Bret Favachio
Guest
Evan Turner bounces back after a rough first week, Kosta Koufos and Jared Sullinger pick up double-doubles
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Evan Turner shows last week wasn't how he wants to do things on the hardwood. Plus, two former Buckeyes score and rebound their way to double-doubles.
It was a not so bad opening week for three former Buckeyes -- Mike Conley, Kosta Koufos, and Jared Sullinger -- but the same can not be said for last years Buckeye phenomenon D'Angelo Russell and Chicago native Evan Turner. Lets see if they were able to turn things around in week two of the NBA season.
Mike Conley, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
The man that runs the show for the Grizzlies saw an increase in points per contest this week. Mike Conley was nearly one point better per game in week two of the young season as he averaged 14.3 in the three match-ups and is now at 13.8 over the season. Last week, we mentioned that Conley was 6th in assists and even after dishing out 13 more this week, he slightly dropped to 9th. All of that doesn't sound bad but the truth is, Conley ultimately didn't play very well. The 6'1, 175-pounder shot just a hair over 32% this week starting with a 2-8 performance against Portland and he followed it up with a 8-25 shooting night against the Jazz. While Conley hopes to bounce back next week, the real worry for him and the Grizzlies has to be their slow start as a team. Memphis took a loss in all three contests this week, with a 19-point defeat from the Blazers being the biggest blemish.
Best Performance: In a loss to the Clippers on Monday night, which was Memphis' most recent outing, Conley managed to put up a line that included 14 points, six rebounds (three offensive), and five assists. The Grizzlies were also 8 points better when the former Buckeye was on the hardwood in his 35 minutes. While it was his best performance in a not-so-good week for him and his team, Conley shot just 40% from the floor and was 1-5 from three-point territory.
Team Record: 3-5
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Golden State, 11/13 vs Portland Trail Blazers, 11/15 @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 11/16 vs Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kosta Koufos, C, Sacramento Kings
Much like Conley, Koufos saw a slight lift in both points per game, field goal percentage, and blocks per game this week. A 16-point start to the week against Phoenix and a 12-point night against the Warriors were the main help in the PPG boost, as he is now up to 8.6 per game. So far this season, Koufos has successfully finished his field goal attempts for the most part. After an impressive 57.1% last week, he proceeded to shoot 58% this week. The 7-footer has only one game thus far in the year where he has not picked up a blocked shot and he made up for that on Monday when he sent back three shots against the Spurs. Maybe more notable is that the attempts came from Lamarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili. While Koufos did have two low scoring outings this week, he has been a bright spot for the Kings who have had an abysmal start to the season with just one victory. Much like last week, Koufos still needs to limit the amount of fouls he commits.
Best Performance: This past weekend the Golden State Warriors made their way to Sleep Train Arena to take on Koufos and the Kings. Despite Sacramento falling to the defending champs, the former Buckeye big man was able to be effective. Koufos racked up a double-double that included 12 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes. He also made six of his nine attempts from the floor and blocked one of the oppositions attempts.
Team Record: 1-7
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Detroit Pistons, 11/13 vs Brooklyn Nets (NBATV), 11/15 vs Toronto Raptors
D'Angelo Russell, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
While the beginning of the D'Angelo Russell-Lakers era didn't go as hoped for and as expected last week, Russell had a chance to redeem himself this week and he played a bit better but still not at the level we know he can. Russell can thank a 16-point performance for showing any statistical improvement because the other two games were underwhelming. Steals were one aspect that Russell did do well in as he had two games were he had three swipes. He also had his best rebounding, shooting, and scoring game this week. All in all, Russell isn't doing the things Buckeye and Laker fans were thinking he would. But I personally think that will change. Progress is a slow process. With that being said, the Lakers are terrible and Russell could help soothe some LA pain if he starts doing some Ohio State-esque things.
Best Performance: In the Lakers first and only win of the season which came against Brooklyn on Friday, Russell was able to reach highs in points, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage. The rookie was able to pile up 16 points on 6-9 shooting (66.7%) while knocking down 2-3 from three-point land. Russell also pulled down four boards, had three steals and broke the ankles of the 32-year old Jarrett Jack in the victory.
Team Record: 1-6
Upcoming Games: Tonight @ Orlando Magic, 11/13 @ Dallas Mavericks, 11/15 vs Detroit Pistons, 11/16 @ Phoenix Suns
Jared Sullinger, PF, Boston Celtics
In last weeks edition, Sullinger got plenty of praise for his performances throughout the first three games of the season. This week, he almost messed around and averaged a double-double in his three showings. The Celtic forward averaged 13.6 points and 9.6 rebounds which means he was just one rebound away from reaching the mark. Sullinger did have a single game in which he piled up a double-double and that was a 11-point, 10-rebound night against the Bucks on Tuesday. Sully improved in every statistical category from last week outside of FG% and he still did well it that department as he shot over 50% this week. To go along with the solid week, Sullinger eclipsed one single game career mark that we will discuss shortly.
Best Performance: Despite his double-double performance last night, we'll peg Friday night as Sully's best game of the week. The Celtics squared off against the Wizards and it was quite the night for the 6'9, 260-pounder. Sullinger got his season-high in points with 21 and assists with three, snagged eight rebounds, and blocked a shot. Efficiency was the big thing in this one as Sullinger was putting getting buckets with little trouble. He knocked down 9 of his 13 attempts. The Columbus native only attempted four three-pointers on the night and made three of them. That makes 75% from deep which is the best percentage Sullinger has put together from three-point range in his NBA career. Sullinger was also the high point man for the Celtics in this one and led Boston to their second win of the season.
Team Record: 3-3
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Indiana Pacers, 11/13 vs Atlanta Hawks, 11/15 @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 11/16 @ Houston Rockets
Evan Turner, SF, Boston Celtics
After pretty much being nonexistent for the Celtics last week, Evan Turner turned things around this week in a big way. Despite his poor outings in the first three games of the season, Turner received a minutes boost from Head Coach Brad Stevens and ran with the opportunity. Turner put up double digit points in all three games and averaged 13.3 points per game this week -- an 8.7 PPG jump from last week. The aggressiveness and efficiency are likely the reason for the increase. Turner, after taking just a little over six shots per game in the first week, took just a hair over 11 this week. Not only did he take more attempts, he made more as well. The former Buckeye shot a ridiculous 52.90% from the floor this week and did not have a game in which he didn't make at least half of his shots. Turner also rebounded, assisted, came away with more steals, and took care of the ball much better in week two of the NBA season. It was quite the three-game stretch for Turner and surely the hope is that he keeps playing at this level for Boston.
Best Performance: For Turner, his best performance of the week and season came last night when Boston took on the Bucks. The Illinois-born Celtic stuffed the stat sheet in all aspects of the game despite coming off of the bench. Turner finished the night with 13 points (6-12 shooting), five rebounds, six assists, four steals, and committed just one turnover. The four steals by Turner ties the most he's ever had in a single game in his NBA career. The only time he had four swipes was in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals when he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers and they faced off against his current team -- the Boston Celtics -- and he needed a little over 41 minutes to do it on that night. Last night, he only played 29 minutes and still reached that same mark. Another impressive number that came about on Tuesday night was Turner having a +/- of +32 against Milwaukee. The only flaw on Turner's stat line would be his 1-4 shooting from distance. Boston pulled away from this one in the second and third quarters and would take the victory by a final of 99-83.
Team Record: 3-3
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Indiana Pacers, 11/13 vs Atlanta Hawks, 11/15 @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 11/16 @ Houston Rockets
Continue reading...
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Evan Turner shows last week wasn't how he wants to do things on the hardwood. Plus, two former Buckeyes score and rebound their way to double-doubles.
It was a not so bad opening week for three former Buckeyes -- Mike Conley, Kosta Koufos, and Jared Sullinger -- but the same can not be said for last years Buckeye phenomenon D'Angelo Russell and Chicago native Evan Turner. Lets see if they were able to turn things around in week two of the NBA season.
Mike Conley, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
The man that runs the show for the Grizzlies saw an increase in points per contest this week. Mike Conley was nearly one point better per game in week two of the young season as he averaged 14.3 in the three match-ups and is now at 13.8 over the season. Last week, we mentioned that Conley was 6th in assists and even after dishing out 13 more this week, he slightly dropped to 9th. All of that doesn't sound bad but the truth is, Conley ultimately didn't play very well. The 6'1, 175-pounder shot just a hair over 32% this week starting with a 2-8 performance against Portland and he followed it up with a 8-25 shooting night against the Jazz. While Conley hopes to bounce back next week, the real worry for him and the Grizzlies has to be their slow start as a team. Memphis took a loss in all three contests this week, with a 19-point defeat from the Blazers being the biggest blemish.
Best Performance: In a loss to the Clippers on Monday night, which was Memphis' most recent outing, Conley managed to put up a line that included 14 points, six rebounds (three offensive), and five assists. The Grizzlies were also 8 points better when the former Buckeye was on the hardwood in his 35 minutes. While it was his best performance in a not-so-good week for him and his team, Conley shot just 40% from the floor and was 1-5 from three-point territory.
Team Record: 3-5
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Golden State, 11/13 vs Portland Trail Blazers, 11/15 @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 11/16 vs Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kosta Koufos, C, Sacramento Kings
Much like Conley, Koufos saw a slight lift in both points per game, field goal percentage, and blocks per game this week. A 16-point start to the week against Phoenix and a 12-point night against the Warriors were the main help in the PPG boost, as he is now up to 8.6 per game. So far this season, Koufos has successfully finished his field goal attempts for the most part. After an impressive 57.1% last week, he proceeded to shoot 58% this week. The 7-footer has only one game thus far in the year where he has not picked up a blocked shot and he made up for that on Monday when he sent back three shots against the Spurs. Maybe more notable is that the attempts came from Lamarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili. While Koufos did have two low scoring outings this week, he has been a bright spot for the Kings who have had an abysmal start to the season with just one victory. Much like last week, Koufos still needs to limit the amount of fouls he commits.
Best Performance: This past weekend the Golden State Warriors made their way to Sleep Train Arena to take on Koufos and the Kings. Despite Sacramento falling to the defending champs, the former Buckeye big man was able to be effective. Koufos racked up a double-double that included 12 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes. He also made six of his nine attempts from the floor and blocked one of the oppositions attempts.
Team Record: 1-7
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Detroit Pistons, 11/13 vs Brooklyn Nets (NBATV), 11/15 vs Toronto Raptors
D'Angelo Russell, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
While the beginning of the D'Angelo Russell-Lakers era didn't go as hoped for and as expected last week, Russell had a chance to redeem himself this week and he played a bit better but still not at the level we know he can. Russell can thank a 16-point performance for showing any statistical improvement because the other two games were underwhelming. Steals were one aspect that Russell did do well in as he had two games were he had three swipes. He also had his best rebounding, shooting, and scoring game this week. All in all, Russell isn't doing the things Buckeye and Laker fans were thinking he would. But I personally think that will change. Progress is a slow process. With that being said, the Lakers are terrible and Russell could help soothe some LA pain if he starts doing some Ohio State-esque things.
Best Performance: In the Lakers first and only win of the season which came against Brooklyn on Friday, Russell was able to reach highs in points, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage. The rookie was able to pile up 16 points on 6-9 shooting (66.7%) while knocking down 2-3 from three-point land. Russell also pulled down four boards, had three steals and broke the ankles of the 32-year old Jarrett Jack in the victory.
Team Record: 1-6
Upcoming Games: Tonight @ Orlando Magic, 11/13 @ Dallas Mavericks, 11/15 vs Detroit Pistons, 11/16 @ Phoenix Suns
Jared Sullinger, PF, Boston Celtics
In last weeks edition, Sullinger got plenty of praise for his performances throughout the first three games of the season. This week, he almost messed around and averaged a double-double in his three showings. The Celtic forward averaged 13.6 points and 9.6 rebounds which means he was just one rebound away from reaching the mark. Sullinger did have a single game in which he piled up a double-double and that was a 11-point, 10-rebound night against the Bucks on Tuesday. Sully improved in every statistical category from last week outside of FG% and he still did well it that department as he shot over 50% this week. To go along with the solid week, Sullinger eclipsed one single game career mark that we will discuss shortly.
Best Performance: Despite his double-double performance last night, we'll peg Friday night as Sully's best game of the week. The Celtics squared off against the Wizards and it was quite the night for the 6'9, 260-pounder. Sullinger got his season-high in points with 21 and assists with three, snagged eight rebounds, and blocked a shot. Efficiency was the big thing in this one as Sullinger was putting getting buckets with little trouble. He knocked down 9 of his 13 attempts. The Columbus native only attempted four three-pointers on the night and made three of them. That makes 75% from deep which is the best percentage Sullinger has put together from three-point range in his NBA career. Sullinger was also the high point man for the Celtics in this one and led Boston to their second win of the season.
Team Record: 3-3
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Indiana Pacers, 11/13 vs Atlanta Hawks, 11/15 @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 11/16 @ Houston Rockets
Evan Turner, SF, Boston Celtics
After pretty much being nonexistent for the Celtics last week, Evan Turner turned things around this week in a big way. Despite his poor outings in the first three games of the season, Turner received a minutes boost from Head Coach Brad Stevens and ran with the opportunity. Turner put up double digit points in all three games and averaged 13.3 points per game this week -- an 8.7 PPG jump from last week. The aggressiveness and efficiency are likely the reason for the increase. Turner, after taking just a little over six shots per game in the first week, took just a hair over 11 this week. Not only did he take more attempts, he made more as well. The former Buckeye shot a ridiculous 52.90% from the floor this week and did not have a game in which he didn't make at least half of his shots. Turner also rebounded, assisted, came away with more steals, and took care of the ball much better in week two of the NBA season. It was quite the three-game stretch for Turner and surely the hope is that he keeps playing at this level for Boston.
Best Performance: For Turner, his best performance of the week and season came last night when Boston took on the Bucks. The Illinois-born Celtic stuffed the stat sheet in all aspects of the game despite coming off of the bench. Turner finished the night with 13 points (6-12 shooting), five rebounds, six assists, four steals, and committed just one turnover. The four steals by Turner ties the most he's ever had in a single game in his NBA career. The only time he had four swipes was in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals when he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers and they faced off against his current team -- the Boston Celtics -- and he needed a little over 41 minutes to do it on that night. Last night, he only played 29 minutes and still reached that same mark. Another impressive number that came about on Tuesday night was Turner having a +/- of +32 against Milwaukee. The only flaw on Turner's stat line would be his 1-4 shooting from distance. Boston pulled away from this one in the second and third quarters and would take the victory by a final of 99-83.
Team Record: 3-3
Upcoming Games: Tonight vs Indiana Pacers, 11/13 vs Atlanta Hawks, 11/15 @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 11/16 @ Houston Rockets
Continue reading...