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Texas Longhorns in the NBA: 1/20 - 1/26

Kevin Durant, PJ Tucker, and LaMarcus Aldridge each enjoyed notable showings last week.

By Collin Parker
NBA: Orlando Magic at New York Knicks Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

As is often the case, several Texas Longhorns in the NBA put forth praiseworthy performances last week. Kevin Durant exploded for 33 points in a huge road win over the Boston Celtics. LaMarcus Aldridge dropped 30 points of his own, but it wasn’t enough in a home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Here’s how the Horns in the NBA fared last week as a whole.

LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs

  • Sun, 1/20 - Los Angeles Clippers: 30 points, 13-21 FG, 14 rebounds
  • Wed, 1/23 - Philadelphia 76ers: 13 points, 5-12 FG, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks
  • Sat, 1/26 - New Orleans Pelicans: 28 points, 12-20 FG, 12 rebounds

Aldridge started off this week hot with 30 points, cooled down a bit, then proceeded to heat back up. He’s been streaky this season and this week was a perfect example of that.

Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

  • Mon, 1/21 - Los Angeles Lakers: 20 points, 8-13 FG, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
  • Thu, 1/24 - Washington Wizards: 21 points, 9-18 FG, 5 assists, 3 blocks
  • Sat, 1/26 - Boston Celtics: 33 points, 10-23 FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks

On a team like the Golden State Warriors, it’s commonplace for a different player takes the reins on any given night. Klay Thompson exploded for 40 points Monday night, Stephen Curry erupted for 38 points on Wednesday, and Durant led the team with 33 against Boston. Durant takes a backseat on nights such as Sunday and Wednesday, which means he has seen a drop in statistics. Obviously, it doesn’t indicate a fall off in talent, just a sacrifice for the team.

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

With Victor Oladipo out for the remainder of the year after suffering a ruptured quadriceps tendon, Turner will need to adopt more of a role as a scorer, not just defensive stopper and rebounder.

Cory Joseph, Indiana Pacers

  • Sun, 1/20 - Charlotte Hornets: 6 points, 2-5 FG
  • Wed, 1/23 - Toronto Raptors: 7 points, 3-10 FG, 4 assists
  • Sat, 1/26 - Memphis Grizzlies: 10 points, 3-8 FG, 3 assists

Joseph’s offensive impact this season has been minimal, as he’s averaging his lowest point total (7.3) since his final season in San Antonio in 2014-15. As with Turner, Joseph’s offensive responsibilities should soon see an uptick as Indiana looks for scoring elsewhere.

Avery Bradley, Los Angeles Clippers

  • Sun, 1/20 - San Antonio Spurs: 15 points, 6-15 FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
  • Tue, 1/22 - Dallas Mavericks: 15 points, 5-11 FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
  • Wed, 1/23 - Miami Heat: 12 points, 5-11 FG, 3 assists
  • Fri, 1/25 - Chicago Bulls: 11 points, 5-12 FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Bradley has taken a lesser role in Detroit offensively, but he had a great week scoring, booking double digits in every game. The glaring difference for him has been three-point shooting. An asset when he played at Texas, but an average part of his game this year as he’s shooting at a 32.9 percent clip.

Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers

After landing awkwardly on the foot of Bucks guard, Malcolm Brogdon, Thompson has been dealing with lingering foot soreness. He should return to action soon.

Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn Nets

Allen is having a breakout sophomore season, averaging more blocks, steals, points, and rebounds than last year. Brooklyn has made the jump with Allen this season, winning 27 of their first 50 games. This week he was average statistically, but he’s doing his part on the glass to win games.

Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic

  • Mon, 21 - Atlanta Hawks: 8 points, 3-3 FG, 2 rebounds
  • Wed, 23 - Brooklyn Nets: 7 points, 2-4 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks
  • Fri, 25 - Washington Wizards: 6 points, 3-5 FG, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks

We can’t pretend that Bamba is a scorer and say he’s not producing, because he was never a scorer at Texas and isn’t in Orlando. Bamba blocks shots, gets rebounds, and scores occasionally, whether he can grow in that role or not is still to be decided, but no one should be critiquing him offensively.

DJ Augustin, Orlando Magic

  • Mon, 21 - Atlanta Hawks: 15 points, 4-8 FG, 4 assists
  • Wed, 23 - Brooklyn Nets: 19 points, 5-11 FG, 6 assists
  • Fri, 25 - Washington Wizards: 5 points, 2-6 FG, 2 assists

Augustin scored the ball with ease this week, which reflects on his year as a whole, as he’s averaging 11.6 points per contest this season, in addition to a team-best 4.8 assists.

PJ Tucker, Houston Rockets

  • Mon, 21 - Philadelphia 76ers: 2 points, 1-3 FG, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
  • Wed, 23 - New York Knicks: 3 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
  • Fri, 25 - Toronto Raptors: 18 points, 7-11 FG, 4 steals

Tucker started this week off slowly, scoring only five points despite playing almost 70 minutes through his first two games. But, he was a large part of Houston’s offense in their three-point win over Toronto.

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