NBA report card: How are the seven Australians faring in the big time?

WE’RE a little more than halfway through the NBA season and it’s time to check on the progress of all seven Australians plying their trade in the big time.

WE’RE a little more than halfway through the NBA season and it’s time to check on the progress of all seven Australians plying their trade in the big time.

Andrew Bogut — Grade: A

Andrew Bogut #12 is a key member of the Golden State Warriors.

Stats: Games: 29, Mins: 24.3, Points: 6.8, Rebounds: 8.7, Assists: 2.8, Steals: 0.7, Blocks: 2.0, Starts: 27

2015 snapshot: The Warriors are rolling — and so is Andrew Bogut. Only a 13-game absence after undergoing platelet rich plasma therapy on his ailing knees has slowed the towering Aussie centre down this season. He has otherwise proved an important part of Steve Kerr’s championship plans at both ends of the court, complementing the Warriors’ stars including Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

Luc Longley says: Looks like he is enjoying it again and playing on a winning team will do that. The Warriors are twice as good when he is on the floor.

Matthew Dellavedova — Grade: C

Matthew Dellavedova (R) guards Chicago Bull Aaron Brooks.

Stats: Games: 30, Mins: 21.1, Points: 4.5, Rebounds: 1.8, Assists: 3.3, Steals: 0.3, Blocks: 0.1, Starts: 9

2015 snapshot: Delly was starting games regularly for Cleveland during LeBron James’ injury-enforced absence. But since the King’s return, the Aussie point guard has been used less frequently and his role in the team has become the subject of speculation. There has been recent reports in the US media that the Cavs are looking to upgrade their back-up point guard option. “We’re going to have to see,” coach David Blatt said.

Luc Longley says: No surprises here, everyone knows what you get and his teammates and coaches love him. He is a consummate professional and leads by example — that’s what you want on an NBA team. He is establishing himself as a guy to rely on no matter what his role.

Dante Exum — Grade: C

Stats: Games: 45, Mins: 19.6, Points: 5, Rebounds: 1.4, Assists: 2.2, Steals: 0.4, Blocks: 0.1, Starts: 4

2015 snapshot: Three straight double-digit scoring games as a starter — followed by zero. Dante Exum’s rookie season in the NBA has been nothing if not eventful. That was to be expected given that, this time last year, Exum was playing high school basketball in the ACT. But NBA experts from Bill Simmons (”really worried”) to Doc Rivers (”a great”) can’t agree on whether his performances thus far in 2015 have justified the faith shown in him by the Jazz in drafting him at No. 5 over all.

Luc Longley says: Making steady progress, learning to cope with the physicality of the NBA. He is gathering a lot of fans along the way.

Joe Ingles — Grade: B minus

Joe Ingles #2 of the handles the ball for the Utah Jazz.

Stats: Games: 45, Mins: 19.2, Points: 3.7, Rebounds: 2.0, Assists: 2.0, Steals: 0.9, Blocks: 0.2, Starts: 12

2015 snapshot: After playing the entire Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers, Ingles has become a regular starter with Utah. He has seen an uplift in his offensive stats in recent weeks after being challenged by coach Quin Snyder to be more selfish. Ingles has not looked overawed in his first NBA season, providing the young Jazz squad with intensity and leadership.

Luc Longley says: Fantastic that he has found a role at the Jazz but I would love to see him go to the hole a bit more. It’s amazing that he is providing leadership to an NBA team as a rookie.

Patty Mills — Grade: B

Patty Mills (R) drives around Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum.

Stats: Games: 15, Mins: 20.5, Points: 10.1, Rebounds: 2.2, Assists: 1.5, Steals: 0.4, Blocks: 0.1 Starts: —

2015 snapshot: Off-season shoulder surgery delayed Mills’ start to the season following his brilliant charge in the NBA finals in 2014. By his own admission, Mills took some time to find his rhythm in 2015, but has returned to top form over the past month and re-established himself as a vital piece in the Spurs’ machine. Mills, who signed a new deal with San Antonio in the off-season, is providing excellent perimeter shooting and defensive hustle from the bench.

Luc Longley says: What a miraculous recovery from a long lay off. He has taken off from where he left off and then some. He makes me feel good about Rio!

Aron Baynes — Grade: C plus

Aron Baynes #16 of the San Antonio Spurs battles for position against J.J. Hickson #7 of the Denver Nuggets.

Stats: Games: 40, Mins: 15.1, Points: 6.5, Rebounds: 4.5, Assists: 0.5, Steals: 0.2, Blocks: 0.3, Starts: 6

2015 snapshot: Baynes is Australia’s most improved player in the NBA this season. He was used sparingly during the San Antonio’s championship season in 2014, but is being increasingly relied upon by coach Gregg Popovich as he preserves the Spurs’ ageing stars through the hustle and bustle of an 82-game regular season. Baynes has season a dramatic rise in all major statistical categories in 2015.

Luc Longley says: He appears to be playing at a consistent level and is coping with pace of the game well. A bona fide NBA player.

Cam Bairstow — Grade C minus

Chicago rookie Cam Bairstow.

Stats: Games: 11, Mins: 4.4, Points: 0.9, Rebounds: 0.7, Assists: 0.1, Steals: 0.2, Blocks: 0.1, Starts: 1

2015 snapshot: Court time has proven elusive for the Queensland rookie on a competitive Chicago Bulls roster. Bairstow became the fourth Australian to play for Chicago — after Luc Longley, Chris Anstey and Luke Schenscher — after a decorated college career with the University of New Mexico. It is difficult to see Bairstow playing substantially more minutes this season without injuries to key personnel.

Luc Longley says: Limited opportunities so far, but the report out of Chicago is that he is very professional. If he is patient he will find a role

Originally published as NBA report card: How are the seven Australians faring in the big time?