Mar 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Jeremy Lamb (3) in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Suns 126-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Looking at three players that are taking full advantage of their opportunity in 2016-17
The NBA is a league of opportunity. Some players are given their opportunity, and others are not. That is simply the harsh nature of the league.
Watching players get their chance to shine on the big stage is one of the many reasons that makes the NBA so exhilarating. The extremely versatile Tobias Harris averaged about five points per game during his tenure with the Bucks in about 11.5 minutes of play.
He has been a double-figure scorer with Orlando and Detroit ever since, playing over 30 minutes per game with both organizations. He averaged 17.3 points per game and 8.5 rebounds in is first year with the Magic, seizing full opportunity of his playing time.
Jae Crowder is another great example. The Dallas Mavericks never gave him a true chance to contribute, but he ultimately got his chance with the Boston Celtics and has been a key piece to their team the past couple seasons.
If it wasn’t for the many injuries that plagued the all-star David Lee, Draymond Green would never have been given the chance to become the player that we know and love today. Examples like these are found throughout the league every single year.
The departures of Wes Matthews and Nicolas Batum opened the gates for C.J. McCollum to be a scoring machine for the Blazers. Whether it is an injury that gives a player a chance to play, or even when a coach simply sees something in a player, it is truly remarkable to watch players take advantage of their opportunity and are able to show production at the NBA level.
And if you are able to produce to the extent of the players mentioned above, a big contract may be coming your way. Here are three players that have shown they deserve more of a chance to showcase their skills, and have seized recent opportunities this season.
Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (2) reacts after hitting a 3 point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Morrow, Oklahoma City Thunder
Anthony Morrow has that one skill in the NBA today that everyone loves, and that is shooting. The NBA veteran has bounced around the league, but is a 42.5 percent career three-point shooter. Morrow has averaged double figures in five of his NBA seasons, with 22.6 minutes being the least amount of playing time in those years.
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The seasons that he has averaged less than 10 points, he played in under 20 minutes per game. Morrow has received his fair amount of DNPs this season, but he has taken advantage of his opportunity the last three games. He was 1-2 from three-point range with eight points in a loss to the Kings (19 minutes). He was 2-2 from downtown with 10 points in a win against Denver (22 minutes). And was 3-6 from downtown with 21 points in a win against the Pistons (26 minutes).
His points and minutes against the Kings were a season high, which was then broken by his game against the Nuggets, and then ultimately broken again in the game against the Pistons. Russell Westbrook needs some help scoring, and Morrow can score in bunches. Only receiving minutes here and there to begin the season, mixed in with DNP’s, Morrow has never been given a real chance to contribute.
Hopefully these past three games will be a trend, and Morrow will be able to help out the Thunder on a consistent basis. He is taking advantage of the minutes he has been getting from Billy Donovan, and hopefully Donovan has been aware of Morrow’s production. Morrow deserves to play upwards of 20 minutes every game (hopefully between 25-30).
Nov 21, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Troy Williams (10) stands on the court in the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Memphis defeated Charlotte 105-90. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Williams, Memphis Grizzlies
Troy Williams is an athletic freak who was undrafted out of Indiana, but impressed in Summer League, and ultimately found a home with the Grizzlies. Troy Williams has also received his fair share of DNPs this season, but has taken full advantage of the playing time he has received.
(Mainly due to an injured Tony Allen in the beginning of the season, and most recently Chandler Parsons).
In the beginning of November, Williams played 30 minutes against the Timberwolves, scoring 14 points, going 4-7 from the field, and 6-7 from the line. Most recently, Williams had nine points and six rebounds off the bench in a losing effort to the Heat in 20 minutes of play. He started the next game (also against the Heat) and scored 18 points in 35 minutes going 2-5 from three-point range and 6-12 from the field.
Coming out of Indiana, Williams was an athletic wing who was known for his defense and getting to the rim ability. His shot was always his weakness. When given big minutes this year, he has produced and his shooting has shown improvement since his college days.
It isn’t easy to play two games back-to-back with big minutes after barely playing for weeks and some games not even playing at all. Williams has stepped in with the absence of some injured teammates, and has even shown some potential as an NBA starter.
January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lamb (3) shoots a layup against Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets
Lamb is very similar to Morrow, in that he has never been given a consistent chance to contribute so far in his NBA career. He never got a true legitimate chance with the Thunder, never exceeding the 20 minute mark for a season with them. It seemed as though this trend would continue with the Hornets.
Lamb had been dealing with a hamstring injury during the beginning of the season, which didn’t help his cause. However, after receiving a DNP this past Friday in a loss to the Knicks, he took the starting spot of an injured Nicolas Batum on Saturday for the first time this season in a winning effort (also against the Knicks).
In 36 minutes of action, Lamb recored 18 points and a career-high 17 rebounds going 8-15 from the field. The big difference between Lamb and Morrow is that Lamb is still only 24 years old, and has more to offer than Morrow with his athleticism and versatility. Unfortunately, Lamb’s career has been wasted so far, but hopefully Steve Clifford gives Lamb the opportunity he so desperately deserves.
So far this year, these three players have shown that if given the opportunity, they can produce and help their team win games. The NBA is such a brutal league. There are only 30 teams, and 15 players for each team. It is one thing to make a team, but it is completely different to actually play on a nightly basis.
Some players watch their careers pass by because they never had a coach believe in them or they were stuck behind a crowded frontcourt or backcourt. It is so exciting to watch players get playing time, but even more thrilling to watch them produce when given that playing time.
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