For the Fans

Update on former Illini in the NBA 11/18

Posted by: Tom Young

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:58 AM

With the NBA season around an eight of the way done, it is still too early to tell a lot of anything.  For you Bulls fans, this is a crucial stretch of games coming up.  It is time for that annual circus trip.  Seven straight road games that will test this team more than any other stretch of games will, and it will likely set the tone for the rest of the season.  Right now at 5-5, they are starting to play a bit better, coming off a couple of wins against the Mavericks and the Pacers.

As for the former Illini in the league, most of them had some sort of injury issue they were dealing with.  Now, they are starting to heal up a bit and see some playing time.

Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams finally saw his first action of the season.  He played only a couple of games before sitting out last night in a 109-97 win over Phoenix. You can tell the Jazz are missing him a bit.  They are still winning at home (5-0), which hasn’t changed from last year, but they are only 2-4 on the road, and definitely getting Williams back on a consistent basis would help tremendously.  In this two games this season, Williams isn’t lighting up the scoreboard, only averaging 7.5 ppg, but he still has those nice assist numbers, averaging 8.0 apg.  Right now he is listed as day-to-day with that same ankle injury he suffered against the Bulls in their exhibition game at the United Center.

Houston Rocket guard Luther Head has only seen four games this season, and all of his action has come off the bench.  He has always had a hard time getting on the court playing behind Tracey McGrady, but now he has McGrady and Ron Artest playing in front of him, so his playing time has been cut a bit.  As you would expect, his numbers are down because of the less playing time, only averaging 4.7 ppg while shooting only 31.6% from the field.  What might help Head with some of his playing time is McGrady’s ability to get injured.  He left last nights game in the opening minute of the second half with a sore left knee, and if he has to be out for any length of time, Head will move up the depth chart.   Another player that is keeping Luther from getting on the court; three-point specialist Brent Barry. He’s been hurt a bit as well, but when on, this is one of the best deep ball shooters in the game.  We will see if these injuries give Luther Head a chance to get some more playing time and get back on track.

Orlando Magic forward Brian Cook has missed a good chunk of the season with a finger injury.  He is back now, and he could possibly be a nice three-point threat for this team if he gets more playing time.  Right now, he has only seen seven minutes in two games, and has made one of his two shot attempts.  He has proven in his career that he can hit the three and shoot free throws (39.1% from three and 79.5% from the free throw line), but I wonder if his size is a reason he doesn’t play more.  At 6’9”, you would expect him to play more like a power forward, but instead he plays like a guard.  Last year after being traded from the Lakers, Cook playing in 45 games with the Magic, averaging 12.5 minutes/game, and shot 39.0% from three, but he only shot 39.4% overall.  With plenty of season left, we will see if he gets similar minutes to last season.

Washington Wizard guard Dee Brown isn’t overseas anymore.  He has seen five games off the bench, and much like his career numbers, his season numbers are not that impressive.  His best game in a 106-81 loss to Orlando, where Brown saw 20 minutes, and have five assist, four rebounds, and two points.  So far this year, Brown is averaging 0.8 ppg and 1.8 apg, while shooting only 25.0% from the field.  Granted, he has only taken eight shots, but when you are trying to fight for playing time, you got to make shots.  Over the course of his short career, he has had a hard time doing that, as is shown by his 32.1 FG%.  I have a feeling that Brown will either go down to D-ball, or back overseas.  No matter how he does the rest of the way, you can’t take away how great he was for the Illini.

I will try to give updates on these guys every couple weeks.  It is always nice to see guys who we got so accustomed to watching perform at the professional level.  For those of you looking for my “Tuesday Night Sim” on the Illini-Northwestern matchup, I will have that up here either tomorrow or Thursday.  I know, I should change the name of it to “Wednesday or Thursday Night Sim” with how behind I have been with it of late, but it will still get done. 

Let me know what you guys think about these guys are anything else that is on your mind.  Always love to hear from you.  That’s what a blog is all about.

I-L-L…

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