12/17 Roster Highlights By: 2K Insider | Wednesday December 17 2008 New Animations - Both LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire have been assigned new dunk packages. LBJ has been ridiculous lately, dunking all over the opposition.
Latest News - Patrick Ewing Jr. was added to the free agent pool in anticipation of his signing with the Knicks. Cuttino Mobley was removed entirely from the roster, so don't expect to see him in free agency. Kevin Martin just can't seem to get his ankle right, so he is out of the Kings' lineup indefinitely. This has opened the door for Francisco Garcia to get more run. Tracy McGrady is back and has been impressive for a guy not 100% healthy. He posted a triple double on Tuesday night in a victory over the improved Nuggets. Darius Miles was thrown a lifeline by the Memphis Grizzlies, who have decided to give the underachieving veteran another chance to resurrect his career. Recall that the Celtics gave him a long, hard look this past summer before deciding to waive him. Much like Michael Myers in the Halloween movies, Juwan Howard just won't go away. Just when you think he's done, his scary face appears out of nowhere.
Biggest Movers - Al Harrington has been reborn on the New York Knicks. Earlier this season, he demanded a trade out of Golden State and wound up in Don Nelson's doghouse. Luckily for him, Donnie Walsh is his number one fan and he's been the darling of MSG ever since being traded for Jamal Crawford. Speaking of reborn, Chris "The Birdman" Andersen is enjoying life coming off the Nuggets bench. He is throwing shots like shoes headed for George Bush's head. Is there any doubt that Dwight Howard is the best center in the NBA? My only complaint is why hasn't he been blocking shots like this his entire career? Zach Randolph is putting up 20 and 10 in his sleep down in L.A. His shooting attributes have been bumped up because of his hot streak. Lots of other players had their ratings adjusted, but not quite worthy of being labeled a "biggest mover".
Debating Ratings - There has been a recent spate of arguing over specific players and their value. While I think this can be good for the blog, it has gotten out of hand a few times. So I am asking that you let others have their say and don't dominate the blog by posting multiple times in a short time span. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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Caron Butler has struggled out the gate averaging 16.8 ppg on 0.397 FG% over 8 games. Perhaps he won't struggle as much when Antawn Jamison finally returns to the lineup.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans has flourished since Kevin Martin went down with injury, averaging 23.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.0 apg and 1.4 spg. His confidence is sky high right now which bodes well for his eventual return to running point for the Kings.
Passing
3pt %
Milwaukee Bucks - Brandon Jennings
Brandon Jennings lit up the Warriors for 55 points Saturday night in a performance that had everyone talking. The Bucks finally got it right and looks to have gotten the steal of the draft this year.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Los Angeles Clippers - Chris Kaman
The bright spot for the Clippers has been Chris Kaman's improved offense of 21.8 ppg on 0.543 FG%. The NBA recently recognized him by naming Kaman the Western Conference Player of the Week.
Low Post
Block
Los Angeles Lakers - Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is holding it down in the middle for the Lakers with 20.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 1.8 bpg averages. It's nice to finally see the young big man healthy and productive after some unfortunate injuries in recent years.
Low Post
Rebounding
New York Knicks - Toney Douglas
Toney Douglas has provided the Knicks with bench scoring over the last few games. No doubt Mike D'Antoni is frustrated with Chris Duhon's lack of scoring this year.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah is averaging 12.1 ppg, 12.4 rpg and 2.0 bpg and providing a presence in the paint. This is exactly what the Bulls were hoping for when they made him their 2007 lottery pick.
Close-range %
Block
Indiana Pacers - Roy Hibbert
Second year center, Roy Hibbert, has improved significantly by averaging 12.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 2.5 bpg. He looks to be in better shape and understands his role better this time around.
Block
Rebounding
Philadelphia 76ers - Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Dalembert's production has taken a dip with averages of 6.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Now that Marresse Speights is out for extended time, the Sixers need Sammy D to step it up.
Block
Rebounding
New York Knicks - Chris Duhon
Chris Duhon can't hit the side of a barn, averaging 6.5 ppg on 0.228 FG%. This has allowed Toney Douglas to get significant run in recent games.
Mid-range %
3pt %
Latest News
Golden State Warriors - Kelenna Azubuike
Kelenna Azubuike tore his left patellar tendon and is done for the season. Swingmen Anthony Morrow and Corey Maggette will share the extra minutes.
Charlotte Bobcats - Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson got his wish and was traded to Charlotte where he gets a fresh start. Acie Law joins him in exchange for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic.
Golden State Warriors - Raja Bell
Raja Bell immediately opted for surgery to repair his fractured wrist, thus ending his season. His top priority is to get healthy for free agency rather than play for the lowly Warriors.
Orlando Magic - Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis has finished serving his 10 game suspension and is starting at power forward again. It should take him a couple weeks to work off the rust and get back into game shape.
Philadelphia 76ers - Marreese Speights
Marresse Speights strained the MCL in his left knee and is out 6 to 8 weeks. He had been providing a nice scoring punch off the bench this season.
Portland Blazers - Travis Outlaw
High flyer Travis Outlaw has a stress fracture in his left foot and will miss 3 to 5 months. Rudy Fernandez and Martell Webster are more than capable of picking up the slack.
Memphis Grizzlies - Jamaal Tinsley
The Grizzlies took another gamble and signed troubled point guard Jamaal Tinsley. J.T. had been out of the NBA for over a year so expectations are low.
New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul
Chris Paul severely sprained his ankle and is out at least 3 to 4 weeks. Rookie Darren Collison takes over the starting gig with Bobby Brown backing him up
Washington Wizards - Caron Butler
Caron Butler has struggled out the gate averaging 16.8 ppg on 0.397 FG% over 8 games. 
Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans has flourished since Kevin Martin went down with injury, averaging 23.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.0 apg and 1.4 spg. 
Milwaukee Bucks - Brandon Jennings
Brandon Jennings lit up the Warriors for 55 points Saturday night in a performance that had everyone talking. 
Los Angeles Clippers - Chris Kaman
The bright spot for the Clippers has been Chris Kaman's improved offense of 21.8 ppg on 0.543 FG%. 
Los Angeles Lakers - Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is holding it down in the middle for the Lakers with 20.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 1.8 bpg averages. 
New York Knicks - Toney Douglas
Toney Douglas has provided the Knicks with bench scoring over the last few games. 
Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah is averaging 12.1 ppg, 12.4 rpg and 2.0 bpg and providing a presence in the paint. 
Indiana Pacers - Roy Hibbert
Second year center, Roy Hibbert, has improved significantly by averaging 12.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 2.5 bpg. 
Philadelphia 76ers - Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Dalembert's production has taken a dip with averages of 6.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg. 
Chris Duhon can't hit the side of a barn, averaging 6.5 ppg on 0.228 FG%. 
Golden State Warriors - Kelenna Azubuike
Kelenna Azubuike tore his left patellar tendon and is done for the season. 
Charlotte Bobcats - Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson got his wish and was traded to Charlotte where he gets a fresh start. 
Raja Bell immediately opted for surgery to repair his fractured wrist, thus ending his season. 
Orlando Magic - Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis has finished serving his 10 game suspension and is starting at power forward again. 
Marresse Speights strained the MCL in his left knee and is out 6 to 8 weeks. 
Portland Blazers - Travis Outlaw
High flyer Travis Outlaw has a stress fracture in his left foot and will miss 3 to 5 months. 
Memphis Grizzlies - Jamaal Tinsley
The Grizzlies took another gamble and signed troubled point guard Jamaal Tinsley. 
New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul
Chris Paul severely sprained his ankle and is out at least 3 to 4 weeks. 
