Deacons in the NBA Update

It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these, so I thought it was time to take another look at our Deacs in the NBA and how they are doing.

Note: All stats are courtesy of ESPN.com.

Chris Paul

Oklahoma City Thunder

Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports

In 38 games this year as the Thunder’s starting point guard, Paul has led them to a 22-16 record on the season so far. He is averaging 16.8 points, 6.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 31.8 minutes per game, while posting a 20.99 PER. Chris is shooting 47.1% from the floor, 37.5% from beyond the arc, and 90% at the free throw line. He continues to lead the Thunder and amaze with moves like these.

Jeff Teague

Minnesota Timberwolves

Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

In 31 games on the season, Teague has started 13 and is averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 28.5 minutes per game, while posting a 17.24 PER. Jeff is shooting 44.6% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc, and 84.3% from the free throw line.

Ishmael Smith

Washington Wizards

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Smith has been lighting it up recently as the Wizards have moved him into the starting point guard slot. In 37 games this year, Smith has 12 starts, and is averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game, while posting a 14.32 PER. Ish is shooting 46.6% from the field, 36.6% from beyond the arc, and 65.2% from the free throw line. He had back-to-back games where he was impressive, with a career high 32 points to go along with 8 assists in one, followed by 27 points in the next game. The Washington crowd even began to chant “MVP!” against Boston while Smith was at the line.

James Johnson

Miami Heat

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson has struggled to see the floor this year, playing in just 7 games and averaging only 12.9 minutes per game in those 7 appearances. James is averaging 4.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.4 steals, while posting a 13.94 PER.

Al-Farouq Aminu

Orlando Magic

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Aminu has appeared in 18 games this season, and has posted 2 starts. He is averaging 4.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 21.1 minutes per game, while posting only a 7.85 PER. Farouq is shooting just 29.1% from the field, 25% from beyond the arc, and 65.5% from the free throw line. Aminu is in the first year of a three year, $29 million deal with the Magic.

John Collins

Atlanta Hawks

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Collins is back in action after serving a 25 game suspension for testing positive for a growth hormone. He has started all 12 games he has been available for, and is averaging 17.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 0.9 steals while posting a 20.78 PER. John is shooting 50.9% from the field, 36% from beyond the arc, and 80.6% from the free throw line. He continues to wow the league with dunks like this one.

Jaylen Hoard

Portland Trail Blazers

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Hoard is on a two-way contract for the Blazers. He has appeared in eight games this season and is averaging 4.8 minutes, 1.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.4 steals, and 0.3 assists while posting an 18.00 PER. He is shooting 6-13 from the field, 3-5 from the free throw line, and 0-1 from beyond the arc.

We wish all of these players the best, and hope they have good seasons going forward. Go Deacs!