 |
| "E" was worthy of an entourage Tuesday. |
Most efficient small forward on a winning team: T.J. Warren, Phoenix. ...I am a fan of Warren's game. He scores easily, and seeing him play with better teammates (than he had at N.C. State) only makes him more impressive. Tuesday, Warren scored 28 points (12-22 FG, 0-3 3-pt. FG, 4-5 FT), and hauled in eleven boards in 32 minutes. Phoenix beat Philadelphia 97-88.
Most efficient shooting guard on a winning team: C.J. McCollum, Portland. ...McCollum scored 28 points in 29 minutes Tuesday in Portland's 91-76 win over Atlanta. McCollum shot 10-16 FG, 6-9 3-pt. FG, and 2-2 FT.
Most efficient center on a winning team: Donatas Motiejunas, Houston. ...Motiejunas scored 15 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT) and had five rebounds in 20 minutes, in Houston's 83-60 rout of the Clippers. Motiejunas is still just 23 years old.
Most efficient point guard on a winning team: Tyler Ennis, Phoenix. ...Ennis, the 18th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft scored just four points Tuesday, but he contributed eight rebounds, and five assists, with three steals in 23 minutes.
Seven more stars:
Tyler Johnson - Miami. ...The undrafted rookie from Fresno State continued to open eyes Tuesday, coming off the Miami bench to score 17 points (6-9 FG, 5-6 FT), snare eight boards, and swipe three steals in 25 minutes. The Heat lost 85-83 to Washington. Johnson has NBA athleticism and good size for a point guard.
James Nunnally - Miami. ...Nunnally shot the ball incredibly well Tuesday. He scored 22 points (7-9 FG, 4-5 3-pt. FG, 4-4 FT) and had five rebounds after switching summer teams. He was originally slated to play for Dallas but they were showcasing Ricky Ledo and Nunnally did not play a single minute for them on opening day or in the next game. ...Our take on Nunnally has not changed. He knows how to play, and he can make shots as a TWO guard. He carries himself like a ten-year NBA vet.
Lance Thomas - Chicago. ...Thomas scored 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 FT) and had six rebounds in 20 minutes as the starting power forward for the summer Bulls. Thomas (Duke) is now 26 years old. He's been playing in China. The Bulls beat Minnesota 107-73.
Doug McDermott - Chicago. ...McDermott, the eleventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, was strong again on Tuesday. He scored 20 points (7-13 FG, 4-7 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT), dished six assists, and added five rebounds in 26 minutes.
Mike Muscala - Atlanta. ...Muscala is too skilled a player to be denied. He scored 13 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3-pt. FG, 2-2 FT), and had seven rebounds in 25 minutes.
David Wear - Chicago. ...Wear scored 15 points (6-7 FG, 2-3 3-pt. FG, 1-1 FT) and added three steals in 21 minutes.
Malcolm Thomas - Utah. ...Thomas scored 14 points (7-11 FG), had ten rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots in 25 minutes.
Notes: Five players were EXCELLENT Tuesday but not in our Top 12 above: Miles Plumlee, Khem Birch, Thomas Robinson, Cameron Bairstow, and Jordan McRae. It was revealed following the Portland game that Robinson had suffered a torn ligament in his thumb. He is out for the rest of the games. ...Four players managed to have "negative" efficiency ratings for their respective Tuesday games. Among them was Rodney Hood, who one day prior was our Hoop Obsession MVP of the Day as the player with the highest efficiency rating on a winning team. The other three in negative territory included some "big names": Shabazz Napier, Quincy Miller, and Amath M'Baye.
