In the third installment of this series, the last division of the Eastern Conference will be focused on. (Parts one and two can be found in the hyperlinks). Out of all the teams in the NBA, these five (collectively) get the least coverage, so it’s time to shed some light on some exciting players.
Charlotte Hornets: Jeremy Lamb
Jeremy Lamb is only 26 years old, but it feels like he’s been in the league as long as it takes for the last 1:20 in the fourth quarter of an NBA game. He hasn’t turned out to be the player the Oklahoma City Thunder were hoping he’d be when they selected him 12th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, but he’s still been a solid player. This season has been no different.
So far this season, Lamb is averaging 15.4 PPG on .457/.379/.900 shooting splits. When the Hornets have won this season, Lamb takes his game to another level.
Wins: 14.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 APG; .487/.425/.882; 123.0 offensive rating, 103.0 defensive rating.
Lamb is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and while Charlotte will assuredly be more focused on Kemba’s free agent status, they may regret sacrificing the Lamb.
Orlando Magic: D.J. Augustin
D.J. Augustin is the epitome of an NBA journeyman.
Despite having been with the Orlando Magic since the 2016-17 season, the Magic are still Augustin’s ninth team. His tenure in the Theme Park Capital of the World got off to a rough start, but he seems to be finally piecing it together with a legitimate NBA roster.
Augustin is currently averaging 10.6 PPG on .457/.440/.873 shooting splits. He’s never been an exceptional three-point shooter, but this season he’s knocking down a career-best 44.0% of his treys on 3.7 three-point attempts per game.
In fact, it doesn’t matter if the Magic win or lose, Augustin is guaranteed to be hitting threes.
Wins: 46.2 3P%, 18 3PM, 2.2 3PA
Losses: 42.2 3P%, 19 3PM, 2.4 3PA
Augustin isn’t the Magic’s long-term answer at point guard, but he’s been a steadying presence.
Miami Heat: Rodney McGruder
It’s a wonder that the Heat have won as many games as they have this season, considering two of their starters are barely shooting above 40% from the floor (Goran Dragic 41.6%, Josh Richardson 42.9%). Granted, McGruder is only shooting 44.1%, but his 36.9% 3P% is good for fourth-best on the team.
McGruder is averaging 12.1 PPG, good for fifth-best in Miami and fourth-best among their starters.
He’s also converting a career-best 74.3% from the charity stripe, which isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s a vast improvement from the 50% he shot a season ago.
Not too shabby for a player that didn’t make his NBA debut until he was 24.
Washington Wizards: Jeff Green
(The Wizards may be putting the fun in dysfunctional this season, but they’re not the most dysfunctional organization in D.C.)
When the Wizards signed Jeff Green to a one-year contract last offseason, everyone was really happy for the Georgetown product.
When the Wizards signed Jeff Green to a one-year contract last offseason, it didn’t get much attention. The Wizards would be Green’s seventh team (eighth if you count Seattle, R.I.P. Supersonics), and he’s never lived up to his lofty selection.
That may be true, but it doesn’t mean he hasn’t had a solid career or a solid year so far in D.C.
Jeff Green is shooting 30.6% from beyond the arc this season, but that’s not what he was brought in to do – he’s a career 33.1% shooter from distance. No, Green was brought in to be a high-energy guy off the bench – and that’s exactly what he’s done.
Green’s averaging 10.2 PPG on a 49.1 FG% and a blistering 95.2% from the free-throw line (second-best in the league).
Oh, and he’s still dunking.
Jeff Green’s looking like a really nice pickup for the Wizards so far.pic.twitter.com/iQUqu1AvY5
— NBA News (@NBABBGAMETIME) October 9, 2018
Green may never average 20+ PPG or secure a big payday, but if he keeps doing what he’s been doing, that’s okay.
Atlanta Hawks: Jeremy Lin
When Jeremy Lin ruptured his patella tendon in his right knee last season, the dreaded “injury-prone” label came up. Lin had his famous stretch of games in New York where he earned the nickname ‘Linsanity,’ but his time with New York’s other team was spent more off the court than on.
In Atlanta, he’s been as hot as a Migos single.
Lin has made zero starts this season and is still averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game on .506/.419/.844 shooting splits.
Nice to see guys back from injuries and play their game 🙌🏽 Jeremy Lin has been ballin out for the Hawks this month. He’s always had a solid skill set and feel for the game. He worked hard to get back to this point. Dude really loves the game. #Respect pic.twitter.com/M5hSkKYot7
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) November 25, 2018
There are a few point-guard needy teams (Orlando, Phoenix namely) that would benefit from Lin’s leadership and basketball IQ. It remains to be seen if Atlanta deals Lin, as they are likely tanking for Zion, but Lin is walking the talk.
Tune in next week for the Northwest Division!