Weekly Update of the Spartans in the NBA

 

 

2011 has been somewhat of a breakout year for Shannon Brown. We are now half way through the 2011 season, and Brown continues to average career highs in minutes and points per game. The Lakers rely heavily on his play off the bench, and continue to look for Shannon to energize the team with his athleticism. Shannon is averaging 9.4 points per game, and is shooting 36 percent from the 3 point line. The Lakers headed into All-Star Break with a 38-19 record. The Lakers continue to lose against terrible teams, but we know that won’t be the case come playoff time. It will be interesting to see how the season unfolds for them during the second half of play.

 

Jason Richardson started 2011 as a member of the Phoenix Suns, however was traded to the Orlando Magic. Jason’s first half of the season has been solid. Richardson provides great perimeter defense and timely 3-point shooting for Orlando. His numbers are down since arriving in Orlando. Richardson went from averaging 19 points per game in Phoenix, to averaging only 13 points per game in Orlando. Will the trade for Jason finally be the move that catapults Orlando over the Boston Celtics? The second half of the season will soon answer this question. The Orlando Magic headed into All Star break with a 36-21 record.

 

The first half of 2011 proved to be a coming out party for Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies. Randolph continues to dominate the paint for the Grizzlies. He is averaging 20.1 points per game, and 13.2 rebounds. At the beginning of the season, the Grizzlies’ owner guaranteed that his team would make the playoffs. It seems as though his guarantee might come true. The Grizzlies have a 31-26 record and are tied with the Utah Jazz for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

 

Charlie Bell spent the beginning of the 2011 season on the bench. He has since worked is way into the rotation to the tune of 9.4 minutes per game. Morris Peterson has not played in a game since Dec 12.

 

Drew Naymick continues his play for the Bakersfield Jam of the “Developmental League.” He is averaging 6.7 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game.