Stepping up

Lots of players have been stepping up thier game lately. Im not talking about superstars and allstars, people who you expect to step up. Just role players, and maybe even former allstars getting a chance to shine once again.
One example is the forgotten forward living in Pau's shadow, Lamar Odom. Through the last 11 games his averages are 12.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Obviously this is an incredible improvement from his season av's of 9.6, 9.8 & 3.9.
Also, one has to wonder what has lit the fire under Sam Dalembert lately. Maybe it was the devastating earthquake in his home country recently that has killed over 100,000 people. But regardless, the Philly center has put up an impressive 13.5 points, 14.3 boards and 2.8 blocks over his last 6.
This is my last blog for a few weeks. What up NBA?

• Dejaun Blair must have trampoline shoes. He's 6'7 and has tallied 37 rebounds in his last two games. And 39 points as well. Lets see how long his run goes for.
  
• Manu Ginobili is a free agent next year and has been the subject of many trade rumours. Since the Spurs are underperforming, and Duncan is untouchable, and Parker is much younger, Manu seems to be copping a bit. But at this stage, i don't think i would be so keen to acquire him if i was a GM. He can still play, but he's 32, putting up his lowest numbers since his rookie year, and has a history of injury. At this stage, i would think of him as a poor mans Rudy Fernandez. In this economy you don't wanna be paying players to play 50 games a year.
  
• The latest player to approach the 5x5? Gerald Wallace. His numbers(p,r,a,s,b): 21, 7, 3, 4, 5.
  
• How much has Randy Foye been loving the starting spot in Gilbert's absence? 20.6, 4.0, and 7.8. Makes you miss Arena's a lot less when your reserve puts up those numbers. The acquisition of Randy Foye and Mike Miller in the offseason was what i thought would be just the right move to push the Wizards into the east's upper echelon. Shame on me.
  
• This is my formal apology to Derrick Rose. Several post's ago i wrote something about him underperforming. But his scoring increase each month(11.5-16.2-20.4-22.8) and also his all round superb january averages (22.8, 5, 7.3 and 51%FG) have shut me up pretty quick.
  
• Statistically, who is playing better right now, Steve Nash or Chris Paul?
  Paul has the slight advantage in points: 19.5 vs 19.0
  Paul also has a miniscule advantage in assists: 11.3 vs 11.2
  Paul grabs more rebounds: 4.4 vs 3.0
  And the steals are a no brainer win to Paul: 2.4 vs 0.4.
  But Nash has far superior shooting percentages and plays 5 less minutes each night.
  The verdict? Nash holds his place as top PG in the game for a little longer.
  
• Man i would love to catch a GSW-Bucks game. Curry vs Jennings. Today Brandon got the win but steph dropped an equally impressive stat line. BJ: 25, 4, 7 and 4 steals whilst Steph had 18, 6, 4 and 6 steals. Can't believe how many awesome young points there are right now!
  
• Lamar Odom's first game back as a 6th man after his starting role: 7 points and 2 rebounds. Bet he's wishing he was still a starter.