NBA Preseason Notes

• By: Kyle McKeown
• On: 10/7/2012 9:49:00 PM

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Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: A Promising Debut. MKG made his debut as a pro for the Bobcats in their exhibition opener on Sunday. The rookie posted very solid all-around numbers while playing 27 minutes and getting the start at small forward. He scored 12 points, had six rebounds, and three steals. MKG apparently played quite scrappy and ended up with six free-throw attempts. He is likely the starting small forward heading into the season, and games like this will be extremely valuable to owner Michael Jordan’s rebuilding team. As he grows into the pro game, Kidd-Gilchrist should be a steady, versatile fantasy contributor in points, rebounds, and steals.

Devin Harris : Slowed By Sore Knee. Harris did not play in the Hawks’ preseason opener on Sunday as he is still dealing with knee issues that have been bothering him all through training camp. Acquired from the Jazz in July, he is going to be backing up Jeff Teague at the point guard spot and competing with Lou Williams for minutes off the bench. His best sources of fantasy value will be assists, three-pointers, and free throws, but he may not be a draft-worthy player in most standard leagues unless the Hawks have some injuries to the backcourt.

E’Twaun Moore: Signs Point To Opportunity. Moore had a good showing in his first action in a Magic uniform. He had 16 points and seven assists in 28 minutes coming off the bench. Moore will be relied on to backup Jameer Nelson at point guard while Ish Smith is out of action with a shoulder injury. He is a shooting guard by trade, but this serves as a good opportunity to show his skills at another spot to earn minutes going forward.

Stephen Curry : Aiming For Monday Start. The Warriors’ Curry was possibly going to make his preseason debut on Sunday but instead is planning to start on Monday against the Jazz. With his surgically-repaired ankle ready to go, he will be looking to pair with fellow backcourt member Klay Thompson to form a potent one-two punch for an up-and-coming squad. When healthy, Curry has an elite three-point shot, solid scoring numbers, and is automatic from the free-throw line. 

Ray Allen: Heating Up. Making his debut for Miami, Allen scored 10 points, dished out five assists, and added three steals in 27 minutes off the bench on Sunday. Assuming Dwayne Wade is healthy to start the season, Allen will be coming off the bench for the first time in his career but will still see plenty of minutes and a lot of three-point opportunities to show off his future Hall of Fame jump shot. The defending champions are reloaded, and Allen will only help them to improve this season.

Bradley Beal : Confident Rookie. Beal showed he is not a timid rookie in his Wizards’ preseason debut by scoring 18 points and attempting 17 total shots. He came off the bench and is behind Jordan Crawford at the shooting guard spot. Crawford struggled on Sunday, and if Beal performs similar to this on a nightly basis, he will be finding himself starting sooner than later. Beal is capable of scoring all over the floor and beyond the arc, having been compared to a young Ray Allen (see above). John Wall will be a great shot creator for Beal and the two them together will benefit the team greatly.