Early in the NBA season, some players are off to surprising starts and others are getting ample opportunity to show their game because a starter is sidelined.
The undefeated Nuggets hold down top spot in the TSN.ca NBA Power Rankings.
- Some of the lesser-knowns off to strong starts:
Bucks PG Brandon Jennings (22.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.3 agp, 1.7 spg, 23. 3PTpg)
Grizzlies C Marc Gasol (17.6 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 60.4% from the field)
Mavericks C Erick Dampier (9.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 66.7% from the field)
Wizards PF Andray Blatche (16.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 60.3% from the field)
Rockets PG Aaron Brooks (19.8 pg, 8.0 apg, 2.4 3PTpg)
Knicks SF Danilo Gallinari (17.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 4.0 3PTpg)
Pacers C Roy Hibbert (10.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 51.3% from the field)
Timberwolves SG Corey Brewer (12.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.6 spg, 1.0 bpg)
- With SF Tayshaun Prince still sidelined, the Pistons will continue to start rookie Jonas Jerebko at small forward. The Swedish forward has averaged 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 25:34 of floor time in his two starts. The Pistons are also missing Richard Hamilton because of a sprained ankle, Ben Gordon remains in the starting lineup. There are also rumours, denied by the Pistons, that Prince is on the trading block.
- Kings star SG Kevin Martin is out for 6-to-8 weeks due to a lingering wrist injury, which will allow rookie G Tyreke Evans to play shooting guard while Beno Udrih resumes the starting point guard job. Martin was such a huge part of the Kings offence, scoring more than 30 points per game, that there will be a lot more touches on the offensive end for the likes of Evans, PF Jason Thompson, C Spencer Hawes and SF Andres Nocioni, provided his recent DUI arrest doesn't cost him too much playing time.
- Nets PG Devin Harris has been out with a groin injury and could still miss a few weeks, giving Rafer Alston the starting gig for a little while. Alston has put up 9.7 points and 5.7 assists per game in three starts. The Nets are also missing PF Yi Jianlian, due to a knee injury, and Eduardo Najera put up 14 points and seven rebounds as a starter in the Nets' loss to Denver.
- Indiana PF Troy Murphy will miss some time with a sore back. Against the Knicks, that resulted in the Pacers going with a smaller lineup, shifting Danny Granger to power forward and inserting Dahntay Jones into the starting lineup. Jones responded with 19 points and 12 boards in New York.
- The Lakers are shortstaffed in the front court, with PF Pau Gasol yet to play and C Andrew Bynum out with an elbow injury, leaving Lamar Odom as the one proven big. DJ Mbenga and Josh Powell will both see increased playing time until the stars return.
- Clippers rookie PF Blake Griffin is out for the first six weeks of the season, after suffering a knee injury, which has helped get C Chris Kaman back up to speed. Kaman has played 40.6 minutes per game through the first five, averaging 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
- Veteran SG Charlie Bell is starting for the Bucks, for the next couple of weeks, while Michael Redd nurses a knee injury. Bell had 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in his first start of the season, at Chicago.
- Timberwolves C Kevin Love is sidelined with a broken hand and Oleksiy Pecherov is responding to an increased role, averaging 15.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in three starts.
- Magic SG J.J. Redick is making hay while Vince Carter is out of the lineup, averaging 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists and 3.3 three-pointers per game in three starts.
Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@ctv.ca