Miles Plumlee, Phoenix Suns: Plumlee has cooled off slightly following his torrid start to the season, but he's still providing the Suns with good production in the frontcourt. He averaged 9.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in three games this week. One area for improvement: the charity stripe, where he's shooting just 40.0 percent on the year, including an 0-for-5 effort this week against Sacramento.
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets: The Nets are one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this year, but due to their struggles, an opportunity has opened for Plumlee to seize time in the front court. He had 19 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes—all season-highs—against the Clippers, and the big man has received playing time in his last six games and scored in each of those. He's averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game on the year.
Gerald Henderson, Charlotte Bobcats: Henderson has continued his strong play this week, leading Charlotte to a respectable 2-2 record over a tough slate of games. His best effort came in a loss to Chicago, a game in which he had 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and the highlight of the game—a sensational dunk off an alley-oop on a baseline inbounds pass.
Josh McRoberts, Charlotte Bobcats: McRoberts had a rough week shooting the ball—hitting just 31.0 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc—but he filled the stat sheet, averaging 6.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists in four games this week.
Elton Brand, Atlanta Hawks: Brand has received minimal playing time this season as he is out of the Hawks' primary rotation. He made his biggest splash off the court this week when he deleted his official Twitter account just a day after it was created.
Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls: Boozer had another solid week as the Bulls went 3-1 and knocked off previously undefeated Indiana. He hit double digits in scoring every game, and notched double-doubles against Charlotte and Denver with 12 points and 17 rebounds and 15 points and 10 boards respectively.
Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls: While Derrick Rose has taken his time finding his game legs early on this year, Deng has proven himself capable of handling the load. He averaged 21.0 points and 8.0 rebounds over the first three games of this week before struggling to the tune of a 3-for-18 performance in a loss against Denver. Deng is averaging 15.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season.
Mike Dunleavy, Jr., Chicago Bulls: Dunleavy has been solid for the Bulls this year, and he's maintained that this week, averaged 9.5 points per game over four games. With starting shooting guard Jimmy Butler injured, Dunleavy earned the start Thursday against the Denver Nuggets.
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers: Although the Cavaliers are still struggling, Irving has taken some steps to turn his lackluster season around. He had perhaps his best game of the season this week: a 41-point, five-assist, four-rebound effort in an overtime win against Washington, a game in which he scored nine points in the extra session. He followed that up with a team-high 28 points and six assists as Cleveland fell to the Wizards in the Wednesday night rematch.
JJ Redick, Los Angeles Clippers: It's clear that Redick and Chris Paul have a history stemming back to their college days, but on the court, Redick can't complain about his new teammate. Playing with the NBA assists leader in Paul, Redick has hit double digits in all but two games this year, and he matched his season-high with 26 points—including 5-of-7 on 3’s—in a win over Brooklyn Saturday. His season average thus far of 15.8 points per game would be his career-best and is significantly more than his career average of 9.6 ppg.
Ryan Kelly, Los Angeles Lakers: Kelly has struggled to receive playing time all season, and on November 14 he was assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Lakers' D-League affiliate. This Thursday Kelly and teammate Elias Harris were recalled to the Lakers. Kelly should be shuttled between the two teams much of the season.
Shane Battier, Miami Heat: The Heat keep winning, and Battier keeps making small, consistent contributions. He scored between four and six points in each game this week as Miami went 4-0.
Kyle Singler, Detroit Pistons: Singler's having an up-and-down season much like the team he plays for. The small forward reach double-figures for just the second time all season in a win over Sacramento, and then he followed that up with just two points in 20 minutes in a loss to the Lakers.
Austin Rivers, New Orleans Pelicans: Rivers notched a season-high 12 points in just seven minutes as the Pelicans' blew out Philadelphia 135-98, and followed that up with a three-points, four-assist effort as New Orleans topped Utah.
Elliot Williams, Philadelphia 76ers: Williams didn't end his college career at Duke, but played his freshman season in Durham. After going unsigned this offseason, the Sixers inked Williams this week. The guard made his season debut Wednesday, playing four minutes in the Philadelphia loss.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.