Columnist image

TSN Basketball Analyst

Archive

Five Thoughts

1. Terrence Ross (Raptors): In his last game in October, at Boston, Ross scored 21 points on 8-12 shooting in 21 min. Then, the month of November was rough. In the 10 games he played, he averaged 3.6 points per game on 26 percent field goal shooting and 26 percent three-point shooting  in 17 minutes per game. With the start of December games Wednesday in Atlanta, hopefully for his sake he gets this bad stretch behind him. He's due.

2. Tim Duncan (Spurs): All this Kobe Bryant chatter and this guy just keeps rolling along, shooting over 52 percent with nine rebounds per game and close to two blocks per game. Like a fine wine, he gets better with age. Remarkable consistency.    

3. Jeremy Lamb (Hornets): Lamb has looked much improved. He's been huge off the bench for Steve Clifford in Charlotte.  I like what I'm seeing from him; he’s making high-end decisions and playing within himself. He’s also shooting 52 percent and picking his spots.  Sometimes you need a change of scenery, a new role, and stability to make it all happen. Good progress.    

4. T.J. McConnell (76ers): What an opportunity for him to get playing time and he’s taking advantage of it with 6.2 assists per game and 50 percent shooting. He's sixth in minutes for rookies and even though he's on a poor team, he's been a bright spot with his aggressive play. Who knows how long he sticks in the league but he's proving that he can hang in there and have a career either in the NBA or overseas.    

5. Jae Crowder (Celtics): I love his energy, grit and defensive prowess. He's terrific disrupting opponents flow and is top notch in the steals department with 2.3 per game. He's not going to score a ton but he's a guy you want on the floor anyway. You win with guys like this. He’s a pro.