Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Hickson Fitting In Well In The Starting Lineup


On November 6th, J.J. Hickson started his first game of his NBA career. Coach Mike Brown, Lebron James and Shaquille O'Neal have all been vocal about Hickson's potential. Heading into his first start, Hickson was only averaging a measly 0.8 points in 6.5 minutes per game, while shooting a poor percentage of 20%. Coach Brown had witnessed what Hickson could do when given extended playing time during the preseason, when he averaged in 10 points in 20 minutes per game, shooting an efficient 52%. Looking to give the young sophomore a cortisone shot, his head coach inserted him into the starting lineup, hoping it would bring the embedded potential out of their 2008 1st round draft pick.

In J.J.'s first start, he was tremendously effective in a short period of time, scoring 6 points, on 3 of 4 shooting, in 13 minutes of play. Hickson has now started 4 straight games, and it should be noted that the Cavs are also on a 4-game winning streak. On November 12th, the budding star played like he belonged in the starting lineup, posting a career high of 18 points (7 of 9 shooting) in 31 minutes of play, which was also a career high. Hickson would continue to set new career highs in his next game on November 14th, scoring 20 points in 38 minutes of play. J.J. has scored 47 points in his last three games, after scoring 11 points in the first 7games. In his Hickson's first 4 games as a starter, he is averaging 13 points in 26 minutes per game, knocking down shots at a 59% clip.

"To know that Mike Brown and the rest of the coaching staff want me to start (is great)," Hickson told The News-Herald. "It was crazy. Coach told me that about 10 minutes before we met (prior to the Knicks game). I was surprised. I felt I made the best of the situation."

Coach Brown believes that this lineup allows him to get the most out of Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson. Varejao has shown in the past that he can be tremendous burst off of the bench and Hickson seems to flourish in the starting role thus far. Hickson spent most of the summer under the wing of reigning MVP Lebron James, and the 'King' approves of Coach Brown's decision to give J.J. the nod.

"I commend Coach for making that change," James told The News-Herald. "I think it can help us. It's not always who starts. It's about who finishes the game. "It gives J.J. some time to work with the first unit and build a lot of confidence. It could be good for not only our team, but also for Andy and J.J."

Congratulations J.J.!

comments

19 Responses to "Hickson Fitting In Well In The Starting Lineup"
  1. Slick said...
    November 17, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    The Cavs play the Warriors tonight on NBA TV.

  2. Unknown said...
    November 17, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    Pretty awesome that he is getting a chance to start now. I'm gonna try and tune in to that game tonight

  3. Anonymous said...
    November 17, 2009 at 5:17 PM

    Hickson will be an NBA all-star in 2-3 years if Lebron sticks around. No reason he can't be a 20-10 guy with his offensive skill set for many of years. He' just 21 yrs old.

  4. redfred said...
    November 17, 2009 at 6:06 PM

    Former WOLFPACK player, turned NBA starter, it's certainly been a while.

    GOOD FOR JJ!!!

  5. Anonymous said...
    November 17, 2009 at 7:40 PM

    JJ has 14 pts. 5 rbs In the first quarter so far. Best player not named Lebron on the court so far vs. Warriors.

  6. Anonymous said...
    November 17, 2009 at 8:01 PM

    Is the Cavs game on TV?
    If so, what channel?

  7. Slick said...
    November 17, 2009 at 8:15 PM

    NBA TV. 216 on Directv.

  8. Anonymous said...
    November 17, 2009 at 9:22 PM

    JJ "the prince of fresh air" salted the game away with a half court lob alley dunk from LBJ. Think he's got 21 pts. 12 rbs. 3rd straight career high...

  9. Unknown said...
    November 17, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    Please show this comment, I'm testing something. Thanks.

  10. Slick said...
    November 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    WPH, any idea how Ryan did in the scrimmage tonight?

  11. Anonymous said...
    November 18, 2009 at 1:12 AM

    Just wish we coulda have got him for at least one more year.

  12. Anonymous said...
    November 18, 2009 at 3:00 AM

    According to someone at the game, Harrow had 39 for the game with 30 of those points coming in the first half. He didn't play the 4th quarter.

  13. Dof87 said...
    November 18, 2009 at 8:00 AM

    Way to go JJ! It is clear you have been working hard for this.

  14. Eric said...
    November 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    He had another big game last night, scoring over 20 and almost pulling a double/double.

  15. Unknown said...
    November 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Finally looks like NC State has a legit NBA-representative. That bodes well.

  16. Slick said...
    November 18, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    The Cavs play on tv again tonight.

    ESPN - 7:00

  17. Anonymous said...
    November 19, 2009 at 8:06 AM

    A legit NBA rep? Come on folks he was a one and done...Do you guys consider Starbury a rep for Ga. Tech bball? Or C.Magette for Duke?

    Who care's was JJ is doing...I'm sure WPH wont let this comment go through, like my last comment did not make it on here...what is this China?

  18. Wolfpack Hoops said...
    November 19, 2009 at 8:49 AM

    Anon...at this site we will support those who come through the program, whether it be one year or five. If you don't think that having someone like J.J. in the league is a positive thing for NC State then your sadly mistaken. Lorenzo Brown specifically said that J.J. was a big reason he committed to State and I think that is an obvious fact regarding Richard Howell. For the rest of his career in the NBA, it will show that he attended NC State across the screen, not that he attended there one year. His success bodes well for the university and Coach Lowe.

  19. Jason said...
    November 19, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    "Do you guys consider Starbury a rep for Ga. Tech bball? Or C.Magette for Duke? "

    Uh, yeah, most people do. I've heard NC State mentioned multiple times during Cavalier games when referring to JJ. Sure, he was a one-and-done and it would have been nice to have him another year or two, but he went to the NBA and is making a name for himself. And it started at NC State.

 

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