For the Fans

Update on former Illini in the NBA 1/7/08

Posted by: Tom Young

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 6:44 AM

Dee Brown (released by Phoenix Suns) - Last time I did an NBA update, Brown was getting some playing time with the Washington Wizards.  A lot has happened to him since then.  He was waived by the Wiz on December 10th, then signed with Phoenix on Christmas Eve.  The Suns have been having a hard time keeping their point guards on the floor (Steve Nash - back; Gorgan Dragic - illness).  Brown played two games for the Suns, averaging 14 minutes and 2.5 ppg.  Yesterday Dee was released by Phoenix.  I wonder if this might be it for him in the NBA.  He was so great for the U of I, but things just haven't worked out that well in the NBA.  He played decently in Turkey, so maybe playing overseas is an option again.  Time will tell.

Brian Cook (Orlando Magic) - Here is a guy that I think could do a lot more on a less talented team.  Cook has proven he can play NBA basketball, but Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu have proven they are a lot better than Brian Cook.  In 13 games, Cook is averaging 6.8 minutes and 2.8 ppg.  Cook showed with the Lakers that he can be a valuable player.  Definately not a superstar, but off the bench Brian Cook could do some damage for a lesser team.  Maybe the Bulls should go get him.  They could use a big guy who doesn't suck.

Luther Head (Houston Rockets) - Luther Head continues to suffer the same problem that Brian Cook is suffering.  Head's a good player, but he isn't as good as Tracey McGrady or Ron Artest.  Head is averaging 15.5 minutes and 5.2 ppg.  I can see Head doing some good things on a team in need of guard help, but when a team has McGrady, Artest, three point specialist Brent Barry, and point Guard Rafer Alston, not much guard help is needed.  The one thing that helps out Head is that McGrady is oft-injured, and Ron Artest at times seems to be hit with the injury bug.  Both of those guys are suffering injuries right now (McGrady - sore left knee; Artest - sore right ankle), and this has helped Head get some okay minutes in the last few games.

Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) - There is no doubt that the Jazz perform as well as their starting point guard does, and I think Williams is still recovering a bit from his sprained ankle.  His assist numbers are still there, averaging 10.0 apg, but his FG percentage and PPG are down a little bit.  However, if you check out his game log, you can see that he is starting to score a bit more as the year moves along.  In his last game, Williams racked up 25 points and 15 assist in a 119-114 win over Golden State.  Williams is very valuable when it comes to creating shots for his teammates, but if he can continue creating shots for himself, the Jazz will return to a top 4 playoff spot in a pretty tough Western Conference.

 

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