Arizona Wildcats in the NBA: Lauri Markkanen continues to shine as T.J. McConnell puts Lonzo Ball on spin cycle

T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers

Points per game: 6

Field goal (%): 48.1

3-point field goal (%): 50

Rebounds per game: 3.3

Assists per game: 5.2

Minutes per game : 23.1

Comment: If there is anyone that has made the best out of their situation in the NBA, it's T.J. McConnell. He went from undrafted as a long shot to sustain a career in the association, to the solidified backup point guard for the Sixers. Ben Simmons has been the starting point guard in Philadelphia, but when McConnell checks in the game, Simmons moves to power forward. Philadelphia currently sits as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and McConnell is a contributor to that. Last Wednesday when the Sixers played the Lakers, he exposed last year's No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball by putting him in a spin cycle. 

🌪🌪🌪 🌪 🌪 🌪 🌪 🌪 🌪 🌪 🌪🌪🌪 pic.twitter.com/b6ExlP9VSM

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 16, 2017

Jerryd Bayless, Philadelphia 76ers

Points per game: 11

Field goal (%): 46.1

3-point field goal (%): 42.2

Rebounds per game: 2.8

Assists per game: 2

Minutes per game: 31.1

Comment: Once upon a time, Bayless was the starting point guard for the Sixers, but Philadelphia is trusting the process and relying on draft picks. And it's working, because Ben Simmons at point guard with T.J. McConnell coming off the bench looks ingenious. Bayless hasn't seen action since Nov. 3 against the Pacers.   

Channing Frye, Cleveland Cavaliers

Points per game: 3.6

Field goal (%): 48.7

3-point field goal (%): 36

Rebounds per game: 2.1

Assists per game: 0.4

Minutes per game: 9.1

Comment: The Cavs aren't doing so hot ever since Kyrie Irving was traded to Boston. Cleveland is 9-7 and currently the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, but is riding a four-game win streak. Kevin Love is now the starting center so Frye comes off the bench as a three-point specialist.   

Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

Points per game: 17.8

Field goal (%): 52.8

3-point field goal (%): 50

Rebounds per game: 7.7

Assists per game: 2.2

Minutes per game: 31.6

Comment: Lauri Markkanen may have established himself as promising talent for the future, but no former Wildcat is having a breakout season quite like Aaron Gordon. The biggest negative for Gordon when he came out of Arizona in 2014 was his perimeter shooting. Standing at 6-foot-9, Gordon is a physical specimen who was viewed as a poor man's Blake Griffin, a player that can dunk and play defense. Gordon's game has stepped up another notch and he's added outside shooting to his arsenal and shooting 50 percent from three-point range proves that. Being in the Eastern Conference with most of the NBA's stars out west, it gives Gordon a great chance to make the all-star team. 

Averaging 19.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG & 2.2 APG, Aaron Gordon has been #PureMagic this season! pic.twitter.com/tgqUOMP6Ps

— NBA UK (@NBAUK) November 11, 2017

Solomon Hill, New Orleans Pelicans

Comment: Hill still remains out with a left hamstring tear and will be out until just before playoffs start.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets

Points per game: 14.1

Field goal (%): 47.8

3-point field goal (%): 25

Rebounds per game: 5.4

Assists per game: 1.6

Minutes per game: 28.1

Comment: The Shim Reaper or the artist formerly known as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has established himself as a cornerstone piece for the Nets. Brooklyn is fuming with potential especially with the addition of D'Angelo Russell and DeMarre Carroll. Unlike Aaron Gordon, Hollis-Jefferson didn't adjust his outside shot, but he doesn't need to. Having the defensive-heavy role is something that Hollis-Jefferson has embraced. It's leaning towards another down season for the Nets, but they have a bright future including Hollis-Jefferson. 

Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors

Points per game: 5.1

Field goal (%): 45.2

3-point field goal (%): 17.4

Rebounds per game: 3.5

Assists per game: 2.9

Minutes per game: 25.4

Comment: Iguodala is now 33 years old and in his 13th season in the NBA. He's not the same player like he once was because he only takes four shots per game when his career average is nine. Remember, he's playing for the Golden State Warriors so realistically, he's the eighth or ninth option on offense and being teammates with the Splash Brothers (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson) and Kevin Durant means that shot attempts are limited. Iguodala is still a force on defense and is still effective on the fast break for someone who's in the latter portion of his career.  

Andre Iguodala puts Marcus Smart on a poster😤 pic.twitter.com/EIMwvp3b62

— NBA Inside Stuff (@NBAInside_Stuff) November 17, 2017

Richard Jefferson, Denver Nuggets

Points per game: 1.8

Field goal (%): 50

3-point field goal (%): 50

Rebounds per game: 0.5

Assists per game: 0.3

Minutes per game: 5.8

Comment: Jefferson was traded from the Cavaliers to the Hawks and then Atlanta waived him followed by the Nuggets picking him up for a year. Jefferson plays spotty minutes and will receive action every few games. For an example, last Monday, Jefferson played 10 minutes, but didn't play in the three games before that. Should be interesting how Jefferson finishes the year in Denver.  

Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons

Points per game: 7.5

Field goal (%): 37.5

3-point field goal (%): 31.1

Rebounds per game: 3

Assists per game: 1.3

Minutes per game: 29.2

Comment: Johnson is in his third year in the NBA and was expected to have a breakout season with the Pistons. Johnson had a streaky month of October scoring in double figures thrice, but has yet to score more than eight points in November. 

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls

Points per game: 14.8

Field goal (%): 43.7

3-point field goal (%): 36.4

Rebounds per game: 7.6

Assists per game: 1.6

Minutes per game: 30.7

Comment: Markkanen is a serious contender for Rookie of the Year if he continues to play at the level he's currently playing at. Markkanen is showcasing his skill set that he brought with him when he left Arizona: a 7-footer that can run the floor and is a perfect power forward for pick-and-pop shots. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he flashed his athleticism on a fast break:

.@MarkkanenLauri with the slam! pic.twitter.com/ebej630jXI

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 16, 2017

Jason Terry, Milwaukee Bucks

Points per game: 0.8

Field goal (%): 14.3

3-point field goal (%): 0

Rebounds per game: 0.6

Assists per game: 0.6

Minutes per game: 7.4

Comment: Terry is one of four players remaining in the NBA that was drafted in the 1990s (Vince Carter, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki). The 40-year-old Terry isn't active in the rotation, only playing 15 minutes for the entire month. He probably enjoys sitting court side, watching Giannis Antetokounmpo every night. 

Overseas spotlight: Kyle Fogg, Guangzhou Lions (China)

Comment: Arizona fans thought Allonzo Trier's back-to-back 30-point games was impressive, but Fogg raised him 20 points. In Fogg's first season with the Guangzhou Lions, he's already dropped 50-plus points twice, plus an additional 36 points. So in three games in five days, Fogg averaged 49.6 points per game. That's not a typo and Fogg is shaping up to have a historical career in China.

If you’re impressed by Allonzo Trier’s back-to-back 30-point games, check out what Ex-Wildcat did for his new team in China. @KFogg21 dropped 55 points the game after he dropped 58. In two games, Fogg recorded 113 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. (Graphic via Fogg’s Instagram) pic.twitter.com/7VRVvmuW9A

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 13, 2017