Ed Davis & The 2010-11 Rookie Progress Report: Midseason Checkup Pt. 2
Cole Aldrich: Oklahoma City Thunder:
FAldrich hasn’t played in a game since a four-minute cameo appearance against the Knicks on December 22nd. The former Jayhawk has appeared in a total of seven games in 2010-2011 and has failed to give Oklahoma City the serviceable backup to Serge Ibaka that the team has been looking for. Perhaps Aldrich’s sophomore season will be more promising.
Xavier Henry: Memphis Grizzlies:
C-Aldrich’s teammate while at Kansas, Xavier Henry seems to have found his role as one of Memphis’ more effective reserves. Considering the Grizzlies wealth of wing players Henry has contributed with a nightly 5.0 PPG while shooting a respectable 41.2 percent from the floor. The young forward has a long way to go before he works his way up the depth chart but he’s shown signs that he’ll be prepared for a more advanced role in coming seasons.
Ed Davis: Toronto Raptors:
B-After spending the beginning of the season in the developmental league, Davis has been a consistent contributor to a young Toronto team. Davis had scouts drooling during his freshman season during North Carolina’s title run, but Davis’ sophomore slump sent his stock plummeting. The young big man has rebounded since and is now a reliable scoring option (6.5 PPG) off the bench while also demonstrating his prowess on the glass (6.2 RPG) and at the defensive end (1.2 BPG). With Toronto’s playoff hopes long gone, expect Davis to become a building block north of the border for a long time.
Patrick Patterson: Houston Rockets:
CPatterson has battled for playing time alongside fellow young big man Jordan Hill. Head coach Rick Adelman likes Patterson’s rebounding (3.1 RPG per 13 MPG) tenacity and the efficient shooting stroke (58 percent FG) he brings in since being drafted out of Kentucky. Whichever of these promising post players wins the playing time battle will help the Rockets lift off for another playoff berth.
Larry Sanders: Milwaukee Bucks:
CThe former VCU standout has been a viable option off of Milwaukee’s bench and proven to the league that he’s an intimidating defensive presence. Sanders has averaged 1.3 BPG in only 14 minutes of nightly action. In addition to his defensive force Sanders has rebounded the ball well at both ends of the floor (3.0) and contributed a modest 4.2 PPG. With Andrew Bogut soaking up a majority of the minutes in the post, Sanders will have to wait for his opportunity to arise.
Luke Babbitt: Portland Trail Blazers:
FBabbitt has struggled to see action at the NBA level after bouncing back and forth between Portland and their NBDL affiliate. Unfortunately for the rookie forward, Babbitt sits buried behind a plethora of wing players who give Portland the offensive and defensive help needed to compete. Until Babbitt’s game evolves to encompass an offensive and defensive threat, the 21-year-old will struggle to see any floor time.
Kevin Seraphin: Washington Wizards:
D-The Frenchman brings a 6’9’’ and 275 lbs. frame off the bench for a rebuilding Washington squad that continues to utilize Seraphin as an ancillary big body. The young center isn’t a threat to score the ball but he is a competent rebounder who can give Washington a few effective minutes on a nightly basis. Seraphin is still raw and will need a few more seasons to develop before he can be relied on as a legitimate post presence.
Eric Bledsoe: Los Angeles Clippers:
B-The young point guard has fallen off since behind replaced in the lineup by veteran guard Baron Davis. During a November stretch Bledsoe averaged 10.0 PPG while also dishing out a team leading 5.7 ASG. The former Kentucky Wildcat seems to be the long term option for the Clippers who have a stockpile of young, promising players who may give the Lakers a run for city bragging rights. Expect Bledsoe to take the next step towards a reliable option at point guard in coming seasons.
Avery Bradley: Boston Celtics:
FNBA scouts and speculators once saw the Bradley, the Tacoma, Washington product, as a legitimate lock-down defender whose athleticism would be an instant asset to any NBA club. Instead Bradley can only stake claim to having played in a handful of games while soaking up mere “garbage” minutes. The Celtics hoped that Bradley would fill the void left behind by Tony Allen but the young guard has yet to take the next step towards being a serviceable part of the NBA club.
James Anderson: San Antonio Spurs:
F Logging a total of only eight games thus far, Anderson is a work in progress who the Spurs will look to utilize in coming seasons. This season however, Anderson has been an afterthought and only recently has the former Oklahoma State Cowboy seen the NBA floor. Anderson was a constant scoring threat while at OSU but his offensive prowess has yet to translate to the professional ranks.
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