NC State NBA Preseason Round Up

The NBA preseason continues as the season is only 8 days away.  Let’s take a chance and see how some of the former NC State players have been faring thus far.

Lorenzo Brown – Minnesota Timberwolves: 

In the Timberwolves last match-up against the Memphis Grizzles Brown received a DNP as Flip Saunders decided to play his veterans and starters extended minutes.  The Timberwolves were less than stellar, as they lost 90-68, but the good news is that Brown’s competition didn’t play well either.  The previous game Brown played a total of 3 minutes as Minnesota beat the Toronto Raptors.  It appears that Minnesota may be moving on from Brown as his minutes have been slashed drastically.  Make no mistake about it that Brown has proven over the summer league and in the preseason games that he has gotten an opportunity that he can be a serviceable backup point guard.  He has averaged 5.3 points per game, and 2 assists this far.

JJ Hickson – Denver Nuggets: 

Hickson has seen action in the 3 of 4 games for the Nuggets and is averaging just over 2 points per game as well as 3 boards.  It is a foregone conclusion that Hickson will be utilized on the second unit for the Nuggets as they have Kenneth Faried and Danillo Gallinari in the front court.  Look for Hickson to carve out some minutes as he brings tons of energy and rebounding whenever he is on the floor!

TJ Warren – Phoenix Suns: 

Warren has been super impressive throughout the NBA Summer League and has carried that momentum into the preseason.  Throughout the preseason TJ is averaging 13.3 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and is shooting 48% from the field.  His last game versus the Denver Nuggets was his worst performance to date in the preseason, scoring only 5 points on 2-7 shooting, but he did manage 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

Jeff Hornachek has talked extensively about Warren and how much he has improved from year 1 to year 2.  Hornacek stated the following, “It does give us some options,” Hornacek said.  “Let’s say (a team has) a great scorer, maybe that’s a time for P.J. to be on the guy or maybe that spot’s a weaker defender, maybe that’s a good time for T.J.  We’ll just to see how it goes” (AZ).  As of now, it looks like TJ will be getting more minutes off the bench and some spot starting duties depending on match-ups.

It is clear that Warren is improving on the defensive end and he still has an extraordinairy knack for getting the ball into the basket.  Look for Warren to gain more minutes as the season goes along and as he proves that he can do more than PJ Tucker.