FanPost

Player Grades - First Midterm

Lakers just passed the 1/3 point of the season. Seems like as good a time as any for Midterms.

These are absolute grades based on what I expect from an NBA player, no curves or sliding scale. A "C" is a passing grade. And no, "what I expect from an NBA player" doesn't mean anything other than my own personal opinion.

A - Team leaders going above and beyond the call

Lebron James - as if that's any surprise. The only reason he doesn't have an A+ is because of games missed. We're seeing signs of aging on the defensive end - not moving his feet like he used to, which has resulted in his highest personal foul average in a decade. Other than that, Lebron James has been...well, Lebron James

B - Key contributors on either end of the floor

Anthony Davis - would have had him in the "A" tier, but still waiting to see him make the biggest plays in the biggest moments of games. Other than that, he's been a great complimentary piece to Lebron

Russell Westbrook - everybody's favorite whipping boy early has been what he has been his entire career: a high motor guy who can chew up minutes and fill the stat sheet. 3-point range is still an issue for him, but turnovers are down by almost 1 per game over his last 10 or so.

C - Good enough

Carmelo Anthony - we all knew he couldn't maintain his blistering start from beyond the arc (.473 through first 14 games), but he's been struggling a bit more than the Lakers need (.338 over his last 14 games). Still, the threat is there and that's enough to stretch the floor.

Talen Horton-Tucker - hard to evaluate him after only 15 games. He shows his age with some of the decisions he makes and is still struggling from beyond the arc. That said, he's providing good offense and proving more than capable as a tertiary ball handler.

Malik Monk - he would be a "B" if he were more consistent on the defensive end. Otherwise, a solid rotation player.

Dwight Howard - was a little hesitant to put him in this group given how little he's played, but he's been pretty good when needed.

Wayne Ellington - like THT, hard to evaluate on only 20 games, but has been solid since his return. Like Monk, could break into the "B" tier with more consistency on the defensive end.

D - We appreciate the effort, but....

Avery Bradley - if I were grading on a curve, I'd give him a "B"....he's been REALLY good for a last-minute minimum contract fill-in. But don't let a few decent games fool you - he's still a last-minute minimum contract fill-in who should return to the bench when Nunn comes back.

Austin Reaves - like Bradley, he gets a "B" on the grading curve as he's not too bad for an undrafted rookie. Like Bradley, however, a few decent games doesn't change the reality that he's an undrafted rookie. Still, I like his energy - he could get a "C" if he could hit the 3-pointer (currently .314 on 4 attempts per game). I'd probably give him run on a bottom feeder to see what he can do, but he shouldn't be in the regular rotation for a contender.

F - stay on the bench

DeAndre Jordan - still scratching my head over this signing

Rajon Rondo - love him as This Year's Dudley....that's about it.

Kent Bazemore - he is what he is...a washed up former rotation guy

Will do second Midterms at about Game 50....third Midterms at end of regular season....Final Grades after playoffs....have at it!