Chris Bosh isn't signing a contract extension this summer...which means he wants to test the free agent waters next season...which means his days in Toronto could be numbered.
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder: Westbrook's improved play is the biggest reason the Thunder are starting to win a few games. Over his last seven games Westbrook is averaging 17 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. He didn't make it into the Slam Dunk Contest, but is still getting to the hoop for almost five free throw attempts per game.
Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls: Rose has struggled with his shot lately (40% shooting over his last eight games) but it hasn't stopped him from being aggressive and spreading the ball across the court. He is being asked to do a lot for Chicago which explains why he may have hit a bit of a "wall".
OJ Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies: Mayo has only had one 20-point game since our last Eye on the Rookies. 20-point games aren't something we should expect out a rookie, but Mayo has proved this year that he can get his shot off anywhere. Unfortunately he hasn't been hitting as many shots lately which, along with the Grizzlies struggling to win games accounts for his drop in the standings.
Brook Lopez, C, New Jersey Nets: If a 31 point, 13 rebound game against Oklahoma City wasn't enough, Lopez scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Boston. Lopez is getting more minutes than he has all season and his production is going up with his minutes. Lopez is the only non-guard with a shot at winning the Rookie of the Year award.
Eric Gordon, SG, Los Angeles Clippers: Gordon is playing well for a beat-up Clippers team. He has been relied on for scoring and hasn't disppointed. He has scored in double figures in every game since our last Eye on the Rookies. He hasn't been depending on his jump shot either, 5.8 FTA/game.
Impact Three:
Marreese Speights, PF, Philadelphia 76ers: Speights has a 20.41 Player Efficiency Rating which is great for any NBA player let alone a rookie. With Elton Brand out, Speights keeps grabbing rebounds and making easy baskets in only about 21 minutes per game over his last five games.
Courtney Lee, SG, Orlando Magic: Lee's offensive game isn't great, but he hits open shots and plays solid defense which has helped him earn minutes on the Magic who as of today have the third best record in the league.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, F, Milwaukee Bucks: Mbah a Moute is earning his playing time by grabbing rebounds and playing defense. He is often assigned to guard the best player on the other team and has only struggled against the extremely versatile Boris Diaw.
Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City franchise formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics will now be known as the Oklahoma City Thunder. What do you think? Got a better name for the club? Drop us a comment.
ESPN is reporting that the Oklahoma City franchise, formerly of Seattle SuperSonics fame, has filed for trademarks for six nicknames for the OKC team: Barons, Bison, Energy, Marshalls, Thunder and Wind.
Derrick Rose will miss the rest of Summer League ball because of tendinitis in his knee. He played in only two games this summer, and he will miss his match-up with Russell Westbrook. Many considered Westbrook a stretch with the #4 pick when the Barons/Outlaws/Thunderbirds/un-Sonics selected him, but he is playing very well this summer.
Mario Chalmers is also lighting up the summer leagues (17.7 points, 7 assists, 2.7 steals per game). He helped to shut down Rose in the first Summer League game, causing 10 turnovers from the #1 pick. The Summer League normally doesn't tell us much, but this year it is obvious that neither Westbrook and Chalmers are ready to let Rose claim the "best point guard from the 2008 draft" title just yet.
few games. Over his last seven games Westbrook is averaging 17 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. He didn't make it into the Slam Dunk Contest, but is still getting to the hoop for almost five free throw attempts per game.
Player Efficiency Rating which is great for any NBA player let alone a rookie. With Elton Brand out, Speights keeps grabbing rebounds and making easy baskets in only about 21 minutes per game over his last five games. 