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We saw another solid week for Villanovans in the pros. We've got trade rumors, big numbers, and injury comebacks to talk about. Let's see which 'Cats were making noise this week!
Randy Foye
Foye continues to put up decent numbers for the Denver Nuggets. His season averages have hovered around around 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists per game. This past week was pretty much par for the course for the 2006 alumus. Foye notched a week-high sixteen points and three assists in a losing effort to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
I mentioned at the onset of his 2013-2014 campaign that Foye's three-point percentages would be integral to his success as the Nuggets starting two guard. After some initial struggles, only hitting from downtown at just above a 30% clip, he seems to be hitting his stride. Foye has shot at around 46% the past five games. Perhaps shocking to those who watched him play at 'Nova, nearly 60% of his field goals attempts are coming from behind the arc. Additionally, Foye seems to have developed some solid chemistry with point guard Ty Lawson. And when that point guard is dishing out eight dimes a game, that chemistry becomes all the more valuable.
Foye hasn't been spending all his time living behind the arc, however. The Nuggets SB Nation site contributor Nate Timmons ran a nice piece dedicated to Randy's ability to find his man for the alley-oop. Check this one out.
(via NBA Latest)
He certainly got his practice in when he helped run Lob City's offense with the Clippers last season. Wouldn't it have been fun to see Foye paired up with James Tahj Bell?
Kyle Lowry
Well, it's official. The first domino has fallen for the Toronto Raptors as Rudy Gay was traded to the Sacramento Kings on Monday for a slew of mediocre to decent role players, highlighted by the artist formerly known as John Salmons, Greivis Vasquez, and Patrick Patterson. But don't be fooled. This trade was nothing more than a salary/talent dump as they get set to rebuild their franchise through free agency and the loaded 2014 draft class.
Naturally, then, we can expect the next talented player to quickly follow Gay on his way out. Trade rumors regarding Lowry have already taken shape as multiple front runners have emerged. Due to Lowry's manageable, expiring contract, title contenders that are in "win now" mode are his most likely destinations. This ESPN Insider article (I know, I wish I could have found a FoxSports source too) predicts that the final four landing spots for Lowry will be either the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, or Memphis Grizzlies. As much as it pains me to say it, I think the former Villanova star will end up on the Heat. We can still root for him then.....right?
Statistically, Lowry maintains his status as one of the most balance lead guards in the Association. In his three games this past week, Kyle netted 18 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds in 35 minutes on average. For all you fantasy basketball fans out there, he's the seventh rated point guard to-date for the season
Dante Cunningham
Not much to report on the Dante front, as the Minnesota Timberwolves only played in two contests over the past seven days. Cunningham did manage to put up solid numbers against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. The former Villanova stud scored 6 points, pulled down 8 boards, and snagged 3 steals in only 25 minutes.
When looking at his main competition, Cunningham has maintained a small minutes edge on newly acquired forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Coach Rick Adelman trusts Cunningham coming off the bench, so expect his minutes to hover around 20 per game.
Maalik Wayns
Villanova's former guard is still out as he rehabs his torn meniscus. While a date hasn't been set for him to return to live-game action, Wayns has been participating in pre-game warm ups. Here's a nice article on Maalik and his journey back to the court (H/T to Chris).
Wayns remains optimistic about his chances to defy the odds stacked against him coming out of college. "The same thing happened when I didn't get drafted. People said I wasn't going to make it. I never worried about that," Wayns said. "I just want [going to] be who I am, work hard and I knew something good would happen." As of now, thanks in large part to Darren Collison's uninspiring play, Maalik can expect to play significant minutes as Chris Paul's backup.
Keep up the hard work Maalik!
Maurice Sutton
Big Mo Sutton continued his debut campaign in the D-league this past week. Unfortunately for Sutton fanatics, his scintillating start wasn't sustained in the past three games. Sutton only averaged 10 minutes and less than 2 points per contest. Hopefully this proves to be just an aberration rather than a season long trend.
We're pulling for you Mo!!
