, so this edition of the Sophomore Report is going to focus on the more immediate future of the Class of 2009. There are second year players that have major roles on top teams in the NBA. What separates the contenders from the rest of the league is a team's superstars. On the other hand, what allows one contender to come out ahead of another is the play of everyone else. Getting upper level performances from unexpected places quickly allows the cream to rise to the top. Each player discussed below has the ability to make their already good team, great.
In the last Sophomore Report, we went into detail about how important Serge Ibaka is to the Thunder's playoff chances. He is not the only second year player in Oklahoma making waves of late. Adding another weapon to the Thunder's arsenal is James Harden.
James Harden
Harden has the ability to truly give his team another dimension, acting as the only other deep threat outside of Kevin Durant with a sophisticated offensive game. In all due respect to Daequan Cook, 90% of his shot attempts are from beyond the arc; he is as one-dimensional as players get. Harden has game from deep, and while no one will confuse his first step with Derrick Rose's, he has the athleticism to make defenders pay for trying to close out on him too quickly. Since the beginning of March, Harden has averaged almost 17 points a contest, for the first time showing some of the consistency OKC was hoping for when they made him the 3rd selection of the 2009 draft out of Arizona State. He can also jump start his game into a rhythm by getting to the free throw line. In the last month he has made five trips to the line a night, and is making teams pay when he gets there, converting 90% of his attempts. He is the reason the Thunder offense hasn't missed a beat since trading away their third scoring option, Jeff Green. By sliding in and mirroring Green's offensive numbers, he has essentially allowed Thunder to acquire Kendrick Perkins for nothing.
Next on the hit list is Taj Gibson. Gibson has been everything the Bulls needed him to be this year. He filled in beautifully while the man they signed in the off season to play in front of him (Carlos Boozer) recovered from injury. As the Bulls started finding their identity under MVP candidate Derrick Rose, their needs shifted, and Gibson adapted perfectly. Even now, with inconsistent minutes, Gibson brings the Bulls rebounding, defense and makes them a tougher team every minute he spends on the floor. An old sophomore (Gibson turns 26 in June), Chicago can rely on Gibson to play key stretch minutes, without the same concerns they might have with a 20 year old on the floor. He doesn't turn the ball over, and is good for a few second chance opportunities a night. Gibson is exactly the type of player that could accelerate Chicago's championship path well beyond the hopes of the Bulls's most optimistic preseason supporters.
DeJuan Blair. At this point I truly don't get it. Unless this is some sort of ruse to lose the #1 spot in the West, there is no logical explanation for the drop in Blair's minutes over the last month. In February Blair spent 26 minutes a night on the floor. The Spurs lost three games that month. In March his minutes logged dropped by over 20%. The three losses in February were joined by eight more in March. I am not saying that as DeJuan Blair goes, as go the Spurs, but it's pretty obvious that as DeJuan Blair goes, as go the Spurs. Get the man on the floor.
Curry is tripping to the finish line a bit as the season winds down. Outside of an explosion in Oklahoma City on the 29th, Steph hasn't really blown anyone out of the waters. To be fair, I'm willing to chalk this up to a brutal schedule (18 games in March, only five at home), and give him yet another pass.
2. Serge Ibaka
The Thunder could not have hoped for better results in trading for Perkins and getting Ibaka more minutes at the 4. Since Perkins entered the line up, Ibaka has averaged 12 points/8.6 rebounds/3.4 blocks on 54% shooting from the floor. His play, as well as the play of his team, has been nothing short of awesome and has every hoop junkie on Earth praying for a Lakers/Thunder Western Conference Finals showdown.
What is there to say that has not already been said? The man can light it up. I am not fooling myself into thinking Derozan is something that he's not, but he continues to impress. Recent highlights include 24 points in a victory against the Magic, a game in which he attacked the rim enough to get to the line eight times against Dwight Howard.
It's likely too little too late for Brandon Jennings and the Bucks as they sit 3.5 games back with five games left on their schedule, but you can't say Jennings didn't try to carry them there. 26 in Charlotte, 25 in Toronto and a huge 37 points in front of New York's finest at Madison Square Garden. Like I said, too little too late, but good to see Jennings finishing up the season strong.
5. Wes Matthews
While Matthews's play has been up and down, the Blazers continue to win. Portland has to be licking their licks at a potential first round match-up with the suddenly average Dallas Mavericks. After beating Dallas on Sunday April 3rd, Portland figures to have the momentum going into this series.
6. Jrue Holiday
Holiday has been on a tear. As the 76ers have been fighting to lock down the 6th spot in the East, Jrue has put up some big nights. 17 points and 7.5 assists over the last seven games. If the 76ers end up playing the Heat in the playoffs, a match up against Mike Bibby could give Holiday a coming out party with a national audience.
7. James Harden
A lot of nice things have already been said about Harden in this article, but what impresses me the most is how much he gets to the free throw line. On a team that already has two perimeter players who get to the hoop, many players would be happy to sit around and wait for the kick outs when the defense collapses. Harden consistently uses the threat his jumper presents to get defenders off balance and in the air to get easy points at the stripe.
8. Ty Lawson
Who isn't rooting for the Nuggets? Winners of 6 straight? Reaping immediate benefits after a trade that was meant for the long term? Lawson's play has been expectantly inconsistent, but he is a big reason Denver fans are excited about their team again. He is impossible to stay in front of, gets to the free throw line, and holds onto the ball.
9. Tyreke Evans
Evans is back, and playing quite well. 22 points and 7 assists in a loss in Denver. 24 points and 10 assists in a win against Utah. Why aren't Kings's fans excited? Since Evans has returned, the Kings have won a season best four out of six and have dropped their chances of winning the draft lottery by 8%. Ouch.
10. Darren Collison
Collison has continued to play well, although he backed off the pace from weeks past. Luckily for him, the Pacers have matched their torrid 4-3 record from the previous two weeks to give them a headlock on the 8th seed in the East. Congratulations.
Thanks for tuning in. Follow me on Twitter @bmckay.
