Oregon Basketball in the NBA: 11/6 Check-In

It’s no secret Oregon Basketball has produced some impressive professional basketball

players. But with three weeks of the NBA season under our belts, let’s take a look at how our beloved former-Ducks are faring. 

Jordan Bell (Forward, Golden State Warriors)

Season Stats: 11.6 mpg, 1.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.1 bpg, .538% FG

After earning crunch-time minutes in playoff games less than five months ago, Bell’s role has shrunk a bit. Vanderbilt alumnus Damian Jones–a 7-footer with impressive athleticism–has asserted himself as a taller, jumpier Bell. He, Kevon Looney and Jonas Jerebko are all currently slated ahead of Bell in the depth chart. I wouldn’t worry just yet though. Jordan is still the clear best defensive player of the three. While Jones may have a higher defensive ceiling, he doesn’t have the ability to guard multiple positions effectively as Bell can. Once the lull of the regular season hits and guys start needed more rest, Jordan should absorb some more minutes, and fill his role as a screen-setter/pick-and-roll finisher on offense and a shot-blocking, grind-it-out big man on defense.

Dillon Brooks (Forward, Memphis Grizzlies)

Season Stats: 19.8 mpg, 7.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1 apg, 0.9 spg, .439% FG

Last season, Dillon Brooks capitalized on the terrible Memphis situation and was a staple of the starting lineup. The Grizzlies, who are actually taking this season seriously with stars Mike Conley and Marc Gasol back, haven’t forgotten about the sophomore Brooks. He may be playing fewer minutes, but he’s still a regular contributor. And this year, he’s playing big-time minutes for a playoff-aspiring squad. The Grizz utilize Brooks as your token interchangeable 3/4 forward who can shoot threes, score off cuts and play average to above average defense. While Dillon’s scoring totals have dipped, I actually think he’s improving in his second year. He knows his role and makes plays that matter for a competitive team–an opportunity he wasn’t afforded a season ago.

Troy Brown Jr. (Forward, Washington Wizards) 

Season Stats: 6.3 mpg, 3.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0 apg, 0.5 spg, .455% FG

Well, not an ideal start for Troy Brown. He’s essentially been buried on the bench of the NBA’s most dysfunctional team. Blah! What a disaster. I feel bad for the kid. He probably got drafted a little higher than he should’ve been, and now, he’s stuck on the sidelines (for most games) watching the John Wall and Bradley Beal relationship unravel like an ugly divorce. The coach is incompetent. The team is dreadful. Unfortunately for Troy, I think we’ll have to just scratch his rookie campaign–at least until the Washington chemistry problems brew to an impasse and someone is inevitably dealt.

Tyler Dorsey (Guard, Atlanta Hawks)

Season Stats: 10.4 mpg, 4.8 ppg, 1 rpg, .6 apg, 0.2 spg, .435% FG 

Dorsey’s second year has been worse from a raw statistical standpoint, but far better from an analytical and efficiency standpoint–the name of the game in the NBA nowadays. Tyler’s sub-38% field goal shooting from last year is unacceptable if he’s to be a long-term NBA player. Thankfully, he’s risen his total percentage from last season, shooting 43.5%. His three-point stroke has actually been worse this year but with only five games sample size so far, I wouldn’t be worried yet. What I am worried about are his decline in minutes and overall role. With the arrival of Trae Young and the proverbial handing of the keys to him by coach Lloyd Pierce, he’s thieving Dorsey of minutes and shots at the guard position. Dorsey must develop next to Young and not in spite of him. A future backcourt of Young-Dorsey is viable and possible, but if one was to go, it won’t be Trae Young.