Yi Jianlian (Photo. Bradley Meintz)Dime’s NBA preview issue (#37, Nov. 2007) included our list of “Players 2 Watch.” These were the guys we felt, at the time, made for the most compelling story lines heading into the ‘07-08 campaign — from MVP candidates to potential breakout stars to standout rookies to teams ready to explode or implode. Halfway through the season, how have they fared so far? Yesterday looked at the Western Conference P2W’s. Today, the Eastern Conference.
LUOL DENG
What we said: “Will Deng continue to climb into the League’s upper echelon, or was his playoff explosion just a fluke?”
What he’s done: 17.9 points, 6.7 rebounds per game. Deng’s numbers are down slightly from last season, but that’s not all there is to the story. Since the Bulls failed to sign him to a long-term extension over the summer, a lot of observers think that Deng is now selfishly playing for a contract. With Ben Gordon being in a similar situation — and being accused of playing similarly selfish — that has played a role in Chicago’s wildly disappointing first half of the season. Deng is currently sidelined by an Achilles injury.
JAMEER NELSON
What we said: “While a lot will be expected of D12 and Raw Lew, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle will be Jameer Nelson.”
What he’s done: 11 points, 5.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds per game. Dwight Howard (21.9 ppg, 14.9 rpg, 2.6 bpg), Rashard Lewis (18.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Hedo Turkoglu (19.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg) have driven the Magic to its current status as one of the elite teams in the East. Jameer has been good when he’s been on the court, but he’s also been inconsistent, and has been bothered by injuries.
RAJON RONDO
What we said: “It sounds easy enough for Rajon Rondo: Get the ball from one end of the court to the other, pass it off to one of the three future Hall of Famers on your team, and GET OUT OF THE WAY. Oh, and try not to get burned too badly on D. And make a jumper once in a while.”
What he’s done: 9.6 points, 4.6 assists, 1.8 steals per game. If point guards are judged by wins and losses, Rondo couldn’t be doing much better — the C’s boast a League-best 35-8 record and are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference title. Their young PG isn’t turning the ball over (1.6 per game) and is shooting at a high percentage (49.2% FGs). There have been times when he’s looked very bad, but those haven’t come as often as many Boston fans feared.
YI JIANLIAN
What we said: “It was reported that the team had promised the rookie 20-25 minutes a night, but if he doesn’t produce and is taking time away from Milwaukee’s other talented forwards, it will be curtains for him.”
What he’s done: 9.8 points, 5.8 rebounds per game. Numbers-wise, Yi isn’t hitting the same marks that Yao Ming — who he’ll always be associated with — did in his rookie year. Aesthetically, though, Yi’s transition has appeared smoother. He’s shown the tools it takes to be a standout forward in the League, most notably an ultra-smooth jumper and offensive know-how, but after putting up some nice stat lines (29 pts, 10 rebs vs. Charlotte, 12/22), seems to have hit the rookie wall early. January has been his lowest-scoring month of the season (7.4 ppg), and he hasn’t hit double-figures in points in his last seven games. FYI, Yi is logging 27 minutes per night, while Charlie Villanueva is playing 19, Desmond Mason 26, and Bobby Simmons 23.
THE KNICKS
What we said: “Just ‘aiight’ won’t be good enough — or bad enough — for the New York Knicks. …While NY is thinking playoffs, the skeptics foresee fireworks of another kind.”
What they’ve done: 14 wins, 31 losses, last place in the Atlantic Division. Where do we begin? Stephon Marbury almost ran a one-man mutiny before quietly going away for what should be most of the remainder of the season. Eddy Curry’s production has plummeted since Zach Randolph showed up. Isiah Thomas is dealing with rumors of getting fired one day and being bombarded with “Fire Isiah!” chants the next. The talent is there, and we’ve seen the Knicks play some good ball here and there, but in general this is still a really, really bad situation.
DORELL WRIGHT
What we said: “Three years into his career, Wright embodied the young player with potential who had no room to realize it. This year will be different. A grown-ass man now at 21, Wright reportedly shot up to 6-10 and a half over the summer, and could be the answer to Miami’s questions at small forward.”
What he’s done: 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks per game. Wright’s gotten his chance to shine, seeing 23 minutes per night and starting in 24 of the 30 games in which he’s played. Dorell’s had his moments (19 pts, 18 rebs, 3 blks vs. Golden State, 12/7), but we honestly thought he’d be a little more consistent and productive. And no one knew the Heat would be this terrible; currently holding the second-worst record in the NBA.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:17 am
Kobeef says:
Yi has been better than I thought. I have to admit I was not convinced he was a top flight forward but when he is on he has all the tools.
Jameer is starting to look like a mistake. I was surprised that they magic were so quick to lock him up after a few seasons of OK but not great play. I think they should have help out for something better at PG..image if Chris Paul was running orlando..they would be a championship team.
Rondo has been OK but I think has been exposed a few times this season as a PG with some fundamental issues. He is a great athlete and as a result good defender (steals) but not a great playmaker or shooter - which are pretty important pieces of a PG’s game.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:31 am
Coldchain says:
Yi ain’t bad, but it seems every time I look up he’s getting dunked on. He needs to realize he’s not a shot-blocker. He’s got a nice J though.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:58 am
Kobe-08_24 says:
How bad is that Chicago situation? Who would have thought this would happen after the Heat sweep last year?
January 31st, 2008 at 11:09 am
Myrie says:
Luol Deng is a decent player, but thats all your going to get out of him. I couldn’t believe the Bulls didn’t want to trade him for Kobe last year. Deng is good, but not special at anything.
Jameer Nelson has disappointed me. I thought dude was better than what he showed thus far. At this rate, Delonte West will have a jersey retired before Nelson.
Rajon Rondo is ok. But he is in a role he’s not ready for. He isn’t fooling anybody. He’s not a starter in this league. But….he is getting the job done and thats all anyone can ask.
YI was drafted to earn dollars to keep the team in Milwaukee. Plain and simple. He wasn’t drafted for wins/losses. He is a living/walking marketing gimmick. Needs more muscle and he should rebound better for his size. It doesn’t bother me that he getting more minutes than Charlie, Desmond or Bobby. What can those chumps really offer?
MY NY KNICKS….I guess there is always next season. My squad sucks right now and I ain’t ashamed to say so. I ain’t gonna pretend like they good. Move Isiah into the front office as a liason to the GM and make Isiah a scout or let him leave.
Hire Jerry West to restore some respectability to the Garden and the franchise. Hire Mark Jackson as the new head coach during the off season (or Herb Williams if Jax declines).
Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph cannot co-exist. They don’t play well off of each other and cannot compliment each other. Gotta move one this off season to get a defensive interior player. Move Randolph; only becuase he has more value and 6′11 players are harder to come by. Especially as the league will be built around centers again in 2yrs. Gotta keep Curry just for that reason.
Dorell Wright—its put up or shut up time for this guy. At least he’s getting more minutes than Jonathan Bender got…
January 31st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Celts Fan says:
are you serious Myrie? Rondo will be a top 5 PG in the NBA within 5 years. Just remember you heard it hear first. He’s still developing, and on this team, shouldn’t always be in during crunch time, but the kid has a very bright future and is absolutely a starter in this league.
and Kobeef, Rondo’s a pretty good playmaker. If he wasn’t on a team where all 3 guys in the back court (and even KG sometimes) bring the ball up routinely, he’d have more dimes. My only issue with him is that he doesn’t look to get by his man more often, and considering his speed and handle, he should be more aggressive. He should have annihilated Bassy last week, and instead barely looked to drive on him. That’s a mental thing though, and that can be taught, then when you get down on him, he runs ish like he did against the Heat. Consistency is the biggest thing with him right now, but for a kid in his 2nd year in the NBA who’s still only 22, I love what I see so far…
January 31st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Celts Fan says:
and Myrie, Jonathan Bender was hurt his entire career, which is a shame, because from all accounts, he was what Darius Miles could’ve been had he been a few inches taller, actually had a decent J, attitude, and work ethic…
January 31st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Myrie says:
Celtsfan–
Are YOU serious?….Rajon Rondo a top 5 point guard? Not in this league, not in this world, not in this lifetime
Toronto used to think the same thing of Aaron Williams. Yeah I know, your going to tell me Rando is not Williams and that he is better. Rando barely got minutes over Saul Smith. I like Rando, but I’m not blinded/jaded into thinking he’s a difference maker; don’t be such a ‘homer’. We’ll see. I just disagree with you.
Jonathan Bender had no business going into the NBA draft. He was injured uh?……how? Collecting bench splinters?
January 31st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Celts Fan says:
Bender = degenerative knee condition that kept him anchored to the bench trying to recover, then reaggrivating it, etc. He eventually had to retire cuz of it.
and I’m not trying to be a homer w/ Rondo. The guy is fast as hell, a really good defender (though he could use some work being more physical,) he CAN drive by his guy almost at will (though doesn’t always look to) and a good playmaker. He’s also obviously a hard worker, as evidenced by the strides in his jumper this year. It’s infinitely better than it was last year. In 5 years, if he keeps working on it, it’ll be something he makes consistently, which, along with everything else I just said (and filling out a bit to be more physical on the defensive end) puts him in the top 5 PG’s in the NBA in my opinion.
and remember, I was the same guy defending (and saying we HAVE TO) getting another PG like Sam Cassell for this year, so let’s remember that I’m talking about the future here. Right now, he’s not there yet…
January 31st, 2008 at 2:07 pm
dagwaller says:
Wow. I just had a huge post deleted. Anyway, the gist of it was that:
CP3
Deron Williams
Kirk Hinrich
Tony Parker
Gilbert Arenas
Dwyane Wade (if you consider these two to be point guards)
Shaun Livingston
TJ Ford (if these two are still in the League)
Jameer Nelson
Raymond Felton
Jose Calderon
Acie Law IV
Mike Conley Jr
are all guys that are as young, if not younger, than Rondo, and are already as good or better than he is. Not to mention the guys in the next draft class that are supposed to be nice. Plus, Jarrett Jack and Steve Blake are going to be benefitting from the same effect as Rondo’s benefitting from THIS year, NEXT year (when they luckily get a good big man on an already good team, which makes everyone look better - just ask the Celtics or the Lakers when they got Shaq).
My point isn’t that Rondo is BAD; it’s that it’s hard to crack a top 5 list when everyone else is so good. Kind of like why I don’t mean offense when I say Kidd isn’t a top 5 point anymore. It’s similar to power forward in the West for the past 6 or 7 years. Their 8th best PF in 2004 was probably better than all but 1 or 2 PFs in the East back then.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Celts Fan says:
Better than Rondo COULD BE (projecting out 5 years to the finished product)
CP3 (obviously, #1 right now to me, and he and Deron should be battling over that for the next decade)
Deron Williams (obviously)
Kirk Hinrich (yes now, but this year has me thinking he may not be much better than he is now, which Rondo could/should be better than in 5 years)
Tony Parker (arguable if Rondo develops. I see Rondo as being just like Parker on offense, but much better defensively if everything comes together)
Gilbert Arenas (a 2 masquerading as a point)
Dwyane Wade (not a point)
Shaun Livingston (didn’t really make a believer out of me before the knee went. no way now)
TJ Ford (no)
Jameer Nelson (no)
Raymond Felton (no)
Jose Calderon (he definitely is now, but if Rondo develops like he could, I think he’s better. remember that Jose’s 26 right now, which is how old Rondo will be in 4 years!)
Acie Law IV (no)
Mike Conley Jr (could be. he’s like a carbon copy of Rajon right now to me, only minus the tenacious D, so if I was forced to answer, I’d go with no)
My point is that the only real weakness in Rondo’s game is his jumper and experience - both of which improve with experience and hard work, the first of which he’s getting plenty of, and the latter he’s proven he’s willing to do by the strides he’s made in his shooting this year. Dude is a great defender (though putting on another 10-15 pounds that getting older and filling out does, and will do in 5 years will help) is fast as hell, is a good playmaker, can drive almost at will, and rebounds like hell. Give him 5 years to progress that jumper from last year’s “please don’t ever shoot” to slightly above average, and I don’t know how you stop him. This is definitely projecting out and assuming he stays hungry and keeps busting his @$$, but that’s the potential I see…
January 31st, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Celts Fan says:
Projecting out to the 2012-’13 season, I see the top 5 PGs in no particular order as:
CP3, Deron, Rondo, Derrick Rose, and Mike Conley (though you can make a case for Heinrich and Calderon - who’ll be 31 at the time and isn’t exactly an elite athlete or defender right now at 26)
January 31st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Celts Fan says:
Am I just being a homer here?
Anyone have any thoughts on that list and/or any additions to it?
January 31st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Myrie says:
Celtsfan–
It is an interesting thought. The NBA will be a centers league 5yrs from now. The teams with center will go deep; but the teams with good point guard play may be able to challenge them.
PG crop appears weak, but consider what the NBA center crop will look like in 2012-2013 season:
Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, Greg Oden, Tyson Chandler, Andrew Bynum, Andrew Bogut, Eddy Curry, Samuel Dalmebert, (Amare Stoudamire will not be playing center by then, but if I’m wrong, you can even throw his name in there), Al Horford
perhaps..
Kenny George, Spence Hawes, Roy Hibbert….etc.
The weakest position in the league right now, will become the strongest again. Teams that have these players will advance deep into the playoffs.
But the difference between the winning teams will prolly be the point guards.
January 31st, 2008 at 3:46 pm
GEE...What is Fandango? says:
Woooo it’s some weed smokin’ goin on in this room HERE!
WOW!
Hmmm Rondo top 5 in some years down the road.
Wow!
That is some ol’ industrial strength weed! Woooooooo!
January 31st, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Celts Fan says:
so I guess we know GEE’s answer to post 12…
January 31st, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Celts Fan says:
I guess my point on Rondo is that I see EVERY physical tool you could want and a work ethic that tells me he will put it all together, as well as being on a veteran team where he can pick guys’ brains and not develop bad habits that can happen on a young team. Maybe I went a little Heinsohn on that one…
February 1st, 2008 at 8:17 am
Celts Fan says:
Last night is exactly what I’m talking about though. Nose for the ball, willing to mix it up down low and fight for boards (12 total, 6 offensive) and steals. You see him rip that ball out of Dirk’s hand at the end? If he polishes the shot and FTs, works on finishing around the basket, and stays healthy, I don’t think it’s too outlandish to predict 17ppg, 8apg, 6rpg, and 2.5steals per in his prime down the road (which sounds like top 5 numbers to me…) Having said that, it’s consistency we need to see more of.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:18 am
Celts Fan says:
…but nights like last night are what fuel the wild speculation I embarked on yesterday
February 1st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
dagwaller says:
Yea. That’s what I was thinking. I listed a few guards that are legit better than Rondo, and some guys that are just as young (and therefore just as likely to get BETTER than Rondo), not to mention some guys coming into the League that are going to be better. No offense to the dude, again, but top 5? I seriously don’t see it.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Celts Fan says:
Fair enough Dagwaller, I disagree with some of them and have Rondo pegged as 7th best at worst 5 years from now (see post 11) but I base my assessment on games like last night, while yours is based on the egg he laid against Minnesota (3, 4 and 3 or something like that.) I think that was an abberation, you think last night was, and we could both be right. We’ll see what happens over the next 5 years I guess…
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
bron422 says:
Yea, you could be right. Seems like a good kid, and I like the Celtics ok, and 7th best seems like a fair estimation. COULD be better, yes. I wasn’t really basing it on his worst performances, though - more on the averages and the averages I think the newer guys will have, too.